Penelope has had skin allergies since she was just a few months old. If you have a white bully you probably already know this is just part of the deal with the coat. For years I tried everything before I'd let myself go the medication route. Different proteins, limited ingredient diets, grain free, raw, you name it. Different shampoos, different laundry detergents, different cleaning products in the house. I drove myself crazy trying to find the trigger and honestly never could pin it down. She's always been in the same environment and the flare ups just show up randomly. Grass, detergent, pollen. I still don't have a definitive answer after 12 years.
What finally gave her real relief was Apoquel. A low dose, consistent, and it has made a real difference compared to everything else we tried. I held off on it for a long time because I wanted to find the root cause first. Looking back I wish I hadn't waited so long. She still has flare ups occasionally but nothing like before.
I want to be clear though. Penelope is one of the greatest joys of my life and I would do it all over again without hesitation. Managing her skin has never once made me question having her. It's just part of knowing your dog and taking care of them. If you have a white bully with allergies, you figure it out and you keep going. They are absolutely worth it.
