[anonymous]

The pruritus may be unrelated to the food. It may be caused by environmental allergies, the pollen count is high where I am.
Wipe off his paws with plain water and towel dry when he comes in from outside, especially after walking in grass wet with morning dew.
Bathe once a week in a gentle shampoo such as Sergeant’s fur so fresh puppy.
If it continues, I would go by what your vet suggests.

[Tammy J]

Hi All,
I think this is a great forum. I’m hoping some folks can help me find the best food for my Sweetie. She is turning 9 in September. She is a shorkie (shih tzu/yorkie) She weighs about 15 pounds. She developed bladder stones about a year ago. The vet treated her with medicine and switched her food to urinary SO. The stones actually dissolved, no surgery needed. However, I was told she would need prescription food for the rest of her life. I was previously feeding her primal freeze dried nuggets. They said raw diets are the worst choice. Sweetie has always had allergies, and she did great on raw. She’s been super itchy and eating her feet since changing food. She’s developed a bladder infection and we are now on Hills urinary c/d. She’s licked her paws raw and developed a yeast infection (didn’t know that was possible on a paw) and is on medication for that. I understand that the prescription food has a reduced amount of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. I’ve read some not great things about Hills food. Sweetie has never been a big drinker, the other thing to prevent the crystals from coming back. She also benefits from glucosamine for her stiff joints. While researching senior foods, they seem so high in the minerals. Any ideas on the best food for keeping Sweetie healthy and happy? I wouldn’t mind making homemade, since we only have one dog. Thanks for your help!

[LuckyLab]

anon101,

I think that’s good advice. My vet’s office does not seem overly concerned, while they haven’t seen him specifically for that issue we had him in last week for his wellness check/2nd vaccine and they said he checked out perfectly. They left me with the “bring him in if you want, but it doesn’t sound overly alarming” response more or less.

We are going to still watch it and wait another week before slowly transitioning him into a new food. I’ve had a lot of people in my area say allergies are worse this year than they’ve been in the past. He’s only chewing/licking 2-3 times a day at most and it’s quick then he’s done. I’m guessing it doesn’t warrant a special appointment unless we see an escalation. He has to go in later in July for another round of vaccines, we may just wait till then and ask.

I think we are going to transition him into a new food sometime next week very slowly (Fromm Gold) but stick with the grain version for the time being. No need to exclude that unless the vet advises.

[Susan]

Hi Jenny you go girl, educate your vet about pet food nutrition….Jenny ask Anon101 what she feeds her dogs??
She does NOT feed Science Diet, she does NOT feed Royal Canine & Purina she does NOT feed, yet when someone post a post asking what should I feed my new large breed puppy, she says feed it Purina Focus… I bet she has never even read the poor ingredients in this puppy formula…
Anon101 feeds Zignature a premium food that I kept recommending to feed dogs with allergies all last year, she doesn’t feed any of these kibbles with cheap ingredients from china……

Anon101 why don’t you feed your dogs the Purina Sensitive Skin & Stomach or the Science Diet Sensitive skin formula if it’s so good, why don’t you practice what you preach??

[anonymous]

I repeat, my advice is to go to a veterinary neurologist, a specialist.

I went to 3 different vets and 2 specialists (veterinary dermatologists) within 1 year before I found a specialist that correctly diagnosed my dog with environmental allergies, she is now stable x 5 years.

Veterinary care has become like our human health care. If you have a serious condition you go to a specialist.

Your dog’s symptoms have absolutely nothing to do with his diet (imo). The symptoms sound neurological and would probably respond to medication.

Ps: If the symptoms are not severe, the ultrasound (to rule out certain conditions) and a Prozac trial sounds reasonable, may be worth a try.

This is not veterinary advice; consult a veterinarian.

[Susan]

Hi,
can you afford to see a diet nutritionist they will make a special diet for your dogs needs…
Dr Karen Becker is releasing her new book soon, which is going to have special diets for health problems like cancer etc but you need a diet now… I went thru a animal Naturopath for my boy when he was put on a raw diet for his IDB & skin allergies…. You need high fat moderate protein & low carbs, I think turkey is the best meat to use or Kangaroo…
Have you email Ketopets & ask questions & ask do they do special raw diet for dogs with Mast Cell cancer? Kibble is very high in carbs & cancer loves a sugar carb diet that’s how it thrives, with Mast Cell cancer it can put pressure on the stomach & can trigger increased intestinal mobility, my boxer had acid reflux & pooing black poo’s & vomiting blood, the first vet told me to put her on a cooked lean diet Chicken diet but then I had to see another vet cause the first vet didn’t have the Endoscope camera 1st vet thought she was vomiting, the vomit had streaks of blood she had an ulcer, this was the worse thing I ever did seeing the second vet, all he believed in was his science, he put my dog on the Hills Z/d vet diet & poor Angie got worse up all night crying in bad pain after eating the Z/d kibble, I told the new vet, the Z/d has made things worse, he said oh she’s probably spoilt & crying for attention, when you feel the vet isn’t any good RUN away…. now I know not to feed high carb diet, I read the carbs % in the Hills Z/d & it’s 60% carbs, she probably couldn’t digested the hard kibble it was causing pain….

Have you looked at “Wysong” formula’s they do a freeze dried raw or Epigen high protein & starch free wet tin food… here’s their site to have a look around.. http://www.wysong.net/epigen-canned

also “Ziwi Peak” raw wet tin food it smells beautiful, I feed my cat the Ziwi Peak air dried & raw wet tin food sometimes…

Also look at “Balance It” https://secure.balanceit.com/
Balance it do special diets & make the Balance It powder to balance a cooked diet, I don’t know if balance can be used in raw diet?? you’d have to contact them, even Dr Karen Becker does consults, I did Patches consult first thru email & told the Naturopath all his health problems, then when I thought she knows what she is taking about I made appointment for a phone call or I could of done a Skype consult, she rung me & spoke for 1 hr, it cost me $60, it was cheaper then a vet visit & she made an easy to follow special home made raw diet with fresh ingredients from supermarket, for Patches IBD & I just emailed for any help afterwards… she said NO to all the premade raw diets, they’re a bit like kibble you don’t know what your getting & where the ingredients came from…with a home made raw or cooked diet you have better control & you know where the meat comes from best to use organic raw meat….

[Susan]

Hi,
Believe & have faith in your dog & go natural, 2017 dog’s are more sick now then they were back in 1970’s to 1990’s back then we feed table scrapes leftovers home cooked meals what ever you want to call it & our dogs lived longer & didn’t have all these health problems like they have today, allergies, cancer, skin problems the list goes on & on…
My boxer had Mast Cell Tumors high grade 2 cancer & back in 2008 the internet wasn’t like it is today we have so MUCH help & info now….. I listen to my vet & my Angie suffered more then she should have, I wish I knew what I know now..

Have you looked into the “Ketopet” diet?? Ketopet started to rescued pound dogs that had cancer these dog were rescued from pounds all over America, the results were astounding, these dogs had terminal cancer now had a new lease on life & they had to find them all new homes, their video made me cry, 1, how their owners just gave up on them & threw them away, dumped them in a pound to die & 2, the smiles on these once very sick dogs now running around acting puppies, it’s unbelievable how changing a dogs diet can be the difference between life & death… are you following “Rodney Habib” on his face book page?? https://www.facebook.com/rodneyhabib

here’s a link on about dog called Cali she had Hemangiosarcoma an aggressive cancer..
here’s the proof that raw diet works… have faith…
https://www.facebook.com/dogcancerseries/videos/778226332345785/?fref=mentions&pnegf=story

[anonymous]

I am very pleased with Zignature Whitefish kibble, I don’t know if Zignature makes a large breed puppy food, but if you go to their website they tend to answer questions promptly.
The food is not cheap, but then neither is going back and forth to the vet.
Sometimes it is worth it to pay a little bit more.

Regarding grain free diets, hope this helps:
https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/choosing-the-right-diet-for-your-pet/
excerpt below:
Grain free diets have become all the rage in the last few years. I suspect this has stemmed from greater recognition of gluten sensitivity in humans. Most pet food companies have jumped on the band wagon following the marketing success of grain free human diets. The truth of the matter is that there are no dog or cat studies showing a health benefit to grain free foods. A myth has been perpetuated that grains are unhealthy. In fact, whole grains contribute vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids and are highly digestible by dogs and cats. Allergies to grains are actually very rare, and only the Irish Setter breed has been demonstrated to have a gluten sensitivity. Many grain free diets substitute potatoes and tapioca, which have less protein, more sugar, and less fiber. And typically these come at a higher cost.

[pitlove]

At 9 weeks old it is a slim to none chance that he’s experiencing a food allergy or sensitivity. Grain allergies are also extremely uncommon dispite what people on the internet say.

Anon101 had the best suggestion of wiping his feet off when he comes in from outside. Constantly switching his food at only 9 weeks is liking to do more harm than good. Realistically his food shouldn’t have been switched until he had a chance to adjust to his new environment since the move can be stressful on them.

[Susan]

Hi Brain,
buy some “Malaseb” Medicated shampoo & bath weekly to wash off any allergens that may be on paws & skin, Malaseb is excellent for itchy skin, red paws, yeasty smelly skin, environment allergies & is mild enough to use daily….

Have a look at “Canidae” they also make “Under The Sun” a cheaper range of dog formula’s, there’s Under The Sun, Puppy formula with healthy ingredients, page 1, bottom right..
I think it’s Ok to feed a growing large breed pup a kibble that has healthy grains, like brown rice, oatmeal etc & also has potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, blueberries, beans, carrots etc grain free ingredients as well, I don’t know what these kibbles are called they have both, I’ve noticed a lot of large breed puppy formula’s don’t have the bad old ingredients like corn, wheat, gluten meal & soy but will have healthy grains now…
there’s Canidae Pure Foundations puppy grain free, page 3, top left
then there is Canidae’s new vet formulated All Life Stages, Large Breed, Turkey Meal & Brown Rice formula on page 4, bottom right…..
or there’s Canidae Life Stages large breed puppy, Duck Meal, Brown Rice & Lentils page 5
https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products

I would look for 2 large breed kibbles that both are different brands & have a different protein & rotate between the two…..A rotational diet allows a better chance of providing a more complete & balanced diet…..This is particularly important for young animals, the idea is that by allowing short exposure to a wider variety of protein types, the immune system is primed to a larger range of potential allergens which strengthen the immune system & may reduce the risk of allergies or symptoms developing….
I feed 1 brand kibble for breakfast & I feed a different brand & protein kibble for dinner..

[LuckyLab]

Really good advice I think, I’m hoping it’s just a puppy being a puppy. Well wipe his feet off and see if that helps. The chewing is still mild so hoping it passes or is unrelated to allergies.

[anonymous]

Oh, I forgot to mention. Don’t be fooled by mail in hair and saliva tests, they are not allergy tests. They are bogus.
Also, don’t apply any over the counter remedies to the paws, just wipe them off with a wet towel and dry, this should help.
Ps: If the symptoms continue/become problematic and eventually get diagnosed as environmental allergies. Alert the breeder, as there tends to be a genetic link.

This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian.

[anonymous]

He is too young to be diagnosed…..but it could be environmental allergies, wipe his feet off or rinse with plain water every time he comes in from the outside, especially after coming in from stepping in grass covered with morning dew. Let’s hope the allergies (if that’s what it is) are mild and seasonal.
The only way to rule out food sensitivities would be an elimination diet/prescription food under the guidance of a vet.
Veterinary Dermatologists don’t advise testing until the symptoms have been going on for 1 year/4 seasons or are are severe, and have not responded to treatment by the regular vet.
Wait and see what your vet suggests for food as it may not be related.
What about ProPlan Focus Large Breed puppy https://www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-focus-puppy-large/dp/52425

[Susan]

Hi MN,
it’s best to rotate & feed a few different brands with different proteins, this way your dogs will be getting a wider variety of protein types, the immune system is primed to a larger range of potential allergens which strengthen the immune system & may reduce the risk of allergies or symptoms developing. This is very important for young animals, added benefit with a rotational diet allows a better chance of providing a more complete & balanced diet…. Start introducing 1 of the new formula’s you’ve posted then over time introduce another new formula, I feed one a lamb formula for breakfast then I feed another formula, Venison for dinner, both different brands….
I’d be a bit careful feeding any fish formula’s, fish seems to have more toxins & contaminates then other meats. Turkey & Chicken are the cleanest meats apparently…..
I was feeding a few fish formula’s thru the Summer months, then feeding a Lamb formula & Turkey formula thru the winter months cause my boy has skin allergies & IBD but after seeing the tests done by “Clean Label Project” I saw 2 fish formula’s I was rotating & feeding my boy last Summer, they made the top 10 list of kibbles with the highest amount of toxins, my boy did become un well while eating the Holistic Select Salmon & the Earthborn Holistic White Fish….. http://www.cleanlabelproject.org/product-ratings/pet-food/
People whinged how Clean Label Project didn’t release any test results but CLP have released the test results to the pet food companies, I don’t need to see any percentages of how much arsenic, lead, mercury or cadmium was in the fish kibbles Patch ate, just seeing the brands I was feeding on the bad list was enough to know hey I’m not going to feed any more fish kibbles unless the fish comes from New Zealand clean waters……
also when you have any left over food from dinner add with their kibble, they have proven by just adding 2 spoons of fresh ingredients to a bowl of their kibble reduces their chances of getting cancer…..
Canidae make a brand called “Under The Sun” it’s a cheaper brand then Canidae, Canidae & Under the Sun made the good list in the CLP testing…. CLP tested the most popular pet foods & treats..
https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products

[Susan]

Hi Ann C
Yes it’s best to feed wet tin or a balanced cooked diet if a dog has had or is prone to Pancreatitis, I buy the Hills I/D Chicken & Vegetable Stew 156g cans 24 in a cartoon online & keep in the cupboard has long use by dates, & if I see Patch isn’t well & going down hill, he start’s whinging & lifts his front paw up & wants me to rub his stomach/pancreas area, I stop what I’m feeding & feed the Hills I/D for a few meals to rest the stomach & pancreas & rotate his kibble, he does best when I rotate between kibble formula’s & don’t leave him eating the same kibble… he has IBD as well..
Years ago vet diet’s were feed to get the dog stable then you look for another food, but cause a lot vets were leaving these pets on vet diets around 2013-2014 the vet diet companies re did some of their formula’s & balanced them so they can be eaten for a life time, it’s written on the packaging now, its good you pick the Hills, Hills have started improving all their I/d formula’s they’re are for Intestinal Stress, Pancreatits etc, Hills once had the worse ingredients but since Rodney Habib exposed these ingredient & said these poor dogs are having Intestinal Stress & these vet diet are full of corn, wheat, tallow, how are they suppose to get better?? Hills cleaned their act up, now Purina has do the same,

Try not to feed any high fiber, high carb diets, back in the 1970-1990’s before processed quick & easy kibble became the big rage, dogs were feed table scraps, they ate what we ate, home cooked meals, they were more healthy & they seemed to lived longer, they didn’t have all these new skin allergies problems & cancer like we are seeing now, they are saying dogs are at their sickest now, we need to start doing what we did years ago, start adding some fresh healthy lean foods to the dogs diet, “Rodney Habib” face book Nutrition blogger has a video where Researchers found by just adding 2 spoons of healthy foods to a bowl of kibble a day reduces your dog from getting cancer & feed a very low carb, high protein, medium fat diet, Follow & Friend “Rodney Habib” on his face book page, he’s trying to show pet owners how to read pet foods ingredient list, how to prevent cancer & how to help & feed your dog if they have cancer, there’s a video on his F/B page about a dog called Cali she was pregnant but after having a ultra scan she just had 1 puppy & a big cancer mass Hemangiosarcoma, Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive cancer she had 1-2 months to live, she now is cancer free all cause of a “Ketopet” diet, Ketopet is saving & helping dogs with cancer….Ketopets story is a beautiful story, Ketopet went to pounds around America & rescued these dogs on death row that their owners surrender cause they had cancer, these dog are now cancer free & now they all need homes a beautiful story…
https://www.facebook.com/rodneyhabib
Read ingredient lists, the first 2-5 ingredients should be a proteins then a carb,
for eg, “Canidae’s” Pure Meadow Senior formula, Chicken, Chicken meal, turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, peas, chickpeas, chicken fat, the fat is 10.80% max & protein is 28%….

[anonymous]

Yes. Good luck! Did you see the article I posted this morning?
/forums/topic/allergies-and-itchy-dogs/
Hope it helps.
The reason I suggested going to a veterinary dermatologist is that if the vet determines the dog’s allergies are probably environmental, intradermal skin testing is much more accurate and precise than the blood test. And often if the band aid treatments and elimination/prescription food trials don’t work, intradermal skin testing would be the next step prior to allergen specific immunotherapy.

This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian.

[anonymous]

This topic comes up so frequently that I thought I would post this article from LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, it stresses the importance of an accurate diagnosis being the first step in treatment.
“This is the reason that we encourage diagnosis of the underlying cause of the allergy and more specific or less potentially harmful treatments”.

Introduction
Coping with an itchy pet can be an extremely frustrating experience for you, the pet owner and can truly test the limits of the human-animal bond.  Persistent scratching and chewing by the pet can also result in self-excoriation and open wounds.  The following information is intended to provide the pet owner with a basic understanding of the most common underlying causes of itching and allergies in the small animal.
 
The Most Common Causes of Chronic Itching
The common causes fall into two groups: external parasites and allergies.  External parasites that most commonly cause chronic itching dermatitis include fleas and sarcoptic mange.  We often recommend therapeutic trials for sarcoptic mange in chronically and severely itchy dogs.  We always recommend stepped-up flea control and monitoring for fleas, as flea infestation can really make allergy worse!
 
What are allergies?
Allergy is a state of hypersensitivity in which exposure to a harmless substance known as an allergen induces the body’s immune system to “overreact”.  The incidence of allergies is increasing in both humans and their pets.  People with allergies usually have “Hay Fever” ( watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing) or asthma. While dogs can rarely also have respiratory allergies, more commonly they experience the effects of allergic hypersensitivities as skin problems.  Though there are a variety of presentations, this can often be seen as redness and itching, recurring skin or ear infections, and hair loss.  This is sometimes called ‘eczema’ or atopic dermatitis.  

What are the Major Types of Allergies in Dogs?
Flea Allergy
Flea allergic dermatitis is the most common skin disease in dogs and cats.  For the flea allergic patient, 100% flea control is essential for the pet to remain symptom-free.  “But doctor, I never see fleas on my pet.”
 
You may not see them, but that does not mean they are not there.  The allergy is caused by the flea’s saliva, and it only takes a few bites to induce the problem.  Also, the itchy pet often scratches so much that adult fleas are removed, making them hard to find.  “If fleas are the problem, why is my pet still itchy in the winter.” – In warm climates like we have Louisiana, fleas may survive in low numbers year-round.  Because flea allergy is so common, we recommend that complete flea control be instituted before proceeding with diagnostics for other allergies and that year-round flea control be maintained for all allergy patients.

Food Allergy
Some pets develop specific hypersensitivities to components of their diets.  The allergen usually is a major protein or carbohydrate ingredient such as beef, chicken, pork, corn, wheat, or soy.  Minor ingredients such as preservatives or dyes are also potential allergens.  The diagnosis of food allergy requires that we test your pet by feeding special strict diets that contain only ingredients that he has never eaten before. This is often achieved by feeding a prescription diet for a period of 10 – 16 weeks.  If the signs resolve, a challenge is performed by feeding the former diet and watching for a return of the itching.  If this occurs, a diagnosis of food allergy is confirmed.  

Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inherited predisposition to develop skin problems from exposure to variety of commonplace and otherwise harmless substances including the pollens of weeds, grasses and trees, as well as house dust mites and mold spores.  Diagnosis of AD is made based on the results of intradermal skin testing or by in vitro blood testing.  Skin testing is the preferred method; small injections of many different allergens are made in the skin on the pet’s side, under light sedation.  Observation of the reactions helps us compile a list of allergens for a “vaccine” that is made to decrease the pet’s sensitivity.  Sometimes multiple skin and/or blood tests are necessary to accurately assess the patient’s allergies.

Secondary Infections
Allergies are often the underlying cause of recurring skin and/or ear.  Bacterial and yeast infections, though secondary to the allergy, can cause an increase in your pet’s level of itching. Long term treatment with antibiotics and anti-yeast medications is commonly required, along with medicated bathing programs.

Can allergies be cured?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergy and it is usually a life-long problem. We seek to control allergy and improve the quality of life for both you and your pet.  We will formulate the best program of management that suits all involved with your pet’s care.  

Can I have the itching treated without the expense of diagnostic testing?
Symptomatic drug therapy can help to reduce itching.  Steroids, such as prednisone tablets, in particular, are often employed to stop the itch.  However, without addressing the underlying cause, the itching will return.  Long term use of steroids can result in many health problems.  This is the reason that we encourage diagnosis of the underlying cause of the allergy and more specific or less potentially harmful treatments.
– See more at: http://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/veterinary_hospital/services/dermatology/patient_information/allergies_in_dogs.php#sthash.tAEI8WbV.dpuf

[Susan]

What none of you have taken into account is this dog has only been in the family for 3 months so came into family end of Winter, feeding the Purina probably had nothing to do with the dog being OK it was probably the cooler weather & the pollens weren’t around yet, looks like this dog has environment allergies, so he can probably end high end food or $2 kibble & still have his itchy skin…. Need to find out what in the environment is causing his itchy skin, this can be hard to do, there could be a few different allergens he’s reacting too, the best test is a Intradermal skin test is needed, where vet put allergens under the dogs skin & then see what does he react to, he may be allergic to dust mites from inside the house in carpet???
If Patterson has some savings make appointment with a Dermatologist or a vet that’s up to speed with all the testing involved cause owner will be going around & around in circle wasting more & more money as the years go by….
Allergies seem to get worse as they get older… the cheapest & probably the easiest is to have the Cytopoint injections excellent for environment allergies & relieves the dog within 24hrs…..& a diet high in omega 3 & dog high potency vitamin C is a natural anti histamine…

[Susan]

Hi
Oh I thought he was doing much better after going back to his Iams, it sounds like environment allergies, my boy has seasonal environment allergies & food intolerances, he’s fine thru the cold Winter months when all the pollens aren’t around & as long as he doesn’t eat any foods that he’s sensitive too, then as soon as Summer comes that’s it he’s one itchy mess…..
Best thing to do to relieve his itchy skin is BATHS, I give weekly baths or bath twice a week when Patch is one big itchy mess, I use “Malaseb” medicated shampoo, it can be used daily, when you bath you wash off the allergens on the skin & I use creams Sudocrem & Hydrocortisone 1% cream, at night I check his paws, head etc where ever looks red & sore I apply the cream to relieve his itchy skin or red paws, when he wakes up in morning he has clear skin, his red paws have all gone away, then we go on our walks & he starts getting his hive like lumps, red paws again, this is why it’s best to keep a diary you’ll start to see a pattern, as the years go by, what you used what worked best what foods he seemed better on etc…. normally fish kibbles are best cause they’re higher in Omega 3 fatty acids…..Costco has their Kirkland Signature Domain Smoked Salmon & Sweet Potatoes its the TOTW Pacific Stream Smoked Salmon but cheaper…
You need to feed a diet that’s high in Omega 3…..I wonder if the Iams isn’t balanced properly & too low in Omega 3 & too high in Omega 6 fatty acids??
I’d say Dinovite has ingredients higher in omega 3 that reduce inflammation & why Dinovite probably helps some dogs health wise….
When they did research they found some dog kibbles are lower in omega 3 & higher in Omega 6 causing skin problems, omega 3 is anti-inflammatory & omega 6 is pro-inflammatory, if you don’t want to change from the Iams to a higher omega 3 kibble then start adding 1 fish oil capsule a day to diet or buy the tin sardines in spring water & add about 2 small sardines to one of his meals a day, Aldi’s sell good cheap sardines in spring water..

Do you have a good vet that’s up to speed with new drugs & pretty good with dogs with skin problems?? some vets will specialize more in certain fields Patches vet specializes more in IBD & Skin problems sometimes you don’t have to see a Dermatologist & pay double the price certain vets can do skin scraps, tests & have all the new drugs that have come out…Vets are seeing more & more dogs with skin problems, my vet said she saw double the amount last Summer, we had a bad Summer that’s why Patches immune system went into over drive & had a IBD flare, reacting to the environment allergies.
Hills has a new vet diet that’s high in Omega 3, the Omega 3% should be 1/2 of what the omega 6 % is, it’s called, “Derm Defense” for Environment Allergies..

There’s a new drug called CADI – Cytopoint injections, same markers of Apoquel have brought out Cytopoint injections (CADI) is a new miracle drug for dogs with environment allergies these dog are finally getting some relief after years & years of having itchy skin, hopefully we’ll be getting it this Summer my vet said….& it has minimal side effects..

How CADI Injection works & is different from all the other drugs for skin problems it blocks the receptors completely, where Apoquel blocks the reaction from the allergen receptors, so many dogs are doing really well since having a monthly shot of CADI it can last from 4-6 weeks depends on your dog & they are finding it builds up in their system, as you get more injections you need less & less…….
Find out does your vets office hold this new drug just shop around in your area & find a vet that has the Cytopoint, that vet will be up to speed with skin problems, if your vets office doesn’t have the Cytopoint, then don’t waste your money seeing him he’ll just do the old fashion Prednisone injection & prednisone tablets that cause more health problems further down the line…
a really good Face Book group called “Dog issues, allergies and other information support group” join the group & read people response since trying the Cytopoint injections they have their old dog back itchy free & happy..
https://www.zoetisus.com/products/dogs/cytopoint/efficacy_itchrelief.aspx

[anonymous]

As I told you before, environmental allergies wax and wane. It is impossible for anyone, except a veterinarian that has examined your dog to answer your question.
My posts are getting repetitive as you keep asking the same questions over and over again.
You will not find medical help here or on any other forum.
Go to the vet. Get a diagnosis and see what is recommended.
Peace out.
Ps: Stop it with the over the counter meds.
This is not veterinary advise; consult your veterinarian.

[anonymous]

“Look, I am a complete novice, but it seems the common sense approach is one you have already taken-go back to the iams. If that resolves the problem, then you know it was the other food that was the cause. If not, then proceed accordingly.”

@ Randy D
Apparently, the food changes are not working.
The dermatologist (that treats my dog) told me that most of the time pruritus (itching) is caused by environmental allergies.
The OP’s last post indicates that the dog is still very uncomfortable.
“It’s been 4 days back on his previous food and he’s definitely still itching.”
If it was my dog, depending on the severity of the symptoms, I might take the dog to the vet for a shot of prednisone to stop the suffering.

This is not veterinary advise; consult your veterinarian.

[anonymous]

Regarding frequent bathing and prescription shampoo (from a previous post/thread)
You can find the malaseb at chewy dot com at possibly a better price. I have found that after the first year of treatment by a veterinary dermatologist, I can now alternate with other gentle shampoos with good effect.
However, I had tried malaseb before seeing the dermatologist and it didn’t help. But, in conjunction with ASIT, it did.
I stopped recommending it unless prescribed by a vet as it is expensive and people expect too much. Plus, depending on the allergies, it may not be necessary.

Update: I spoke to the veterinary dermatologist today and he confirmed that malaseb shampoo was not always necessary and works best in conjunction with other treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian.
In fact, now that my dog is stable and responding well to ASIT (allergen specific immunotherapy), I can use inexpensive gentle otc (over the counter) dog shampoos instead.
He said often that just rinsing the dogs paws/feet off with plain water every time the dog comes in from outside, can be effective for removing pollens, especially after walking in grass covered in morning dew.

This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian

[Susan]

Hi, what are you feeding your dog with Colitis ? so your looking for a dry food that can maybe cater for both dogs health problems….later on when both dogs are doing better give the TOTW Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb a try, it’s a single protein Lamb meal, limited ingredient kibble….
When I first rescued Patch he was diagnosed with Colitis from food intolerances & has Environment skin allergies as well, double whammy, poor dog, I had to do the elimination diet to find out what foods were irritating his bowel & skin, it was time consuming but worth it in the end, “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain, Roasted Lamb was the first kibble after 2 yrs of trying vet diets & premium kibbles that helped my boy with his IBD & skin problems as well, it was like winning the lottery, I finally found a dry food that didn’t irritate his stomach & bowel & make his skin itch, even Patch was soo happy & started to gain some weight, IBD is an awful disease….. Patches vet rung me a bit worried cause we had not seen her in a while, we were at the vets monthly & she’d ring me weekly instead of me having to pay to see her at the vets office, Patch is very lucky we finally found a good vet & she has IBD as well, which is good cause she understands what poor Patch is going thru, she a very good vet, she’s originally from America & came to Australia…she explained how Colitis IBD can be painful, cause Patch sometimes starts being real clingy & whinges & follows me around the house, he drives me nuts some days, there’s been a few times I have asked her about putting him to sleep, I understand when you say this is the first night he hasn’t licked himself to sleep…..So he definitely has food sensitivities if you’ve change his food back & he’s back to normal after 5 days….like I said there’s no magic test for food sensitivities except food elimination diet….
I’m pretty sure TOTW cost the same price as Iams…..”Costco” does their “Kirkland Signature” Domain, they’re the same as TOTW formula’s, later when both dogs are doing really well, if ever you need to change kibbles, Costco do a Lamb & Rice formula, I don’t live near a Costco’s, I’ve heard Costco pet foods are good & cheaper…..

[anonymous]

Pruritus can be very uncomfortable, untreated it can lead to skin infections, ear infections and malaise and sometimes even aggressive behavior.
This subject comes up at least twice a week. Rather than treat the symptoms and change the diet multiple ways. The first step would be to get h1s condition diagnosed by a veterinarian. Atopic dermatitis is often caused by environmental allergies, not the food.
Food sensitivities fluctuate and tend to result in gastrointestinal disturbances rather than pruritus. Food allergies are rare.
Environmental allergies tend to wax and wane, they may be mild and may be treated with prescribed meds such as Apoquel certain times of the year or severe and need year round treatment such as allergen specific immunotherapy (desensitization) which is now available sublingual (by mouth).
I got the best results after going to a veterinary dermatologist. I spent a year going back and forth to the regular vet and didn’t get any answers. Although, they did offer temporary comfort measures. Allergies are complicated, they don’t go away, there is no cure.
However there is effective treatment.

Here is my response to a similar question:
“Have environmental allergies been ruled out? What you describe sounds like that’s what your dog may have vs food sensitivities”.
“They usually start around 1-2 years old and get worse with age. Environmental allergies tend to wax and wane making it almost impossible to tell which foods work or not”.
“Everyone blames the food, but I have found my dog tolerates a lot of different foods since beginning allergen specific immunotherapy (desensitization). The treatment tends to be lifelong, but no more ear infections, rashes, anal gland issues (5 years in)”
“The initial testing, intra dermal skin testing is expensive, maintenance isn’t that bad.
For best results, an accurate diagnosis and treatment options that work, I would make an appointment with a veterinary dermatologist. Allergies are complicated and often require the expertise of a specialist.”
And another:
“When you call for the appointment with the veterinary dermatologist, the office will explain how to prepare the dog for testing, depending on the results of the exam, the specialist may recommend intra dermal skin testing to identify environmental allergies. The expertise of the specialist in interpreting the results is crucial to the treatment he will recommend.
He may want to do a blood test, in my dog’s case we skipped it as he determined the symptoms to be clearly environmental.”
“We were in and out in about an hour with a list of allergies and a course of treatment to begin”.
“Allergen specific immunotherapy, 5 years in and my dog is doing very well, we see the dermatologist once a year”.
“Now, if your dogs allergies are mild/seasonal he may suggest medication certain times of the year instead”.
“Forget about hair and saliva tests they are scams (imo)”
“Ps: Let us know how it goes, I was very pleased with how smoothly the testing went.
They say it may take a while to see results, but I saw improvement right away”

If you click on my avatar and scan “replies created” you will find a multitude of comments I have provided related to allergies.
Ps: I can’t stress this enough. I would not apply anything to the rash, no over the counter meds, creams (nothing) unless recommended by a veterinarian that has examined the dog. Also, too much bathing may make the rash worse.
You can’t treat a condition until you know what it is 🙂

I agree with pitluv, if Iams works, stick with it. Maybe the fish doesn’t agree with him?

This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian.

[Susan]

Hi Patterson, Iams don’t have the best ingredients, read ingredient list in the Iams Lamb & Rice, Lamb should be the only protein but there could be other proteins they often advertise 1 protein on the front of kibble bag & there’ll be chicken as well, then look for a better quality kibble minus the corn & other un healthy ingredients in the Iams formula..
My boy does real well on Lamb also he does well on “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb, it just has Lamb & limited ingredients, there’s “California Natural” Lamb meal & Rice it just has 3 ingredients, you could rotate with a couple of kibbles once you have introduce them & he doesn’t react to them this way he’s not just eating Iams 24/7 also read the ingredient list to the Nutro Max G/F Salmon formula, he’s definitely sensitive to an ingredient in the Nutro Max formula…
Blood & Salvia food testing can give false positives the only true way is by doing an food elimination diet, once he’s doing really well on his Iams formula start adding 1 new food with his Iams kibble, add tin salmon in spring water, drain the water, cause salmon was in the Nutro max Salmon formula, see does he itch & scratch again?? if not then stop the salmon & add another ingredient that’s in the Nutro Max formula, this way you will get some answers & know what foods he reacts too….

“Canidae Pure” formula’s are pretty good, they have limited ingredients for dogs with skin allergies & food sensitivities, or look at “Canidae Life Stages” formula’s, there’s Canidae Life Stages Lamb Meal & Rice formula http://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products

I rotate & feed the Canidae Pure Wild Boar, TOTW Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb & I’m trying the Hills D/D Venison & Potatoes vet diet, my boy has IBD & Skin allergies the Hills D/D Venison & Potato has just come to Australia, the D/D is for skin & food sensitivities, D/D has limited ingredients with single intact animal protein, grain free, gluten free, soy protein free, no beet pulp & is high in omega 3 what’s needed for skin allergies & IBD….
I want a vet diet where I know if Patch gets real bad with his IBD I can fall back on it, his environment allergies when get that bad by the end of Summer & put his immune system into over drive & starts attacking his intestinal tract, every March the end of Summer we are at the vets with Patch having an IBD flare, so when Summer comes back around this year I’ll start him on the Hills D/D Venison & Potato with the extra Omega 3 & ingredients to strengthen his immune system so by the end of Summer hope fully we will not be at the vets again in March with a IBD flare… keep a diary write down foods etc that cause a reaction, Food Sensitivities can take 1 day to react up to 6 weeks so best to test 1 new food for 6 weeks to see if there’s a skin reaction or intestinal stress….
For his inner hide leg put some Hydrocortine 1% cream on before bad at night or Sudocrem is excellent as well its for eczema, dermatitis & nappy rash or look for a baby cream with the same ingredients as the Sudocrem has, a lady found a baby nappy rash cream with same ingredients in America but I didn’t write down the creams name or she said you can buy the Sudocrem on Amazon, its excellent it acts as a barrier & relieves any itchy skin, red paws, itchy bum etc…

[S P]

Svan,

A sincere thanks for posting the information pertaining to contamination, however, one “caveat” needs to be mentioned: The majority of the report’s top rated brands are some of the worst foods that you can possibly feed to a dog! What a dilemma….

As a side-note, if interested in a fish diet for your pooch, I have been satisfied with a Canadian brand called ‘Holistic Blend/My Healthy Pet/Marine Fish 5 Fish/Grain Free’ (I “ditched” Champion/ACANA/Orijen months ago). This exact brand wasn’t included in the ‘Clean Label’ review, but I have been very satisfied with the results achieved so far (white Pitbull 70lbs – easy weight maintenance, small stool, no skin allergies or itching, no oily residue, and the food doesn’t smell bad, which is usually the case with other fish-based diets. Chewy is one of the few retailers. Try the 7.5lb. bag. -SP

[Cath N]

Call the company and inquire. I’d focus on the panting and obtain tests. A food journal is the only way to determine what she can tolerate. I used organic Paul Newman kibble which was the only one they would eat. The scant meat was placed in food processor and mixed with some kibble. No longer use kibble they are 16y.o., teeth are good and blood tests also good. But keep them on home cooked food and observe any ill-signs. Every one seems to have less food tolerance as we age, as well as dogs; have to keep a watchful eye. I’ve purchased 99% fat free chicken breast , however, dogs with allergies can’t tolerate. No fat, if possible. Remember, FOOD JOURNAL. Best of luck.

[anonymous]

@ Susie, Thanks for your input
You never know. That is why I suggested a return visit to the vet. Usually pruritus is indicative of allergies….
If you don’t catch those anal gland clogs in the early stages, sometimes they develop an abscess deep inside. It get’s hard and it won’t move out with manual manipulation.

[anonymous]

The more I think about it, I would advise you to take the dog to the vet (asap) to get a shot (IM Benadryl or possibly a steroid) to stop the pruritus and assess the allergic reaction.

I prefer to err on the side of safety.

This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian.

[anonymous]

Call the vet and ask him to return your call when he has a minute. Direct your medication question to him.
Discuss what other flea/tick preventives would be appropriate for your pet.
I have one dog that had a localized reaction to a topical (Advantix), mild rash exactly where I applied the topical, no pruritus or other symptoms.
For that dog I am using the Seresto collar, so far it’s working. Years ago I had another dog that developed a rash due to a tick collar, my other dogs had no problem with it.
Every dog is different, and as you have found out, the natural stuff doesn’t work.

As far as medicating with over the counter meds (not intended for veterinary use), I think you should ask your vet, I don’t know your dog’s medical history, age etc.
It depends on how bad the pruritus is, you may want the vet to examine him first…..he may need a shot (immediate relief) if it’s a true allergic reaction.

The Benadryl dose is usually 1mg to 1 pound of dog, example 25 mg for a 25 pound dog, the pills are scored and can be broken in half. Do not use the children’s liquid it contains ingredients that are contraindicated for dogs.
Benadryl at it’s best is mild and often not very effective. If the dog is as uncomfortable as you suggest, I would take her to the vet for a shot.

This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian.

Ps: If the dog is red all over, rash on the chest, difficulty breathing or any other concerning symptoms, I would go to the emergency vet, NOW.

[Christie]

Last year my mother’s dog had issues with fleas after natural topical flea preventative didn’t work. She brought her in to the vet and the vet prescribed K-9 Advantix II. The Advantix killed the fleas, but left her with severe itching and pain. The vet said that it wasn’t the topical medicine itself, but the combination of using it with the natural topical. He said to wait a few days and to give her an oatmeal bath if the itching persisted. That it would just eventually run its course out of her system. It took weeks for the itching to stop.

It was the end of the summer when this happened, so we didn’t have to apply any more topical preventative.

Fast forward to this week where my mother put on the Advantix, and lo and behold the incessant itching has returned. The only way the poor dog will sleep is if my mother gently rub her back. She literally rubs the area just above her tail against a dining room chair to get relief.

Is it safe to try giving her Benedryl? She’s about 40 pounds and PetMD suggests 1 mg/ pound for the dosage.

Last year, we tried an over the counter anti-itch spray a few days after the oatmeal bath. Nothing helped but time. I was hoping since Benedryl was internal, it might help where the external spray didn’t?

Any suggestions? Thanks

• This topic was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by Christie.

[Ashley H]

I know I’m a lot late for this post, but was hoping to help incase anyone needed it! We try and use a minimalist diet for our dog with allergies. It isn’t a kibble, but works well! Great company and human grade ingredients. It’s called Honest Kitchen. They have a couple types of protein sources and limited ingredient diets. We have also used Open Farm and my sensitive guy does great on the fish formula. I’ve also heard ziwi peak and Timberwolf are excellent. Good luck to all!

[Susan]

Hi Simon, I feed the Canidae Pure Wild Boar grain free limited ingredients low carbohydrates… look at the Canidae Pure Meadow Senior for your older dogs, rotate with the Royal Canin Dental vet diet, feed one formula for breakfast & the Canidae formula for dinner but first introduce the Canidae Pure Meadow Senior over 7-10 days…
If Moose hasn’t vomited or doing sloppy poo’s & is doing well, then just keep feeding the Canidae, it’s probably all a coincidence with what’s happening with Moose… I have a dog with IBD & skin allergies & he does real well on Canidae, we’ve tried the Life Stages, All life Stages & the Life Stages, Platinum & Pure Land…..
When I rescued my Staffy he was terrified of thunderstorm & fireworks he came from the quiet country town & I live in town full of loud noises, ships blowing their horn etc..
I just made Patch feel very comfortable, held him & showed him its all OK & showed him Jeremy our old cat, he’s OK he’s not stressing, it didn’t work ignoring Patch, it seem to make him worse, he’d shake & vibrate for hours, 4yrs later he’s really good now, when there’s a storm or New Years fireworks, he’s not shaking or panting, he goes to sleep now, they just need to trust in our words & everything does work out OK…..Sometimes comforting them does work…..
You could try a natural remedy called “Rescue Remedy” you put a few drops on their tongue the Rescue Remedy calms them down before going on a long trips, loud noises etc, it’s sold pet shops & Chemist works really well I’ve been told, the lady that baths Patch said she uses Rescue Remedy drops on her old dog, she’s a real stress head…..

[pat c]

Hello. I’ve read these forums with interest and would sincerely appreciate a recommendation from those more knowledgeable than I.

We adopted our first dog about a year ago. She’s a 30 pound total mutt (some american staffy). She’s in good health with no major issues. Some eye gunk that mostly cleared up with better food and some dandruff and maybe light allergies (nothing diagnosed). She’s gotten very fussy with her dry food and I’d love some good recommendations on what to try next. I’ve read a lot but I’m not an expert and it seems like every time I see positive review on something, I find negative ones as well so I’m pretty confused and would rather seek guidance from those who know, than keep trying to guess! 🙂

After switching her off the crap they were feeding her in the shelter, we’ve cycled through
– Nutro,
– Orijen Adult Grain Free (which she was on for a while and she seemed to like but we stopped when we saw the negative reviews and new location/forumla),
– Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (she didn’t seem to like it that much and he stools were much softer)
– Wellness CORE Grain Free Original Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food (liked it more than TOTW but still iffy), and now
– Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Wild Game Duck, Turkey, Boar & Rabbit (likes it a touch more than the previous blend, but doesn’t love it).

Throughout this time we’ve also mixed in Stella & Chewy’s dinner patties which she LOVES. They just seem too expensive to offer as her entire diet.

Lately, she has a lot less interest in all of the foods above and will sometimes even refuse to begin eating, or not finish, unless we mix something else in. Now I am crumbling in one Stella & Chewy’s pattie with her dry food to get her to eat.

I’d like to try a couple of new options but am overwhelmed but the amount of information on the different types of foods, flavors, acceptable ingredients, and different types of diets and 5 star reviews out there.

Based on the above, I’d sincerely appreciate a couple of other good recommendations for a picky eater. While the Stella & Chewy’s feels a bit expensive as a primary meal, assume cost isn’t really a factor here.

Thank you SO MUCH in advance for any advice!

[Susan]

Hi Melissa,
sounds like you have a puppy with a very sensitive stomach/bowel, he may suffer with skin allergies as he get’s older, there’s a few Goldendoodles with sensitive stomach & skin on a Face Book group I belong too….
Food sensitivities/intolerances can take anywhere from 1 day to 6 weeks to react to a certain ingredient & have Intestinal stress… sounds like there’s an ingredient in the Fromm he’s sensitive too..
My boy has skin allergies & food intolerances & can’t eat high fat meals, tapioca, beet pulp, liver, barley & high fiber kibbles & too many proteins & ingredients he gets stomach up sets, acid reflux, sloppy poos/diarrhea & he wakes up 2am, 4am or 5am crying at the front door to be let out to have diarrhea, sometimes you can hear loud grumbling noises coming from his bowel (Wind)….
You’ll have to start working out what agrees with him & what doesn’t, keep a diary & write down foods, kibbles etc that don’t agree with him & try & work out if there’s an common ingredient, I ended up doing a elimination food diet..

I’ve had great success with “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain, Roasted Lamb, it is a single protein formula with just lamb meal & has limited ingredients, grain free & is a all life stages formula, has the matching wet tin food…… https://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/

When a dog knows a food/kibble causes pain, upset stomach, wind, nausea they’re hesitate to eat it or don’t eat it at all, listen to your dog when he doesn’t want to eat something, he’s telling you, mum this makes me sick, offer to feed something else, he might prefer a wet tin food, cooked, raw or rotate between 2 brands of kibbles that’s what I do, so he doesn’t get sick of eating the same kibble formula, Patch gets Canidae Pure for breakfast & TOTW for lunch & dinner…but you have pup I don’t know how it works rotating Puppy formula’s if it’s Ok….ask & email the kibble company, they would know….
TOTW have vet nutritionist that email back & give advise…

Canidae is another food I feed the Canidae Pure Wild Boar, all the Pure formula’s have limited ingredients.
Canidae have a 3 large breed puppy formula’s, 2 in their “Life Stages” formula’s dry & wet tin, Canidae have a new Large breed puppy Turkey & Brown Rice that has only 1 protein Turkey Meal that’s not too high in protein or fat & can be feed all stages of life Puppy, Adult & Senior large breed…
http://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products/canidae-all-life-stages-large-breed-turkey-meal-brown-rice-dry-formula
or Canidae Life Stages Large breed Puppy Duck Meal & Lentils wet & dry
or Canidae’s “Under The Sun” Large Breed Puppy Chicken dry

Maybe try a kibble that has limited ingredient & only 1 protein & see how he goes, no more then 8 ingredients so there’s less ingredients to cause any problems .. Read the ingredients, fiber, fat & protein % in the Nutrisource Puppy formula & the Fromm Heartland Puppy & see is there heaps of ingredients? how many different proteins? is the Fat, Fiber & Protein on the higher end?
Best to buy from a Pet Shop this way you can take it back for a refund & try another food if he doesn’t really want to eat it…..

[Susan]

Hi again Cytopoint Injections are not the same as Allergen Specific Immunotherapy injections, with Allergen Specific Immunotherapy injections, you need to do the Intradermal skin test where they inject allergens under the dogs skin & work out what in the environment your dog is allergic too, then they make a special mix with all the allergens your dog is allergic too & you inject small amounts of these allergens slowly building up to more & more as time goes by & your dog is suppose to build an immune to all these allergens, it takes a while to see any results & the dog still needs to use drugs like Apoquel to relieve the dogs itch……very expensive & time consuming….. Join the group above I recommended & read what people are getting best result with…

[Susan]

Hi, pea flour & pea starch isn’t as bad as pea protein, Hills Vet Nutritionist explained to me it’s the protein in foods that the dog is sensitive or allergic too….
I would avoid eating peas if your 100% sure he can’t eat peas……
Have you tried a vet diet & done a proper food elimination diet? either using a vet diet or a raw diet?
this is the only true why to find out what foods your dog has intolerances too…. also another way is thru the winter months your dog will do better then as soon as spring & summer come your dog gets worse then it’s seasonal environment allergies what my boy suffers with as long as I feed him foods he’s OK with we have a good winter until spring & summer come around ….. it’s so hard to work out what is causing what….best to feed a raw limited ingredient diet then start the CADI injections…It’s too hard to do food elimination diet while feeding a dry kibble too many allergens to deal with in a kibble…

Join this face Book Group, “Dog issues, allergies and other information support group” there’s a new injection that has just come out made by the same makers of Apoquel called “Cytopoint” CADI injections, the way CADI injection works is it blocks the receptors completely & stops the itch where Apoquel blocks the reaction from the allergen receptors, so many dogs in America are enjoying an itch free Summer since having the CADI injections, it last 4-6 weeks, apparently the more CADI injection your dog has the injection seem to last longer & longer till he needs the CADI injection, find a vet or Dermatologist in your area & ask what they think of this new drug… my vet said results looks excellent….

More info in this group from parents & their happy dogs, CADI isn’t in Australia yet but hopefully we’ll get it this spring/summer, we had an awful Summer so good luck, make sure you give baths to wash off the pollens, dirt. grass etc the days your dog isn’t doing well..
https://www.facebook.com/groups/240043826044760/

[anonymous]

The shots, are not medication. Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (desensitization) is the most natural way to treat environmental allergies. It is now available sublingual (by mouth) if you are squeamish about shots.
There is no cure for allergies. However there is treatment, it tends to be lifelong.
Avoidance does not work, it’s impossible. for example, the common house dust mite (common allergen) is around all year round and on the skin of all living things.
For all you know, your dog’s allergies may be mild/seasonal and receptive to medications certain times of the year.
Intradermal skin testing done by a dermatologist is the most accurate way to identify environmental allergens.
I skipped the blood test on the advice of the dermatologist (treatment specific to my dog)
per the search engine
/forums/search/environmental+allergies/
This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian.

[Amy Y]

Thank you for the help. I have had the comprehensive blood panel done and we live out in the “country” and have found that there are a bunch of trees, weeds and grasses that he is allergic to that we will never be able to control. I don’t want to have to resort to giving him shots forever.

[anonymous]

You can use the search engine here to look up environmental allergies.
Until you get the environmental allergies under control, changing the food will make little to no difference.

For the best results make an appointment with a veterinary dermatologist (asap).
If the symptoms have been going on for 1 year 4 seasons without a significant response to treatment by your regular veterinarian, it is time to consult a specialist.

You could ask your veterinarian about an elimination diet/prescription food, if you have not done so already. However, food allergies are rare and food sensitivities fluctuate.
Don’t be fooled by saliva and hair food sensitivity mail-in tests (scams).
If you are receptive to science based veterinary medicine, you may find this site helpful
http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=allergies
The veterinary dermatologist will accurately diagnose your dog, then you can evaluate your treatment options. Best of luck.

This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian.

[Amy Y]

Greetings! I have an English bull terrier that is allergic to EVERYTHING! (No joke, borderline allergic to human skin) So, he is allergic to beef, chicken, corn, lamb, oats, pork, shellfish, soy beans,tomato, turkey and green peas. I have to get particular food but almost all of them contain peas, pea starch, pea flour etc. My question is, is the pea starch and pea flour gonna be as bad for him as the peas? I’m completely at my wits end trying to help him, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Amy

[Susan]

Hi Randy thank-you for rescuing a Staffy, Staffys are one of the most miss label breeds in the world, Staffy’s are LOVING, very smart, easy to train & love their humans, known as the Nanny Dog early 1900’s in the UK….
My boy Patch is a English Staffordshire Bull Terrier also a rescue, the most friendly dog I’ve ever own, he has to stop & say hello to everyone when on our walks & loooovvvees kids…. When I got him he was in real poor condition, weeing blood, pooing blood, skin problems & now suffers with IBD, skin allergies & food intolerances, some staffys have an iron stomach, while other staffys have sensitive stomach & sensitive skin, like most breeds, so just keep an eye out if your girl does start to itch & scratch, could be she’s sensitive to a food or can be flea or environment allergies…Diet is the key to a healthy pet..
I have feed the “Pro Pac Ultimates” Bayside Whitefish & Meadow Prime Lamb grain free kibbles, Patch did well on both formula’s & had a very shinny coat, kibble was easy to digest & poo’s were nice & firm…. The maker’s Midwestern Pet Foods make “Earthborn Holistic”, “Pro Pac Ultimates” & “Sportmix, Wholesomes ” formula’s

My boy also does real well on “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain, Roasted Lamb, it’s a single protein Lamb Meal with limited ingredients, excellent for sensitive stomach & skin, TOTW has their High Prairie with Roasted Bison & Venison, Canine grain free formula, it’s higher in protein 32%min & fat 18%min, only has 29% carbohydrates… TOTW also has their matching wet tin foods… https://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/

“Costco” sell Kirkland Signature, Nature Domain, Salmon & Sweet Potato is made by TOTW & is the same as the TOTW Pacific Stream Smoked Salmon formula & cheaper…. 39lb for $39.49 http://www.kirklandsignaturepetsupplies.com/natures-domain-brand

There’s also “Canidae” Pure formula’s Pure Wild Boar is really good. http://www.canidae.com/dog-food/ products

I would start with a formula that’s not too high in fat & protein, the TOTW Sierra Mountain, Roasted Lamb, has 1 protein Lamb meal & limited ingredients & the fat-15% & protein-25% is moderate, not too low or high, or Kirkland Signature “Nature Domain” formula’s or Pro Pac Ultimates Bayside Whitefish, just incase she was feed a low quality kibble that was low in fat & protein, this way she shouldn’t have any Intestinal Stress while being introduce to a better quality formula’s…. Slow & steady is best & then start rotating between a few different brands with different proteins, this will strengthen her immune system…
also follow “Rodney Habib” on his face book page, he has really good info on Pet Nutrition, how to read dog food when reading the ingredient list video, he does easy to follow videos, there’s 1 video Rodney has, showing just by adding 2 spoons of fresh whole foods to your dogs bowl of kibble reduces the risk of her getting cancer & other health problems later in life, tin Sardines, Salmon, Tuna in spring water, give fresh meaty bones twice a week for her teeth, chicken bones are nice & soft & easy to digest…. Save the Rodney Habib “DIY health tips” link I posted above, it’s has really helpful information & all his videos he has made….. https://www.planetpaws.ca/category/diy-pet-health-tips/

Please post some photos of your new girl & her name….take a photo when you get her then after you’ve had her for 6months see the different after being feed a healthy diet…

[pitlove]

Hi Randy-

I have an American Staffordshire Terrier who just made 3 in May. You will absolutely love the breed. Really any bull breed is great.

Mine unfortunately is plagued with a lot of the normal skin problems that come with Pit bull type breeds. Food sensitivities and environmental allergies as well. It is possible, but not certain that yours as a rescue could come with those same quirks.

The food that changed my dogs life was Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach. I find a lot of Pit bull types do well on fish because of the high levels of fatty acids. To me that food has a very balanced protein, fat and calorie level for the activity level you are describing. 26% protein, 16% fat and 447 kcal/cup. Now depending on just how active she is, you may want to consider a performance food like Bully Max, NutriSource Performance or Pro Plans Sport line.

[anonymous]

Not unusual at all, many poodle, terrier, schnauzer, shih tzu breeds are considered “brindle” and change colors, usually go lighter. Black turns to charcoal, brown, red tones, the whole gamut.
Unless the dog is chewing on it’s paws and legs due to allergies, that could cause discoloration also. I doubt the food has anything to do with it 🙂
This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian.

[pitlove]

Hi Kristen-

I do understand how some people, even veterinary professionals might have come to that conclusion since what you’re saying can be true for Candida yeast (gut), however Malassezia yeast that lives on the surface of the skin is not effected by starch. Malassezia is a fat loving yeast, not starch loving. And not dietary fat, think oils on the skin. You simply can’t make yeast work differently than it does despite even the most well meaning opinion.

Also regarding the sugar arguement. Don’t forget, glucose is needed by the body to survive. It will convert other nutrients into glucose whether fed carbs/starch or not.

The dog in my avatar has food sensitivities and we were able to keep his yeast under control with a kibble that was almost 50% carbs/starch. He is doing excellent on it. Far better than when I was fooled by Karen Beckers advice of simply avoiding carbs and not actually finding out what was causing the yeast. His immune system was suppressed by his allergies and caused the yeast bloom. Once we figured out a food he could eat, the yeast stopped. Only time he gets it now is when his seasonal allergies hit around this time of year.

[anonymous]

Ps : There tends to be a genetic link (allergies) so you may not want to breed this dog.
See what the specialist advises. Good luck

There is no cure for allergies, but there is effective treatment, tends to be lifelong.

[anonymous]

Make sure you check with the dermatologist before the appointment, the dog has to be off steroids for a month prior to testing.

Also, I caution you not to use any over the counter solutions or make drastic changes to the dog’s diet, unless an examining vet recommends it.

I had a shelf full of various shampoos and stuff, even had an air purifier and a dehumidifier. Wasted all kinds of money. Nothing worked till we saw the specialist.

Zignature Whitefish is a good kibble for dogs with allergies.

PS: I almost forgot, a meat grinder that went to the Goodwill!! Raw made them vomit. The food had nothing to do with it.,.

[pitlove]

Hi Kristen-

It really stinks that this myth about starch causing yeast is still floating around the internet! It does nothing to help owners with yeast issues since that is not what causes it. Food only causes yeast when the dog is allergic/sensitive to an ingredient and their immune system is compromised. The amount or kinds of starches in a food have nothing to do with it.

[Susan]

Hi Tiffany, yeasty ears can be from an ingredient your dog is sensitive too & you haven’t eliminated it from her diet yet even thought you have changed kibbles there may be any ingredient she is very sensitive too, here’s a link “Facts & Myths Yeast Dermatitis” written by 2 Dermatologist Karen Helton Rhodes, have you seen a Dermatologist yet??
http://www.healthyskin4dogs.com/blog/2015/9/8/facts-myths-about-yeast-dermatitis-in-dogs scroll down & read the section about “CARF” Cutaneous Adverse Reaction Food

I would start a raw elimination diet this way she isn’t eating a dry kibble & isn’t eating the same ingredients that’s in most dry kibbles, my boy can NOT eat carrots he starts shaking his head, scratching his ears, ripping at his ears 20mins after eating a meal that had carrots also chicken is another ingredient my boy reacts too badly…..

I rescued a 5mth old kitten that had a real bad mite infestation the RSPCA treated her ears killed the mites but then when I adopted her she was still shacking & scratching her ears, I took her back to RSPCA vet & they did ear scrap & she had bad infection from the mites, so they gave me drops to put in her ears twice a day & I had to come back in 1 week, another ear scrap & she still had ear infection so I had to continue with the antibiotic ear drops twice a day for another week, she was eating Hills Kitten dry food at the time, the Hills Kitten kibble was given to me when I adopted her, after 6 vet visits & antibiotic ear drops & ear cleaners the infection cleared up but she still had itchy skin & would scratch whole body, so I stopped the Hills dry kibble & tried a grain free Wellness Kitten kibble she was still scratching then I started her on a pre made raw cat diet & Ziwi Peak air dried raw Mackerel & Lamb 2 weeks later NO MORE scratching & ripping at her ears & skin…. Stop feeding dry kibble, either feed a raw diet with 1 single novel protein source or try a Freeze dry raw with just 1 novel protein a protein she hasn’t eaten before Rabbit, Kangaroo, Lamb, Pork, Ziwi Peak has their air dried raw or wet tin food raw
If this doesn’t help after 2months no treats no other foods except her raw or freeze dried diet, then book to see a Dermatologist & tell the Dermatologist what you have tried….
It might be environment allergies but I doubt it, ears are normally food related…..
Good-Luck it would be very uncomfortable for her…

[anonymous]

Go to a Veterinary Dermatologist asap, get an accurate diagnosis and treatment options.

Per the search engine: /forums/topic/i-can-only-find-one-dog-food-my-dogs-allergies-tolerate/

Have environmental allergies been ruled out? What you describe sounds like that’s what your dog may have vs food sensitivities.
They usually start around 1-2 years old and get worse with age. Environmental allergies tend to wax and wane making it almost impossible to tell which foods work or not.
Everyone blames the food, but I have found my dog tolerates a lot of different foods since beginning allergen specific immunotherapy (desensitization). The treatment tends to be lifelong, but no more ear infections, rashes, anal gland issues (5 years in)
The initial testing, intra dermal skin testing is expensive, maintenance isn’t that bad.
For best results, an accurate diagnosis and treatment options that work, I would make an appointment with a veterinary dermatologist. Allergies are complicated and often require the expertise of a specialist.

Evidence Update- Evidence-based Canine Allergy Treatment