[Anonymous]

Please use the search engine above, toward the top of the page: look up sensitive stomach, allergies, etc.

Also, consider what the homeopathic vets have to say http://www.vitalanimal.com
link for a homemade diet http://www.homeovet.net/dynamic/php/downloads/dog-c8470f2c75dbe4b683205c3919ee2310/dog_diet_complete.pdf

http://www.homeovet.net/content/lifestyle.html

Also, I know you have been back and forth to the regular vet , but have you considered seeing a specialist? Sometimes it makes a big difference.

[Anonymous]

The most horrid disease I have ever seen. Anyway I am glad you are getting another boxer. You can never replace them .
It’s been over 2 years now, and I am appreciating the new guy more and more. They are all so different.

I am very leery of vaccinations/over vaccinations now. So, I follow the homeopathic vet http://www.vitalanimal.com I don’t believe everything he says, but a lot of it does make sense.
Best of luck

PS: See my posts regarding allergies by clicking on my screen name, replies created.

[Anonymous]

Is there anyway you can adopt another dog, maybe a mature one?
My dog also grieved, when I lost her buddy to hemangiosarcoma.
She had a hard time, but gradually responded to a cairn I brought into the pack, her allergies flared up but are under control now.
It warms the heart to watch them play, she pretty much ignored him for the first 6 months though 🙂

[Pitlove]

I feel that a change in food to something with less fillers and ingredients that are biologically inappropriate for a dog would help in other facets of your dogs life as well as some of the allergy symptoms, for example preventing weight gain and diabetes.

heres a video you might be interested in:

heres another discussing allergies:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v9gKgs_NDQ

• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by Pitlove.
• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by Pitlove.
• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by Pitlove.

[Vicki P]

Hi Jordan – I’m just following your post. Sounds like our dogs have very similar issues. Matter of fact, it seems as if lots of dogs are experiencing really bad allergies… strange! We’ve been able to get our dog’s allergy issues controlled with benadryl, but I’m trying to wean my dog off of an rx dog food (you can find my recent posting here on that subject). So I’m just “listening in” on these conversations on this thread as well! 😉

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

“Our vet said there were rx hypoallergenic foods, but at the time that we had her tested (a year ago), he recommended that we remain on the i/d since we had finally sorted out her (severe) stomach issues”.

I would continue to work with your vet and get his approval regarding changes.
Check out what Wysong has to offer http://www.wysong.net/ prescription and nonprescription, some formulas are carried at Chewey’s http://www.chewy.com/s?dept=dog&query=wysong&nav-submit-button=Submit+Query

My dog with a sensitive stomach and allergies does well on Nutrisca salmon and chickpea http://www.chewy.com/dog/dogswell-nutrisca-grain-free-salmon/dp/35031

Eating grass sometimes indicates that the dog has an upset stomach….proceed with caution.

[Vicki P]

My approx. 2 year old lab mix has been eating Hill’s I/D for the last year and a half, and I’d like to try and wean her off of it and on to something that doesn’t require a prescription. The reason why we have her on the i/d is because she had a pretty nasty case of giardia when we first adopted her (she was approx 8-10 months old), and I think it fried her digestive system. After she was clear of the giardia, we tried her on at least 5 or 6 kinds of food, both rx and non-rx, but they all gave her pretty severe cases of the runs. We finally landed on i/d which controlled the diarrhea beautifully. She has been on it now for about a year and a half, so I’d like to try and roll the dice and get her onto something else. Plus my pup sheds a lot, and I question whether she’s getting enough nutrients. She’s always eating grass voraciously.

And yes, she does have allergies. We had her tested since she was literally licking her paws bald and getting frequent ear infections. She’s now on benadryl twice a day, and she’s no longer licking her paws at all (been stable for almost a year). She’s allergic to black ants and grass, of all the random things…

We didn’t test her for food allergies at the recommendation of my vet (can’t remember why, I think he said they’re not very accurate in dogs).

Our vet said there were rx hypoallergenic foods, but at the time that we had her tested (a year ago), he recommended that we remain on the i/d since we had finally sorted out her (severe) stomach issues.

So if anyone has any suggestions about where I can start to find an alternative, I’d appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

Contact dermatitis is atopic dermatitis (described in the article above).
I got incorrect information from the regular vet, I know you want to minimize the symptoms and find a solution, food, medication, shampoos, supplements, dehumidifier, air purifier…..

That’s what I did too, if you read my posts, you’ll see that nothing worked until my dog saw the specialist and started allergy specific immunotherapy.
Most allergens are airborne, impossible to avoid.

Now she can roll around in the grass! Eat a variety of things, in fact she has cooked chicken several times a week.

It’s so frustrating to watch people go through this with their pets. They don’t want to spend the money to go to a specialist and yet they end up spending much more than that going back and forth to the regular vet and buying all kinds of things that don’t work.

Not to mention all the discomfort the dog goes through.

PS: The supplements and diet and frequent baths have their place, in fact I still bath my dog once a week with Malaseb or a GNC antifungal shampoo for dogs. But they are not strong enough (alone) the stop the symptoms.

Some good info here http://www.allergydogcentral.com/

Also, allergies get worse with age, not better. My dog is so much more relaxed now, it’s like a different personality. They can become snappy and neurotic with all that pruritus.

The symptoms you describe sound worse than what my dog had, and she was suffering.

[Anonymous]

Atopic dermatitis is a hypersensitivity or over-reaction to a variety of commonplace and otherwise harmless substances in the environment such as plant pollens, house dust mites or mold spores. Most pets with atopic dermatitis either inhale or absorb their allergens through their skin. Allergy tests are used to identify what a pet is allergic to in their environment.

There are two types of allergy tests, the intradermal allergy test and blood testing for allergies (serologic allergy testing). In an intradermal allergy test, the fur is clipped on one side of the chest and very small amounts of common allergens are injected into the skin. This test is very precise and is only performed by Veterinary Dermatology services. Because most pets with environmental allergies become exposed to their allergens through their skin, the intradermal allergy test may also best simulate a pet’s natural allergies. In a blood allergy test, a blood sample is obtained and submitted to a laboratory for testing.

If a pet is diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, there are three methods of therapy. The first method of therapy involves removing the allergen from the pet’s environment. Unfortunately, this is not possible in most cases. The second method of therapy involves the use of anti-itch drugs such as anti-histamines or steroids (cortisone). Some of these anti-itch medications do not work in every pet. Other pets develop side-effects from taking certain anti-itch medications.

The third method of therapy for atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies) is allergy injections. Other names for allergy injections include desensitization, hyposensitization, allergy vaccine, or allergen-specific immunotherapy. Immunotherapy involves a series of injections of diluted allergens. Over time, these injections make a pet less sensitive to their allergens and thus less allergic. Most pet owners are able to learn how to give the injections at home. When based on the results of intradermal allergy testing, immunotherapy helps manage the allergies in approximately 70-90% of pets. Most pets will respond to immunotherapy within 6-9 months, but some pets will require up to a year of immunotherapy injections before a full benefit can be noted.
http://www.mspca.org/vet-services/angell-boston/dermatology/boston-dematology-allergies.html

[Anonymous]

Helpful article below:
By Klaus Loft, DVM
Angell Dermatology Service

Anyone who suffers debilitating environmental allergies tied to changing seasons, pet dander or household dust mites knows first-hand the misery of a scratchy throat, itchy eyes or painful rashes.

Not everyone knows, however, that our pets can experience similar allergic reactions — and other very bothersome dermatological issues. But our pets need not suffer in silence. Modern veterinary science has evolved such that advanced, comprehensive treatments are now available to treat a range of skin conditions.

Top pet dermatological issues

Our four-legged friends suffer from some of the same skin issues as we do — and several that we do not. The most common conditions we see at Angell include:

•Parasites, such as mites, fleas and mange (scabies)
•Infectious diseases, such as Staphylococcal pyoderma (“Staph”) skin infections, yeast and fungal infections and skin fold infections
•Systemic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases
•Skin cancer, such as Squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, Mast cell tumors
•Allergies, such as flea allergy dermatitis, adverse food reactions, environmental allergies, etc.

All of these conditions can become serious and, if untreated, dramatically reduce quality of life. But the tremendous strides made in veterinary innovation, however, is very good news for our pets. Specifically, the testing and treatments for allergies now rivals human healthcare in its sophistication, quality of care and long-term health outcomes.

Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot tell us about their dermatological health issues. So we as pet owners must look for the signs. The most common indicators that a pet is suffering from some kind of allergy involve frequent episodes of ear infections, red raised or open sores on the skin, constant licking or biting of paws or groin — sometimes causing wounds that will not go away.

Allergies present a particular challenge because there can be hundreds (even thousands) of potential allergens that impact pet health, from foods to pollen from grasses, weeds, trees, dust mites and more. Today’s specialty veterinary hospitals have access to the very latest diagnostic tests to get to the bottom of what’s ailing our pet. Among these tests is the Intra Dermal Test (IDT).

IDT is generally considered the gold standard of testing for identifying allergens that cause pets to suffer from chronic skin and/or ear diseases. IDT involves injections of a series of concentrated allergens into the skin to determine which of them generate allergic reactions in a given animal. The use of fluorescein — a chemical that illuminates the inflammation caused by the injected allergens in order to visualize the strength of individual reactions — is key to accurately diagnosing pet allergies, and is just one of the many ways veterinarians use new technologies to improve care and diagnostics.

The results of IDT (as well as a review of the pet’s medical history) can then inform comprehensive immunotherapy treatments to relieve suffering. Veterinary dermatologists rely on IDT to build customized treatment plans for patients called Allergen Specific Immuno Therapy or “ASIT” for short.

ASIT involves a series of injections specifically created for the allergic animal’s skin. These injections, of diluted allergens, are designed to make a pet less sensitive to their allergens over time. In most cases these injections must be continued for life to reduce symptoms, but they are highly effective. Seventy to 90 percent of pets experience a reduction in symptoms as a result of ASIT treatment. These treatments can be delivered even more easily via droplets under the tongue, perfect for pet owners who are squeamish about giving injections to their pet.

This treatment is very new to the North American field of medicine (both human and veterinary) and underscores just how far innovation in veterinary medicine has come.

When it’s time to see the vet

Many pet owners are understandably concerned about taking their animals to the veterinarian because the cost (to say nothing of the fear some animals experience when going do the doctor) may outweigh any perceived reduction in suffering. To help pet owners know when it’s time to bring Fido to the doctor I’ve compiled my “Top Ten” list of dermatological symptoms that should never be ignored:

•Intense itching of the skin (head shaking, running the face into the carpet, furniture, etc.)
•Biting at the skin that creates red, raw crusting areas of the skin
•Multiple ear infections (head shaking, odor from ears, scratching at the ears with hind legs)
•Paw licking or chewing and frequent infections of the skin in the webbed skin of the paws
•Staining of the fur of the paws and nails on multiple feet
•Reoccurring skin infections in the groin, under the shoulders, perianal areas (on or under the tail)
•Greasy scaling skin and/or fur with odorous skin
•Hair loss, or thinning of the fur
•Dark pigmentation of the skin that is chronically infected
•Sudden depigmentation of skin

Allergies and other dermatological issues can be as frustrating for pet owners and their veterinarians as they can be for pets. I encourage any pet owner whose animal is experiencing any of these symptoms to consult with their veterinarian.

[Anonymous]

If the dog is really uncomfortable (suffering) I would make an appointment with a dermatologist/specialist. Has he been tested for environmental allergies (skin testing done by a dermatologist). That is where I would start…his symptoms may not have anything to do with food.

Here is one thread: /forums/topic/help-7/ and another one: /forums/topic/possible-food-allergies/
and another: /forums/topic/im-at-wits-end/
and another: /forums/topic/nutriscan-results-suggestions/
Best of luck.

[Sam Koch]

I would definitely introduce them all separately. Although I haven’t used greens, I found that my Chi mix is allergic to random things; her stomach doesn’t take carrots too well, and since I fed her various veggies/fruits I had to separate them to find which one was doing it. Best of luck!

[zcRiley]

Time to subtract poultry, potato, egg & weird fillers that pups get allergic to. Itching and yeast is no fun. After my pups’ blood analysis came back clean, I made an overnight switch to raw dehydrated with vitamins, no thawing or mixing. By week’s end, all symptoms disappeared. ZiwiPeak lamb formula was a life saver for them, I’ve never looked back. I rotate with their beef and venison as well.

[Peggy K]

What do you think about brothers dog food for dogs with allergies

[Anonymous]

Has she been tested for environmental allergies (skin testing done by a dermatologist).
If this has been going on for 1 year/4 seasons without any significant periods of relief despite diet changes, baths etc. If the dog is experiencing distress and discomfort, that is how I would proceed.
Here is one thread: /forums/topic/help-7/ and another one: /forums/topic/possible-food-allergies/
Best of luck.

[Naturella]

C4C, thank you, lol! I just try to give him a lot of variety, and lucky for me, there is plenty out there to choose from for my non-allergic pup! I also like to keep track of the foods I give and if he does exceptionally well, to make note of it.

And I forgot to say that Only Natural Pet’s Power Dry is another he’s had, and I keep samples of it at my in-laws’ place for when we go to visit and Bru has to eat. 🙂

As for me, I’ve been MIA due to school and work – I worked a ton, wrote huge papers, presented them, did finals, graduated with my Master’s Degree, husband got his Bachelor’s, we had a celebratory dinner, and then I fell sick… I just worked myself sick and my immune system crashed with a bad cold/bronchitis, but I am recovering, and back at it little by little. 🙂

And I will relay your message to Akari. 🙂

• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by Naturella.

[Karen K]

I have a 9-year old female shih-tzu with recurring yeast infections in her ears and irritated paws that she continuously licks. She has always eaten chicken mixed with Blue Buffalo Wilderness and am now hearing horrible things about BB and that chicken can worsen allergies. I’m considering starting her on a raw diet, but need advice as to what brands are best and how to go about making the switch. Anyone had success with raw helping yeasty ears?

[Naturella]

I also love feeding a variety of foods to my terrier mix Bruno. Since my husband and I have adopted him in 2013, he’s had, in no particular order of dry foods: Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Puppy, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy, Nutrisca Chicken & Chickpea, Dr. Tim’s Kinesis GF, Holistic Health Extension Original, Blue Allergix, and Lamb & Brown Rice, Earthborn Holisitic Coastal Catch, Primitive Naturals, and Great Plains Feast, Back to Basics Open Range, Wysong Nurture with Quail, Nulo Medal Series Lamb & Lentils, Castor & Pollux Ultramix Duck, Victor Salmon, and samples of Fromm, Victor, NutriSource, TOTW, Wysong, Orijen, Acana, Nature’s Variety Instinct (the Rabbit formula he was supposed to eat but it made him very sick, but other samples he did great with), Hi-Tek, Nature’s Logic, and many other foods I can’t recall ATM. Lined up we have Wellness CORE Ocean and Original, more Earthborn, Canidae Pure SEA, Castor & Pollux Organix GF, and right now he just got on Dogswell LiveFree Salmon.

For toppers we used The Honest Kitchen Embark, Force, Keen, and Love, and Big Dog Naturals Green Tripe (air-dried). I have used various canned foods too, like Weruva, Green Cow by Solid Gold, and Green Tripe from Petkind, and also some more dehydrated/air-dried like Sojo’s. Now I use some small Merrick dog cans and some cat food pouches and cans for some of the toppers along with coconut oil, yoghurt, raw egg, canned sardines, and a RMB for his Sunday dinner. I also almost always add extra water to the food when served with a topper so he eats “soup” most of the time. Sometimes I just give him plain kibble as part of a training routine or from a puzzle toy to stimulate his brain. He likes it just the same!

He gets regular treats (Fromm, Canidae, Yummy Chummies, and Think! Alligator and Crawfish Jerky, and also kibble as treats (a different brand and flavor of the main food he is on at the moment), He also has a few natural chews like cow and lamb ears, beef tracheas, bully sticks, pig snouts, fish skins, antlers, hooves, etc.

Sorry for the rant, lol, but yeah, rotations are awesome, and Bruno loves the daily variety, and I love how he looks and feels (shiny and soft). I used to take 10 days or so to transition from one food to the next at first, then about 7 days, then 3, then 0. Now he switches so quickly because he eats a constant variety of foods and treats.

And LM, I guess you can see the replies of a person, but it will be hard to follow an Editor’s Choice topic reply by reply from individual authors. And some topics are EC exclusive.

[Cathy B]

I’ve used bravecto on my 110 lb male and 50 lb female dog for 3 doses, about 10 months. No signs of any fleas or ticks. Before this I had used comfortis and before that trifectis with good flea results but because these meds are priced by the weight of the dog, bravecto works out to be much less expensive with the added benefit of no ticks which were still an issue. I understand some pet owners concerns about giving such a strong medication but I trust my vets judgement and for me, nothing else but pills has worked. Dips, topicals, nothing else even phases the amount of fleas we have in the warm weather months which is about 9 months out of the year. I’m in deep east Texas near the Louisiana border. We live on a lot of acreage that is heavily wooded. My dogs run through the woods which are crawling with fleas and ticks. The dogs also come in the house when I’m home, sleep in the house at night and I’m not willing to risk a flea infestation. Anyone who has ever dealt with that mess knows how horrible it is to get rid of them if they start laying eggs in your house. I have an indoor cat with skin allergies that can not be exposed to flea bites so for my situation and the quality of life I provide my dogs, pills are the best fit. I’ve had no problems with bravecto. The pills are like a small round cookie, mine eat them like they’re a treat. My vet said they will really last more than 12 weeks so I re-dose about every 14.

[Karen K]

This is so confusing….the more research I do, the less I know what to feed my itchy baby. Salmon has mercury, chicken causes allergies, menhaden fish meal can be very low quality in protein by the time it reaches the dog food factories, and on and on. Anyone tried the raw diets? They make me nervous because there have been some issues with bacteria related illness, but at least the food is whole. She is so used to having some cooked chicken with her kibble, I can’t imagine that she would eat any kibble by itself. Thanks to all for your help!

[Anonymous]

Maybe try a limited ingredient food? My dog that has allergies/food sensitivities does well on Nutrisca salmon and chickpea, my old guy with a history of bladder stones does well on Wysong senior (soaked in water overnight).

I also cook up a little lean meat (chicken or beef) and add some to the kibble, add water to the kibble even if you soak it first.

Or consider homemade http://www.homeovet.net/dynamic/php/downloads/dog-c8470f2c75dbe4b683205c3919ee2310/dog_diet_complete.pdf

[Anonymous]

Nutrisca salmon and chickpea is the only kibble my dog with environmental allergies doesn’t vomit up after eating. Her dermatologist agrees it is a good food for her, limited ingredients.

So, I wouldn’t avoid it, my dog loves it and is thriving! She’s been on it for over 2 years, 50% homemade 50% kibble.

I’ve never heard of Zignature, is that one of those boutique foods?
PS: Oh wait, I think I’ve seen Zignature at Especially for Pets, in the high end dog food section, I have never checked it out though.

[MaggiesDad]

I’ve found through chatting to hundreds of dog owners over the years that many dogs have allergy issues with chicken first of all, closely followed by beef. The reason seems to be that over feeding one protein for a long period of time (some people make the mistake of always just feeding one food because their dog likes it) can cause the body to just suddenly decide it won’t deal with it any more, giving rise to numerous problems and allergic reactions. If this is likely to be the case, a break of a few months is advised before trying that protein again but be aware that it can only take one meal to cause the problems to reoccur, and months to rid the system of those problems! You should also note that just because a reaction has occurred feeding a dried chicken based kibble (for example) does NOT necessarily mean that the dog has an issue with raw chicken – just as an allergy to beef does not always mean that ALL beef is a problem – it may still be possible to feed beef offal for example without any issues. It can be very confusing and frustrating to get to the bottom of such issues, and it may be that the advise of a nutritionist is required as well as an elimination diet for a few months.

[Karen K]

Thanks for the information about Blue, I had no idea about their problems. Phoebe is 9 and has had the sensitivities for about 3 years and it seemed to coincide with a move to Michigan from Nebraska. She had one bout of it in Nebraska, but since moving to Michigan three years ago, the problem is almost constant. It’s entirely possible that it’s environmental. Also, I was not aware that chicken could be a problem for allergic dogs? Is it better for them to eat fish? What about beef? Thanks all for the help.

[Anonymous]

@Karen You said in your first post that your dog was on shots. I assumed that you meant ASIT (Allergen-specific Immunotherapy).

If not, I suggest that you see a specialist/dermatologist for skin testing, that is the only thing that identified the problem for my dog. Most environmental allergens are airborne, impossible to avoid.

Click on my screen name, replies created, to see my posts regarding environmental allergies.

[DogFoodie]

Have you ever tried a limited ingredient food, Karen? I’m not a fan of Blue Buffalo at all and guaranteed, your girl is eating chicken if she’s eating Blue Buffalo products. But, keep in mind, food sensitivities like your girl has can be the result of exposure to problem ingredients far beyond chicken and grains. For example, one of mine can’t have fish (including fish oil), flax, chickpeas, lentil, tomato, garlic, barley or millet. Right now, he’s eating Nature’s Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Duck. He’s doing well, but has recently developed what appear to be seasonal allergies – which yours could be as well. I’m using some supplements (Quercetin with Bromelain and Papain), but something as simple as a foot rinse each time he comes back in from outside helps eliminate the pollen that he tracks into the house.

How old is your pup and how long has she been having sensitivities? How long has she been eating the food she’s eating currently.

Even if the vet thinks it’s not the food, it’s worth a try and easy enough to change.

[Pitlove]

does your vet think that it could be environmental? i thought for a long time that my dog was allergic to chicken because of him constantly licking his feet. came to find out he A) had a yeast infection under his nails and B) my vet felt it was most likely environmental. possibly grass and pollen. ive been trying to get better about wiping his feet off when he comes in from outside and we did a anti-fungal shampoo soak and meds for the yeast infection. he licks still but its not NEARLY as much as before and he eats whatever protein source he wants including chicken.

i would suggest switching the food and the treats and finding a food that is completely devoid of the same ingredients that are in the BB Wilderness and the treats. If you notice a change then it i’d say its the food, if not talk to your vet about the possiblity of an environmental allergy. those are far more common than food allergies.

also I would check into the recent problems Blue has been having and decide for yourself if you still want to support them as a company. you can find the info on google about the outcome of their lawsuit.

[Susan]

If you read the test your dog can have rice duck lamb & don’t forget the Nutri-Scan Salvia test, test for JUST 20 foods only so there’s probably other foods like Tapioca etc that your dog can eat …. your dog can eat the “California Natural” Lamb & Rice that has just 4 ingredients Lamb, white rice, brown rice & sunflower oil.. or the best thing I would do is feed raw diet that way you are in control of all the ingredients…….
Your dog has just proven LM WRONG she always goes on on that your dog cant have food intolerances chances are your dog has environment allergies, see a Dermatologist for environment testing & waste $2000 then what, how do stop all the pollens in the air, all grass on ground, you cant the Nutri-Scan test has proven LM her wrong.. Dogs do have Food Intolerances..
Jean Dodds has the only & best IgA & IgM salvia testing around….

[Anonymous]

Most allergies are environmental and get worse with age not better. My dog started treatment at age 4. Two years later she is stable and only needs the immunotherapy about once a month. Her specialist/dermatologist who we just saw, she only sees him once a year and he always returns phone calls, says her hair and skin look beautiful!

I went through it with my dog, spent all kinds of money on different dog foods, shampoos, dehumidifier, air purifier etc. Went back and forth to the regular vet and got incorrect information.
Nothing worked till I took her to see a specialist/dermatologist and had the skin testing done and she responded to immunotherapy, gradually showed improvement.
Initially, the testing can be expensive, but the maintenance is not bad.

I hope you will click on my screen name, replies created and read the posts related to allergies, I have made many recommendations and have included some good articles.

Example: I would suggest that you make an appointment with a specialist/dermatologist.

Or consider consulting a homeopath http://www.vitalanimal.com http://theavh.org/

I would be leery of any saliva kits or any mail-in test that doesn’t require a physical examination by a veterinarian /forums/topic/nutriscan-results-suggestions/

/forums/topic/please-help-2/
/forums/topic/4-year-pld-hound-mix-hot-spots-itching-shedingvet-presribed-pills-worked-some/

[Steven K]

I have a boxer rottweiller mix and he’s around 4 years old. He has had off and on allergies throughout the years and the vet has always told me just to give him some benadryl. The allergies seem to be consistent now and the benadryl doesn’t help so i’m thinking it might be in his food. I feed him purina one doge food, My other dog who is a 9 year old yellow lab doesn’t seem to have any problem with the food. I am looking into the Acana dry food, any other ideas are very much appreciated!

Symptoms: excessive itching on body and ears
– scratching of nose
– licking lips
– runny eyes

[Anonymous]

If you are dealing with environmental allergies vs food sensitivities, or both.
It’s best to go with a limited ingredient dog food.

My dog with environmental allergies does best on Nutrisca salmon and chickpea (no grains, no potato). Potato seems to bother a lot of food sensitive dogs.
However, as my dog continues to have a positive response to immunotherapy (2 years) I have observed that she is able to tolerate more of a variety of foods.

So, in my opinion, I would stay with limited ingredients, no grains.

PS: If the dog is reacting to environmental allergies, most of which are airborne, no matter what you feed him he will have the symptoms you described. That has been my experience.
Have you tried frequent bathing, at least once a week? Malaseb and GNC Pets Medicated Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Fungal are my favorites.

[Pitlove]

Linda- Rotties! i love them. we also have a Rottweiler along with our Pitbull a chocolate lab and an English springer spaniel. Sam, our Rottweiler (technically he is my boyfriends parents dog, so I dont get to control what he eats unfortunetly but i still think of him as my dog since I give him the most attention as hes the outside dog) is 2 probably almost 3 years old now. The bf’s parents have had all the dogs on Purina ONE lamb and rice since forever. The family dog has always been Rottweilers and unfortunely all but maybe one passed away at around 8 years old. Cancer, e-coli poisoning, you name it its happened to our Rottweilers. If it were up to me and I got to choose his food I would feed him the way I feed my Pitbull who is also prone to the problems that large breed dogs have as he is 66lbs at a year old. I do what is called a rotational diet with my dog. I certainly have him on Orijen’s Adult Dog and after that bag is through i’ve got EVO lined up next for him to try. I also feed him wet food. Now that your Rottie is far past the point where you have to worry about the calcium levels not being too high or too low to prevent rapid growth thus causing many different skeletal related disorders, you can kinda give him a nice variety of foods. If you are on a budget as someone who is retired and need to stick with kibbles, definitely go for the 5 star rated ones. I know a lot of people on here have issues with Taste of the Wild. I BELIEVE its manufacture by Diamond which has a long recall history and a terrible reputation. You want to make sure that the kibble is as species appropriate as you can get if you, like myself, can’t feed a raw diet, which would be the healthiest way for any dog to eat. Species appropriate for ANY dog of any breed being high in animal protein, at least 30% or more, moderate in fats, and low in carbs. Foods that I like and have and will use in my rotation for my pitbull are Orijen (all of them), Wellness CORE, Nature’s Variety, Merrick (GF only), EVO, Grandma Mae’s GF. I’m still working on my list but that is what I have so far.

As for raw, if it is something you are interested in, PLEASE make sure you do A LOT of research before feeding raw because it is possible to make your dog very unhealthy by not feeding a COMPLETE and BALANCED raw diet.

Also to help with the transitions to the food, you can add probiotics to their diet, like canned pumpkin and kefir. I also use a supplement thats premade in a power form made by a very great company called The Honest Kitchen. They use human grade ingredients and make their food in a human grade factory. Its called Perfect Form. Probiotics help build healthy flora(bacteria) in your dogs gut to make transitioning to a new food pain free for you and your dog. Just like with humans dogs should be able to eat a different food or protein every meal if not every couple months without digestive upset. Dogs whos stomachs are already sick and lacking those bacteria that make their gut strong due to being fed the same food day in and day out are the ones who get loose stool and vomitting when you switch their food. Instantly the owner blames the food and switches them back and never switches the food again under the claim that their dog has whats commonly called a “sensitive stomach”.

The joint supplements are a great idea. Glucosamine is a great supplement for joint and hip problems. Cancer, I feel, and I think others do too can have a lot to do with a poor diet. A lot of poor grade dogs foods do contain ingredients that are carcinogenic even for humans and without variety in their diet they are being fed those toxins for years and eventually is catches up with them. The rotational diet helps prevent that and the build up of allergies as well. If your Rottie is already allergic to a protein source like chicken, you are going to want to be very careful with the food you choose as many have chicken meal or chicken fat hidden in the list of ingredients. Its all about reading ingredients but more importantly HOW to read the ingredients and the GA, which is why this website is so helpful. But like many here including Dr. Mike will tell you, its a jumping off point. Once you find a good food, you want to look further into the company that makes it, the co-packers, the recall history etc and make sure that you’re not being fooled into thinking its a good food based on the ingredients. Also knowing where the company sources from is important, what with all the problems we have been having with China lately. Avoid China. Thailand on the other hand is ok.

I really hope that I’ve helped a little and that others will contribute or correct me if I’m wrong about any of my points. I love Rotties so I’m glad to be able to give you some direction with his health!

• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by Pitlove.
• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by Pitlove.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Amanda G:
Environmental, food sensitivities or allergies, and an unbalanced diet can all contribute to the symptoms your dog is plagued with. I would also look for a Veterinary nutritionist to help formulate a balanced homemade diet. Most will do phone consultations with your regular Vet if you are unable to find one local. Most Veterinary schools provide nutritional consultation services too. Good luck!

Here is a site with info on homemade diets:
http://www.dogaware.com/articles/wdjhomemade1.html
http://www.dogaware.com/diet/bookreviews.html

[Linda K]

Hi Jake’s Mom, Pitlove and InkedMarie. Thanks for your responses.

Pitlove, thanks so much for your follow-up questions. I have a Rotweiller who is 3.5 yrs old. I am very upset with myself for feeding him Purina Puppy Chow until he was a year old and feel I did not given him the best chance in his formative year to be as healthy as he could be over the course of his lifetime. But he seems to be healthy so far with just a few normal problems….allergies, gas, etc.

The things I am concerned about are bloat (one of the girls from his litter died from it), hip dysplasia, which I know is common to many large breeds, and in particular, I am concerned about cancer. I recently researched brands to change him off of Science Diet, which I moved him to after Purina, but it turns out that Science Diet is not very good either. I read some reviews about Taste of the Wild High Prairie Formula which gets 5 stars from DogFoodAdvisor. I also read some reviews for this brand and within the first 5 or 6, two of the people were Rotweiller owners and they both said it was excellent. One said that his Rotweillers usually die fairly early due to cancer, but this food has kept his new ones healthy. It really scared me because I did not realize that Rotties were genetically predisposed to certain types of cancer. So I got it immediately…..but I wanted to see if there might be anything even better since I apparently have not given him the benefits of great nourishment up to this point. I want to make up for lost time, and I will spare no expense (even though I am retired). So far, he seems to be doing well on the new food but has loose stools. I am doing it very gradually. I am also giving him a supplement for hips and joints that was recommended by his vet.

So, I guess in a nutshell, I wrote because I wanted to be sure I am doing all I can for him and have made a good choice this time.

Sorry this is so long. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

My dog receives immunotherapy for allergies (2 years) and is doing very well. She has a sensitive stomach and does well on Nutrisca salmon and chickpea (no grains, no potato)

I never had her tested for food allergies, as the environmental allergies were the most prominent. As they are under control I find she can tolerate more variety of foods.

I would continue to communicate with the specialist that is treating him, maybe the solution and regimen need tweaking?

[Amanda G]

I have a 6 year old Great Dane. He is allergic to what seems like everything. He was finally allergy tested after chronic ear infections and has been on shots for the last year. The shots do not help as much as I’d hoped. He is allergic to white potato, sweet potato, flax, peas, corn, and soy. This has left us with few options. Even high quality kibble has at least one of those ingredients. We found a few that didn’t and had horrible results. We thought we were making progress with Big Dog Natural until his neck and ears went crazy. Come to find out they use potato as a binding agent. Next we tried Sojos original and added meat. We could not figure out why his ears swelled up like pork chops. They were even worse than with Big Dog. There seemed to be no listed ingredients he was allergic to. The only thing I could figure was it had pecans in it and he is allergic to pecan trees? Now I am making his food. I am lightly cooking meat, veges, oats, and egg with shell. His coat is dull, he is tired, and still itchy. His ears are not 100% but better. I can’t continue this. I know he’s not getting all the nutrition he needs out of my homemade food. I want to try raw. We’ve attempted it before but he has no interest in raw meats especially organs. I’m thinking of trying the Dinovite recipe. It seems to be a simple place to start but I’m afraid it’s also lacking. It’s only egg, shell, ground meat, rice and their supplements. Can anyone help with suggestions or experience with anything I’ve mentioned? I feel like I’m failing my dog and all I want to do is feed him. All opinions and advice will be respected and greatly appreciated. Sorry about the book. I just want to give as much info as possible so that one of you could possibly help us. I’m begging! Lol I feel like I’m going crazy.

• This topic was modified 4 years, 4 months ago by Mike Sagman. Reason: Fix Duplicate Topic Title

[idunnowhat2callmyself]

Thanks for the reply, Marie!

I suppose I would be looking for something like that–a ready-made ground product to simply weigh out in the appropriate amounts, so that I wouldn’t have to be wondering whether I’m doing it right. I like how straightforward it is to just dump a cup or half-cup of kibble into the bowls.
Or really, any high-quality diet that comes in sizes suitable for multiple varied dogs…raw just seemed to be posited as “the best possible option,” so I’ve been starting to look into it.

Hare Today is actually the same site my aunt uses.

Hmm. The Miami site’s product list offers this: “Build An Order”  -­‐New  to  RAW  FEEDING,  or  dont  want  the  hassle  of  choosing  items.  Let  us  do  the  work  for  you.  At  no  extra  charge,  you  give  us  your  
budget    and  Dogs  info  (  Weight,  Allergies,  Breed  )  and  we  build  your  order  for  you!  Please  Email  us  for  this  service  and  request  BUILD  AN  ORDER.”
…Which is pretty much exactly what I sought, because I have absolutely NO idea what I’d have to order or how much I’d need per month or so…but then, I don’t think they were the one that mentioned free shipping……and Reel Raw looks similarly interesting.

Thank you for the recommendations.

[Pitlove]

Hi Linda K- Like Jake’s mom said, most of the breed specific foods out there like Royal Canin’s breed specfic lines are a marketing tool. You pay a premium price for a low quality food full of corn and by-products. It is true that some breeds have disorders that genetically they are prone to that you can combat through diet. Example is large breed puppies needing proper calcium levels between 8 weeks and 8 mos. That being said, most large breed puppy foods are actually NOT formulaed with those proper calcium levels and typically have far TOO much calcium. However when you compare most brands that make breed specific formulas there is nothing breed specific or species appropriate about them at all.

A few questions for you to help you better. What breed of dog do you have? Is the dog healthy as far as you know with no known medical conditions? Does the dog have any known allergies to grains, certain protein sources, anything like that? What genetic disorders does the breed have that you would like to take action against to help lower his/her odds of getting?

Ill be happy to try to help when you write back!

[jakes mom]

I don’t think there is really a need for a “breed specific” food as such. I can understand a food for a small or large breed or for puppy food. For example, a pup needs something easier to chew with it’s baby teeth and needs more nutrition in a small amount of food since he has a small tummy. Same for small dogs. Large breed puppies need to grow slowly, so their food needs to be formulated a bit differently. Other than that I think the breed specific foods are just kind of a marketing tool for the dog food companies. Feed a high quality food and maybe a supplement or 2 if you have concerns about a particular problem. I think that would be fine unless you had a dog with allergies or intolerances to certain things.

[Dori]

SdianeM M

I’m not sure I understand your post completely. You said that when you switched Sadie to turkey is when you noticed more yeast/allergy problems returning. Then you added beef and now you think she’s allergic to beef. Wouldn’t that have made her allergic to turkey? Did you add the beef to her turkey dinner or you just switched her to beef with no turkey? If it was the turkey dinner the yeast and intolerance issues would take at least a few days to calm down even when switching to a different protein. Your post is a bit confusing, at least to me.

I don’t think I’ve ever read any of your posts on this site and others that you’ve ever mentioned any other products but AllProvide.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by Dori.

[SdianeM M]

i saw a huge difference in Sadie once I switched her diet to Allprovide from kibbles. She did great! After a while I switched her to turkey and noticed more yeast/allergy problems returning. Sunday I tried adding beef and I think she’s allergic to beef.

I contacted the owners of Allprovide to ask for their help in Sadie’s issue with the beef. The owners suggested that I keep her on the chicken, they even sent me a complimentary bulk box to help out.

The owners of this company are unbelievable. They have been a blessing to Sadie and I, so willing to help in any possible way. Another example of the goodness of these owners is how they sent me a bottle of shampoo they get from their vet. The shampoo is suppose to help with yeast issues. These guys are the best!

[jella]

LT, I will check to see if there are some specialty stores nearby. We mostly have chain stores all over Florida. The feed stores like to carry the grain brands. That is so nice that Declan gets to go to doggy day care three times a week to play with other dogs. We had two other labs one lived to 15 (chocolate), 16 (black) and then we rescued a cocker spaniel when he was about 6 yrs. The previous owners didn’t give him heart worm meds so our vet didn’t think he could take the tougher protocol so he just said give him a pill once a month and see how long he lives. He was so sweet and loved to boss Big Hoss around all the time! Hoss was so sweet to him. They played all the time. Big Hoss misses him so much and so do we. He lived just two years after that. I see the vet has built an indoor swimming pool and has dog swim play dates. I am going to take him there this summer. He loves to swim. I have never had a dog with allergies and I have had a lot of rescues and other dogs. So this was stumping me because I waited the longest time thinking it would go away because his first two years no sign of any trouble at all. Ate everything he wanted that was safe for dogs. Declan sounds like mine when it comes to looking for food. When he was only a year old he stood up reached his paws way back to the counter (it was far) and pushed in the floor the whole baked chicken! He had eaten a lot of it when I finally caught him! LOL Well he got reprimanded for doing it. Labs are so much fun. I have had german shepards and other dogs smaller in the past. This was our first time with labs and they have been so much fun! They can’t stand away from you and always want you teaching them new tricks, playing ball, etc.

[L T]

Check your local (not chain) pet stores, they may stock this or get it in for you routinely. Champion has a free bag program after 10 bags your 11th is free. Doesn’t have to be the same kind, but the free will be the smallest size you have on the card. My local one in Virginia deals directly with Champion and manufacturers of other high quality food, in other words they don’t sell food you can find in the chains. Also, as I said before the feeding guide for Declan at 87lbs is 3 1/2 c daily. I feed him roughly 2 1/4 c daily and he has maintained that weight for over 1 1/2 yrs. He goes to doggy day care (play time) 3x week and is considered pretty active. My local pet store rep and I talked about the amount and he recommended factoring in other food/treats and underfeeding the kibble. Declan does not seem hungry, but as a typical Lab he will never turn down the opportunity for a morsel. Good luck. I have tried the 6 fish and it worked out fine (you definitely know it’s fish in the bag), but since Declan doesn’t have any allergies I went back to Regional Red (Orijen) or Ranchlands (Acana). Keep us posted!

[jella]

DogFoodie, I understand what you are saying about it not having limited amount of ingredients. The rep suggested the 6 Fish Formula after I emailed her a list of all his allergies. She emailed that it had low fiber. I ordered a small bag on chewy.com to try this one first. The KiwiPeak company didn’t bother to email me after I emailed asking a question. I will try the other recommendations that the friends on here have suggested if this doesn’t work. He is allergic to Bahia grass and we have some in sections and St. Augustine in sections. He might have to have the allergy shots for grasses, trees, etc. to help his immune system get used to the triggers. He loves to track smells when he goes out to potty and I feel really bad about not letting him do that when he goes.

[jella]

Dear LT, Champion did get back with me right away about the alfalfa percentage. It is a very small amount 3 %. So I agree with you about they are probably careful (hopefully) about cleaning it out if it has been sprayed with pesticides. They have been really helpful and answered all the emails. The KiwiPeak company hasn’t even bothered to answer a question I wrote days ago. So I am going to try the 6 fish formula that the company rep suggested to try first. It was a lot cheaper than the freeze dried and my dog probably eats like your dog. I will try to look see what they suggest for his weight. Just ordered it from Chewy.com. So thank you for copying everything for me and getting right back to me so fast. I hope they ship fast, he is getting used to these fried hamburgers and special foods given to him each night. LOL Oh the vet said he wasn’t allergic to virgin coconut oil so maybe I can supplement this with his dry food. At least 1 Tbl. spoon full for his hair to grow back. I read where Virgin Coconut oil kills viruses, bacteria, and fungus infections in humans I am assuming it works the same way for dogs.

[Judith S]

Hi Sheryl
My dog has allergies and I just switched to merrick. It is limited ingerdeints and grain free
It is highly recommended am also giving her a teaspoon of coconut oil

Hope this is helpful

[Susan]

Hi, join this Face Book group “Dog Allergy International Group” look in the files for “Foods for dogs with Food Allergies/Intolerances IBS IBD” there’s a heap of limited ingredients kibbles & wet foods with their links also Michele Dixson from Petcurean (Go Sensitivity LID Venison) can help with any questions also look at feeding a Raw diet in files under “Raw Elimination Diet Candida-Yeast Itchy Dogs” there’s a easy diet for puppies done by a Naturopath…
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogallergyinternationalgroup/

[Susan]

Hi Kris, I just posted a post about Candida yeast & what foods to avoid… join this Face Book group “Dog Allergy International Group” & look in the files for “Raw Elimination Diet for Candida-Yeast & itchy dog” also look for “Foods for dogs with Food Allergies/Intolerances, IBS, IBD” there’s a heap of limited ingredient kibbles & wet foods, also Michele Dixson from Petcurean (Go Sensitivity LID Venison) can help with any questions..
also what are you bathing her in? I use Malaseb medicated shampoo, it kills any bacteria on the skin & does not dry out their skin leaving them so soft, weekly baths are needed & a complete diet change….
I just went thru this with my boy he was put on a Prednisone for 2 weeks then when he finished he started to smell like a stinky yeasty dog, so on Friday I started a raw diet with the help of a Naturopath cause Patch has IBD as well… his skin cleared up within 2-3 days no more red paws, no more scratching, no more smelly dog… its all in the “Raw Elimination diet Candida-Yeast”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogallergyinternationalgroup/

[Anonymous]

Atopic dermatitis is a hypersensitivity or over-reaction to a variety of commonplace and otherwise harmless substances in the environment such as plant pollens, house dust mites or mold spores. Most pets with atopic dermatitis either inhale or absorb their allergens through their skin. Allergy tests are used to identify what a pet is allergic to in their environment.

There are two types of allergy tests, the intradermal allergy test and blood testing for allergies (serologic allergy testing). In an intradermal allergy test, the fur is clipped on one side of the chest and very small amounts of common allergens are injected into the skin. This test is very precise and is only performed by Veterinary Dermatology services. Because most pets with environmental allergies become exposed to their allergens through their skin, the intradermal allergy test may also best simulate a pet’s natural allergies. In a blood allergy test, a blood sample is obtained and submitted to a laboratory for testing.

If a pet is diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, there are three methods of therapy. The first method of therapy involves removing the allergen from the pet’s environment. Unfortunately, this is not possible in most cases. The second method of therapy involves the use of anti-itch drugs such as anti-histamines or steroids (cortisone). Some of these anti-itch medications do not work in every pet. Other pets develop side-effects from taking certain anti-itch medications.

The third method of therapy for atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies) is allergy injections. Other names for allergy injections include desensitization, hyposensitization, allergy vaccine, or allergen-specific immunotherapy. Immunotherapy involves a series of injections of diluted allergens. Over time, these injections make a pet less sensitive to their allergens and thus less allergic. Most pet owners are able to learn how to give the injections at home. When based on the results of intradermal allergy testing, immunotherapy helps manage the allergies in approximately 70-90% of pets. Most pets will respond to immunotherapy within 6-9 months, but some pets will require up to a year of immunotherapy injections before a full benefit can be noted.
http://www.mspca.org/vet-services/angell-boston/dermatology/boston-dematology-allergies.html

[Anonymous]

/forums/topic/puppy-still-itching-constantly-after-several-vet-trips/#post-72273
This topic seems to come up quite often. If the dog has environmental allergies and food sensitivities going on at the same time, until you get the environmental allergies under control it will be difficult to tell which foods actually agree with her.

I didn’t find anything that helped until I went to a specialist and got the skin testing done and the dog started immunotherapy. The food won’t do anything for environmental allergies…… I didn’t even get the blood test for food allergies as environmental allergies are more common.

Nutrisca salmon and chickpea is grain free and potato free.