[NectarMom]

We feed Hare Todays ground rabbit mixture in the morning and in the evening we feed Brothers Turkey and Egg. We have been back on Turkey and egg kibble for approx 8 weeks since our bout with Pancreatitis and now We have been feeding 1/2 Raw and 1/2 kibble a day and my dogs are more itchy than ever. I am wondering if it is the carrot in the kibble because carrot has natural sugars in it and sugar feeds yeast as in result causing sugar to feed on the yeast so I am wondering since the ingredients are similar in the Turkey and egg as Natures Variety Instinct but NV has no carrot added , I would switch to the NV Rabbit LID. Yes once again considering a food switch because it is not atopic allergies, for them to smell yeasty it is food allergy. I kept going back to turkey and egg because I was told it takes 6-8 months to rid their systems of Candida but after doing a ton of reading up on it and asking another legit source it should only take 3-4 months at most. Any thoughts?

[lassiebaby]

My Lassie cross breed of Jackrussel and Beagle is suffering from atopic dermatitis. We have tried steroids and other medicines which gives only temporary relief. We have approached a New Vet who recommended DERMOCOOL HC SPRAY and diet comprising of RABBIT MEAT, TAPIOCA with SAFFLOWER OIL. I wonder whether this diet will provide her all the vitamins necessary for her body. Until now, we used to give her lamp meat, rice and SCIENCE PLAN food.

[Bernie831]

Hello everyone, we are having such a tough time with Bernie our 4.5 welsh terrier. Let me just say since a puppy we have had constance ear problems and stomach problems. He at one point had a yeast infection in his paw from constant licking and chewing- he was probably between 2/3 but it resolved with medication. I will now start with the most recent issues.

Sept 2012 he had a vestibular episode. I thought he was having a stroke. He could barely stand, very wobbly, couldn’t really walk, his eyes were rapidly moving back and forth so we rushed him to the emergency vet. they kept him over night and they explained it was doggie veritgo and he was safe in a padded cage (if you can imagine how scary this night was for him and myself) and they gave him medication to keep him calm till morning. we then had a nuero consult and he said it was probably a middle ear issue and decided to go in there with the digital boroscope and check things out. He cleaned his ears out really good, saying the left one was worse but no further testing was needed- ear drum was intact and an MRI could be helpful (very expensive) but he didn’t feel it was necessary.
About 2 months in late december he started acting up again. constantly circling(alway to the left) rubbing his head on walls, in the shower, on the carpet. His seemed to not hear as well (which was hard with welshies b/c they are so stubborn but I knew he wasn’t hearing me the same) He just wasn’t reacting the same to sounds basically. So we took him to our personal vet, and she immediately said to consult with a nuero vet again. Her biggest concern was his eye pupils were not reacting to light, they didn’t dialate or constrict when light was shined into them. So we went to a nuerologist and he recommended an MRI, spinal tap, and Myringothomy. That was all to rule out any tumor, lesion, as well as rule out any bacterial infections in the ear itself. All MRI /spinal tap CSF fuild tests came back clear thank god but it did show inflammation to his brain showing some concern. But he put us on antiobiotics (Zenaquin 50mg) and we waited for the culture of the middle ear to come back. It came back clear -no active sign of bacterial infection. We stayed on meds and about a month later inflammation in his left ear still present and starting to act up again. Bernie didn’t have alot of “stuff” in his ear mainly inflammation seen by the nuero in his check ups causing discomfort. So our nuerologist switched antibiotics thinking the one he was on (zeniquin) he was resistant too. So we switched to another one and tried that for about a month (calvamox). Slight improvement, not much and his left ear was right back to where it was when we started after a few week check up follow the med change. So the nuerologist gave us two options, try another antibiotic randomly or do another myringothomy and try to get a culture that would show us the correct meds to use. I am a very inpatient person and trying another random medicine wasn’t good for me so we go back in to the middle ear and try to get another sample. AGAIN, culture taken and no sign of bacteria or infection in the middle ear. So then my doctor calls saying it could simple be an allergy and prescribed an antihistime and see him a week.

So I was very frustrated and decided to make an appointment with a skin specialist to get allergy testing. He overlooked Bernie’s records and prescribed Atopica- an immunosuppressent drug. and we will do skin testing in 2 weeks.

Bernie is doing okay, seems to be doing better but I’m just afraid I’m not doing all that I can to take care of all this. ANYONE had any experience with chronic ear infections, vestibular disease, allergies, etc……I just need any advice or support in all our efforts to make sure we are doing the right thing!!!

[JillMcN]

I have no idea why, but I cannot reply to that original thread. I am (obviously) logged-in now, and could answer other threads, but that particular thread logs me out every time.

Sorry Becky, about my delay in answering your question – yes – my pug has always been on the generic Atopica which is cyclosporine.

[Becky]

Jill, have you always had her on the generic or did you start on Atopica and switch over? If you switched, could you tell any difference? EllieMae was so severe the vets said we should start on Atopica and then we might be able to switch over. She’s doing so well I haven’t tried changing anything yet. The poor thing probably hasn’t felt this good in her whole life.

[JillMcN]

Becky, my pug is on Atopica – but the generic, which is cyclosporine. We save money by getting the generic. Thank you for rescuing that pug! 🙂

[Becky]

I foster a pug who was surrendered because of her severe allergies. She’d been through all the allergy tests and basically was found to be allergic to everything. They’d had her on meds, steroids, baths, dips–you name it, they did it. They took her to the vet to be put down because she was so miserable and they couldn’t afford it any more. Thankfully, she was rescued. She’s now on a med called Atopica which is unfortunately pretty expensive, but has been a miracle worker for her. When I got her, her skin was raw and bleeding and now she has a beautiful coat. She eats Nutro Grain Free Lamb and Potato. We found 2 things she’s really allergic to are wheat and sweet potatoes and this food seems to be working for her. (knock on wood) And she’s learned to like baby carrots for treats! 🙂

[weimlove]

Toxed2loss, I’m so sorry to hear that! After my Weimaraner received his booster shots, he broke out in small raised bumps all over his back and neck. After taking two rounds of anti biotics we went to a different vet for a second opinion. He was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. I think this could have been caused by the vaccines. Thankfully after using herbal shampoos and adding extra fish oil to his food, the bumps went away and have been gone for almost a year now. I would love to not vaccinate anymore, but I am nervous about the risks. Since he has had his puppy shots and boosters do you think he is good for life?