[Lynn S]

I have done endless of hours researching so called grain free and starch free dog food. Since my one heeler as a yeast overgrowth. I came across one brand that said they had starch free dog food. I sent them an email after seeing it had potato protein in it. Potato protein is still a starch. A lot of grain free dog food as brown rice. Rice and brown rice is a grain. Just like oats and barely so its very important to read the ingredients. The same company puts Titanium dioxide in the canned dog food. Titanium dioxide (not metal titanium) is an inactive, insoluble material that makes things look whiter – it’s in many products, including food, paper, paint products. Why would I want to feed that to my dogs?

[Lynn S]

Wow! You really have to take time and research the ingredients. Rice and brown rice is a starch but also a grain.Sweet potato is a starch just like potatoes, corn, peas, beans. I have a 2 year old red heeler that would lose her fur around her eyes. She would rub her muzzle on anything and everything she could find. Yeast smell in her ears and smelly paws. I spent $90.00 for an allergy shot from the vetthat did nothing. So called grain free nothing. Its yeast issues that she has. Sugar and starch feed yeast. So no more kibble for her. I now cook her food

[Susan]

Hi Misti,
when you see vet tomorrow ask him/her is she up to date & know alot about skin problems?? it’s just some vets are better with certain health problems, I’m lucky I’ve finally found a vet after seeing about 4-5 vets & she has a rescue dog with food Sensitivities & Skin allergies, now my vet writes me out prescription & I take to the pharmacy & get heaps cheaper as you probably know vet medication is triple the price why I do not know?? I was paying $4 a tablet for Patches acid reflux now I get 30 tablets for $7.99 a month thru my pharmacist a big difference…or there’s online pet pharmacys if your girl is put on any medication for skin they’re expensive see if vet will write you a script so you can buy online or go pharmacist if your vet wants to put your dog on Apoquel or Cytopoint is heaps better, Cytopoint is a newer drug made by the same company & its given every 4-8 weeks Cytopoint has less side effect then Apoquel so ask your vet about applying Hydrocortisone 1% cream to start with & using teh Malaseb medicated shampoo & change her diet, the Hydrocortisone cream is also called Cortic-DS 1% Patches over the counter cream from pharmacist I’m using at the moment says “Hydrozole” for Sensitive inflamed fungal skin conditions contains Hydrocortisone (1%w/w) and Clotrimazole (1%w/w) cost $11 its a cheaper cortisone cream without a script thats sold over the counter at Pharmacist or Walmart but ask can you try Hydrocortisone 1% then ask how much it cost thru him/her the vet then if its over $15 just say oh I can get from at chemist/pharmacist for around $8-12$ it can come under differerent name at Walmart but read smaller print & you’ll see Hydrocortisone 1% as soon as I apply the Hydrocortisone cream Patch gets relief with the itchiness & the redness inbetween toes & up his paw starts to goes away & how I use to stop him licking his paws is I’d apply the Hydrocortisone cream then I’d get the white elastic bandages cut about 20cm off & put around his paws not to tight & not to lose so it can fall off then I get the white bandage tape & tape the bandage his 2 front paws were always worse then his 2 back paws & then I’d get those baby sock & put a soak on front paws only at night so the bandages wouldnt fall off the socks came off but he’d still have his bandages on his 2 front paws & his vet said if he did like off te Hydrocortisone cream it wouldnt hurt him instead of giving a steriod tablets your using teh cream instead & the cream is going straight to the problem area, when she is going outside try & keep her paws covered so the snow cant wet her paws or as soon as she comes back inside wipe down & dry her paws then when paws are dry apply the Hydrocortisone cream & her paws will start to get better as long as she isnt licking them she has to stop licking the paws as they make them worse then order some “Sudocrem” or look at the Ingredient in teh Sudocrem look in the baby section at your supermarket for a baby rash cream that has similair ingredients as the “Sudocrem” has Zinc, Anti fungal & antibiotic in it & during the day when she is going in & out side apply the zinc/antibiotic cream & it will protect & repell the water off her paws from & help heal them as well……later on you will get the hang of all this there’s no magic tablet or diet when they get red itchy paws you just have to use creams protect & wipe & keep her paws dry, I bet the wet snow isnt helping her???? you can try the water proof booties but if the dog wasnt brought up with booties from a pup they normally dont except shoe, Patch walked like he was walking on the moon & wouldnt walk in them so I took the booties back to pet shop & used the bandages until I got his paws better again & like I said every night while he’s sleeping on my bed I check his paws, around his mouth chin, above his left eye anywhere his fur is white & his skin is pink goes red & itchy worse in Spring/Summer months & when it rains or if he eats Chicken, Barley, Oats, Tapioca, Corn, theres probably more ingredients he cant eat aswell…
Buy a cheap 2018 diary a diary where it has a whole page for each day cause some days you might have to write down a lot, write down what she is eating & what cream your using what medicated shampoos your using, the “Malaseb” is really good its an antibacterial anti fungal shampoo & kills any yeast, bacteria on paws & skin it can be used daily if needed & you dont need to apply much a small bottle last a while..

[Tyrionthebiscuit]

If you can find the California naturals and she does wel on it, stock up because it’s being discontinued. We can already no longer get it in south Texas. If you can’t find Malasab for some reason online, Keto-C works very well also. It’s for dogs but my husband even uses it for psoriasis on his scalp. A rescue group in this area had a very yeasty dog and had some luck temporarily treating with apple cider vinegar sprayed on the itchy areas.

[Amy b]

I originally saw it posted on a dog food I was researching (can’t recall now), but it referenced how they don’t use sodium Selenite and that they use the yeast version. So I started looking into it… Many dog foods use it and just a few use the yeast version. But, it’s even referenced on this site (dogfoodadvisor).

/red-flag-ingredients/selenium-dog-food/

NutriSource references it as well… Saying that they use the healthier version.

[Amy b]

Really? So why is it so controversial?! I’ve heard it’s linked to cancer, etc. And other companies make such a big deal to point out that they use selinium yeast instead.

[Amy b]

Thanks again pitlove!

Unfortunately, I didn’t see your post until after I settled on a food; I went with Natures Variety, Rawboost Large Breed puppy. I did as you suggested and contacted the company about the calcium and phosphorus levels. They told me that calcium was 1.6 and phosphorus was 1.0. And 4317 kcal/kg.

I calculated this:
Calcium = 3.7 g per 1000 kcal
Ca to P ratio = 1.6 to 1

If I read this correctly, it seems to be in a good range. We started the change over last night and our pup, Max, loved it! I’m just hoping it starts this way.
The only thing I’m unsure of is the ingredient Sodium Selenite. I understand that it is a controversial ingredient. I reached out to NV and asked why they don’t use Selenium yeast and the rep didn’t know. She just gave me all of the positive reasons it is used…

[anonymous]

Please, please, please. Just make an appointment with a board certified veterinary dermatologist asap.
For the best results.

See MY posts. /forums/topic/allergies-and-yeast/

/forums/search/environmental+allergies/

Lots of misinformation on forums and such, and don’t fall down the homeopathic rabbit hole.

For science based veterinary medicine go here http://www.skeptvet.com

PS: Most likely, it’s not the food.

[Rick W]

Hi,

I’ve been doing a lot of research on food for our new puppy. He is an F1B Goldendoodle and is about 3.5 months old. He will probably end up around 70-80 pounds based on his parents. I currently have him on Fromm’s Heartland Large Breed Puppy kibble. It’s grain-free and based on what I could read, seemed to be better than others. I’m on here now because I’m noticing his poop is formed at first and then towards the end if very runny (gross, I know). All his vet checks have been fine. Just wondering what your thoughts are on if this is food related. I’ve tried to check out raw feeding, but I just can’t do it on our own and it’s too expensive to purchase, especially has he gets bigger.

Thoughts?

In case you need it, here are the ingredients for the food we are feeding: Beef,Pork Meat Meal, Peas, Lentils, Chickpeas, Potatoes, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Whole Egg, Pork Liver, Pork Fat, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed, Lamb, Cheese, Sweet Potatoes, Brewers Dried Yeast, Alfalfa Meal, Carrots, Lettuce, Celery, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Chicory Root Extract, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Tryptophan, DL-Methionine, Sodium Selenite, Sorbic Acid (Preservative), Vitamins, Minerals, Probiotics

[anonymous]

I think prescription food/therapeutic diet would be best, as your vet has recommended.
Otherwise, ask your vet if this will meet your criteria?
https://www.k9ofmine.com/best-low-sodium-dog-food/ excerpt below
Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
About: Pro Plan Focus is a salmon-and-rice-based recipe that is designed for dogs with stomach sensitivities or food allergies. Salmon and rice are typically not allergens and most dogs are able to digest this food easily.
Price: $$
Features:
Salmon is the first listed ingredient.
Made with antioxidant-rich ingredients to help promote immune system function
Fortified with omega fatty acids to ensure joint, skin and coat health
Made without any artificial colors, artificial flavors, corn, wheat or soy
PROS: Purina Pro Plan Focus has the least sodium per calorie of any of the five foods recommended here. Most dogs appear to love the taste, and it may also provide some relief from food allergies.
CONS: Additionally, Pro Plan is made without any probiotics to help regulate intestinal function; however, it does include prebiotic ingredients, which can help support any beneficial bacteria already present in your dog’s digestive tract.
Ingredients:
Salmon, Canola Meal, Brewers Rice, Barley, Oat Meal, Fish Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols, Salmon Meal, Dried Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Inulin, Fish Oil, Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Folic Acid, Biotin, Sodium Selenite. J-4449.
Sodium Content:
50 milligrams / 100 Calories

[Tyrionthebiscuit]

Dark red with improvement after diet change sounds like a yeast problem. Some breeds are prone to blocked tear ducts though and that will cause discharge.

[Bonnie M]

My 12 year old beagle basset hound mix is also a very picky eater and when I found this food Honestly Bare she gobbled it up just like you all have commented. As I was reading I noticed this product was made by Purina. My dog eats the Honestly Bare, Slow-cooked Tenders, the Chicken Apple & Sweet Potato formula, but it has “Beef Glycerine” & the “natural hickory smoke flavor” powder which are not good and is probably the reason why she gobbles it up.

I too have tried too many types and brands to even name including raw brands like Stella and Chewy’s, Darwin’s, etc, but she hated the raw and would refuse to eat for almost 2 days at a time. However, I was told to stay the course and when she gets hungry she will eat. I also had her on Acana and Orijen dry Foods but of course she only liked the ones that were too high in either fat or protein for her that gave her diarrhea. So I too have spent a fortune trying different types of dog food. I also tried Ziwi Peak and she liked it but it is too expensive for my budget.

I also put a request in to have this food reviewed. I just became a member about 2 hours ago and I am so excited to gain wisdom and insight about the dog foods on the market and hopefully find a food sooner than later that will be healthy for my dog as she has struggled with pancreatitis in the past years ago although she hasn’t had a problem with that now but she does have thyroid issues and is on medication twice a day for that and has recurring yeast infections in one of her ears which drives me crazy I’m not sure what to do about this so hopefully finding a food will help with all of this. I also will give her cooked chicken or beef or turkey with some of her dry food of which I cut the portion of dry food when I add the cooked meat.

Any suggestions or tips or ideas or recommendations are greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thank You, Bonnie M.

[Susan]

Hi Dharlee,
it’s the Royal Canine Anallergenic vet diet that has the feather hydrolysate not the Ultamino vet diet…the “Ultamino” has hydrolyzed poultry by product aggregate it doesnt have any feather hydrolysate….
What doesnt make sense to me is if your dog can handle a meat protein then why would you feed him a no protein all vegen vet diet? why when he doesnt need a vegan diet, he probably has itchy skin from eating a kibble that has a few ingredients he’s sensitive too does the kibble he’s eating now have grains or chicken in it?? this is why I posted my post to tell you I finally found a kibble that’s NOT a vet diet that doesn’t make Patch smell yeasty or itch, he only itches when he gets his seasonal allergies from the environment & you can’t stop environment allergies, he doesnt get his acid reflux or vomit no more & does firm poos I FINALLY found a grain free, single meat protein kibble that works for him & you can too probably find a kibble that works for your boy multiple health problems as well, I know Patch can eat Beef, Lamb, Salmon, Pork & Chicken but he just gets red paws & itchy skin when he eats chicken but the chicken does not effect his stomach or bowel, no diarrhea or vomiting, it’s the high carbs, high fiber & grains in the dry kibbles that effect his stomach & bowel, just remember your vet is NOT a vet nutritionist & probably wouldnt have a clue what will work for your dog, it’s trial & error & she’ll see what works & what doesnt help, like my vet use to say to me, “oh I have a few dogs like Patch & they’re are eating Hills Z/d vet diet & it’s working for Fred, so I tried Hills Z/d & Patch had diarrhea, the soluble fiber was way too high for Patch so I take the Z/d back then vet said I have another dog like Patch & she’s doing OK on Royal Canine HP she’s not 100% but she’s doing better, so Patch tries the Royal Canin HP my poor Patch got red paws, acid reflux, vomiting, nausea, licking his mouth, then Pancreatitis cause it was too high in fat-19% too high in omega oils, it has Soya Oil, Borage Oil, Fish Oil, there’s was way too many omega oils, he cant handle them all….
If you want to feed a vet diet then try a vet diet that has a novel meat protein he hasn’t eaten before like Rabbit, Venison, Duck, Kangaroo, Pork, ask your vet about “Royal Canine” Select protein formula’s, there’s PR-Potato & Rabbit, PW-Potato & Salmon, PD-Potato & Duck dry formula’s or try Hills Potato & Duck or Potato & Venison Hills doesnt use any soy protein in their Hills formula’s but you must realise all these vet diets for skin problems are VERY high in Omega oils like the Dinovite was & will might cause stomach upsets & acid reflux…
If you see your dog suffering after feeding the new vet diet stop feeding it & take it back & get your money back, the vet diets for skin problems will help your boy skin problem but might cause acid reflux, nausea & sloppy poo’s..
Keep us posted with what happens…

[Susan]

Hi Deborah M,
I really understand how you’re feeling & I know what you’re going thru, I took on this dog & I was just his foster carer, I had to take him to vet get him desexed vaccinated meds for all his sores that were around his neck & legs from being tied up then he has his photo put on the Rescue site & adopted out, his name was Patch & he just turned 4yr old in very bad condition, I’ve never seen a rescue dog this bad before I think he wasnt Put To Sleep cause he became the pound favorite, there’s always a few pound favorites, the people who work or volunteer at the pound do everything to get them a home or into rescue before their kill day so they called me (cause they know I love Staffys) to fix him all up & adopt him out but as the days went by he was weeing blood, so off to see the rescue vet, she said looks like he was being used for breeding, so he gets put on vet diet for 6 weeks to dissolve his crystals then he is diagnosed with IBD & Helicobacter-Pylori, Skin Allergies & Food Sensitivities, In the end I adopted him myself, I felt all the people that came out to meet & greet him weren’t listening to me when I said “but he’s sick, he has a few health problems” they’d all say, “Oh he seems fine he’s really happy, he doesnt look sick”, I couldnt handle not knowing whoever adopts him would they continue with his meds etc or would they just give up on him like his old owners did & surrender him back to a pound & he’ll continue to suffer, he just turned 9yrs old last week & it’s been a very hard 5 yrs & the money I’ve spent trying to fix Patch, I even stopped doing rescue for a few years when he was real bad & sick, I couldn’t leave him at home while I was out helping other dogs all day & worrying about him, he does not do well on ANY vet diets they give him bad acid reflux, make his skin itch & smell yeasty cause he has food sensitivities to some grains, gluten corm/maize & beet pulp, he can NOT have any Beet Pulp he gets bad acid reflux, all these things that are suppose to fix & help his stomach & bowel make Patch worse, then finally I started looking for other diets beside these vet diets & FINALLY after trying a few kibbles, I found “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain, Roasted Lamb dry kibble, people in the IBD & EPI face book groups were saying how well their dogs were doing on TOTW Sierra Mountain or TOTW Pacific Stream both are lower in fiber & TOTW uses Purified water, the Sierra Mountain formula just has 1 single meat protein Lamb, has Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, that firm his poo’s up & his acid reflux stopped & his skin all cleared up, cause he wasn’t eating a diet that had ingredients he was sensitive too but he still get his seasonal environment allergies in Spring/Summer so I have to bathed him weekly in Spring/Summer in “Malaseb” medicated shampoo to wash off any allergens on his paws & skin, the Malaseb shampoo realives & stops his itchy skin…. I’ve never found a kibble that helped most of his health problems all at once, a few years ago I started rotating his kibbles between a few different brands kibbles he does well on, I was feeding the Lamb TOTW thru the winter months then a Salmon fish kibble thru the Spring/Summer months but then I seen 2 studies a company thet test dog foods for 130 metals toxins & contaminates alot of these fish kibbles were very high in toxins, so now I prefer to add a tin salmon to his diet instead, for breakfast he gets his TOTW, lunch time he either gets a small cooked meal with 1 spoon salmon or 1/3 cup of “Canidae Pure Meadow”or an Australian salmon kibble, then dinner time he gets his TOTW Lamb again then he gets another small meal 1/3 a cup 8pm so he doesnt wake up early hours of the morning with acid reflux, whenever I try something new if it says add 1 teaspoon then I only add 1/8th a teaspoon & slowley introduce to his diet, I’ve learnt I ned to slowly add any new supplements or kibbles to his diet or I’m up 12am, 3am 5am & poor Patch has diarrhea….

I found Homeopathy, natural healthy foods works the best for Patch & other sick rescue dogs I’ve helped over the years, you’ll be surprised how feeding a simple bland lean cooked meal like turkey, tin Salmon or chicken breast, lean beef, I feed lean pork mince or lean beef mince I make rissoles with boiled Sweet Potato or boiled potato can make a big difference & is heaps better then these dry kibbles, then I slowly start adding 1 teaspoon of tin Salmon in spring water to the cooked meal, just feed 1 small cooked meal & still feed his normal limited ingredient dry kibble for his other meals or if he’s eating a cooked meal already start buying tin Salmon in spring water then drain water put in air tight container & add teaspoon of salmon to the cooked meals, I also buy “K-9 Natural green lipped mussels freeze dried & Patch started with just 1 mussel as a treat around 11am daily now he gets 2 mussels as a treat daily, Mussels are very healthy & help balance their diet,
here’s a link on Mussels https://drsarahbrewer.com/supplements/green-lipped-mussels-health-benefits
are you following “Rodney Habib”on his face book page, he has really good info also follow “Judy Morgan DVM” https://www.facebook.com/JudyMorganDVM/ click on her Video link look for her “Pancreatitis Diet” & her “IBD IBS Diet” video’s, you can leave out the ingredients you dont want to feed & what I did was just start with 1 lean meat protein mince grounded meat & 1 carb then after I saw Patch was OK I started to add 1 new ingredient egg, then another new ingredient broccoli etc, I make 1/2 cup size rissole balls & bake in oven & boil sweet potatos & freeze in sections & take out the day before, Judy has a 16 yr old dog called Scout, he has a few health problems, she cooks for him & her other sick elderly dogs, Judy shows you how to balance the diet with healthy ingredients, I don’t bother balancing every single meal, I just make sure he’s getting his Omega 3 fatty acids for his skin & stomach, the Dinovite would be very high in Omega’s for the dogs skin my Patch can’t take fish oil or fish oil in kibbles he gets bad acid reflux, so I supplement his omega fatty acids thru foods instead, I add salmon, freeze dried mussels, roasted Almonds a treats I bite & eat 1/2 a almond & Patch gets the other 1/2 of the almond just start off slowly just give 1/2 a almond for 1 week see how he goes, they need 3 almonds a day, read the link I posted above, the health benefits from freeze dried mussels for skin, stomach, joints, brain etc

Have you tried “4Health” Special Care, Sensitive Skin, it has Hydrolyzed Salmon or
“4Health” Special Care, Sensitive Stomach it has just Potato & Egg as only ingredients 4health is sold at Tractor Supply shops only, it’s worth trying a small bag & ask is it money back guaranted if my dog wont eat it?? I always just say Patch wont eat a kibble when he gets his diarrhea & I need to take back the kibble its easier….
You know your dog best so do what you feel will works best for your boy… Good Luck

[Tonia M]

My 17 year old Italian greyhound is allergic to corn, soy, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, rice, pes,carrots,yeast, peanut butter, and a few more I can’t think of off the top of my head. I inherited her from my aunt when she passed. She was always sick her entire life. She wouldn’t eat for several days and when she did she would throw up or have diarrhea. So when I had her tested. She spend three days with a specialist and it was determined she had a list of food allergies, irritable bowel, and crones . I have struggled over the past few years to get her to eat. She basically lives on one or two ingredients . Then she will stop eating during her ibs flare ups. I don’t know what to feed her. She suddenly started eating her poop today. Yet won’t eat anything I offer.

[Susan]

Hi Cathy,
what is he eating?? I’d start with a diet change, when my boy eats carrots & tapioca he gets itchy yeasty ears & shakes his head/ears, change what your feeding him to a limited ingredient single novel meat protein diet something totally different to what he’s eating at the moment, feed a meat protein he hasn’t eaten before & see how he does…
What are you testing for? food allergy testing isnt 100% & can give false positives…
There’s a really good Face Book group called, “Dog issues, allergies & other information support group” a Dermatologist Dr Karen helton Rhodes frequents the group & has her own f/b page called “Canine Skin Solutions” & helps out…

[Dharlee]

Just found this site and wanted to say, my dog has had digestive issues all his life. I got him at about 10 months. He’d been abandoned. He had a stomach full of garbage and tended to throw up most diets. Fast forward ten years and now he also has severe skin issues. The vet insists he is not yeasty but I’m not sure. He stinks and itches constantly, seems to keep a skin infection. He’s been on all the sensitive skin foods I can think of, and recently was given Royal Canin Ultimino. I was shocked to read those ingredients!

I ordered the Dynovite for him and got it yesterday. I am making the food for him tomorrow and switching him slowly over. I hope he can tolerate it and that it will help him over time. He means everything to me.

[Susan]

Hi Ivy,
the “Malaseb” Shampoo can be bought online Chewy… start bathing weekly or twice a week if real itchy & to wash off any allergens, yeast, bacteria that may be on the skin, Malaseb can be used daily if needed..

[Ivy H]

Hi Susan
I can’t thank you enough for all that great info. I love my vets but they really don’t know when it comes to food plus have not been helpful with his itching. It’s not normal for a puppy to scratch like this!
I was about to switch him to the Holistic Select as well and then I read what you said about how bad it can be. I will look that up and perhaps switch my other dog. I was reading that fish might be bad anyway. She had a a mass cell several years ago and all I wanted to do is feed her a good food. She has tummy and skin issues and this worked for her. But now I’m afraid. I want the best food for her as well.
The shampoo you mentioned can you buy it in the pet store? I will change his food and try your suggestions. He does have a slight smell. I thought its a puppy smell. But maybe it’s yeast. I’m don’t know? I just want him to be better and get to the bottom of it. So thanks again. I will let you know.

[Susan]

Hi Ivy,
sounds like your dog could be sensitive too an ingredient in both foods he’s been eating whats the common ingredients thats in both kibbles Purina & Royal Canine? he’s been & is eating? for him to be on a Gi for tummy food for tummy issues sound like food senitivities to me, change vets, the Royal Canine Intestinal vet diet made my boy itch & smell real yeasty, does he smell yeasty & itch?? the R/C vet diet fixed Patch stomach & bowel problems but made him itch & smell bad, are you bathing in a medicated shampoo?
have a look at “Canidae” Pure Sea, Pure Wild, or Pure Sky these are very high in Omega fatty acid that will help his skin & have limited ingredients & has no chicken. https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products click on link then scroll down a bit look to your right for “View All” click on this & the pages of all Canidaes formula’s start to come up
the “Holistic Select” Salmon grain free is a Puppy/adult formula why havent you tried that??
it helped my boys IBD & itchy skin but then after 3months he started being sick vomiting then I seen the Holistic Select Puppy/Adult G/F Salmon was on the worse top 10 highest kibbles for toxins & contaiminates list google “Pet Foods high in toxins” & you’ll see a link Pet food Study 1,084 pet pruducts from 80 different brands, just be careful when feeding a fish kibbles & start rotating your dogs kibbles between a few different brands so your dogs arent eating the same pet food 24/7… Canidae did really well when tested for Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, Cadmium & other contaminates…

Change his food to a grain free Limited ingredients, high omega 3 diet & see how he goes & if his tummy issues & itchy skin goes away & get a shampoo that’s anti-fungal, anti-bacterial medicated shampoo I use “Malaseb”medictaed shampoo it stops the itchy skin, kills any bacteria & yeasts that’s on skin & puts moisture back into their skin.
I feed “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mounation Roasted Lamb G/F only has Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Egg & Berries its an all life stages formula excellent for stomach/bowel problems & fixed Patch skin problems then once Patch was doing really well I started to rotate & feed “Canidae” Pure Wild & a few Ausralian made kibbles & I give my boy K-9 Natural freeze Dried Green Lipped Mussels 2 mussels a day…chewy sells them I also add Tin Salmon in spring water, I add 2 spoons salmon to 1 of his meals a day I give him Omega 3 thru foods cause he gets acid reflux when he has Fish/Salmon Oil capsules…keep us posted how he’s doing .

[CockalierMom]

Hi Paula,
The first step would be to try the hydrolyzed protein diet. This will give you a lot of information-if she improves, you will know you are dealing with a food sensitivity and if she does not, then something else is causing the problems. Changing the diet at any time will not cause any changes in the allergy blood testing.

My girl used to get bad yeast infections in one of her ears, and it was a strain that did not respond well to antibiotic ear drops the vet prescribed. The vet and I decided to try a different approach and to use Zymox Otic, and that cleared the yeast infection up immediately. Chewy sells Zymox Otic with or without hydrocortisone. My vet suggested that we start with hydrocortisone since we were dealing with soreness and redness and then after the redness went away I switched to the plain Zymox Otic. I now use the Zymox Ear Cleanser rather than what I was buying from the vet-seems to work better and is more gentle.

[Charles B]

Our dog was actually given the Cytopoint shot and it only lasted for about 2 weeks, after which we started using Apoquel.

The interesting thing about the Apoquel, as long as its in his system he is fine. Even only 8mg works fine and he weighs 75lbs.

The vet has issued us another month of anti fungal medication (its cheap.) We feel that the antibiotics for his foot could have caused the flash of yeast afterwards so we are going this route first.

Also got a refil on the Apoquel for when we have bad days.

We have been using a medicated shampoo weekly on him, sadly this week is been raining non stop so he hasnt gotten a bath this week. I did pick up some Zymox shampoo and their new rinse which a neighbor recommended.

[Susan]

Hi Paula,
do NOT use the Hydro Peroxide, Tea Tree oil or Witch hazel Oil these all will irritate the dogs skin more & are very TOXIC, she’s 13yrs old, her Immune System probably not as strong as it once was when she was younger… Please read what I’ve posted above in another post what to use & do, the Malaseb medicated shampoo is an anti fungal shampoo that kills yeast & bacterica on skin & paws & the creams will bring relief & stop the itchy skin trust me… Hydrocortisone 1% cream cost about $7 at Walmart & look for a thick white nappy rash cream in the baby section at supermarket if you cant get teh Sudocrem from Amazon this also will help her skin…
Do you shop at Costco? look for Kirkland Signature, Nature Domain, Turkey & Pea wet canned/tin food & start feeding her this & start buying tin salmon in spring water, Adli’s sell Salmon in spring water & add with some boiled sweet potato for another meal, the Salmon is high in Omega 3 fatty acids whats needed in her diet, also give a dog Probiotic to help strengthen her Immune System or Kefir slowly introduce the Kefir to her diet daily if you can’t get a dog probiotic…

That’s a myth spread on the internet that starchy carbs like potatoes, rice, oats etc causes yeasty ears, skin & paws in dogs, yeast only happens if the dog is sensitive to an ingredient he/she’s eating then yes they will get yeasty ears, skin & paws here’s the link below written by a Dermatologist Karen Helton Rhodes.. go on her Face Book page called
“Canine Skin Solutions” ask her questions she’s a Dermatologist..
Please click & read this link below, it tells you about all the “Myths & Fact about Yeast Dermatitis In Dogs” & how Witch Hazel, Tree Oil & Peroxide are all very TOXIC when used on dogs, you can smell that they’re toxic so the smell would be 10 times stronger for a dog… baths are the best to do, bath twice a week then weekly when she starts getting better baths relieve the itchy skin & wash off any allergens that’son the skin & paws & I use creams, creams bring instant relief to red irratated itchy skin, my vet recommended I use these creams on Patch as he couldnt take alot of the medications that are given to itchy dogs also I’d rather apply a cream then give any drugs to my boy, he’s 9 yrs old in Novemeber & he’s in excellent condition for a 9 yr old dog, beautiful shinny coat, white teeth no tarter, acts like a young pup, he has NO arthritis yet, so I must be doing something right, when I rescued him he was 1 big mess, it was awful the condition he was in..
http://www.healthyskin4dogs.com/blog/2015/9/8/facts-myths-about-yeast-dermatitis-in-dogs

[Paula M]

Oops !!! Yeast was found and only yeast typo above for Akita with yeast problem she never had it before all her life .

[Paula M]

Hi, my first post , I have a senior Akita 13 yrs old for a year now I can’t get rid of yeast in one of her ears, one is spotless the other treated the same for 9 months is still a problem . The vet suggested a hydrolysed protein prescription diet. My question is would it be bad to try it out in the meantime have her allergy blood test done before starting a new diet . and try to isolate the ingredient that she reacts to .
Positive screening for yeast no bacteria was done . Is there an alternative in the healthy wet food that would suit a yeasty dog. Low carbs , no potatoe grains or veg that has carbs . I’m going to give her oregano ,minerals, coconut oil Vit k omega oil and a few others . Has anyone had success without a prescription diet . Or anyone had good results from prescription diets. T tree oil belly bath when she licks herself she leaves red stain behind . She’ was treated for infection and daily ear wash’s .im trying witch hazel peroxide and vinager to clean her ears and make a rinse for in the bath not all at one mind . I know she’s had enough of a sore ear I went private using every penny I could find as the PDSA. Only helped up to a point . Thank you please help me help her 🐾

[Susan]

Hi Charles,
are you using a medicated shampoo like “Malaseb Medicated shampoo” ? the Malaseb shampoo kills the yeast on skin & paws & can be used daily, also puts moisture back into the skin paws etc, my boy gets the same yeasty paws, skin ears etc Malaseb is excellent ask vet or sold on Amazon, my boy has food sensitivities & seasonal environment allergies, the 2 normally go together, I did food elimintaion diet & worked out what foods he’s sensitive too. Have you looked into feeding a RAW diet?? alot of these dogs do heaps better when the kibble is stopped & feed either freeze dried raw or pre made raw diet…

A really good facebook group to join that has a Dermatologist “Karen Helton Rhodes” is calleed “Dog Issues. Allergies & other information Support Group” Karen also runs her own site called “Canine Skin Solutions”
Another thing I use is creams every night I check Patches paws, around his mouth & the white fur above this left eye & if it looks red & is itchy I apply Hydrocortisone 1% cream that Patches vet recommend I use, I also get a cotten tip & put the Hydrocortisone cream inbetween his paws & pads, then when he wakes in the morning his paws skin around mouth is all clear & pink not red then I use “Sudocrem” its for Dermatitis, Eczema, Nappy Rash, Pressure Sores, the Sudocrem acts as a barrier & protects the skin & paws from environment allergies, it’s excellent, if you live America look on Amazon & Ebay….

These’s a new drug made by the same makers that make awful Aqopuel, it’s called “Cytopoint” injections, works in a different way to how Apoquel works
Cytopoint injections blocks the receptors where Apoquel blocks the reaction from the allergen receptors, Apoquel doesn’t work on yeast problems. There’s suppose to be less to no side effects & people are saying Cytopoint is the new mircale drug & they have itch free dog now… if you join the Dog Issues, Allergies & Other Information Support group you can learn more, a few people use the Cytopoint injection thru Spring & Summer months then stop thru the cooler months when the evironment allergies arent bad.

I have found giving weekly baths using the creams & a diet high in Omega 3 fatty acids I’m keeping Patches allergies under control & make sure he’s not eating any foods he’s senstivie too I also rotate his foods so he’s not eating the same diet 24/7, I found Patch started to react more when he just ate the same kibble 24/7 especially with his IBD,
my boy also has IBD brought on from food senstivities….
I feed “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb & look at “Canidae” Pure formulas the Pure Sea & Pure Sky is suppose to be really good for dogs with Allergies its high in Omega 3 fatty acids, I rotate & feed the Canidae Pure Wild Boar cause the fat & protein is a bit lower then the Pure Sea, Patch does well on Lamb, Pork & Kangaroo, feed him some chicken & he starts itching within 20mins & carrots make his ears itch then yeasty smell ears..
There’s Dr B’s Barf Kangaroo Raw, its Australian but its sold in America you could do 1 meal raw the other meal kibble.. put the cream on those paws & watch them stop itching..

[Charles B]

We have a foster Golden Retreiver, that we just recently adopted.

He came to us in the June timeframe with a skin infection, and ear infections. Yeast present on his skin and ears.

He came to us on Kirkland Signature Chicken dogfood. We switched him cold turkey to Fromm Salmon as our other dog was on it (and they only gave us 4 cups of his old food.) We got put on an anti fungal medication, ear rinsing, ear drops, a powder for his tummy, and some cleaning wipes for 3 weeks. At the end he was all cleared up. We continued to work on his diet as it was still an apparent issued. We tried Fromm Weight Management (fish) and had awful results. He was horrifically itchy to the point of gnawing and needing a cone. We tried Pro Plan Skin Sensitivity Salmon and had an improvement, but it did not settle with his GI. We had an alergy shot and tried several different allergy meds. No luck. We got Apoquel – this worked, and after being on it for a month we backed off. During this time when we backed off, we did more diet adjusting.

Finally we tried Zignature Kangaroo – bingo. Perfect. Minor itches, no digging at his face, chewing his groin etc. Also tried Zignature Venison – ok”ish”, when we got to the end of the bag we were itching.

On the 1st of the month we give our dogs their nexguard. On the 3rd of the month we took him to the vet for licking his rear left foot toe #2-3 raw. Had a bacterial infection near the nail (we had assumed it was a foot injury that he licked over over 1-2 days.) He got an antibiotic, cleaning wipes, and powder.

On the last day of the month we gave him nexguard again and guess what… we are back to a “sick foot” again. So we think we might be allergic to something in the pill and are looking at other options.

But going back to the vet on the 2nd of the month, he shows he has yeast on his paw, and he has started digging at his face again.

I really dont want to put him back on Apoquel until we get his skin issues figured out again.

SO now we are on the Zignature Kangaroo, cleaning the foot daily, and the vet is offering another round of anti-fungal meds.

What else can we do?

[Susan]

Hi,
I posted a post the other day but it’s not here now??.. Yes go back to just feeding the Natural Balance kibble, what meat protein is in the NB formula he’s eating??
When I rescued Patch he had just turned 4yrs old, I didn’t know what he could eat & what he couldn’t eat & in the end that’s why his 4th vet put him on another vet diet that finally worked & firmed up poos but caused itchy smelly yeasty paws & skin, cause he cant eat Chicken his stomach & bowel is OK eating chicken but he gest Yeasty itchy paw & skin & carrots cause yeasty, itchy, smelly ears, you know Atlas does well on the Natural Balance formula & you know he can eat Chicken & Potatoes so that’s a pretty good start, so he Defently has food intolerances, if his gut was un healthy then he’d be like Patch was when I first rescued him, no matter what he ate he do OK poo’s then he was doing poos with jelly on them or like a condom over the poo (Food Sensitivities), then he was doing sloppy yellow poos (S.I.B.O) that smelt awful, that’s how a “GOOD” vet knows if the dog has either S.I.B.O, IBD, EPI, Food Intolerances…..when their poos are yellow it’s their small bowel that’s not working properly…Patches new vet said lets try the vet diet Eukanuba Intestinal low residue formula it wasthe only vet diet Patchhadn’t tried & finally he was doing smaller firm poo’s & only 2 or 3 poos a day then his vet wanted him to stay on the Eukanuba Intestinal vet diet for 9-12months to let his stomach & bowel heal as he probably has been doing sloppy awful poos most of his life, that’s why he ended up at a pound I’d say, his owner just didnt care, probably when Patch was Atlas age his owner didnt bother trying to work out what was wrong with him & just kept feeding him ingredients he was sensitive too & that has now caused IBD one of Patches vet said…..

I would just feed the Natural Balance for 1 month NO Kefir as this could have caused the
in-balance in his stomach & bowel, S.I.B.O, this is why you only add 1 new food or supplement at 1 time maybe every 1-2 weeks then you know 100% it’s the new food or supplement you’ve added to diet causing sloppy/diarrhea poo’s…
Look at the ingredient list in the “Kirkland Nature’s Domain” I would start doing an Elimination Food Diet start adding peas to his cooked meal start off slowly under 1/4 of a cup for 2 days then increase the amount of peas if he doesn’t have sloppy poos diarrhea in the 2 weeks chances are he can eat peas, then I would stop the peas & start adding boiled peeled Sweet Potato also for treats start making jerky treats, you know he can eat chicken so make Chicken Jerky, if he can eat sweet potato make sweet potato jerky as well or I was making Pork & beef rissoles, I was buying very lean grounded pork mince or beef mince adding 1 whisked egg & 1 teaspoon chopped parsley mixing all together & making small Pork rissoles balls or making separate beef rissoles, I’d foil lined a baking tray & bake them in the oven, they only took about 10 mins on 1 side then half way I would drain any fat & water & turn the rissoles over then cook another 10mins after you cool the rissoles I freeze, then break up a few rissoles & give as treats or I mashed a few rissole balls with some boiled sweet potato for lunch….
It does take time doing an elimination food diet but in the end you will know 100% what he can & cant eat…

The only other thing you can do is if you see a vet ask the vet can he write you a repeat script for some “Metronidazole” a few months worth to keep at home so if Atlas becomes unwell again or when you start introducing a new kibble you put Atlas on the Metronidazole tablets for 2 weeks while intoducing the new kibble, a few dogs in the Canine IBD group see IBD Specialist & this is what their vet specialist has told them to do, same as Patch in the end I had to so I could change his vet diet, I couldn’t handle him smelly & scratching from the chicken in the vet diet, I’d start him on a new kibble he’d be doing really well, good poos then around 2 & 1/2 months later his poos went yuk & soft again, the vet didn’t know what was wrong was his gut bacteria going out of balance too much bad bacteria again?? vet couldnt work out what was happening was it food sensitivities/intolerances as they can take anywhere from 1 day to react up to 6 weeks to start reacting, but this was 2 months later, this is why your better off starting an elimination food trial & start with adding the ingredients in the Kirkland Turkey & Sweet Potato formula or a kibble you want to feed, I’d start with adding boiled Peas, then Sweet Potatoes, blueberries as treats add to his cooked meal & see how he goes, it will be 3 steps forward 2 steps backwards in the beginning, so make sure you keep a diary, I always look back on Patches diarys when I need to rememeber something……
Patch was doing really really well most of 2016 while eating the TOTW Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb kibble & having a cooked meal Pork Rissoles & sweet potatoes he was drinking heaps of water maybe 2-3 times a week, vet did all these test they showed nothing was wrong, so vet said it could be pain related so I had introduced “Canidae Pure Wild Boar” then he started whinging after 2months of introducing the Canidae, his poos were bigger & softer on the Canidae in the beginning but got better as the weeks went by plus he was eating TOTW for his bigger meals breakfast & 1st dinner, Canidae was givin for Lunch & a second dinner the Canidae were smaller meals, he was geeting his pain right side Stomach/Pancreas area I thought the Canidae was too high in Kcals it was over 400 Kcals per cup this has happened before with another kibble so I started to introduced a new kibble Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Digestion Lamb then his poos went real sloppy again & smelly he had been eating the same kibbles all Spring & Summer TOTW Canidae no poo problems until the I added the Purina Digestion, Sensitive Stomach cause Patches pain right side, Patches American vet Sue had recommendd I try Purina months before so this is why I tried the Purina, the vet Sue blammed environment allergies & said his immune system has gone into over drive from his allergies & he’s reacting but I think it was more from when I started to add Purina Sensitive Stomach kibble to his diet it had Barley in it, I dont think he does well when the kibble has barley in it or he had an imbalance in the bowel S.I.B.O & they get abnormal amounts bacterica accumulate in the small bowel making their poos go yuk again, something he was eating put his gut/bowel floria out of wack again & causes too much bad bacteria then he starts doing very sloppy poos again, that’s what happens with Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth (S.I.B.O) it happens in young dogs, they can’t put on any weight they stop growing, maybe Atlas has a few Intestinal problems, he has his Food Sensitivities & he might get SIBO as well & the Kefir set off the SIBO again, Metronidazole gets rid of the S.I.B.O & then the gut/bowel is balanced again…..

It’s very hard working out your dog what agrees with him & what doesn’t, I’ve learnt more thru people in canine IBD groups who have been thru all this, there’s a good small F/B group called ” Irritable Bowel Disease & G.I Related Diseases In Dogs UK” group on Face Book, the Amercan Canine IBD group the lady who runs it just pops in & tells everyone to go & see your vet & the poor people have been & seen their vets & they still have no answers what’s wrong with their por dog, I’m noticing over the years there’s a few bad vets in America, I dont think a vet in America has to study as long as an Australian or UK vet does?? cause Patches vet Sue is American & she said when she came to Australia in the late 80’s she had to do another 2 years study to work as a vet in Australia & also in Australia vets have to follow up with yearly courses… Patches really good 2nd vet Simon he did Patches Endoscope & Biopsies, he’s very busy & very hard to see he’s always operating etc he knows heaps about the stomach/bowel, he’s the vet that isnt really into giving dogs PRObiotics to dogs, he said there’s no real scientific proof about PRObiotic work in dogs, but if you think your seeing an improvement he said then give Patch the Probiotics but make sure it’s a dog probiotic that are stored in the fridge, “Protexin Soluble”, I said Probiotics seem to make Patch feel sick, he starts his mouth licking & swollowing but only some days this would happen, then Simon said when it comes to PREbiotics he said yes he has found Prebiotics did help & work on some of the dogs he’s treated… I never saw any real improvement with Patch but I did when he was on “NAS, Digestavite Plus” Powder, its a dog prebiotic with vitamins that balances raw or cooked meals he was eating, I went thru a Naturopath with Patchto put him on a raw diet in te end before I found the TOTW & Canidae kibbles, his vet referred Patch to a Holistic Vet but shewas very expensive $180 a hour, so I saw a Animal Naturopath Nutritionist instead, she cost $60 a hour, she makes the “Natural Animal Solutions” products, the Digestavite Plus Powder has Glutimine, Inulin, Spinach leaf powder, Parsley leaf, Beetroot powder, Broccoli, Green Tea, Grapeseed extract, Ginger, Slipperly Elm, Stem Bark, Milk Thistle, Acacia Powder, then Vitamin B1, B2 B3, B5 B12,D3, Patches poos were beautiful & firm when he has the Digestavite Plus Pawder over his cooked & raw meals….
You can ask the vet about weekly Vitamin B12 injections, the B12 really helps dogs that keep having diarrhea slopping poos..
Just see how Atlas goes just eating the Natural Balance for 1 month then introduce 1 new food to his diet nothing else. Good-Luck he’s your special boy.. I’m rescueing another dog soon, Patch is turning 9yrs old, 20th November…I’m going to make sure she does NOT have any Allergies or Stomach/Bowel problems. sorry about the long posts but there’s too much information to leave out..

[Susan]

Hi Karen H,
stay away from any oral chews for fleas etc especailly Bravecto it stays in the dogs system more then 3 months & if the dog starts to react & gets sick there’s no treatment to reverse the Bravecto…

Do you live in a high flea, high heartworm area?? ask vet when was the last time he had a heartworm patient in your area ask a few vets in the area normallly the vet staff at the front desk know?? Where I live vets haven’t seen any heartworm cases in 30yrs now.
Less chemicals you put in his body the better off he’ll be….
I have a very sensitive boy who has IBD & I do not use any flea chews, we don’t have fleas where I live but when I first rescued Patch nilly 5 yrs ago when we were walking thru the park before all these flea chews came out (Bravecto & Nexgard) there were fleas in the dog park after it rained thru the Summer months & Patch would tell me as soon as a flea jumped up on his leg, he’s allergic to flea bites, just 1 bite & he itches for days, Patches vet said the best product to use is “Frontline Plus Spot on” or the Frontline Flea spray, they both only penitrate 2 layers of the dogs skin, where other flea proucts like Advantage spot on penitrate thru to their blood, Patch was spewing blood after I applied Advantage spot on when I first rescued him, I dont know if it was a coincidence this happened but it was awful he woke up 2am vomiting & there were clots of blood in his vomit, I took his vomit to the vet that morning but the blood clots had mixed thru, this is how I’ve learnt all this info about flea products, the Frontline spray is expensive but it last a few Summers, I was just spraying his legs then put on a glove & spraying the glove then rubbing onto Patch fur.. but these last 2 Summers he hasn’t had no fleas at all I’d say everyone in the area are using all the new toxic chews for fleas, so my Patch is flea free when he comes home from his walks & he doesnt need any chemicals in his body..
Join a few “Natural Canine groups” & ask what they’re using for fleas, I know in Australia, Australian made pet foods have Garlic in them, at the end of the ingredient list, so there’s not much garlic in the dog foods, google what foods in a dogs diet stops fleas, you don’t add heaps of Garlic only very small amounts there’s other foods as well like Brewers Yeast…
I know Lavendar & Rosemary plants planted around the the yard are good to keep away Mozzies as Mosquitos hate Lavender & Rosemary, you can make up lavender, pepermint, eucalyptus in a spray bottle & spray the dogs coat, bedding, kennel etc to keep fleas away, I’m moving into a house in a few months & I’m worring about fleas as the last owner had a dog & a cat so there will be flea eggs in the dirt grass etc there’s no carpet inside house so hopefully the house will be flea free, but fleas dont seem to like Patch, Patches vet said she see a few dogs that are the same the fleas jump on them, then the flea jumps back off them, could be their diet….

[Susan]

Hi Sade.
Your dog might have Seasonal Environment Allergies & Food sensitivities the 2 normally come together & as the dog ages the allergies get worse not better…

Have a look at “Canidae”Pure Petite, Small Breed formula’s or there’s Pure Sea, Pure Wild, Pure Land formula’s, Canidae kibble size is nice, small & easy to digest you will see a big improvemnet with the skin, most of the Pure formula’s are chicken FREE
https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products. I’ve read that chicken fat has no protein in it, & the protein is what the dog reacts too… but when they have both Food & Environment allergies it’s hard to work out what is causing what? So Elimination Food Diet is best to do in teh colder months not Spring Summer or Autunm too many allergens..

Baths the best to do, are you bathing twice a week too wash off the allergen’s on paws & skin? I have found “Malaseb: medicated shampoo to be very good, it kills any bacteria & yeast that’s on the paws & skin, puts moisture back into the skin & makes skin nice & soft, I also use Hydrocortisone 1% cream when paws are red & itchy at night you check all over dogs body & paws look for any red irritated paws & skin look inbetween toes & pad lightly apply some hydrocotisone 1% cream, by morning paws will be all clear again, then I use “Sudocrem” before Patch goes outside for walks etc, Sudocrem is for Dermtitis, Eczema, Nappy Rash & acts as a barrier & protects the skin & paws, really good thick cream, Amazon or Ebay sell Sudocrem & the Malaseb medicated shampoo..
Start keeping a diary & write everything down, as te years pass you well start to see a patten & can work out if it is Seasonal Allrgies, another really good food to add to diet is Green Lipped Mussels chwy sells teh “K-9 Natural”Green Lipped freeze Dried Mussels give 1-2 mussels a day as treats, Mussels are high in Omega 3, EPA & DHA

You need to keep on top of things & with the weekly baths or bath as soon as he starts licking & chewing paws with the Malaseb Shampoo to relieve his itchy paws & skin, diet high in Omega 3 faty acid, applying creams & using baby wipes to wipe skin, fur & paws down after ghe comes back instide & when you dont want to bath you’ll start controling the problem, but allergies don’t get better…
A really good Face Book group to join is “Dog Issues, Allergies & Other Information Support Group” there’s a Dermatologist in the group Karen Helton Rhodes she also has her own site called “Canine Skin Solutions inc”

[Dina M]

Dear Susan,,, so happy to receive your post. Unipaws for my dog is for sensitive dog, Slamon and rice. The ingredients are:
fresh salmon, dehydrated salmon (25%), rice (16%), barley, chicken fat, sugar beet pulp, hydrolyse chicken protein, minerals, 1.5% NuPro yeast-high concentration of nucleotides, salmon oil, integral flaxeed, dehydated chicken meat, 0.15% Bi0-Mos – Mannan – Oligosaccharides, 0.15% Fructo – oligosaccharides, whole egg, 0.1% Yucca Schidigera, 0.1% Fruit by Products containing bioflavonoids (Citrus spp.), 0.019% Glucosamine, 0.013% Chondroitin Sulphate.

is it good?

This is made by Unipaws Limited in St. John Street, London, UK.

The other varian is Lamb and Rice.

[Susan]

Hi Atlas,
slow & steady in the beginning with Patch, I used the new kibble as treats for 2 days then on the 3rd day I only added under 1/4 of a cup for 3 days to 1 cup old kibble then if poos looked good then I started to add 1/4 of a cup, I gave 1/4 cup with each meal for 3 days, the I added 1 heaped 1/4 of a cup for 2 days & just kept look at his poos making sure poos were good, then I stay on 1/2 new kibble & 1/2 old kibble for 1 week before I introduce any more of the new kibble… 3-4 years ago 1 year after I rescued Patch he was having skin problems from the vet diet kibble he was eating for his IBD his poos were firm but it wasnt grain free & he must of been sensitive to an ingredient causing itchy yeasty smelly paws & skin so I tried a vet diet Eukanuba FP Fish & Potato, all I added was under 1/4 of a cup for 2 days to his other kibble then 2nd night Patch was up all thru the night with really BAD diarrhea every 2 hours the vet & I thought he cant eat potatoes & for 2 yrs I couldn’t try any kibbles that had Potato, then one day I was at a pet shop & the lady at the pet shop said why can’t he eat potato, I’ve never heard a dog getting diarrhea from potatoes, I’m a breeder I breed Border Collies & show them, I had a dog with IBD & potato firmed up his poo’s, she was a very pushing lady lol then I told her what had happened & she said it could have been the fish or a supplement in the Eukanuba FP kibble you dont really know, she said start adding a little cooked boiled potato with Patches meal cause he might be able to eat potato & he was fine, so I went back to the pet shop & tried the TOTW & Patch did really good firm poos the first time in 2 yrs his poos stayed firm & didnt go soft some days, like they were doing on teh vet diet the vet wanted him on & now after seeing Clean Label Testing I think it could have been the fish, it was probably high in toxins or something else was wrong with the Eukanuba FP kibble, I have never seen Patch that bad since he had pooed blood all night & vet said stop all food for for 24-36hrs & let his stomach bowel rest, then he was put on another vet diet with Metronidazole for 21 days that made his skin itch & smell.. Sometimes some vets don’t have a clue & just put the dog on vet diets & meds (steriods) I didnt have a clue & thought they’re a vet they’d know more then me about diarrhea, now finally Patch has 2 really good vets one the lady vet is more a holistic vet & the other vet he specializes in the stomach/bowel & does Endoscopes biopsies & few other things..

My vet told be it’s OK if their poos are softer some days as long as they don’t stay sloppy/diarrhea… If Patch is eating the same brand kibble & I’m not introducing a new kibble & he’s was doing well on his old kibble then all of a sudden his poos startéd to go sloppy I wait 2 days & see if poos go good again & if on 3rd day Patches poos still look sloppy smelly awful I put him back on the Metronidazole tablets for 14-21 days, something has put his good bacteria out of wack & he has more bad bacteria then good bacteria….

[aimee]

Hi Theresa,

I don’t know that I have a real strong preference for one over the other in regards to potato over lentils but my preference would be for potato. This is likely based on experience with my own dog’s GI problems. And rightly of wrongly I associate lentils with gas. I’d imagine that like anything else there are individual responses which make one work better than another for that particular dog.

Hi Anon
The quote you posted from the Zigniture site was one I asked the company about. Starches are interesting. Potato when fed hot is high glycemic and when eaten cold falls into low glycemic or just outside the low range. Potato variety also plays a role.

Since kibble isn’t fed hot I asked for a reference for that statement. The company wasn’t able to provide one and directed me to the GRI page Then they, in my opinion, dug themselves into an even deeper hole with saying potato feeds yeast and that ” many times when they[owners] see their dog itching, they assume it’s an allergy and its actually candida” There is no basis for such a statement. This was followed with a statement that by eliminating potato and grains from the diet you’ll starve the yeast and their “proteins that assist in cooling the body down to help keep yeast from growing.”

The company is making a lot of statements for which there is no evidence and appear to be pages taken right of the holistic handbook.

I took a look at the GRI. I found it very odd that they give out awards for “best pet resort” and “best pet food store” and the winners are both in Florida a mere 11 miles apart from each other. No mention of how these businesses were chosen. I didn’t find anything about actually feeding the foods they are rating and measuring glucose levels. I did find that you submit an application for them to test your food and then they will tell you how much it costs. There is a yelp review that someone wrote saying they paid $6.000.00 and never received any results anything from them and now can’t get them to respond to his inquires.
Overall I don’t see this company as credible.

[Lori J]

Hi Vickki ~ I am still looking for a low sodium food also~ what have you settled on? I have been emailing companies and most give the % and not the mg per 100 kcal ~ its so frustrating! Ted has been on Wellness Healthy weight complete for over year now ( when his heart disease was discovered) but recently has yeasty paws so maybe be getting allergic to something in the Wellness.I think its environmental but want to switch the food just in case

• This reply was modified 8 years, 2 months ago by Lori J.

[aimee]

Hi Lori,
I think you are referring to Candida when you say you think your dog has yeast overgrowth inside his body. Candida normally an innocuous inhabitant of the bowel can invade other areas. Occasionally a dog can get Candida in the urinary tract, seen secondary to Diabetes for example. Candida inside the body is very rare and almost always occurs secondary to some other illness. You’ll have signs like fever, abdominal pain, weight loss, lack of appetite .. these dogs are very very ill and usually die.

That said some years back a few loud voices attributed a myriad of problems including allergies to “yeast overgrowth” in the bowel. The idea has been abandoned by nearly all medical personnel because there are no medical finding to support the concept. A few people are holding tight to the idea despite lack of evidence that it occurs.

There is so much misinformation out there….be careful when researching as it is easy to go down the wrong rabbit hole

[Lori J]

Heres the kicker~ I think that maybe Ted has the yeast over growth inside his body and not just on his skin ~ he was on antibiotics a few months ago for a ruptured Cyst. I have been looking at the Calf Naturals also ~ I think that the kangaroo & Lentils may be a good start and may cover all the bases~ The med vet Dr is not Ted’s Cardio Dr ~ just a list I found online. When I asked Ted’s Cardio~ he just said he can have reg diet but some foods have way more sodium than others and I just want to stick on the lower side. Thanks so much for all your input. I really appreciate it!! I have spent the last few days trying read up allergies/ types of yeast/remedies/foods ~ its been crazy!

• This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by Lori J.

[pitlove]

Hi Lori-

I second everything that Aimee said. It is a myth that carbs feed yeast.

Also this might seem silly, but have you asked the MedVet Cardio doctor what food he would recommend?

[aimee]

Hi Lori J
Keep in mind grain allergies are rare and that carbohydrates in the diet do not feed yeast on the skin. So sad that people that should know better write articles and post videos saying that you need a low carbohydrate diet to conquer yeast infections…. you don’t. The fact is that the type of yeast on dog’s skin is a fat loving yeast. Give some of these guys all the carbohydrate they want and you know what happens…. they die because they need fat to live. But even if they were carbohydrate loving yeast. How would the carbohydrate get from inside the digestive track to outside the body which is where the yeast are? Hmmm see where that falls apart?

Point is you don’t need a low carb food…. you need a controlled sodium food. I took a look at the MedVet list.. lots of choices there including grain free options like Cal Natural kangaroo and lentils.

Have you looked at Nature Variety Instinct dry line? You might find something there, for example they are reporting their limited ingredient Duck as 0.3% Na =74mg/100kcals, limited ingredient turkey is 0.4 %=97mg/100 kcals Ultimate protein Duck 0.4% =89/100kcals. If you think one of the Natures Variety products would work check with the company to make sure the website info is accurate and check with your vet.

[Lori J]

Hi Anon ~I appreciate all your help! Yes I looked at the Pro Plan and it may be low sodium but the ingredients dont look they wold be good for a dog w a yeast infection/allergy if I am reading recommendations correctly. Brewers rice,barley, oats ~ I read were not good if dog may be allergic to grains and also may feed the yeast. Like I said so confusing! Ted is being treated by a cardiologist and said the he does not need a prescription food at this time. I just want a good dog food that does not have #1 ~ grains ( due to possibly allergy which is causing the yeast ) #2 low starch ( as not to feed the yeast problem Ted is having in his paws right now) and also a food that does not have #3 excessive sodium ( Due to his enlarged heart) I would like to stay under 100 mg / 100 Kcals I dont even want excessive salt for my other dog which does not have a heart problem. Of all the dog food out there ~ there has got to be some that fits the criteria.

[anonymous]

What about Pro Plan? https://www.k9ofmine.com/best-low-sodium-dog-food/ excerpt below

1. Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
About: Pro Plan Focus is a salmon-and-rice-based recipe that is designed for dogs with stomach sensitivities or food allergies. Salmon and rice are typically not allergens and most dogs are able to digest this food easily.
Price: $$
Features:
Salmon is the first listed ingredient.
Made with antioxidant-rich ingredients to help promote immune system function
Fortified with omega fatty acids to ensure joint, skin and coat health
Made without any artificial colors, artificial flavors, corn, wheat or soy

PROS: Purina Pro Plan Focus has the least sodium per calorie of any of the five foods recommended here. Most dogs appear to love the taste, and it may also provide some relief from food allergies.

CONS: Additionally, Pro Plan is made without any probiotics to help regulate intestinal function; however, it does include prebiotic ingredients, which can help support any beneficial bacteria already present in your dog’s digestive tract.
Ingredients:
Salmon, Canola Meal, Brewers Rice, Barley, Oat Meal, Fish Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols, Salmon Meal, Dried Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Inulin, Fish Oil, Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Folic Acid, Biotin, Sodium Selenite. J-4449.
Sodium Content:
50 milligrams / 100 Calories

[Susan]

Hi Susana,
Stop feeding the Acana, Acana is probably too rich for a dog with intestinal stress, it has organ meats, Acana is excellent for a healthy dog that doesn’t have intestinal problems.

Sounds like your boy has a few food intolerances & there’s an ingredients in the Hills I/d formula & Acana formula he’s sensitive too, this happened with my Patch when I rescued & adopted him 5yrs ago, he had rumbling, grumbling LOUD bowel noises, I’d hear him in another room, these loud noises are gases rumbling thru the bowel & can be painful, Patch would do the same eat & eat grass, then his vet said only let him eat about 2 mintues worth of grass then stop him eating grass, the long pieces of grass can tangle together & cause a blockage or the grass can cause diarrhea…
I have found a dry bit of white toasted bread is best to give when these noises are happening, dry toast seems to settle the stomach also liquid Mylanta, 1 teaspoon 5mls seems to settle the stomach & bowel aswell & stops the loud rumbling bowel noises..
Once you work out what foods he is sensitive too these rumbling bowel noises will stop…
Patch also had streaks of blood thru his poos some days, this was cause he was eating an ingredient that he was sensitive too & I didnt know it was irratating his bowel then 1 night he had diarrhea that turned into blood water, I rushed him to the vet 8am his vet said looks like he has IBD cause I had been there a few times before with stomach/bowel problems. Patch was put on a Hydrolzed vet diet Royal Canine HP & Metronidazole for 21 days the bowel needs to heal & rest but he cont digest the Royal Canine HP vet diet ended up causing other problems….
Patch hasn’t had no more problems as long as Patch doesn’t eat Chickpeas, Lentils, Barley, Oats, Beet Pulp for his bowel & Chicken Tapioca & Carrots cause itchy smelly yeasty paws ears & skin problems… Food Sensitivities/Intolerances can cause gas/wind, farts, sloppy poo, diarrhea, smelly yeasty ears, paws, skin, itchy skin, bum rubbing on ground, just depends on the dog….

Both of the vet you saw have given the Metronidazole which was good to heal his bowel but the vets should of prescribed him a limited ingredient kibble that was chicken & grain free either the Hills D/D Potato & Venison or the Potato & Duck limited ingredient formulas or the Royal Canine Select proteins, Potato & Rabbit etc…

Go to “Tractor Supply Co & look for the “4Health” Sensitive Stomach it has Egg & Potato very easy to digest limited ingredients & will help his blowel rest & heal…

Don’t feed any more kibbles that are higher then 27%-protein or high in Kcals per cup no higher then 380 Kcals per cup & don’t have too many ingredients cause there will be more chance that he’s sensitive to an ingredient the more ingredients there is & he’ll react…

then when he’s doing really well try the “4Health Sensitive Skin” it has limited ingredients & has Hydrolyzed Salmon & Pea flour very easy to digest ingredients, the Acana might have been too high in protein & very rich high in Kcals per cup, when a kibble is high in Kcals over 400 the kibble is more dense & harder to digest & when a dog has a sensitive stomach bowel it’s too hard to break down….
His smelly breath sounds like his stomach bowel is not working properly the Metronidazole will fix ths problem, my vet writes out a few repeat scripts of teh Metronidazole & I just take teh scripts to a chemist & get out, my boy still takes Metronidazole on & off if he starts getting his smelly fermenting breath, acid reflux or if I see he’s starting to do sloppy poos for more then 2 days I re start him on the Metronidazole 1 x 200mg tablet every 12 hours with food for 10-14 days then the next 10 days just give him 1x 200mg tablet with his dinner that’s for a 40lb +18kg dog but since he’s been eating the TOTW Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb he’s been doing really well, I do rotate & feed other brands but this has taken me nilly 4 yrs to get Patch gut healthy again & if Im feeding him another brand kibble & he starts getting stomach/bowel symptoms I put him back on her TOTW Roasted Lamb kibble & he goes good again….finally after 2 yrs of trying all the vet diets I had joined a few face book groups for Canines with IBD, EPI & dogs were doing really well on ” 4Health” formula’s & “Taste Of The Wild’ Sierra Mountain, Roasted Lamb formula, TOTW Lamb has limited ingredients only has 1 meat protein Lamb, Sweet potato. potato, peas, egg, very easy to digest….

Always read the ingredient list before buying a new kibble, read what ingredients are in the Acana & the I/d formula & try & aviod these proteins & ingredients for now.. Continue with the Metronidazole stop the Acana take it back for a refund, only feed a very bland diet like the 4Health Sensitive Stomach or Sensitive Skin formula’s for now… or try the TOTW Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb these formula’s do not have Chickpeas or lentils as these ingredient are harder to digest when te dogs stomach & bowel isnt working properly…
Good-luck keep me up dated with what is happening, hopefully he’ll be doing firm poos in a few days..

[Lori J]

Thank you both for helping me. My gut feeling is that Ted does have a grass allergy which is causing his yeasty paws and not the food but of course that just my guess. The only reason I thought to stay away from potatoes is reading that the yeast may feed on the starch. Its all so confusing! I have also started giving him a spoonful of plain greek yogurt in the am and I have some packets of FortiFlora that the vet had given to my other dog awhile back for another issue so have been sprikling that on his evening meal. The Vet did give a jar of Mal A Ket wipes for the 2 front paws but I have been thinking I should also get the shampoo.I have also tried the Iodine foot bath & vinegar foot bath . Seems like the wipes working a lil better. I will check out the Canidae foods. It would make it so much easier if the sodium level was listed on dog food labels! Thank you again!!

[Susan]

Malaseb does not have to be used in conjunction with no other prescribe treatments, the only thing you need to use Malaseb shampoo with is water & leave on the paws & skin 5-10mins to kill the yeast & bacteria thats on the dogs skin…
How are you going to kill yeast on a dogs paws & skin with a gentle puppy shampoo??
I dont think you’ve ever had a dog with yeasty skin & paws Anon101 like you have written you just like adding your 2 cents worth & that’s what its worth 2c…

In Australia you can buy Malaseb Shampoo at any pet shop, vets practice or online & we have had Malaseb shampoo as far back as I can remember, it’s not a new shampoo & it’s the BEST treatment to kill yeast on a smelly itchy dog…. a small bottle of Malaseb last a long time, you don’t need to add much shampoo, 1 teaspoon shampoo goes a long way, I have had a 250ml bottle for 2 yrs now & cost me $25 Au $, now that’s worth it especially when bathing a dog weekly for 2 yrs & making your dog comfortable, itch & yeast free… there’s probably a few cheaper anti fungal shampoos out there, look on Chewys site or at Pet Shops but you get what you pay for in the end so read the ingredients, Walmart did have a copy of the Malaseb $7 but it’s been discontinued apparently, maybe Walmart has another antifungal shampoo now..
You can mix 1/2 Vinegar & 1/2 water in a square bucket & stand your dog front paws in the bucket for a couple of mins then his back paws in the bucket, the vinegar kills the yeast BUT I have found it ends up drying out the skin inbetween the paws if used daily so best to only do the 1/2 water 1/2 vinegar soak twice a week, you can also use Betadine or Dettol antiseptic wash as well instead of the vinegar but the same it dries out skin inbetween their toes & pads, the Malaseb shampoo doesn’t dry any skin & it kills the yeast & smells better..

[Susan]

Hi Lori J,
are you washing your dog paws in “Malaseb” medicated shampoo, the Malaseb is excellent for yeasty paws, skin & kills the yeast & bacteria & can be used daily as it’s a mild shampoo, it keeps the skin beautiful soft & moist….
You have to work out what foods your dog is sensitive too & what is causing the yeasty paws, it might be a grass allergy? it may be food sesnitivities? that’s a MYTH about potatoes all starchy foods causing yeast in dogs, it’s only when the dog has a senstivities to certain ingredients it starts to react itch & scratch & get yeasty smelly paws, ears, skin, gas, sloppy poo’s etc.. Yeast happens when the dog has become very sensitive to an ingredient he’s eating or environment alergies.
Start your boy on a good probiotic as well, Probiotics are best given inbetween meal, when stomach acid is low in stomach, its normally when you wake first thing of a morning or I just give inbetween meal, I buy & givemy boy the “Yakult” probiotic drink, you buy at the supermarket, Patch gets 1/4 & I drink the rest, cost about 40 -50c a day they come 5 in a pack sold in the fridge section where the milk normally is.

Have a look at “Canidae” the Pure Formula’s, the “Pure Meadow” Senior is really good formula to feed a senior dog you’ll see a big change within 3 weeks, or look at the “Pure Wild” Boar, they are money back guaranteed if you have any problems & email for teh sodium % but I’m pretty sure the sodium is low here’s the link sometimes it’s best to pay a little bit more for a dogs food then it saves the dog not getting itchy yeasty skin & an expensive trip to the vets & medications.
Canidae do make a cheaper food called “Under the Sun” that also has had great reviews. https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products

Your best to join this group on facebook called “Dogs issues, allergies and other information” group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/240043826044760/
& get some correct advise from a Vet Dermatoligist that specializes in the skin & dogs with other health problems & other people that have dealt with the same health problems as your boy has, there’s heaps of really good advice & if any advice given is in correct, Admin steps in & corrects it, epecially about potatoes causing yeast in dogs, its one of the most posted posts cause of all the lies on the internet, it’s a really positive group it’s also has a Dermatologist, Karen Helton Rhodes DVM DACVD who frequents the group & she has her own f/b group called “Canine Skin Solutions inc” she’ll answer any questions you may have. Here’s one of her links “Facts & Myths about Yeast Dermatitis in Dogs” http://www.healthyskin4dogs.com/blog/2015/9/8/facts-myths-about-yeast-dermatitis-in-dogs
Your best to wash paws daily in an anti fungal medicated shampoo like “Malaseb” & wash off any allergens on his paws & any yaest off his paws to make him comfortable & to feed a diet that your boy hasn’t eaten much off or eaten before so he probably won’t be sensitive too those ingredients but it’s best to do elimination food diet & work out what ingredients he’s sensitive too ??
I use creams on my boy yeasty paws, I have found creams to work the best, apply after you have wash his paws, my vet recommends Hydrocortisone 1% cream it’s sold in Walmart probably under a different name, you lightly apply before bed & during the day if dog seems stressed about his paws & is chewing & licking them, then you can put on some socks, I use those elastic bandages, you cut amount needed & use the bandage tape to stay on, this is if the socks keep falling off but this is only needed if he’s licking his paws thru the day or night & won’t stop his licking them making his paws worse & red, best the air gets to his paws thru the day, I also use another cream called “Sudocrem” of a morning before he goes outside, Sudocrem is in the baby section or sold on Amazon or Ebay, the Sudocrem acts a barrier & protects the paws from allergens like grass, dirt etc when walking outside & the Sudocrem stops the paws from itching & stops the reddness, Sudocrem is for Dermatitis, Eczema, Nappy Rash, Pressure Sores in Australia it’s a very popular cream for dogs with skin problems & babies as well at a good price around $8 & it last forever, you can look up the ingredients & try & find a cream that has very similair ingredients, a lady from the F/B Dogs issues & allergies group found a cream with very similiar ingredients to the Sudocrem that worked for her dog itchy yeasty paws but I can’t remember the name of teh cream, I should of written it down, once you change Teds diet, start bathing & washing his paws & body at least twice a week & using the creams, you’ll see a big difference in Ted he’ll be happier comfortable & acting like a young pup, my neighbour has an aging dog as soon as he started to eat the new Canidae Pure Meadow Senior kibble after just a couple of weeeks he was like a young pup again, his skin & coat looks heaps better & nice shinny, no more bold patches, his fur has all grown back, he’s like a different dog, just changing a dogs diet can make a real big difference….
Good-Luck hope Ted feels better real soon, I have to go & bath Patch its his weekly bath today, now I have everything under control he’s doing real well, I hate giving him baths but its just something I have to do other wise I have a itchy whinging dog telling me he’s itchy he starts to get cranky rubbing & slidding his body on the carpet, he has seasonal enviornment allergies & food sensitivities….
Spring has just started in Australia & it’s going to be a hot Summer, you might find Ted is better thru the cooler Winter months as long as he’s eating the right diet he isn’t sensitive too & then Spring/Summer comes around & Ted starts to get real itchy & smelly again, that’s Seasonal Environment Allergies..

[Lori J]

Thanks for replying~ I did buy a bag of Zignature but then noticed salt as an added ingredient so returned. As of now ~ the cardio Dr does not have him on a restricted sodium diet just reg diet~ I just dont want a food that is high in sodium as Im sure that it wouldnt be in his best interest long term. I am leaning toward it being environmental allergies but think I need to change the food anyways for the yeast so want try something w/o chicken / grains/ potatoes just in case

[Lori J]

Hello,
I am wondering if anyone could recommend a lower sodium dog food that is good for a dog w yeast on the paws. 10 yr old Ted a poodle/mix has a enlarged heart/murmur and also a yeast problem on the 2 front paws where he can lick.The vet did a slide to confirm ~ he also has some staining under the eyes and some of skin appears to be black but he does not itch/scratch.Not sure if he has eviromental allergies or is allergic to chicken etc. He was also on antibotics a few months ago due to a ruptured cyst so that could be the reason for the yeast overgrowth. He currently eats Wellness heathly weight,I was also mixing in a lil Honest Kitchen in but stopped a couple of months ago b/c it was getting a litte expensive for 2 dogs.Anyhow I am confused what food to try that it not chicken, w/o potatoes etc as I would like to get this yeast under control w/o adding too much soduim. Thank you so much for any adviceas its so confusing!

[Kay W]

I had a GSD with a severe yeast infection from her throat to her privates and half way up her sides (wish I could post pics). I found a vet who was familiar with the skin conditions of GSD fr California. She treated EVERYTHING at once She was on Bravecto, Ciprofloxin, & Ketaconazole. I bathed her for 10 min with Nusaderm (to open her pores), rinsed and then mixed Ketoconazole shampoo with Malaseb shampoo left on for another 10 min 7 rinse well. I did these bathes every other day for 2 months to get her well.

I also stopped feeding her carrots (they turn into sugar, bad for yeast) & feed Holistic Select Sardines, Salmon & Anchovy.

[Susan]

There is no miracle cure when a dog has skin allergies unless your dog never had envrionment allergies to begin with cause environment allergies don’t get better with time, allergies get worse as the dog ages, you can use medications, weekly baths in a medicated shampoo to wash off the allergens on the dogs skin & paws will relieve the dogs itchy skin, paws & apply creams, there’s a new drug called “Cytopoint” injections seems to work really well but you can never eliminate & fix envrionment allergies…
If the dog has food sensitivities/intolerances the owner can do an food elimination trial & work out what foods are causing itchy, yeasty paws, skin & ears gas/wind, sloppy poo’s etc once foods are removed that the dog is sensitive too then you can eliminate food intolerances, like my vet has told me, food sensitivities & environment allergies normally come together the dog normally has both & it becomes a vicious cycle, you remove all the foods your dog can’t eat & the dog is better thru colder months (Winter) then Spring comes around & the dog start to itch & reacts again from environment allergies…. as the years pass the weather is becoming warmer, some days we have 4 seasons in 1 day, more & more dogs & cats are suffering with allergies now….

There’s allergy shots or oral drops known as immunotherapy, the injections seem to take longer to work & need to be given every 3-6 months, the oral drops are given every 1-3 months & seems to work quicker then the injections, immunotherapy only reduces symptoms, immunotherapy can not eliminate symptoms… Immunotherapy is very expensive, first you need to work out what in the environment your dog is allergic too by having an Intradermal Skin test then the Hyposensitization treatment is done, so best to get pet insurance before you visit your vet to get a referal to see a Dermatologist, it’s time consuming & expensive……

I choose to use NO drugs on my boy, I have found baths given twice a week or weekly baths have relieved my boy itchy skin & paws, I had to work out what foods he was sensitive too by doing a food elimination diet & work out what was causing his yeasty itchy ears, itchy paws & smelly skin, I use creams, apply “Sudocrem” before leaving home of a morning, I apply on his paws & where his skin is itchy or red, the Sudocrem acts as a barrier & protects his paws, pink skin on head & body, then of a night I check out his whole body, I wipe him down with those baby wipes, I buy the Huggie Coconut Oil baby wipes, I wipe his body then get new wipe & wipe each paw with a new baby wipe, then a new wipe & wipe his head etc down, I do this the days I haven’t bathed him, then I use “Hydrocortisone 1%” cream where the skin is red & itchy… Once you work out what works best for your dog stick with the routine & make your dog comforable….also feed a diet high in omega 3 fatty acids, give 1-2 mussels a day I buy the “K-9 Natural” Green Lipped Mussels freeze dried treats, buy tin Sardines in olive oil or spring water, add a couple sardines to 1 of your dogs meal a day or 4 times a week or Tin Salmon add 1 spoon to 1 of your dogs meal a day… you will see a big difference in your dogs skin after doing the things I’ve have written above…..

[Taek K]

Food wise, I would give her fresh veggies. I would also recommend that you give her non-starchy veggies – maybe something like cucumbers. At this point, you should try to stay away from starch or anything sweet because she could be having yeast problems. Beef liver is what my dog loves. I would boil it and cut it into edible pieces – maybe a handful (Im 5’9 so my hands aren’t big). Unfortunately, there isn’t an exact science when it comes to this feeding regime. So you’ll have to keep your eye on her weight and energy level. Per my previous post, things might get worse before it gets better but stick to the plan – real food, stay away from starch and shower regularly. Do not give up. It’s a long road and the food prep will be an annoyance but its worth it.

I used to use virbac epi-soothe per his dermatologist recommendation but once I started his new food phase, I toss that shampoo aside and went all in on the organic movement. I just feel the vet who told me to inject chemicals into my poor dog is also recommending that I wash him with more chemicals. That just didn’t sound right to me. But again, I am no vet.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by Taek K.

[J K]

Hello! I just wanted to pop in and thank everyone who contributed to this thread! I have a 5 year old Border Collie who I adopted two years ago. She has had skin infection/allergies/yeast problems since before I got her. I adopted her without knowledge of the issue, and once I found out, the foster told me it was just hot spots from skin rubbing against itself. Being a first time dog owner, I just believed her.

Anyway, problem got worse and here I am 2 years later, after spending about ~$7,000 on different medications from different vets. She did an allergy test with a dermatologist and is now on allergy vaccines, but I have a feeling that it isn’t tackling the correct problem. I think it might be yeast? She frequently tries to lick or chew her feet, gets red sores on her underside, and it often starts around her nose/lips/chin area. She has black skin on her underside as well.

This thread has given me hope after being hopeless! I just ordered NutriSource Seafood Select and am considering adding Dinovites at a later point. I started feeding her Greek yogurt a few days ago. Hopefully I can update you with good news in the future!

Taek K, if you’re still here, can I ask how you prepare the food for your dog? I’m not sure what the best way would be for the salmon or the veggies. Cooked/uncooked? Canned? Fresh?