Itching, Food, Allergies
I am getting so confused to what Yuki is and is not allergic too. Switched foods because she had a bad habit of licking her paws. Note the word "habit." Other than that, her poop was perfect and no gas. Iams - reason why started this whole thing although this was my favorite as far as poop (just one or two solid ones) Science Diet - farts soooo much and smells bad "back there" Plus, she was still licking her paws Nutro - I'm so confused to everything we've tried that I can't remember why I switched, but I'm sure she was biting at her butt a lot and still licking her paws. Only thing I hated about this is just that she would poop 1,000 little turds (instead of one/two small ones like on Iams) plus it's a little wet, and it didn't seem like that would be my goal. I would think less would be better? Natural Balance (hope that's the name) - no paw licking, better poop than Nutro, but she won't stop itching ALL over now. The kind of itching every dog I've known does (regular itching), but she can't stop. She's NEVER been an itcher ...just paw licking which started once we got to Alaska. I don't know what to do. Should I be switching foods again? I was thinking of giving nutro another shot. Should I have given one of the above a longer go? She has been on all of them ... at least long enough to go through TWO 20lb-40lb bags. Basically 2 months or longer. Yes, I've gradually switched when I did. I've chosen the brands that I thought she'd be less allergic to, too (stayed away from chicken, beef, and more towards sweet potato, duck, lamb) She'll be staying at a kennel for a week starting this Sat, so if I switch.. it wouldn't be until we got back. I'm thinking of putting her on benadryl (sp) the entire week we're gone because her itching is driving me bonkers!!! (I don't want her matted). Doctor also suggested it and said it would be fine when I called about it yesterday. |
|
|
| Are you sure it's from the food and not something else? Did it just start? Right now is a good time for human and dog allergies to flare up. Lucy and I are both having allergy attacks. |
Noooooooooooooooooooo 
We have no idea. BUT, since we've changed foods, it almost seems like she's showing at the very least dislike for certain brands by how she's been reacting (the very bad gas to her biting her butt nonstop). We only changed foods because "a" vet suggested it. The other one thought it was from the ice/salt since we had just moved to Alaska, and it was her ONE paw she was licking (not all her paws). That's what we thought too, but since she continued to lick her paw and the ice was gone ...we decided to switch foods. Since then, I've had a headache. As I said, now she's on Natural Balance. She's scratching her body every 10 minutes. She's also suddenly ticklish everywhere. She wasn't before. Any little touch triggers (on her back and stomach) her to start kicking her feet. I'm only assuming it's from the change of food, but have no idea. |
We switched to Purina ProPlan for Sensative Skin and Stomachs. It agrees with the pack (best poops ever  ) but we didn't see much improvement of the allergies. But the allergies two of mine have are to molds and dust mites, not food allergies.
I think July through to the first killing frost can be the worst for dogs allergic to molds. They naturally occur outdoors and there just isn't a whole lot you can do to prevent it. We are in our second season of itching/licking/chewing with Darby. August/September seems to be the very worst time of year. We did a full year of allergy shots to hopefully boost her resistance. A few months ago we learned the mfr. had changed the recommendation to 3 times the dosage so we have had to start all over again...  We'll wait to see if she has any improvement same time, next year.
If you can, I'd have an allergy test done to hopefully pinpoint the cause so you can attempt to avoid the trigger. When my son was little we did RAST testing... testing the blood. I had heard it wasn't as effective as a skin test but it was the one our vet recommended. A fellow forum member is considering the skin test route with her sheepie after having done the blood test. She is also trying different medication to see if it there is another cause. (Gonna post Diane?  )
Personally, I'd try the benedryl to see if it will provide any relief because I don't think there are any bad side effects to the drug. If that doesn't work ask your vet about Tavist Allergy (no letters after it, not the one for sinus). Some dogs will respond to this when other antihistimines have failed. You can also ask your vet about adding fatty acid food supplements, soothing shampoos/conditioners/sprays. We just started another topical product to see if it helps... baths every 3 days then a spray every 3 days. I'll let you know if it helps at all. http://www.pomeroys.com/EmmaDarby/AboutUs.htm Here are a couple of sites that have some additional info... know that you're NOT alone in your frustration! 
http://www.vetinfo.com/dallergy.html Tavist- http://marvistavet.com/html/tavist.html Quote: (the very bad gas to her biting her butt nonstop).
Panda had been scooting because of an itchy butt... with the Tavist she has just about stopped. The picture at this address seems to verify the cause - http://marvistavet.com/html/inhalant_allergies.html
Unfortunately, there are just no easy answers to allergies. Jaci |
| If you do suspect food allergies, it's best to eliminate common allergens in food like wheat or corn.
I recently switched mine over to Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach formula, which is salmon and oatmeal based. I am hoping it will help Dancer stay ear infection free, but they haven't been on it long enough to tell. I do know however, that this food seems more conentrated, and they seem to eat less (even though they have gained weight), and also, I did a big no-no by switching them from one food to another in the same day, no grandual mixing etc, and not one of my 3 dogs got diarreah or even loose stool. Not even Dancer, who does have a more sensitive system. I was really impressed with that. |
| Have to give the thumbs up too, to Proplan I am using it too, they have the salmon and oatmeal one and the turkey and Barley one.
I've been fortunate as no allergies, I use to use eagle pack which is great but just too hard to get a supply here in OZ when I run out. Try yuki on Proplan and as stacey said avoid any dry food that has corn or wheat init. Hope she stops itching soon. |
Flint River Ranch fish and chips is supposed to be excellent for allergies. It is bought through mail-order only (I think) but I know several people who swear by it. http://www.frrco.com/indexFlash.cfm?1HA6 If nothing else I found reading baout their food interesting.  |
| Alright. I'll give ProPlan a shot when we get back from TX. That is if I don't die from the heat since it's 48 here and 100 there. blech.
I just don't get it. How much different one dog brand is from another (when we're dealing with good brands). People swear by Nutro (the allergy one) and if that doesn't work... they swear even more by Natural Balance. I only use the ones that are supposed to be good for allergy sufferers (ingred wise) too. With that said, my maltese which I've stated on here many times is allergic to Nutro. My vet thinks I'm crazy and is shocked that she is (in otherwords... doesn't think she is). However, when she's on it ...she constantly (daily) vomits bile. My weirdo dog is also allergic to bananas. She was easy though ...as far as deciphering what it was. With Yuki, I'm not even sure she's allergic. Except with this last brand (the itching all over). |
| I have had dogs all my life, and Dixie was the first one that ever had allergies. Boy, talk about a crash course in diet and allergens we were shoved into!
It is not so much the brand that a dog will react to, but the ingredients in the food. You need to read everything that is in it. For example, I would not use Proplan Sensitive for Dixie as it has oats in it, and I have her totally off all grains. Maybe she would do OK on it, maybe not. I am not chancing anything with her for a loooooooong time. So if the food has corn, they may be allergic to corn. Or wheat, or whatever. Read the label. Dixie is on First Mate. It has no grains or beef/lamb/chicken etc. http://www.firstmate.com/platinum/fishpotatonew.htm I don't know what she is allergic to, but I know that she is doing well on this because it doesn't have anything she could be allergic to. And they also deliver. It takes a few weeks to see a result, IF it is food-related. But you need to cut out all cookies/treats that have anything that you suspect. Then again, maybe it is not a food allergy after all. |
| I would also give her a shampoo all over in one for allergies/sensitive skin.
That would not hurt either at the moment in case she is reacting to dust mites or pollens. It will sooth her too. |
| Anybody feeding Solid Gold? I'd get Pyr rescues that were eating it, so kept it on hand. I liked the way the dogs responded, but I disliked having to buy from a dealer instead of a local store.
s. |
Quote: Dixie is on First Mate. It has no grains or beef/lamb/chicken etc.
http://www.firstmate.com/platinum/fishpotatonew.htm Wow, i can't believe you can afford that! It probably is excellent if it costs $59 for a 33lb bag. Dixie is lucky!!  I am willing to pay a lot for Yuki's food, but $37 for a 30lb bag is as far as I go (price of natural balance which was a little more than nutro). |
Joahaeyo wrote: Quote: Dixie is on First Mate. It has no grains or beef/lamb/chicken etc. http://www.firstmate.com/platinum/fishpotatonew.htm Wow, i can't believe you can afford that! It probably is excellent if it costs $59 for a 33lb bag. Dixie is lucky!! I am willing to pay a lot for Yuki's food, but $37 for a 30lb bag is as far as I go (price of natural balance which was a little more than nutro).This is Canadian funds, so lower in U.S. It is very heavy and very full of nutrients and fats, so she eats half of the amont that Bosley gets of regular Nutro. About 2 1/4 cups a day. Price-wise it ends up being a bit more, but the option is not a good one. The vet's non-allergetic food she was on was $89 a bag.  Now THAT we could not afford to keep her on long-term. |
| Keep track of the time of year the problem is worst. If it turns out to be an environmental allergy (grasses, molds, dust mites, trees, etc.), the season may simply pass giving the dog relief. This happened with Darby and the allergy shots at the lower dosage. I can happen with a new food too.... it might appear the new food has provided relief when in reality it's just the change of seasons. By remembering the dates it might help you pinpoint or eliminate a cause
Jaci |
| The fastest way to figure it out is to have blood testing done for allergies. I had Tasker done last year. It was about $250.00 but it told me EXACTLY what he is allergic too.
We are feeding Purina Sensitive Systems, made with Salmon and he is doing MUCH better. He also has alot of environmental allergies, DUST MITES!!!!!!!!!!!!! All the food switching in the world wouldn't help that. |
| Hello,
Have you tried her on a natural diet (i.e chicken, turkey, rice and pasta or a plain wholemeal mixer biscuit) If you use a natural diet you will no what exactly is going into her this can benefit in two ways, 1. It wont have any colours, flavourings or additives 2. If she continues to scratch it allows you to eliminate things she could be allergic to easier. You just simple supplement the diet with things like Kelp Seaweed to ensure she has all the essential minerals and also some vegegies or fruit which oes's seem to love any way. Also with other foods where the are so rich in gods knows what with colours and preservstives it can be overheating to them, which can cause them to scratch alot. Fresh meats and veges go downa treat aswell!!! Might be worth ago?? I use this diet on my oes and his skin is perfect with an excellent coat, and fingers crossed havent had any skin irritants yet! Fran |
| I had a dog that would get ear infections constantly. Vet kept RX'ing antibiotics. I finially took her to a new vet and was told the chronic infections were due to a food allergy (would of been nice to know this) and told me to get a food as low in crude protein as possible and advised me to get Science Diet. I would get her the senior or lite (she was 12) and this worked GREAT. But I would also give her benedryl for the "itchy allergy" |
| my derby still after 3 months i did the same thing you are doing.. mateere of fact i am still changing food.. i got so confused since i rescued him he has had a loose stool . and itch . so i like to see what all are suggesting to you |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|