Posted on 11/04/2008 8:12:24 AM PST by edcoil
So the vet says my golden retriever (3 years old) has now developed allergies to her food and now I have to buy both the kibble and can from the vet. The 16 lb Duck and Potato bag is 75.00 and a case of caned food is 85.00.
The dog recently started chewing her feet so they are all red. I was wondering if the lawn mowing company changed what they used. the first month on the food she was fine and the red feet cleared up but this week there has been some minor chewing. The only thing that changed was we gave her back her tennis balls she loves to chase and chew on.
Also, try rinsing off your dog's paws just before he comes inside. Just some cool water from a hose or a container you keep for that purpose. It helps my dog when she starts biting her paws with seasonal allergies.
Check out www.thehonestkitchen.com
good stuff also.
That's a good idea. If you like buying prepackaged, Nature's Variety has a Raw Diet line. They're a great company -- all U.S.-grown and packaged food.
There are links on the Eagle Pack web page that take you to some very good people that handle dog problems, you might find this helpful. Good luck.
prednisone will shorten his life
have you had his kidney function tested?
Try talking to a german shepherd breeder for suggestions
Yes, dogs don’t usually develop allergies till they are adults, I have a 5 year old German Shepherd who also began with the itching and foot chewing. She also developed Pannus in her eyes, another immune system problem.
But she is doing MUCH better after we switched her food to Taste of the Wild brand. They have one that is bison and one that is salmon. We also give her and our other dogs two important supplements that I believe has helped them all to thrive - Fresh Factors from Springtime, Inc. is superb, and Zinpro treats, since many dogs are low in zinc which directly affects their skin and immune system.
At really bad pollen times she still gets some itchy feet and eyes and for the season the vet gives me some prednisone pills that I give her one daily for a week, then every other day, till gone and this usually helps her through.
But I wouldn’t buy food from the vet it will be much more expensive. There are many good new commercial foods that are for pets with allergies. Just be sure they have a protein source that your dog isn’t used to, no wheat and no corn.
Please check out the raw food diet. Commonly called BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods or Bones And Raw Food). We have had all five of our dogs on this diet for several years. The younger ones have never been on anything else. They thrive on it.
I started our dogs on it because my blue heeler lab dog was showing signs of allergies and joint problems. The dog’s allergies did lessen and he was able to move about better after going on this diet. The dog (now deceased from old age) was able to spend his last months not scratching and in pain.
Our five dogs have abundant energy, very healthy teeth, no dog breath, are not overweight and (except for one hot spot on one dog) no skin problems. A bonus of this diet is that their scat because of the high calcium is dry and crumbly.
My Terrier had terrible rashes and nothing helped. Vets had no idea. In desperation I tried a raw diet from frozen patties and in 2-3 weeks he was completely cured.
Go to a small, local pet store, NOT a chain. If you see foods like California Natural, Verus, Innova, and other foods you may not have heard of for example, you are in the right place. Ask the person at the desk about the food. They should give you samples to try. If the person doesn’t talk with you at least a few minutes about the different foods, then go elsewhere. Bottom line is you want to get dog food that you cannot find in the grocery store or chain pet stores. They are filled with junk your dog could be allergic to.
The vast majority of allergies that Goldens get can be traced to food. What may have been fine for the dog a few years ago, might bother him now. My Golden is currently on Verus dry food, Fish and Sweet Potato flavor.
Hope that helps.
nzymes.com
diet change has helped. Petsmart carries byNature
Helped our ten yr old lab mix who had lost most of her hair.
Her hair has grown back, but still itching and smelly.
We refuse to pay vet anymore money - anitbiotics and steroids seem to make her worse.
My beagle is allergic to grass. She rolls in the lawn and then starts itching and chewing until there are raw spots. It depends where the skin problems are on the animal. On the feet: I would look for something that they are walking on. Some dog foods do not have the right amount of nutrients to promote healthy skin. We have switched to Purina Beneful Healthy Radiance. Ten days later there is a big difference. We are also using a tar based medicated shampoo. The dog now has a shiny coat. Beware of vets who are in the dog food business.
Innova Evo makes both canned and dry food, totally organic, no grain (grain bad for dogs). Cost is substantially less than the price you quoted. at least it is around here.
As far as the lawn chemicals, keep her off of the pesticide treated areas, you’re looking at her getting cancer in her later years if you don’t. Don’t spray the back yard, or create a natural area for her to play and do her business.
I know these things because my beloved Lab passed away last year, at 14 1/2. He had cancer, and I went all out to help him. He lived well past the most optimistic prognosis. But, I still miss him, still tear up thinking about him. He was my baby. We’ll be together again someday, I firmly believe that.
I’m suspicious that this might be related to the time-of-year (fall). Heavy morning dews that last well into the afternoon means that your dogs feet are constantly wet. Mold/bacteria could be causing a canine version of athletes foot. It spreads when the dog instinctively licks it’s feet. Keep his/her feet as dry as possible & use a good medicated powder after drying.
Watch foods with heavy additives. Also spread out your dog’s innoculations — watch those combo shots.
Look for a Pet Supplies Plus near your house.
You can buy stuff like Canidae, Innova, Solid Gold, and B.G. without the super high pet store prices.
I recently switched my dog from Science Diet to Canidae and have noticed that even though it costs about $10 more a bag, it lasts longer.
PSP store locator:
http://www.petsuppliesplus.com/
We currently have 4 doggies — all of them strays -— and they thrive on Solid Gold: http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/
You can find it at most “natural pet food stores” and I also know Petco also carries it. A 33 lb. bag of premium dry, depending on the variety you may choose, is about $45.
Here is an article that talks about commercial dog food ingredients (and why you should stay away from them):
http://www.healthyhappydogs.com/APIArticle
Also, there are several supplements on the market that may help with allergies:
Solid Gold’s Seameal, and they also have M.S.M. sulfur product:
http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/products/showcat.php?cat=3
Dinovite:
http://www.dinovite.com/itch2.html
Missing Link:
http://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=6339
Nupro:
http://www.nuprostore.com/nuprodog.html
Good luck with your Golden!
Hurrah for Blue Buffalo. I started using it because it doesn’t have the Vitamin K additive that has caused dogs to die. Plus one of my dogs at that time had an autoimmune disease and I didn’t want to stimulate it any more than needed. Another thing you might want to try is Orthomolecular Specialties Vitamin C supplement. It helped keep hair on the poor girl.
We have 4 dogs and have had two seperate allergy issues in the past. Our oldest dog is 11 and never had problems with allergies until two years ago. He had gotten a little overweight, very lethargic and starting chewing himself raw. This lasted for 6 months, and even benedryl didn’t help. We tried him on several different foods until we found Nutro Ultra holistic dog food at Petco. His allergies and breathing attacks were gone in a few days. His coat grew back in, became shiny with way less shedding, he lost the extra weight and now jumps around playing like a puppy!
Six months ago we were a bit strapped for cash and I bought the cheap stuff again. He began vomiting, having trouble breathing, and began chewing himself raw again. The food was thrown out and I was late on a bill so I could go buy the good stuff for him.
My daughter has a tiny 5lb.dog that is 3. She never had allergy problems until 5 months ago when she began getting red wheels all over her. Her snout began to swell too. The vet kept having to give her shots to open her airway. We were scared we would lose her. We put her on rice and turkey, but nothing helped. After the process of elimination we discovered that it was the new Tide with Fabreeze that I bought. When we held her the chemicals on our clothes made her break out. It went away as soon as I washed everything in a new detergent that was free of perfumes and dyes.
Your dog’s tennis ball could be rolling around in the chemicals outside and then she’s getting them in her mouth.
Check toenails to make sure it is not a problem with them or the nail beds.
Dog can be tested for allergies, but it's expensive. If vet truly believes it's an allergy without having to test, I would, as other posters have suggested, try a raw or "barf" diet. It would basically work as an "elimination diet" and if things clear up, you can start adding some rice or pumpkin or other things.
There are lots of great resources on the web for raw feeding, just google "barf diet". The YahooGroups for raw feeders are wonderful resources, too, and offer a lot of support to people who are just starting out.
You can try 25 mg of Benadryl (diphenhydramine is the generic) once or twice a day (can make your dog a bit drowsy, although some owners report hyperactivity as a paradoxical effect).
Another thing that is being recommended for dogs with allergies is EFAs (essential fatty acids) in the form of fish oil caps. The fatty acids have been proven to have an anti-inflammatory effect, and fish oil is being recommended for a variety of ailments in humans and canines.
For ears...anytime any of my dogs starts scratching his ears or ears start to look gunky, I treat with a few drops of betadine mixed with a bit of ear cleaner. Do not use if you suspect the dog's eardrum is compromised. It is an old ear treatment for cocker spaniels, who tend to have frequent ear infections. Google cocker spaniel & betadine and you should find plenty of recipes. This stuff has NEVER failed to work for any of my dogs. Of course, YMMV :)
Hope your pooch gets better. I've got a ten year old golden retriever girl and we just love her to bits.
Disclaimer: I am not a vet and it is important to always check with your vet before trying any home treatments.
Missy (registered nurse and dog mom)
sweet potato and fish. if there is a skin problem the fish oil in the food helps the skin and the coat.
I’m pinging the Doggie Ping List owner about your problem. Just please don’t let your dog vote for Obama.
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