food allergy

Hi

We are currently on a trial diet for Bailey our 8mth old GSD. He has had itching like a flea itch really and have seen a dermatologist who has recommended hypoallergenic Royal Canine to us. We are beginning to think it is working although not sure yet but he does seems to itch less. He did start off on Burns food.

He also a slight allergy to dust mites and pollen.
Has anyone had any experience of any of this? Its wierd to think a food can cause itching. Its so hard making sure he doesn't eat any other food as we have another pup and 2 cats! all eating different stuff and of course our own food which he tries to get
thankgoodness we have insurance!

Sarah

German Shepherd seem to be more prone to food alergies that almost any other breed I know, and many people have problems at first until such times as they find the food that suits their dog.

Although I cant really help you with the problem of itching, I was wondering if you have thought about feeding raw food, there are lots of information on the forums about it, and it does do away with many of the alergies that the dogs get through,.. what is realy an un-natural diet

..... and I wouldnt mind betting it would stop the itching

Stuart

[sabroc]

I'm surprised that Baily has a food allergy to Burns, haven't really come across that before, normally its Burns that is recommened for food allergy's..

I agree with Stuart, maybe a raw diet is the best way forward...

I have Raw fed my two(GSD AND LAB) since they were 4 months and never had any issues with their digestion or allergies. Troy my Lab is a great weight and Kaiser has improved with his Hip issues
I have to say I will never go back to kibble even Orijen which I think is the best kibble around.
I have 5 cats they all but one have Orijen cat The one cat Odin I raw feed he's two and much healthier and thinner (before I found out aboout Orijen they were on Iams and had lots of Skin problems) Not now

[lisyonok]

I'm sorry to say, but your Bailey sounds like he is developing atopic dermatitis (if he's got food, dust-mite and pollen allergies). It is caused by an immune system disorder, as I have learned (with my GSD having it from a very early age). The specialist vet recommended a hypoallergenic food to eliminate the possibility of Bailey's condition being triggered by a certain meat protein; this is called a food trial and lasts about 4 months. If he's still itching after that, he may have to start taking medication (for life). As far as food trials go, I would recommend a single protein and single carbohydrate food (grain-free), like Wafcol Salmon and Potato, or Orijen 6 Fish. If your dog is allergic to more than one meat protein (mine is allergic to all bar two), then it may be very difficult to find a suitable food for him, normally the obvious choice would be to try food, based on a protein he has not had before (fish in my case). My vet recommended me to try Hills Prescription Allergen-free food (the only source of protein is chicken and the protein molecules are broken down (not sure how), so the dog does not have an allergic reaction to it). I refused, because I have already put my dog on Orijen 6 Fish and she was beginning to do well on it, and after half a dozen food changes I didn't want to do it again. I also found that giving her extra anti-oxidants helped a lot (ordered from a company in California, costs a fortune), and I also had her B12 levels checked, which were down (also affects immune system), and she needed a course of injections to get them back to normal.
She is nearly 2 now, and I think I have managed to get on top of her health a little, without having to put her on steroids for life. She is wrapped in cotton wool though, and I watch her like a hawk to make sure she doesn't eat something she's not supposed to, because every time she does, all hell brakes loose again.

thank you all

not thought of a raw diet but may consider it if this doesn't work.
Lisyonok - yes the consultant wrote us a letter yesterday saying exactly that atopic dermatitis. Its such a tedious long drawn out process, much of what u say he mentioned in his letter. He does seem to be responding with the food but we have had to stronghold all our pets (4) and are taking up carpets for dustmites and hoovering with a special filter, luckily we had one anyway, as he is better on wooden floors.
so hard making sure he doesn't eat anything else, u know what they are like!
luckily his itching is not severe to start with hopefully caught it in time but yes may be on medication and fatty acid things for life. It costs so much! Will be curious to know if it is a certain proteing.

many thanks for everyone's help

Sarah and Bailey and Tara

[richardalan]

Originally Posted by Saraheliz

thank you all

not thought of a raw diet but may consider it if this doesn't work.
Lisyonok - yes the consultant wrote us a letter yesterday saying exactly that atopic dermatitis. Its such a tedious long drawn out process, much of what u say he mentioned in his letter. He does seem to be responding with the food but we have had to stronghold all our pets (4) and are taking up carpets for dustmites and hoovering with a special filter, luckily we had one anyway, as he is better on wooden floors.
so hard making sure he doesn't eat anything else, u know what they are like!
luckily his itching is not severe to start with hopefully caught it in time but yes may be on medication and fatty acid things for life. It costs so much! Will be curious to know if it is a certain proteing.

many thanks for everyone's help

Sarah and Bailey and Tara

SINCE CHANGING TO RAW OUR TWO HAVE STOPPED SCRATCHING
things dont change overnight at least three weeks on any new diet to find a change

ok thanks, we will see! thanks for letting me know

Sarah

[wildmoor]

I had a dog who developed Atopic Dermatitis he was diagnosed at the age of 2yrs, he started off with allergies to Dust Mites, various white fish, Chicken and Turkey. He was Raised RAW and at first I continued to feed raw he was nearly 3yrs old when I stopped due to running out of options, in the end apart from what I have already stated he became allergic to Sheep, Lamb, Venison and also had an intolerance to Beef.
Initially he was on Atopica medication, daily baths gradually reducing and the house was treated every 28 days for dust mites. He developed seizures due to the Atopica so came off that, The only food I found he was fine with was Skinners Field & Trial Duck/rice and was put on steroids. He was maintained on the Skinners for 3years prior to his death and the steroid for 2 years these after a year had reduced to every third day. In December he developed Haemolytic Anaemia secondary to his other auto immune condition, after several days in hospital, 2 blood transfusions and high doses of immune suppressants he was given sleep on Boxing Day at the age of 5 years 3 months and 1 week.

Dont be fooled into thinking Raw is best, he is not the only GSD that I know that developed an auto immune condition whilst being raised and fed raw. If your dog has the mutated gene it is irrelevant whether the dog is fed raw or not it will not make any difference, but what you will find is the dog will react sooner to raw meat than a good quality complete, ie with Sheep meat he reacted after 8weeks with Burns Venison food it took 16 weeks for him to develop a reaction.
Find a protein source that your dog has never eaten before, if the you find the food you are currently feeding that he develops a reaction to I would definitely give Skinners Duck a try it maintained Alfe for over 2 years prior to his death.
Pam

[maxandskye]

Hi Saraheliz, I'm so sorry to hear about Bailey.

My girl Heidi is very similar to what you are describing, & has been through all the tests with the dermatoligist ect...

I would say that what Pam ( wildmoor ) is saying is correct with regards to the Raw feeding. I have been through all that with my girl for 8 months to no avail, & infact I beleive it made her worse especially with over heating, it was horrendous to say the least.

I am currently feeding Heidi the 6 fish Orijen, & two tablespoons of virgin coconut oil daily on her food.

Its so heart breaking to see them this way hey, it makes you feel so helpless.