Allergies.

[Zhucca]

I know this likely belongs in the dog health section/food section but gosh dang I'm out of answers. I need a big response.

Duke has been suffering with general itchiness for awhile. Redness, 'doggy' smell, minor hair loss as well. I thought I had it under wraps and I had cycled him through a couple different kibbles and he ended up doing really well on a brand called Canadian Naturals, despite it's heavy carb content. Nonetheless, he seemed to be improving. Then all of a sudden did a big dip and ended up in a full blown skin infection. (it was over two days, on the second he went to the vet) He had sores on his groin, belly, and legs. Also got an ear infection in one ear. The vet did a skin scrape (he used to have demodex mange), other tests. He was diagnosed with a yeast skin infection, and bacterial infection in the ear. He was on steroids and antibiotics; I also got steroid ear cleaner and ear drops.

So, I decided no more kibble. No more carbohydrates. He's been on raw only for about 1 month now, and he has been doing better. Through the advice from the store owner of where I buy my food, he's been started out on turkey and beef tripe. Usually you're supposed to vary the proteins, but just to make sure he doesn't have a protein allergy. He's also been on cod liver oil, and a seameal supplement for his immune system. He still is itchy, but he has improved since the food change.

so this morning, I wake up to this: (pardon the garbage bags, I didn't feel like taking out the trash last night)




What the heck? Why??? What else can I do? I'm pulling out my hair over here and I feel so bad that he's uncomfortable all the time. We'll be going to the vet this morning, even if just to refill his steroids. I figured Chaz would be a good place to consult, I'm sure others out there have highly sensitive dogs. I think maybe christmas may have caused this? he managed to woo my family into giving him scraps, but he didn't get that much.

halp. pls.

[PWCorgi]

Pick one protein source he has never been exposed to. One. I would get rid of turkey for now. Rabbit or bison would be my pick if that is an option for protein source. Are you doing pre made raw, or frankenprey/grocery/one ingredient raw?

It could potentially be a combo of food and environmental allergies.
And dogs have allergy tolerances, like Frodo can eat chicken for days before a reaction, lamb is within hours of a couple kibbles. So it could be a reaction to scraps.

I feel your pain, allergies suck!

[MicksMom]

I'm wondering if the hair loss over the eye is the mange popping up again. Maybe stress from Christmas or the yeast infection brought it on.

[Zhucca]

Originally Posted by PWCorgi

Pick one protein source he has never been exposed to. One. I would get rid of turkey for now. Rabbit or bison would be my pick if that is an option for protein source. Are you doing pre made raw, or frankenprey/grocery/one ingredient raw?

It could potentially be a combo of food and environmental allergies.
And dogs have allergy tolerances, like Frodo can eat chicken for days before a reaction, lamb is within hours of a couple kibbles. So it could be a reaction to scraps.

I feel your pain, allergies suck!

That's a good idea. I'll have to check it out when I go buy more food. I'm doing premade raw right now. He went to the vet this morning and even before the vet could see him his facial swelling went down quite a bit. The vet didn't really have any new to offer me, he also suggested to go with an uncommon protein, such as duck or bison. Duke got a refill of his steroids but he's on a longer dose this time. Last time it was for 9 days, this time a tapering dose over 2.5 weeks.

Originally Posted by MicksMom

I'm wondering if the hair loss over the eye is the mange popping up again. Maybe stress from Christmas or the yeast infection brought it on.

He doesn't really have much missing hair over his eyes, no more so than usual. With his skin scrape last time she said no mange was found. I would have thought the same.

[sassafras]

I agree with PW. Pick a new protein he's never had. Raw or home cooked is ideal... unfortunately there can be cross-contamination of ingredients with commercial diets, even limited protein ones. Give it 8-10 weeks to decide if you think it it helping or not. If he's doing better, to really truly say it's the diet change and not a coincidence you need to challenge him with a previous ingredient or diet.

If the diet either doesn't seem to help at all or helps a bit but not completely, then you'll have to investigate environmental allergies more. It's a process... the most frustrating part is trying to figure out what exactly is causing the problem.

Pip has allergies, his are all environmental and what has helped him most is allergy testing/shots and frequent bathing during his allergy season. I've also used antihistamines, steroids, and an herbal formula as needed at various times for bad flare ups, although thankfully he hasn't had to be on any of them long term. *knock wood*

[PWCorgi]

If possible, swap from pre made to doing it yourself, it could be a fruit or veggie in the premade. And like sass said, unintentional cross contamination happens more than you would think :/

[sassafras]

And if you're doing a diet trial for 8-10 weeks, you don't have to worry about it being perfectly balanced for such a short period of time.

[sprintime]

My dog has bad yeast allergies and he's been put on a steroid shot once a month,also has medicated shampoo for baths once a week. Sometimes he has a relapse but not too often unless he eats something he shouldn't. Right now he's on raw bison that I pick up at the pet store, has all the ingredients he needs, complete diet. You buy it frozen by the bag and take out only what he needs for the day. I used to feed him neutro but they changed the formula and he didn't do well at all on it so I quit.

[Zhucca]

Originally Posted by sassafras

I agree with PW. Pick a new protein he's never had. Raw or home cooked is ideal... unfortunately there can be cross-contamination of ingredients with commercial diets, even limited protein ones. Give it 8-10 weeks to decide if you think it it helping or not. If he's doing better, to really truly say it's the diet change and not a coincidence you need to challenge him with a previous ingredient or diet.

If the diet either doesn't seem to help at all or helps a bit but not completely, then you'll have to investigate environmental allergies more. It's a process... the most frustrating part is trying to figure out what exactly is causing the problem.

Pip has allergies, his are all environmental and what has helped him most is allergy testing/shots and frequent bathing during his allergy season. I've also used antihistamines, steroids, and an herbal formula as needed at various times for bad flare ups, although thankfully he hasn't had to be on any of them long term. *knock wood*

Originally Posted by PWCorgi

If possible, swap from pre made to doing it yourself, it could be a fruit or veggie in the premade. And like sass said, unintentional cross contamination happens more than you would think :/

Is it really expensive to make your own? I wouldn't really know how to start. Do you think allergy testing would be a good idea?

He went to the vet yesterday and got another refill of steroids, a tapering dose over 2 weeks or so.

Originally Posted by sprintime

My dog has bad yeast allergies and he's been put on a steroid shot once a month,also has medicated shampoo for baths once a week. Sometimes he has a relapse but not too often unless he eats something he shouldn't. Right now he's on raw bison that I pick up at the pet store, has all the ingredients he needs, complete diet. You buy it frozen by the bag and take out only what he needs for the day. I used to feed him neutro but they changed the formula and he didn't do well at all on it so I quit.

Thanks for your input. He's on pre made raw right now. I hope I can get him to the point where he doesn't need steroids, that would be ideal. But if that's what it comes down to, his comfort and happiness is important.

[porchpotty]

Sorry, I missed this. I hope all is well now.