Possible allergy..what to feed?

[tessa_s212]

Well.. I'm still at a complete loss. I brought Marq home last Febuary and he's been chewing on his foot ever since, leaving a big ugly brown saliva stain. He's still chewing it. We can't get him to stop.

When we first got him we put him on Pro Plan Performance on recommendation of his breeder because that is what he was on before. (Pointers are notorious for being picky eaters and NOT adjusting well to change.) I HATE the ingredients, so I tried switching him to what Cocoa was eating at the time(Nutro NC Lamb Meal and Rice).. but he didn't really want to eat that either. So, we switched them all over to Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul. He's been on it for over 8 months now. And he's still chewing... and he's got dandruff.

The store we buy our marrow bones and food at is now starting to carry Natural Balance and Wellness. It also carries Nutro(Natural Choice & Ultra), as well as Diamond.

I'd really love to feed the Natural Balance..but I'm not sure my mom will comply considering the price.

I'm also starting to supplement with Fish Oil.. all I know,is we need to get rid of this dandruff as well as his chewing his feet if we are going to do well at shows.

 

[Bobsk8]

I would try the NB Sweet Potato and Fish and see if the itchiness goes away after a couple of weeks. It cost a bit more than some other foods, but my dog loves it and her allergies don't bother her at all. The Vet dermatologist I went to recommended it and she sees allergies all day long. I pay about $11 for a 5 pound bag at Petco.

 

[Melissa_W]

I would try the NB Sweet Potato and Fish and see if the itchiness goes away after a couple of weeks. It cost a bit more than some other foods, but my dog loves it and her allergies don't bother her at all. The Vet dermatologist I went to recommended it and she sees allergies all day long. I pay about $11 for a 5 pound bag at Petco.

I second that... I've been thinking of switching Kai to NB Sweet Potato and Fish because of his itchy skin and sensative stomach.

 

[tessa_s212]

I really really would like to...

but it all comes down to if my parents will let me. Its so gosh darn expensive. *sigh*

 

[Melissa_W]

hmmm... What about California Natural? They have a Herring and Sweet Potato formula. It's less expensive than the NB. The 5lb bag is $7.49. The 20lb bag is $24.99. What do you pay for the Chicken Soup?

 

[tessa_s212]

Chicken Soup is about $39 for 40 or so lb bag.

There is no California Natural in my area. The only foods in my area are Chicken Soup, Diamond, Wellness, and Natural Balance. There is Solid Gold, but it is a bit further..

 

[Mordy]

Is there any way you could prepare home cooked food for him? That would not cost you any more than buying commercial food.

You could try pork and sweet or white potatoes in a half-and-half ratio and add in a multivitamin supplement after his condition has resolved. That way you can avoid many unknown ingredients in commercial food and still provide good nutrition. If you use ground up egg shells as a calcium supplement, you don't even need to spend extra money on that.

If this is something you'd be interested in, feel free to email me.

 

[tessa_s212]

Unfortunately, still living under my parent's roof, that would be impossible, Mordy.

 

[Dulce Pit Bull]

Take him to the vet. They will give him meds for the foot

 

[tessa_s212]

We've gotten spray. It hasn't worked.

 

[Dulce Pit Bull]

Spray won't help. Ask for oral medication

 

[Mordy]

Unfortunately, still living under my parent's roof, that would be impossible, Mordy.

Oh that is too bad. They wouldn't let you buy potatoes and pork in bulk even if it's cheaper to feed than commercial food? You could get potatoes for under 30 cents a pound and cheap cuts of pork aren't all that expensive either, especially if you can find a butcher that sells the trim that's unusable for human foods...

 

[Herschel]

Canidae might be cheaper than all of the other foods that you mentioned. They have a lamb and rice formula, as well as a chicken and rice.

http://www.canidae.com

Use the store locator and search with your area code.

 

[Gijora]

Spray won't help. Ask for oral medication

Medicine like that will treat the symptoms - not help the original problem. Did the vet say its most likely a food allergy?

Keep in mind that some of the higher quality food requires you to feed smaller portions (a good argument to point out for your mom )

 

[squirtsmom]

I would try Timberwolf. squirt was full of worms when we got her, and in bad shape. Tried several of the popular brands, but she did not do well. Pitbull forum said try the Timberwolf, and she has done great on it.

 

[tessa_s212]

My vet has no knowledge on good foods and allergies caused by bad ones... vets really are given virtually zero nutritional training.

If I were feeding Marq a poor quality food, that would be the case. We'd have to feed alot less. But he is now on Chicken Soup. Not a great food, but certainly not a bad one. Right now, if we switched him to Natural Balance, he'd only be eating at most 1 cup less.. depending on how well he can keep weight on teh food. (Pointers are notorious for being picky eaters and not maintaining weight well.)

Canidae cannot be found in my area. The only foods available are Chicken Soup, Diamond, Natural Balance and Wellness.

 

[Herschel]

Are you sure the red saliva stain is a food allergy? It could also be an environmental allergen, as well.

 

[Dulce Pit Bull]

Where is this red "Saliva" you talk about? Where is it located/coming from?

 

[shazbot]

Where is this red "Saliva" you talk about? Where is it located/coming from?

It's not red saliva. The stains are on the paw where the dog has been chewing causing a red saliva stain.

 

[Dulce Pit Bull]

Still don't get it..but I think it's yeast.