Alana_Bax

Well it sounds as if people have not had a great deal of success with this treatment. I actually did a search of DOL last night and found others who have had ok results with this treatment. I guess I am lucky that Baxter was only allergic to 3 things, his allergies to yellow pine and dust mites were a 2 and his yeast allergy was a 4. So the yeast was the worst and luckily this can be managed with a course of medication (which he is now on). As for other remedies he is not on anything. The vet said to help with the dust mites he should sleep on one of those raised beds but considering he sleeps with us and has since he was 8 weeks old this is going to be a hard habit to break! I have been suggested to try fish oil as well so I might speak to the vet about that and give it a go. Anymore stories much appreciated... by the way we are in VIC.

My 20 month old boxer has suffered allergies since he was fairly young and after trying many things to reduce his discomfort I bit the bullet last week and had him allergy tested. We had determined that we were fairly certain it was not a food allergy (after putting him on numerous restrictive diets) and after visiting 3 different vets I took him to a specialist refferal clinic and spent the $800 to have him skin tested. They test for allergies to over 70 different things and his tests came back that he is allergic to dust mites, yellow pine (which we have in our area) and also yeast. The yeast allergy is problematic because he has a yeast infection in his ears and between his toes from all his licking and scratching so he is now on medication to clear that up because its a vicious circle otherwise. In two weeks we go back and start him on a vaccine program - he will have to be given a needle every 3 weeks (which I can do) possibly for the rest of his life. This will cost about $140 every six months which to me is fine if it works. Anyway, what I want to know is whether anyone on here has any experience going down this path to treat allergies?? It is pretty expensive but definately worth it if it works. The vet tells me that 75% of dogs are treated effectively and success is measured by at least a 60-80% improval in symptoms. I guess they aren't the best odds but here's hoping! Any stories would be great to hear. Also, if anyone has used a vaccine treatment before, did you go for the rush therapy? (This is when they administer the first 2 months vaccines in one day supervised by the vet - it is meant to get results more quickly but is more $$$ and I'm a bit concerned about subjecting my boy to that!) Sorry post is so long!

Yep that would be him! I got the food from there yesterday (two for one! - great deal)... we are slowly introducing him to it but have cut out the beef completely and will wean of the RC. Now he will just get the innova with some natural yoghurt and sardines occasionaly thrown in. If the allergies subside I will start gradually adding some chicken or turkey and then see what effects him. If the food doesn't make a difference will do what others have suggested and find a vet to do some tests.

Hey Jules (this is Alana who I have met you through horses, Amanda, etc..), I think I'll try the EVO and see how we go. I know it is expensive but he is driving me crazy. Figure I'll go grainless and stop giving him meat for awhile and see if this helps, then I can gradually add things and see how it affects him. I'm also gonna try washing him in quit-itch or something and see if that helps relieve it.

That sounds easy enough, I will try that. Should I dilute the vinegar (I'm guessing its gonna sting).

I didn't realise that beef was so bad for dogs with allergies, I have actually taken him to three vets and none have said that! I will try roo. As far as going BARF I have been interested in that for awhile but worried it would be too difficult. My bf's dad (who we live with) actually feeds him because often I am not home at feed times and I think he likes the convenience of a dry food. I have tried brands like Advance, Royal Canin Veterinary (including the hypoallergenic one), Purina (now know that contains a lot of nasties), etc. I am going to try and get some innova tomorrow, I also know of somewhere I can get California Natural from, which I believe is a good food. I know that other dogs in his litter have similar problems and I know that boxers can be susceptible to allergies so I'm figuring his problems are genetic. I know of people that have put their dogs on meds but I'd like to avoid this if possible. Thanks for the suggestions. I will see how we go altering his diet and if I don't see an improvement I will get a referral to the vet suggested.

How would I go about treating him for a yeast infection? I have wondered if the grain in his diet has casued this... he gets fed beef and royal canin but I am now reading that beef can cause allergies. I think I will have to get a grain free kibble for him (innova or something like that - gonna hurt the hip pocket!) and maybe switch to roo meat. I am also going to bathe him in a medicated wash... I have a few different ones that I use on my horse that say for cats, dogs, horses so I will try that too and see how I go. I'm pretty sure it is diet related so I guess I should try altering that first and see if that helps. It seems to get worse in the heat and humidity which makes sense. It is worse at night because he gets hot in bed (he sleeps with us). Any more suggestiongs would be great. Thanks!

My 1yo boxer has suffered allergies for most of his life, he gets itchy feet, ears, chin, etc and they are getting worse. I have posted on here a few times about it but I thought I would try again as I really don't know what to do! We have been to numerous vets but no one has been of much help. We are assuming it is a food allergy (not a contact allergy - assuming this because of the spots he gets itchy in and we have nothing in the backyard that could cause it) but feeding hypo-allergenic food has not really helped. We've tried all sorts of creams with no success and I feel so sorry for him because he is so itchy all of the time. Can anyone suggest a good vet with experience in allergies? Is there somewhere I could take him were they could do swabs to determine the exact cause? We are located in Eltham, Victoria but I'm willing to travel. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks xox