zayda_asher

Holly, Having read about your dogs before I can only say that they seem to have been really complicated cases! You've done a great job with them! With the food have you checked to see if there is anything different in the Adult and large growth formulas... all I can think of is that there is something in one and not the other that they either don't do well with or need... ??? Any way, what ever works, works right?! Asher (the blue boy) has a real severe flea allergy and we never knew until he had his intradermal skin testing done because he was always up to date with treatments and had never been bitten (and we fortunately seem to have very few issues with fleas where we are)!! So sometimes things are masked by something else any way as well... Dan

Ange, Working out this stuff can be sooooo difficult! Look at the ingredients listed on the bag, that's a good place to start... you can test them on the things idvidually to see if they work. Does she have mucous or jelly on / in her poos? That's a sign of colitis and means the bowel is iritated by something. If you aren't getting anywhere get a referral to the dermatology clinic at Murdoch. Its expensive, but both the Dermatologists are lovely and they know their stuff! PM me if you want to talk about it any more... both of mine have allergies... its hard work! Dan

As previously stated there doesn't have to have been a change in his diet as allergies develop over time normally... Those spots in the photos could be staph infection, as I said before this is a common secondary infection in allergies, and commonly starts as small pimples and develops into round patches that are often mistaken for ringworm... If its food related it is most likely the grain or beef used in Eukanuba or the chicken or all of these things... Air born (atopic) allergies are more common than food allergies and are also possible (staph infection is more common with airborn allergies). Because they are air born they can travel for miles to infect the system of the individual - something could well have changed in the overall environs that you don't know about. See the dogs in my avatar? The cream one is so severely allergic (food and atopic) that she had them from the time we bought her home (7 weeks)... they didn't want to admit it was allergies at first because she was considered TO YOUNG to have developed them yet!!!! The other one has severe atopy and contact allergies as well as a strong sensitivity to most chemicals and preservatives. He DEVELOPED his over time and was not manifesting until past his first year of life. His main outward symptom is recurrent staph infections... Allergies also have late on set, that is they develop due to changes in the body as it ages... I know dogs that haven't developed allergies until they were seniors. Do some research on the net on allergies, symptoms and development... I'd still be going to see a Dermatologist. Dan Edit: spelling

Ange, Is Lulu the one that had the problems with the fish before? I wonder if the are connected? It might be worth asking if there could be an underlying problem like Irritable Bowel Syndrome or an allergy? I hope it all settles down and she is ok! Dan

Nothing has to have changed. Allergies develop over time normally. Most dogs will not start to show symptoms until 1.5 years or later. They will be most commonly allergic to the things they are exposed to the most, esp. those things exposed to when young. This sounds like allergies for sure. The pimpling on the skin sounds like classic staph infection from atopic allergies and the ears sound like classic yeast infection from allergies. I'd ask for a referral to a dermatological specialist and get intradermal skin testing done and also go through an elimination diet. The treatments the vets have given you are treating the symptoms (ie: the secondary skin infections) not the cause (the allergy) which is why the problem keeps recurring... You need to find out what the dog is allergic to and remove the allergens or treat the allergy (for example through Immunotherapy). Dan

Yep! totally Keep up the baths until you sort out what is going on... They are only treating the external symptoms.... so until you find out what is actually causing it you wont see an actual improvement... but he will feel the reliefe of not having a secondary infection on his skin as well as whatever is going on inside for him!!! This is where the Dermatologist comes in... until you find out what is the root cause all you can do is treat the symptoms... That's why I get so annoyed with vets who go for cortisone etc. first and don't suggest specialists etc. - they are relieving some symptoms only and not treating causes... Dan

Yep, this is the same reason... It would "make sense" to leave their skin... and normal bathing wont help... Its the medicated baths they need to relieve the secondary infections they get from the oily skin and scratching... if you don't do this they will end up with hideous yeast or staph infection... But it should be done under supervision depending on the case and severerity... And fish will be good! A lot of dogs wont eat fresh, but canned is fine! Probably! Hydatid is a type of tape worm... don't think you get it in some parts of the US.... Dan

Yeah, to have a theraputic dose for itchy skin you should be supplimenting with oil as well... they need a far higher dose than a "normal" dog to have that inflammatory calming effect.... Hmmmm, I was told you would be ok with this, but maybe not... I suppose there is always a small risk... But as I said make sure that their all wormer covers hydatid and you should be safe.... and worm your self ocassionally if really worried I suppose Anyone else have any ideas?? He should be having medicated baths to help with this - has the vet talked about this with you? Malaseb, Pyohex or Pyoben depending on severity.... and often until things are sorted you will need to bath them more frequently than a "normal" dog - Zayda was twice a week for a while to contol the yeast infections on her skin... Glad to help Certainly is a tough one! Let us know what you find out... Yeah... its so hard to see them like this :rolleyes: Good luck... its so hard, but when you finally get there in the end its amazing! Hugs to both of ya! Dan

I use fish oil caps. they need the EPA oils which is the ones you want (look on the side of the jar it should say). Not sure what a theraputic dose for a small dog would be... mine get 3 a day (180ml EPA each). I'd avoid flax oil Raz as your boy is having skin issues - a lot of dogs seem allergic to flax... so just a precaution. Mine eat the whole cap like a lolly I just chuck em in their food... As long as you're feeding human grade offal then it should be cleared of any nasties... you really only have to worry if you are getting game meat from someone... But then just make sure that your all wormer really is an all wormer and does Hydatids too.... Dan

Yeah - the z/d ultra is what Zayda was on when we tested... I was curious as some vets use the d/d which the dog can still potentially be allergic to... Did he have yuck poos before or just the hot spots? Dan

You could do the elimination diet on BARF - you'd just need to find meats that he hasn't had before... I think I'd put him back on the BARF as it could be a chemical / preservative sensativity (Asher has this bad)... Then you could also do the elimination diet to see if he has actual food allergies. Most veg are pretty safe, but grains, potatoes and legumes are allergy causes and should be tested too.. Dan ETA: Which hills has he got him on?

I've emailed you Dan

Raz my girl has extensive food allergies and Raw is the best way to keep her away from things she is allergic to... They change kibble reciepes without warning to, so something that was safe can become unsafe! Feel free to PM or email me if you want to talk about it (and elimination diets etc.) more... Dan ETA: the cortizone is definitely an alarm bell - esp. when he is already having probs. from the bite!

Lily sometimes they need a bit of help... try searing the meat on the outside (not cooking - just enough to get the smell out)... this seems to help somedogs make the transition... it needs to be made enticing for some dogs! I agree with greyhoundangel - what ever works for the dog and its condition... there is at least one person on here who's dog with allergies did worse on raw than on kibble... if it doesn't work for an individual it doesn't work... My dogs think it is a small slice of heaven Dan

Sure do.... But I also happen to have two dogs with severe allergies (one with food and atopic and one with atopic, contact and chemical / preservative sensitivities)... Obviously the raw diet is great and helps them stay healthy... IMO its the easiest way to feed dogs and keep them in good weight / shape and let them feel like they are getting a good feed... Asher's chemical / preservative sensitivites are obviously helped by raw feeding as he gets none in his food... but the atopy, food and contact allergies are only helped through them having a good, healthy system from the diet... If they get something they are allergic to it will still effect them... Which is when things like the staph infections start.... You need to treat the allergies to look at dealing with this... I would NEVER feed my dogs kibble... but I also know that raw is not a miracle cure that will fix all their health concerns.... Dan

Dogs are on raw - still have some of the above problems... diet is grand but its not a cure all genetics is genetics and some problems such as allergies have their genetic component too.... Dan

Ellz, my kids get a good slosh of ACV in their food every morning... would this be the same as putting it in the water?? Or do they need it more constantly through out the day? Dan

Glad to hear things are going well :rolleyes: Hugs to you all! Dan

I hear ya sister!! both mine a problem children... I really lucked out I tell them they are lucky they tricked me into loving them BEFORE I discovered the problems! Dan

I've only just started this year... basically because my youngest doesn't do well with them... Both of my pups have allergies... Zayda's titres just came back.. right on the boarder line with the recommendation to revac.... Its been suggested that her immune system may not do well because of allergies.... but I dunno - I still don't want to vac her anymore than I have to... I'm still sorting it all out myself.... so much to try and take in!! Dan

Our vet titres our dogs. Cost about $90 for the lab work.... they go through Vatpath Laboratory Services. Dan

Oh... what to say Hugs to you all... Enjoy your time together.... Dan

Any vet should be able to do a titre on request - they send it to a central lab for testing. Dan

Sorry.... no experience here to share... Just wanted to send you and Ollie a hug Hope he is better soon Dan

Glad to hear he's come through ok. Hope you can see him soon... hugs to you both! Dan