trinabean Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 My 2 year old dog has had ongoing health issues ever since I got him at 8 weeks old. We've recently had him allergy tested through a canine dermatologist and he is having immunotherapy to desensitize him to his worst allergens. He has atopic dermatitis and is allergic to 9 common local grass pollens, house dust mites, mosquitos, flies and storage mites. He also has always had gastro-intestinal problems and seems to be sensitive to a number of foods. He can't have beef, lamb and has recently become sensitive to chicken. He also is sensitive to all commercial dry foods so far including the hypoallergenic ones. The dermalogist referred us to another specialist to try and work out what is going on with the GI symptoms. Bruno has just started on an elimination diet (goat and quinoa) and while the specialist was checking his heart he also detected a grade 2 heart murmur. I suppose that's not too bad really, I just didn't want to hear about yet another thing wrong with my beautiful boy. So for those of you with 'dud' dogs, be it allergies, heart murmurs etc. did there come a point where things turned around and improved? Did you find the answers that helped your dog? I'm hopeful that a grade 2 murmur is not much of an issue. We have enough to contend with! Just interested in others experiences... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tintin Jac Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 That sounds like an awful lot of work. Poor you and poor Bruno I haven't got any experience with allergies, thank goodness, but I did have a dog with a murmur. He was a JRT x. When I first got him (he was anywhere from 2-4yo) I had him checked by a vet who detected the murmur. He was quite concerned when he detected it but he told me that we would monitor him and see how he was. Over his lifetime, he had several vets comment on his murmur but I cant see that it had any effect at all. He was completely mad and unstoppable. He left us a couple of years ago as an aged dog but his passing had nothing to with his murmur. I can't remember what grade it was. Good luck with getting things sorted for your boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 Thanks for the well-wishes Tintin Jack. Well, hopefully Bruno's murmur will be like that too. Fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2boxer Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 He sounds exactly like my brothers great Dane! Apart from reacting to EVERY allergen in the allergy tests, he also has severe IBD. He is managed on royal canin hypoallergenic, which agrees with both his skin and stomach. He was originally on RC sensitivity, which agreed with him even better but it's been taken off the market:( They just have to be really careful about his diet and he mostly ok! Good luck with your boy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 Thanks Amymattasha, yes IBD is one of the possibilities the specialist mentioned yesterday. Unfortunately the RC Hypoallergenic didn't seem to agree with my boy, and I could barely get him to eat it. It's been an uphill battle the last few weeks. He is looking very skinny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayla1 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 One of my dogs, Coco, has a grade 5/6 heart murmur. When he started collapsing I took him to a cardiologist where tests showed his heart condition is actually quite mild. He has a leaky valve but, by chance, it comes out right near where the stethoscope sits which is why the murmur sounds so loud. Even the cardiologist was surprised! So it was some unexpected good news, though it didn't explain the collapsing which could still be arrhythmia but we're really not sure. But at this stage Coco does not need heart medication, and the cardiologist said he may never need it! So try not to worry too much about the murmur, it may or may not become an issue in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirra Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 what a journey you are having. I don't have any experiences to help you but fingers and paws crossed here for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bingo Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 (edited) My 2 year old dog has had ongoing health issues ever since I got him at 8 weeks old. We've recently had him allergy tested through a canine dermatologist and he is having immunotherapy to desensitize him to his worst allergens. He has atopic dermatitis and is allergic to 9 common local grass pollens, house dust mites, mosquitos, flies and storage mites. He also has always had gastro-intestinal problems and seems to be sensitive to a number of foods. He can't have beef, lamb and has recently become sensitive to chicken. He also is sensitive to all commercial dry foods so far including the hypoallergenic ones. The dermalogist referred us to another specialist to try and work out what is going on with the GI symptoms. Bruno has just started on an elimination diet (goat and quinoa) and while the specialist was checking his heart he also detected a grade 2 heart murmur. I suppose that's not too bad really, I just didn't want to hear about yet another thing wrong with my beautiful boy. So for those of you with 'dud' dogs, be it allergies, heart murmurs etc. did there come a point where things turned around and improved? Did you find the answers that helped your dog? I'm hopeful that a grade 2 murmur is not much of an issue. We have enough to contend with! Just interested in others experiences... Hi triabean sorry to hear about your boy, just thought I'd warn you that quinoa although its considered a super food with tons of vits and minerals it's also very high in oxalates which can bung up their kidneys if feed in too high amounts over a period of time. Brown rice or pure oats may be a good alternative with lots of veggies too. I like the sound of goat where do you buy that I've always thought that dogs would love rabbit too which I once saw at my local supermarket but not since. What do you regularly feed him? I find with my dogs if they eat really fatty food they get the runs most likely messing with the pancreas pressure cookers are really great at keeping lean meat moist palatable and tender plus they intensify the flavor which dogs love. Edited February 9, 2013 by bingo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 My 2 year old dog has had ongoing health issues ever since I got him at 8 weeks old. We've recently had him allergy tested through a canine dermatologist and he is having immunotherapy to desensitize him to his worst allergens. He has atopic dermatitis and is allergic to 9 common local grass pollens, house dust mites, mosquitos, flies and storage mites. He also has always had gastro-intestinal problems and seems to be sensitive to a number of foods. He can't have beef, lamb and has recently become sensitive to chicken. He also is sensitive to all commercial dry foods so far including the hypoallergenic ones. The dermalogist referred us to another specialist to try and work out what is going on with the GI symptoms. Bruno has just started on an elimination diet (goat and quinoa) and while the specialist was checking his heart he also detected a grade 2 heart murmur. I suppose that's not too bad really, I just didn't want to hear about yet another thing wrong with my beautiful boy. So for those of you with 'dud' dogs, be it allergies, heart murmurs etc. did there come a point where things turned around and improved? Did you find the answers that helped your dog? I'm hopeful that a grade 2 murmur is not much of an issue. We have enough to contend with! Just interested in others experiences... Hi triabean sorry to hear about your boy, just thought I'd warn you that quinoa although its considered a super food with tons of vits and minerals it's also very high in oxalates which can bung up their kidneys if feed in too high amounts over a period of time. Brown rice or pure oats may be a good alternative with lots of veggies too. I like the sound of goat where do you buy that I've always thought that dogs would love rabbit too which I once saw at my local supermarket but not since. What do you regularly feed him? I find with my dogs if they eat really fatty food they get the runs most likely messing with the pancreas pressure cookers are really great at keeping lean meat moist palatable and tender plus they intensify the flavor which dogs love. To be honest Bingo I know very little about quinoa. I'm just giving it under the direction of the vet as it's a carbohydrate Bruno hasn't had before. Goat is a meat he hasn't previously had either. The elimination diet is for the next 6-8 weeks. We couldn't use rice or oats for the diet as he has had them before. Goat I can get for $5kg (Victory pet meats), so it's cheaper than the quinoa! I'll keep the pressure cooker idea in mind, especially if he tolerates cooked better than raw. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 One of my dogs, Coco, has a grade 5/6 heart murmur. When he started collapsing I took him to a cardiologist where tests showed his heart condition is actually quite mild. He has a leaky valve but, by chance, it comes out right near where the stethoscope sits which is why the murmur sounds so loud. Even the cardiologist was surprised! So it was some unexpected good news, though it didn't explain the collapsing which could still be arrhythmia but we're really not sure. But at this stage Coco does not need heart medication, and the cardiologist said he may never need it! So try not to worry too much about the murmur, it may or may not become an issue in the future. Wow grade 5 sounds quite severe, it's good that he is ok and doesn't need medication. I feel a bit silly worrying about grade 2. I think it was just the straw that broke the camels back yesterday. A sort of 'oh no, not another thing!' moment. what a journey you are having. I don't have any experiences to help you but fingers and paws crossed here for you. Thank you. My non-dog friends/family are not as understanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2boxer Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 I head that royal canin are bringing back the sensitivity biscuits soon, the ingredients are different but might be worth keeping your eyes out for it and giving it a go. I'm pretty sure RC has a money back offer if the food doesnt agree with your dog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 Thanks Amymattasha, I'll keep it in mind. I have 6-8 weeks ahead of me of cooking up caldrons of quinoa with this elimination diet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayla1 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 One of my dogs, Coco, has a grade 5/6 heart murmur. When he started collapsing I took him to a cardiologist where tests showed his heart condition is actually quite mild. He has a leaky valve but, by chance, it comes out right near where the stethoscope sits which is why the murmur sounds so loud. Even the cardiologist was surprised! So it was some unexpected good news, though it didn't explain the collapsing which could still be arrhythmia but we're really not sure. But at this stage Coco does not need heart medication, and the cardiologist said he may never need it! So try not to worry too much about the murmur, it may or may not become an issue in the future. Wow grade 5 sounds quite severe, it's good that he is ok and doesn't need medication. I feel a bit silly worrying about grade 2. I think it was just the straw that broke the camels back yesterday. A sort of 'oh no, not another thing!' moment. His heart murmur is very loud, but his heart problem is not severe (which is lucky really because he has other issues). Don't feel silly! It's natural to worry...I worry about new things that crop up too, even more so when they already have existing issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bingo Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 My 2 year old dog has had ongoing health issues ever since I got him at 8 weeks old. We've recently had him allergy tested through a canine dermatologist and he is having immunotherapy to desensitize him to his worst allergens. He has atopic dermatitis and is allergic to 9 common local grass pollens, house dust mites, mosquitos, flies and storage mites. He also has always had gastro-intestinal problems and seems to be sensitive to a number of foods. He can't have beef, lamb and has recently become sensitive to chicken. He also is sensitive to all commercial dry foods so far including the hypoallergenic ones. The dermalogist referred us to another specialist to try and work out what is going on with the GI symptoms. Bruno has just started on an elimination diet (goat and quinoa) and while the specialist was checking his heart he also detected a grade 2 heart murmur. I suppose that's not too bad really, I just didn't want to hear about yet another thing wrong with my beautiful boy. So for those of you with 'dud' dogs, be it allergies, heart murmurs etc. did there come a point where things turned around and improved? Did you find the answers that helped your dog? I'm hopeful that a grade 2 murmur is not much of an issue. We have enough to contend with! Just interested in others experiences... Hi triabean sorry to hear about your boy, just thought I'd warn you that quinoa although its considered a super food with tons of vits and minerals it's also very high in oxalates which can bung up their kidneys if feed in too high amounts over a period of time. Brown rice or pure oats may be a good alternative with lots of veggies too. I like the sound of goat where do you buy that I've always thought that dogs would love rabbit too which I once saw at my local supermarket but not since. What do you regularly feed him? I find with my dogs if they eat really fatty food they get the runs most likely messing with the pancreas pressure cookers are really great at keeping lean meat moist palatable and tender plus they intensify the flavor which dogs love. To be honest Bingo I know very little about quinoa. I'm just giving it under the direction of the vet as it's a carbohydrate Bruno hasn't had before. Goat is a meat he hasn't previously had either. The elimination diet is for the next 6-8 weeks. We couldn't use rice or oats for the diet as he has had them before. Goat I can get for $5kg (Victory pet meats), so it's cheaper than the quinoa! I'll keep the pressure cooker idea in mind, especially if he tolerates cooked better than raw. :) Just keep it in mind, it was one of the things I was considering giving to my dogs as well but as theyre qiute old know I dont think there kidneys would cope. Oxalte dense veggies: http://www.halleballedog.com/watch-out-now-toxic-foods-for-dogs/ I also recall someone on another forum who's dog had difficulties after feeding a batch of food with it in I'll try to find for you. There's a lot of other things like it but not all are gluten free if thats an issue heres some others buckwheat, amanaranth, millet, spelt, kamut if you have any success on quinoa you may find them a little more affordable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Hi Trinabean, sorry to hear about Bruno, that is a bummer from hell Hope you told the breeder? Seems to me all the problems are caused by a compromised immune system. I have no idea about this, not having any lemons here - but I would maybe try a Chinest herbalist or a naturopath -- Robert McDowall in Sydney springs to mind. That would probably work better than "conventional" treatment. I don't have a problem with vets, but sometimes other things help more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 What he lacks in digestive skills he certainly makes up for in being a complete sweetie pie :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoofnHoof Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Has he had bloods done to test for for liver function? My shunt dog had GI issues which were a symptom among other things so I would check that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LittleMissOdie Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 ^ I was just going to say what Woof mentioned. I have a dog who has been diagnosed with MVD, which is similar condition to a shunt. She didn't have too many GI symptoms but a lot of dogs with liver issues do, which makes it all the harder to diagnose as it is often mistaken for allergies. I'd get your vet to run a blood panel just in case to check your pup's liver enzymes just to make sure her liver is functioning as it should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 Hi Trinabean, sorry to hear about Bruno, that is a bummer from hell Hope you told the breeder? Seems to me all the problems are caused by a compromised immune system. I have no idea about this, not having any lemons here - but I would maybe try a Chinest herbalist or a naturopath -- Robert McDowall in Sydney springs to mind. That would probably work better than "conventional" treatment. I don't have a problem with vets, but sometimes other things help more. Thanks Jed, I will consider natural therapies down the track a little bit. I'm waiting to see what the blood/urine/fecal tests come back with this week and will take it from there. I will give the elimination diet a shot too, as it's the only way to definatively work out which foods he can /can't tolerate. I've kept the breeder in the loop about the allergies and colitis. I haven't told them about the heart murmur yet. Is a grade 2 murmur something that can develop or would it have been there since puppyhood? I'm wondering why no vet has noticed it until now? What he lacks in digestive skills he certainly makes up for in being a complete sweetie pie :) Oh thanks TheLBD. Well yes, you've met him and he loves you to bits too. You are forevermore 'The awesome-orange-squeeky-ball-giver' :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 Has he had bloods done to test for for liver function? My shunt dog had GI issues which were a symptom among other things so I would check that. Hmm, a good question WoofnHoof. The invoice says that the blood tests are 'CBC, biochemistry panel and electrolytes.' He also had urine taken for 'urinalysis' and a fecal sample to test for parasites (he is regularly wormed, but the vet mentioned parasites like Giardia that aren't killed by normal wormers). Is the liver function test a different blood test? The vet called later on Friday to say that the blood results were back. Nothing was remarkable except that he had an elevated level of 'eosinophils.' This could indicate a parasite infection or it could just be because he has allergies. He was diagnosed and was being treated by a dermatologist for the allergies. We are still waiting for the results on the urine/ fecal tests. Thanks WoofnHoof. :) ^ I was just going to say what Woof mentioned. I have a dog who has been diagnosed with MVD, which is similar condition to a shunt. She didn't have too many GI symptoms but a lot of dogs with liver issues do, which makes it all the harder to diagnose as it is often mistaken for allergies. I'd get your vet to run a blood panel just in case to check your pup's liver enzymes just to make sure her liver is functioning as it should. Thanks LittleMissOdie. I will ask the vet about the liver issues which you and WoofnHoof have mentioned. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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