Question:
My greyhound had similar symptoms and showed great improvement after changing
his food to an all natural lamb and rice food (Sensible Choice), adding a
fatty acid supplement to his food (Pet F.A liquid) , and adding KZyme powder
to his food which contains vitamins, minerals and a digestive enzyme to aide
absorption of food. I also bathe him with an oatmeal shampoo which seems to
help also.
Answer:
I'll try to share with you everthing I know about this since I have a 4
year old Australian Shepherd with food allergies. His allergies started at
6 months old with the chewing of paws. I believe the classic symptoms of
food allergies are the ones you described. Dakota (my aussie) rubs his face,
and chews his paws after eating something he's allergic to.
He's been using hydroxizine as an anti-histamine. He has not had any
problems with it except it makes him tired. I've also heard of giving
benydril. We've even tried seldane, but it was too expensive and didn't seem
any better.
There is no test for food allergies. DO NOT DO the blood test and rely
on it. The best way to determine if you are dealing with a food allergy is to
do a food trial. Home cook your dog a new food that he has never been exposed
to (being a puppy maybe he's more concerned about giving your dog a balance
diet). I'm actually using Venison and barley. You have to be absolutely sure
that this is the only thing that enters your dogs mouth. No flavored treats,
no snacks, no flavored heartguard (get the unflavored). You have to eliminate
any other foods of any kind. It's extremely difficult. If after 6 weeks the
symptoms subside, then re-introduce the food. If you see the reaction occur
(usually within a day), then you know it was the food.
As for the cause, It's probably some genetic weakness (just as in people).
And as in people there is no cure for allergies. If it is a food allergy,
you have to find a diet that you dog can eat without a reaction, through the
doing a food trail, and slowly introducing foods.
There are allergies tests that can be done for inhalent allergies. Don't
do the blood test. We did those and found them to be pretty inaccurate. Do
the skin testing.
It's really up to you where to start, inhalent or food allergies. If you
have any more questions feel free to send me a note as me and my wife have
been to 5 vets regarding this (including going to Cornell veterinary college
to see a dermatoligist). We still haven't got an acceptable answer to all our
questions.
Two suggestions: 1. Talk to another vet, perferably one that specializes in dermatology.
I'm not suggesting your vet is wrong, but from what you've said here
I'd want another opinion if it were my puppy.
2. My understanding is that the most common food allergy for dogs is
corn. If there is corn in the kibble you're feeding him, try
switching over to one without it. I know someone who got *amazing*
results with a perisitent rash her dog had by eliminating corn from
his diet. You might also check out a book called "Dr. Pitcairn's
Book of Natural Health for Cats and Dogs". It talks about what to
look for in a dog food and, as another option, explains how to make
your own "home-made" dog food. I personally haven't read the book,
but based on the recommendation of a fellow dog lover I'm planning
to. If I were you, I'd give it a try. Sure beats watching your
baby suffer :[.
I STRONGLY disagree with this!!! I have 2 allergic dogs and the blood
testing has been right on target. My Minpin's blood showed severe
allergies to all meats, fishes dairy: he was unbearably itchy and chewing
all the time. My vet recommended a diet (based on the results of the
bloodtests) of tofu (for protein) or an egg once in a while, pasta and
veggies, plus a PetCal and a Pet Tab vitamin--He's become a totally
different dog--no itching or chewing whatsoever.
The bloodtests on my Shepherd showed major allergies to soy and yeast, and
various trees and grasses. I have changed her food to one without soy and
yeast and she is undergoing allergy shots--She is much improved already (2
months after testing) but treatment will take awhile longer for more
improvement.
Blood testing has been of vital importance in the treatment of both my
dogs and I would highly advise you to undertake it immediately to give
your poor dog some relief.
Our 10-month old collie (a mix between a rough and border collie) has
an allergy of undetermined cause. He has redness on the muzzel, he
chews on the bottom of his front paws and bites the lower portions of
his back legs so much that he's drawing blood. His vet said that it
was a classic food allergy but won't test him until he's over a year
old. He did prescribe an anithistamine, Atarax, that gave the dog
the runs. We stopped giving it to him.
We bought one of those anti-itch sprays for temporary relief but it's
effect is very short lived. We're thinking of buying a muzzel to keep
the dog from hurting himself.
From my description, do you think it's a food allergy? We're not sure
because the problem is fairly recent and we aren't sure that his dog
food is the culprit. Perhaps he's allergic to grass? This is his
first spring and maybe grass that is growing and going to seed
occaisionally is the cause.
I'd appreciate any advice that someone might offer as to the possible
cause and possible cure of our dog's ailment. He's a good pup and we
hate to see him suffer so.
