Comment

Comment by Cindi on August 25, 2008 at 11:49am

Vets seem to always prescribe Science Diet. I think it's because Hill's supports and subsidizes a good bit of the veterinary schools in this country. Regardless, Science Diet is not the food it used to be. They were bought out by Colgate-Palmolive and changed much of the formulas used-and not for the better. SD has much more in the way of by-products and rendered animals, and a lot more corn for a base. Many of my clients who relied on SD have found their dogs having a marked increase in itching and allergies.

And, for some reason, many dogs seem to have allergies show up around the 2 yr mark. Not sure why. Wish you could have seen our Ayla. My goodness she looked like chemo-dog! Her hair fell out and she itched so horribly! Put her on a nutritious, natural food and she has pretty much cleared up.

There is a vet in our area who does extensive research into the canine equivalent of human celiac disease. It's interesting stuff. He's not my fave vet by any means, but he does have some interesting research out there. http://dogtorj.com

Comment by Karen & Bailey on August 25, 2008 at 10:16am

and the vet will prescribe her a special diet if she is found to have allergies, to slowly determine what it is that she is allergic to. might help to bring the list of ingredients in the food you are currently feeding so the vet can take a look see. =P

Comment by Karen & Bailey on August 25, 2008 at 10:15am

also, you might want to try putting her in a cone and treating her inflammed skin with some vet presribed ointment or medication. i sure hope she feels better soon!

Comment by Stephanie & Lola on August 24, 2008 at 11:21pm

Thank you Joy =) I'm sorry Butter is allergic to Canidae also. It kills me to see her itching, so I watch her and scratch her legs for her haha I will look into Omega 3's and be sure to find out exactly what she is allergic to. Thank you for all of your help

Comment by Butter on August 24, 2008 at 9:26pm

Yes, with allergies, any dog or human can become allergic to anything at any point in time. They are more likely to develop allergies to food they have already eaten. For example, wheat allergies are becoming more prevalent in humans and dogs because it has become so prevalent in their foood. My dog has developed allergies and he eats Canidae and we are going to have to look at a new dog food with a new protein and carb that he hasn't been exposed to before. I am in the process of figuring out what food to turn to. I have started adding Omega 3 to his diet to help with skin itching. I have gotten a lot of help from this site...I am new to the allergy thing too. It isn't fun to see a dog suffer. Good luck!
My vet said it takes 3 weeks for the last molecule of what they are allergic to to leave their system so even with changing foods it takes awhile to see a huge change. Also, once on their new food, he said that we won't really know for 2 months if it is really working or not. If not, he said to change to another hypoallergenic food. It is frustrating that they can't get immediate help, isn't it?

Comment by Stephanie & Lola on August 24, 2008 at 8:17pm

Thank you Cindi =) Is it normal to just become allergic to food that she has always eaten?? My vet suggest Science Diet, but I feed Lola Canidae.

Comment by Stephanie & Lola on August 24, 2008 at 8:14pm

Thank you Patti, you're always so helpful =) I will be taking her to the vet this week to get tested. I will keep you updated. Thanks again for your help!

Comment by Cindi on August 24, 2008 at 8:14pm

Yep, that was my first thought, too. Food allergy. Not uncommon either. Everyone on here has a favorite food and many feed a raw diet. Do talk to your vet, but I wouldn't let them put you on Science Diet. Check out http://dogfoodanalysis.com to find a good food.

Comment by Corgi Mom on August 24, 2008 at 8:00pm

Since Lola is 2 years old she may be showing you signs of being an allergic dog. Your vet will be able to tell you if she is or not. One of our Catahoula's has inhalant allergies and wheat allergies. We feed all the dogs Dick Van Patten's ULTRA PREMIUM - NATURAL BALANCE dog food. We also give Ayla (the female catahoula) Fish Oil and Vitamin E capsules and it has helped a lot. Let me know what the vet says - good luck.