My dog has food allergies

[jesvetmed]

Couldn't that just be due to beef and corn being so common, though? Or was the incidence of allergy out of proportion to the incidence of beef/corn in the dog food supply?

It's very likely it was due to the incidence of beef and corn in the diets. Usually these allergies develop over time to proteins they have been exposed to. So, beef used to be one of the only proteins used, so of course, it's what we saw the majority of allergies to. Also taking into account that beef and corn were usually in the same foods, making it harder to know exactly what part was the actual problem.

Whether or not beef is still number one, I don't know. Many of the basic diets now have been chicken based for years. I'm sure that chicken allergies are probably on the rise, too!

[jesvetmed]

I had originally wanted to try a venison food. The natural Balance brand makes it. I went to get it and the manager at the pet store told me there are problems with the venison foods and some have been recalled.

I'd be interested in hearing what that was about -- we were never notified of any venison food recalls (nothing really to speak of since spring of 2007). I did a search in our main information network and found nothing.

As for brands of food, I know that Natural Balance did get caught up in the food recall that spring, and many companies had trouble recovering from that. But there is nothing recent at all that I know of.

IVD is the best Venison diet out there -- it is unfortunately prescription, so more expensive and only available through the vets' offices. The good news is that your little dog shouldn't be quit so expensive to feed as, say, my 80 pound lab!

Keep us posted as to how he does! If beef suits him well, stay with it. But make sure whatever you do, you use ALL the same proteins for several weeks at a time so that you know if a problem arise, what you can blame it on.

BTW: Skin problems are ONE of the reasons I prefer emergency work. Skin is just SO frustrating to get a handle on. It seems like you are a great owner and following instructions well -- that is half the battle! Great job!

Jes

[kermit]

Thanks again Jes. I feel like I owe you BIG. I do have to say that two days ago I started yogurt morning and night with his veggie food. The only beef he has received is a tablespoon of the canned after I tried to kill him with the diaper rash cream (40% zinc oxide). The cream worked great until he licked his feet and ingested it. He threw up everything. I think in retrospect vomiting helped him get rid of it. I have read horror stories caused from one penny. I felt so bad. But being the Jack that he is, he recovered in grand style. So back to the yogurt, I think it is helping. I have stayed away from anything for two days, topical or pills like benedryl, just to let his system recover. His itching is very minor and his skin is healing. Hoping that the new diet is working. I will inquire into the venison food info. I really wanted to put him on that. I have been reading labels like crazy. It is amazing the fillers put into some OTC foods.

I understand why you are into ER medicine. I have bred and shown dogs my whole life and have NEVER had a dog with allergies like Rebel. I am actually a dog handler for the police department (bomb dog, malinois) and she is an easy keeper. I have learned alot. Will keep you updated.

[Dogmama]

I had good results with IVD rabbit also.

Jes talked about making treats. I did that with the IVD rabbit. I put the kibble in a blender to grind & added the canned food. I also put in cooked sweet potato at the suggestion of my derm vet. Mix until it is the consistency of cookie dough, form into little cookies & bake at a low heat until hard. I think I baked it at 250 degrees.

If you're really nuts (like me) you can get a food dehydrator & make your own sweet potato jerky or just dry out the dog cookies.