Fall/Winter Allergies

Question
QUESTION: Good Day! My 4yr. old German Shepherd has recently started scratching (again). It appears to happen this time of year. (I live near Toronto, Canada) Initially at this time last year he started scratching, it got progressively worse thru Nov. Dec. until his ears were balding, he was/is attacking all parts of his body. Head, ears, legs, hips, rear end at the tail, scratching his pits and licking and nibbling constantly. Through the vet (last year)he was treated with amoxicillin for 8 weeks (stopped giving on the 3rd script as vomiting started - vomiting stopped)for secondary skin infection from scratching.  Two trips to vet for cortisone shot (only helped for 24hrs.)and gave him Benedryl 3x per day.  The vet suggested/pushed changing food (although I insisted that the allergies start in Fall) to Hills prescription diet. Late Feb/March, I went with the limited ingredient diet with Natural Balance Potato & Duck, as well as Duck fillet treats (was on Royal Canon Shep. formula for his GI track and did extremely well, need to ref this later).  I also supplimented with MSM (sulfer), and Omega 3 wild salmon fish oil.  Around late April/May, he showed huge improvement. Hair grew back, no scrathing, chewing, misery.  Wasn't sure if it was the diet change or the season. Now it appears the season is one factor for sure and I need to know what else to do.  He is still on Duck, MSM and Omega 3.  The heat went on on Oct.1.  Scratching starts.  I bought two Hepa ionic air cleaners (re: air born allergies) that I have run constantly now for 3weeks.  May be helping a bit, no hair loss.  However, Scratching is getting more frequent (temps. dropped to between 3 degress Celcius and zero).  The heat is radiator not forced air or electric (we are in an apartment).  What herbal remedies would you suggest to further suppliment to help him(I cannot bath him too big to get in tub). Also to add to his problems...he also suffered from GI tract issues, chronically soft to diarreah until I switched to Royal Canin for a year - immediate results, perfect poops always. However, he did rub his muzzle on carpet after eating - sign of food allergy (?)  When the allergy issue started in fall thru winter (the vet as mentioned before focused on food with side line of airborn allergies)and I changed to duck in March, his GI track did just fine until mid June (this year). We went thru a bunch of trauma/changes and he wasn't eating very well, never did when I changed his food to Duck (loves chicken only).  So I tried to embelish his food with fresh cooked turkey or yogart, or cottage cheese.  He ended up with a severe case of Diarreah that lasted four days, so off to the vet who presribed a shot in the butt, and tylocine to treat large intestine upset (4 weeks).  This did not help.  Tried de-worming with panacur liquid - couldn't get it in him.  He still suffers to this day with soft stool.  He usually goes twice on morning walk - first is moderate, second is always runny.  No mucus, no weight loss, no vomiting.  I tried pumpkin - gave larger orange soft stool only.  Tried bran buds to no avail.  Gave acidophilis twice/day hasn't helped. Tried Digestive enzymes from "Solid Gold" (plant based only)at the same time I changed to duck and started MSM.  Stopped the d-zymes recently as I ran out and was not helping. To sum it up Issue #1 - air born allergies, what else can I do?  Issue #2 - Diarreah, should I treat with Genestra D-zymes or something like Genestra (contains pancreatin)or switch to RAW (I have heard feeding raw to shepherds only is not recommended)...Thank you in advance for your time, and thank you from Gator!

ANSWER: Hello Stephanie and Gator...
Wow, you guys have been through Hell!
Ok, I would love to help you kids.  At this time - what supplements and food is he on?  You have given me so much info, please narrow it down to what he is eating now?  
Foods, snacks, and supplements.

Also, please let me know if the vet has him taking any medications.

Get back to me and we can figure something....I hope!

Marie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: O.K....Gator is 100lbs.
Food - Natural Balance, Potato & Duck (protein 21%)4 cups split morning & night.
Treats - Natures Medley, Duck Fillets (are high in protein 97%)
Suppliments - Sulfur(MSM)3/8 tsp. once per day (brand, solid gold), Omega 3 wild salmon fish oil, 1000mg per tab. one in a.m. one in p.m., multi strain probiotic, 5 billion - one a.m., one p.m.  occasionally cottage cheese, duck gravy and dehydrated duck to embelish food so he will eat req'd suppliments.
He is on no meds and would like to keep it that way!!!

Question re: Soft stool ~ Should I try a digestive enzyme with Pancreatin for his GI track.  If so, how much.  I tried "Solid Gold" d-zymes for 6 months, did not help his GI track, was advised this due to plant based enzymes only, are not effective enough.
Question re: Allergies - what else can I do in order to keep off steroids - I was recently advised that probiotics and enzymes would help this as well.  I did take him off both in late summer as it was not helping GI track.  Fall allergies being weeds and molds...will this cease upon first snow fall?  If dust mites, I read was prevelent all year long.  He was fine May thru to start of Oct. (when the heat went on). As mentioned, I have two hepa ionic air cleaners for air borne allergies and a humidifier I just set up for (possible) dry skin.

Answer

Pet Nurse Marie at All   Ok, Let me have a crack at this kid!
Poor you guys!  Boy, you have been through so much!!


You state here:
"So I tried to embellish his food with fresh cooked turkey or yogurt, or cottage cheese.  ....  He still suffers to this day with soft stool. "

Please Do not give him any dairy products - just can be hard to digest for any dog.
( most dogs can take some dairy or soy, but not your boy...)

Next, I would still do the Duck and Potato but I would mix it with some Innova Evo - Just do 1/4 amount of Innova Evo with 3/4 the amount of Natural Balance.  (I Don't Think he has many food allergies at all) ~~~Sounds All Environmental~~~~
Keep him on a mix of the EVO and Natural Balance - don't increase the EVO - just a small amount at each feeding.
It should help the Stool situation.

Please add some canned pumpkin to his diet - PURE canned pumpkin with NO added sugar. Give this boy 1/8 of a cup per day - he should love the taste.... Great natural fiber for his stools.

Keep using - the Humidifier - GREAT Idea!!!

You stated:
May thru to start of Oct. (when the heat went on). As mentioned, I have two hepa ionic air cleaners for air borne allergies and a humidifier I just set up for (possible) dry skin.


As for treats- YOU can try a few Innova EVO treats per day - they are grain free.  VERY good for him.

As for Probiotics - It can't hurt / ONLY helps - If you need a good one I refer everyone to Natures Sunshine Flora Force: here is the link:
Flora Force - give 2-3 per day for at least 30 days...
Wonderful for gut health and Helps a bunch with Allergies....
http://www.mynsp.com/nuvetpetnurse/products/guide.aspx?stockNum=4080

Next, I would get this boy onto NuVET Plus -
This is an immune system booster that will help him to BUILD up an immunity to the Environmental and Food allergies....
***Helps him to fight off what Allergens are hitting him.
EXCELLENT for his hips and JOINTs, too.

Please go here and order:  They give a 60 day money back guarantee.
MOST folks will see results in less than 60 days.  NO risk...Right?
Natural and SAFE, too
He will need two Wafer treats per day -
* the Cost will be 1.20 per day for the NuVET Program

SEE here:

http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html
Call today and they will get your order right out..

Also , I would still use the Digestive enzymes from "Solid Gold" , good stuff.

Please keep in contact with me!  I sure hope the NuVET helps your boy. They have had such great results building the immune system with the NuVET product.

Marie Peppers LPN MA
mtnmom@gci.net
Save my personal e-mail....OK

BEST wishes
Marie