Allergy?

Question
QUESTION: Jo Ann thanks for responding.  I feed our 2 chi's kibbles and bits.  This scratching seems to happen every spring and last through summer.  I have 2 10 yr old females and a 3 yr old male.  Haven't changed anything as far as cleaning.  

I do try to rub then down with a non perfume healing lotion and that seems to help, that is why they get a bath once a month or so.  My vet said I could try Benedryl but that does not see to help much.

ANSWER: Hi Sharon....

Thanks for the quick response!  First off, kibble and Bits is not a very good food and dogs often develop allergies and other problems after awhile when they've been on this type of food long term.  I'd really like to see you put them on a high quality, premium, human grade dog food that has no grains and see if this makes a difference.  A dog's immune system is often able to fight off contact or seasonal allergies for a number of years and then a dog starts to have problems because the food that they're on is not supporting their immune system and is, often times, just not healthy at all.  In other words, an inferior food can seem to be okay for a long time and then as the dog gets older, the food obviously does not support their immune system or overall health.  It is said that a dog that receives good nutrition not only does not suffer from food allergies, but they also do not suffer from parasite problems (like fleas).

I'm wondering what the non-perfume healing lotion is that you're using and if it could be toxic if ingested?  One of my dogs was having a problem with allergies (seasonally, but it turned out to be dog food related) and I would rub him down with Aloe Vera gel which you can get at a health food store (and it's totally safe).  We were able to remedy his allergies when we changed him over to a high quality food that had just one meat in it and had no grains at all.

Did the vet advise you on how much Benedryl to use on each dog?  I'm wondering if the dosage was "off" some?

Jo Ann  

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QUESTION: The largest one 6 lbs gets 1.5 ML and the smaller one get 1 ML.  I am sure you know better than anyone that chi's are very picky eaters.  The kibbles and bits was all I have found that they will actually eat. I do have to admit they get table food too. Can you recommend a brand name good food and I will give it a try for sure.

The lotion is by Jergens and I never thought it might be toxic for them.  I will try the aloe vera!

ANSWER: Hi again Sharon...

Your dogs like the Kibbles & Bits because it's like eating total junk food that has lots and lots of flavor enhancers.

It's difficult to advise someone else what they should be feeding.  Corn and grains in dog food are a major contributor to allergy problems.  I'd like to see you get them on a premium, high quality food that has no grains.  After having done an extensive amount of research, I feed my dogs Evanger's canned food.  I don't think too many dogs would turn down their Chicken Casserole Dinner.  Do you have any dog boutiques where you live?  They usually sell the high quality pet foods that I would suggest.  Sometimes feed stores also have high quality brands, too.  Generally, the large chain stores do not have high quality food.

The Whole Dog Journal puts out a list of approved food every year.  I was able to find a list for 2010 that you may want to take a look at:  http://www.epettalk.com/forums/content.php?28-2010-Whole-Dog-%20Journal-s-Recomm  Take a look at the different foods (after reading how Whole Dog Journal rates the food) and pick out a few brands that look good to you and then do a search and read more about the ingredients and see if you can find some reviews.

Your dogs are going to be a tad more picky if they're getting a lot of table food.  I don't think there's anything wrong with good, healthy table food...but you must make sure that they're getting adequate nutrition from a high quality brand of dog food that's designed to support a healthy immune system and good health.  I sometimes add cooked egg white, lightly cooked baby carrots, cod fish or boiled chicken breast to my dog's premium dog food. Try to stay away from seasonings and grains.  Keep in mind that chocolate and avacado is toxic and that a sugar substitute used in some sweets and chewing gum called Xylitol can be lethal.  If you add table food to your dog's food, only add in small amounts.

I have given Benedry tablets to my dogs when needed for allergy problems in the past.  I use the Benedryl in the bright pink and blue box that says Diphenhydramine HCI/Antihistamine.  The tablets are 25 mg. each.  Ask your vet what dosage to give your dog.  My vet gave me a dosage for my eldest Chi but told me to start out smaller just in case.  You can always work up to the recommended dosage as needed.

I'm glad that you quit using the Jergens lotion on the dogs.  We should never use products designed for humans without checking with a veterinarian.  I'm hoping that the Aloe Vera gel will help!

Sharon, if you decide on a food you want to try and want to run it by me, that's fine.  Don't forget that if you can't find a certain brand locally, you can usually find it on the internet and have it shipped.

Jo Ann    

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QUESTION: Joann, I found a pet boutique close to our town,  They have the formm foods. My babies have been off of the kibbles and bits for 2 days and they seem to like the new food.  My male..Sarge actually slept through the night last night without waking us up scratching.  I am crossing my fingers that this is going to be the norm, I hate to see them miserable.  I just love that each one of my three have such different personalities.  Thank you for your help and for this opportunity to talk to someone else that has such a love for chi's.
Sharon

Answer
Hi Sharon!

I am so pleased that you wrote back to let me know that you found a better brand of food and that your male dog has already shown improvement!  I have been dealing with a root canal/tooth extraction and, trust me, this news really cheered me up!

I'm thinking you meant Fromm foods, right?  I looked up their website and it does look like they use healthy ingredients in their food.  It's very important that meat is listed as the first ingredient and the one blend that I looked at certainly had it listed first.  Admittedly, I didn't check out more blends though. I don't know which blend you're using, so I couldn't look that up.  I'm hoping that your female dogs are also responding well to the new food and had no problems adjusting to this new diet.  It's usually recommended that you switch dogs over gradually to a new food so that they don't experience intestinal/digestive problems, so I hope that everything has been okay with your having made such a fast switch.

Like you, I also love that each of my Chihuahuas has their own, wonderful personality.  It's so obvious that you want to do well by your dogs and I really admire that.  I wanted to remind you that if you haven't already done it, you should have a senior blood panel done on your 10 year old Chis.  This is the time when you want to be checking how things are going and check for any thyroid problems.  Thyroid problems can manifest in lots of itching, too.

Sharon, don't hestitate to write me back should you have more questions about this diet change or any other questions at all.  I'll be holding positive thoughts for your dogs and that the itching finally ceases!