Lab ear problem

Question
QUESTION: My golden Lab is 11years old and has bad allergies. We have tried changing her diet, she has been to the vet time and time again. She had a problem not long ago from shaking her ears constantly in which her ear turned balloon size and she was required to stay overnight & have a procedure. A week later she went back in to get the tube out & have her ear stitched up. I woke up at 3am to her pacing. I went to see what was wrong and she was constantly shaking her head. I put the last bit of Panalog Ointment in her right ear & gave her two small Polarmine tablets. It doesn't seem to have helped. She's not settling and seems to be highly uncomfortable.

Lately she has been licking her paws a lot and biting at times. But constant licking which we get her to stop so I'm guessing her allergies are playing up again. It's just a constant thing with her and I was wondering if there is anything new I can try. I'm afraid her right ear will end up like her left and she will be required to go into the vet for the same procedure due to all the shaking. I don't want her to be comfortable and it would be great if we could both get some shut eye.

Any help you could provide would be appreciated greatly!

Thanks.

Emily

ANSWER: Has your vet done any blood work?  Checking for allergies is expensive, but sometimes the quickest way to identify the problem.  It may or may not be a food allergy.  Another thing is to try a hydrolized protein diet such as Science Z/D.  The proteins in it have been broken down to where the body can't recognize any as the allergen.  The Z/D must come from the vet.  I don't know if there are over the counter versions or not.  If the Z/D helps, you could then try other regular foods until you find one free of the offending proteins.  Much of what you read about dog food has little factual backing.  More expensive foods may or may not help.  If you are allergic to beef, switching from hamburger to steak won't help.  

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

QUESTION: No, our vet hasn't done any blood work. What is Science Z/D? Is it a tablet Sasha would have?

Dog food didn't suit Sasha so we switched her to rice with fish or meat. We have been giving her more fish lately and at times pasta with beans and fish. She still has bones from time to time. At times she will have milk with some sort of cereal, not too much milk though. That's really the core of her diet. Snacks from time to time, she likes vegetables and fruits.

Thanks for your prompt response. I was up for hours with her until she eventually fell asleep.

Emily

Answer
Some dogs become allergic to many different types of proteins.  Proteins are made up of amino acids.  You can break the proteins down to where they are no longer the proteins the dog's body fights.  Science Z/D is one brand of dog food made that way.  It is difficult to formulate a complete and balanced diet yourself from rice and fish and meat.  She may not be getting the fatty acids she needs.  At least try adding some of the omega 6 and 3 fatty acid supplements.  

Almost any dog with food allergies can eat the Science Diet Z/D.  It is one of several special diets Science offers to solve certain problems.