alergy

Question
my vet says my dog has an allergy, I have switched from Wal Mart food to Eagle brand food in hope of that being the problem. She has been eating this for about 8 months, no improvement. She is 10 and started having itching all over about 4 years ago. she takes prednizone twice a week, it helps but is not the cure. Any suggestions? Don't understand why the itching started so late in life.

Answer
Hi Steve,

What your dog may actually have is not a true allergy, which involves a measurable immune response, but possibly an intolerance that can arise at any time, particularly after a food has been used  constantly over many years. Many allergies do in fact arise after years of eating the same food all the time. Here is some information you may find useful:

http://tinyurl.com/4x6rp2
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_food_allergies.html


Most of the dogs I work with who have either allergy or intolerance don't do well on any processed foods at all, premium or not. A home made (raw or cooked) diet is highly recommended for your dog. I would start her on a limited ingredient home made diet and gradually work in supplements - first adding calcium, iodine and assorted vitamin/minerals, then helpful supplements such as fish body oil. Is any of this a possibility for you, before I go any further?

In the case of home made being entirely out of the question, you might consider either a raw pre-mix such as The Honest Kitchen, or else a limited ingredient food such as Wellness Simple Solutions of California Natural Herring and Sweet Potato. Here are a few links for your perusal. I would prefer the Honest Kitchen for this dog, but I want to give you lots of options.

http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/products/force.shtml
Glutenfree, which is important for your dog, but also contains chicken which is a very common canine allergen


http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/products/embark.shtml
This is the food I'd try first for your dog.


A good bet as a kibble:
http://www.californianaturalpet.com/products/default.asp?id=3


Another excellent food for sensitive dogs:
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/SPFish.html

Also worth a look:
http://tinyurl.com/4jc2de

All of these foods are premium quality and geared to the sensitive dog. But I must say that unless I knew exactly which foods your dog is reacting to, it would be impossible to make a suggestion that I know would work. I'm just sending ideas here...and if you can look into a home made diet all the better.

Has your vet ruled out inhalant allergies? Checked this dog's thyroid?

I'm happy to help more if you need input on supplements, food choices, or working with home made food. Good luck!
Catherine