Golden Retriever allergies

Question
QUESTION: Hi, my Golden is 9 yrs old, female (she is fixed) she has been itchy for years. Vet put her on Venison and she has a spot on her leg with no hair and redness. Eyes run and she paws at her face. We just put her on Wellness fish and Sweet Pot. and everything was better she even grew hair back on her paw,  except her ears became infected. Now two weeks back on Venison and her ears are cleared up but her paw is hairless and red and her eyes are running. Vet says best to just deal with paws, she looks miserable, any information would be much appreciated as I have been 10 years trying to make her comfortable. Thank you, Stacy Cullen

ANSWER: Did the vet try antibiotics on the ear infections?  While ongoing antibiotics aren't the best idea, it would seem if you have finally have a food that clear up the itching, and an alternative for the ears, I would go with it.  There are still chows out there you didn't mention, but I am not going to suggest them thinking you have tried everything else already.

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

QUESTION: The vets have put her on med. for her ears they are clear! Actually I would like a suggestion on the food since these two are the only ones I have tried. Thanks you

Answer
I am glad the ears cleared up.

Are any of the basics, chicken, lamb, and beef that you haven't tried?  The fewer protein sources a dog eats when it is young, the easier it is to work around allergies if they develop.  The dog guide school I volunteer for starts its dogs on chicken chow.  A friend that has a dog guide that is about 8 and it is now allergic to chicken.  She was able to switch to lamb.  The other school we have raised puppies for starts theirs on lamb.  Dogs that become allergic to it, can switch to chicken.  

There are a number of things out there, you could also try duck or salmon.