Testimony of a chocolate Lab that itches and bites feet.

[Ralph_P]

I am posting this to see if others have been in my situation before. I would like to know if I am not alone in this.

It all begins with my chocolate lab who is 5 years old. He was diagnosed with an ear infection 10 months ago. Before that time he was with my wifes exhusband. When we got him he was a wreck. He was itching all the time and had an ear infection. The vet put him on antifungal or antibiotics and ear wash to cure the infection. This worked for a month or so and the infection cleared but then he started licking and biting his feet as before. So I experimented a bit and read that he might have an allergic reaction to the Iams food he was eating. It was the food in the green bag.

As it turns out I decided to experiment with the food as recommended by others. So I tried the highly recommended Kirkland food at Costco that is made by Diamond in the red bag. After feeding him the food for about one month his symptoms cleared totally. i took him to the vet to get his rabies shot and I explained to the vet what had happened She was shocked. I think I successfully proved to the vet that it was something in the food that caused the allergic reaction. I think it was wheat or corn. I am happy to say he is now much better and does not have red ears or feet anymore. Now when ever I give him a milkbone treat he itches after a day. I think it it definitely the corn or wheat in the milkbones. Pig ears or natural foods seem to be a safe bet. It's just the processed stuff that makes him itch. Let me know what you think of this or if you have seen this reaction in your dog.

Thanks much!

[Samson]

OVer to you Connie ! Reckon you are the itch expert !

[HersheyK's Dad]

When HK was about 9 months old she had been through a couple ear infections and often had rashes on her tummy. Something that had the be licked constantly. The vet had been giving us topical antibiotics for the rashes which seemed to help, and blamed it on environmental, probably grasses, allergies.

It was time to switch her off puppy food to adult food. I decided to try the same food you did, Kirkland Chicken and Rice. It was amazing how the rashes disappeared, and no more ear infections. I then noticed the food was wheat and corn free. It was not my conscious intent when I bought it. I immediately decided she was allergic to one or both of them, and we have stayed on this food since. I mentioned it to her vet and he agreed that there must be something in the Eukanuba LBP that we were feeding, that is not in the Kirkland C&R. It could be the wheat or corn, it could be something else. But we have a solution, so who cares.

[Bob Pr.]

Sounds very reasonable to me. (But I feed Puff Costco's Kirkland C, R &V.)

[kassabella]

I totally agree. I have spent $$$$$$$$$$ on Erns itching.
When I got Ernie he itched and had flakey skin. Vets told me it wasn't the food it was a plant in the yard. I ripped up almost the whole yard and nothing changed for him. It got to the point he was itching 24 hours a day. I had an appointment with a skin specialist and decided in that time I had to do something. I feed him raw/home cooked. His itching stopped so I cancelled the $400 appointment. He still had a little dandruff.
I eventually put him back on kibble and tried to get wheat free. Within a few days or weeks depending ont he food the itching started again. Allergy tests said he is allergic to everything but rice, apples and carrots. I tried a thing called N.A.E.T treatment from the holistic vet and it wasn't until a week after the last treatment his skin came right.To this day he hasn't had dandruf or itched, but vets are concerned the itchies might be manifesting in his gut.

He was diagnosed with Crohns so I have to be very careful what he eats. I have learned while trying new food one treat can start the itching again.
The worst for us is Eukanuba. It is the most expensive so I thought it must be the best.

Each dog reacts to different foods so if you find one that works for your dog stick with it. Sometimes we never know exactly what it is they react to.

The vets have told me even if you find one that is fine, they can become sensitive to that at any time as Ernie did. They can become sensitive to lamb or beef as well as grains.

[jzgrlduff]

i took him to the vet to get his rabies shot and I explained to the vet what had happened She was shocked. I think I successfully proved to the vet that it was something in the food that caused the allergic reaction.

What?! I would find a new vet. This is hardly rare!!

Frankie has a problem with his left ear, has for awhile. I finally put all my guys on NB grain-free venison and sweet potato and his ear cleared right up. He can't have anything other than this food, or his ear flares up immediately.

SO GLAD you found the solution!!

[Dani]

IT's pretty typical that dog's have intollerances to food. Glad you found a good solution to help your boy!

[General1061]

My black lab, Duke, had the same symptoms. We switched him to ProPlan Sensitive Skin and Stomach and he has been doing great ever since!

[Shelbz]

I am having such a problem with Shelby and her itching and ear problem, I have tried various foods and the one that helped with dry flakey itchy skin was NB sweet potatoe and meat, but she had the worse gas ever!! and her poop was soft. So on to the next one we go...Taste of the Wild...no more gas,great poop, but dry flakey,itching again :-(
I honestly do not know what to try next....any suggestions?

[BigBrownDog]

I am having such a problem with Shelby and her itching and ear problem, I have tried various foods and the one that helped with dry flakey itchy skin was NB sweet potatoe and meat, but she had the worse gas ever!! and her poop was soft. So on to the next one we go...Taste of the Wild...no more gas,great poop, but dry flakey,itching again :-(
I honestly do not know what to try next....any suggestions?

Have you tried adding fish oil capsules to her diet?