What would you recommend???

[coley235]

It was a suggestion. I've tried it all.

[jparker]

My chocolate was on Fromm puppy gold too and she kept having constant runs. Our doggie daycare sells raw food diet and we asked a whole bunch of users before deciding to give it a try. They told us to give her one full day of 3 cans of tuna mixed with veggies (2 meals) and then we could start her on the raw food diet the next day. Our raw food diet is chicken carcass (no legs just breast bone) for dinner and a meat block for breakfast that has bone and a bunch of other stuff. We give her a heart or liver once a wekk and tuna once a week and sometimes throw a raw egg on the chicken carcass.

Her stool solidified the second day, small whole pieces. It also started coming out more quickly after meals and naturally, with no runs, she was better able to hold it. We give her food partially frozen as well so it takes her longer to eat. Her coat was smoother in the first week and I am never giving her kibble again.

[Mark_J]

Everything I have read, and all the dogs I've known with skin allergies are worse when fed beef. Turkey and salmon are the best that I have found. Besides, most beef foods contain dye and grain.

Beef really doesn't have anything to do with the use of grains or dyes, that's a tendency/practice of the manufacturer.

[Baloo317]

I agree with the above re: slow switch for foods with a pup. I've found through trial and error that Baloo tends to need a little more fibre in his diet, but can't tolerate grains well. So I feed Acana grain-free: 60% meat, 40% veggies and fruits, and that ratio works perfectly for him. Orijen and EVO were just too rich for him, he would get really bad stomach upset, eek. Most of the Acana formulas are for "all life stages" as well, so that might be an option for you to try.

It definitely can be confusing!

[Brette]

Someone I know has a Yorkie with TERRIBLE skin allergies and switching his food to a potato &duck formula food helped alot. I think Wellness makes it? I've never used it myself so i don't know anything about it but thought I'd mention her experience. I know allergies are really frustrating to figure out. Hope the flare ups resolve soon!

[Aerodogs]

I can understand you wanting to try a holistic approach versus medicating a puppy, however, the only way you'll find a holistic remedy is visiting a holistic vet. If your regular vet thought there was a skin issue, you should address that first. I think your trainers suggestion to switch foods was rather hasty, particularly for a young puppy. Skin issues are not always related to food and switching his diet while in the midst of a "flare-up" is not the best idea. His body is already working to clear the skin issue, and you've just switched his food sending his system into overdrive, hence the diarrhea. Antibiotics alone can give them loose stool too. You should always check with your vet when there is a health issue and your considering making a big change in the diet, particularly as a pup. Most dog owners these days have either personally or know someone who has dealt with food issues and/or allergy issues with their dogs, but no two dogs are alike, nor are their symptoms and the way they respond to treatment. Sometimes it is as simple as a food change, other times dogs need medication, and there are severe cases that take even more lifestyle changes. Whether it is an unknown issue (mites, rash, ringworm, etc) or in fact allergies, I encourage you to work with your vet to try and find the trigger FIRST (sometimes you don't, but it is just as important to rule other things out) and then consider a change in diet if you feel your dog would do better on another formula.

[English]

Areodogs,
I agree with you 100% I did jump to the decision of changing the food because the trainer had suggested so. That opend a window to so many problems. Finn is now on duck and potato and an antibiotic. This has cleared up his rash beautifully. So now I will wait and see. He will be off the medicine this week. He will be on the same food for over 12 weeks. The vet did mention a reaction to dust mites verses food reaction. When I think back I often wish I did go back to the vet to see about medicine while I kept him on the same food. So trial and error at this point. IMAG0831.jpg

[kassabella]

Aerodogs this is what my vet has been saying and about fiddling when allergies are playing up. I didn't understnad it.

It has taken me years to figure the vet knows best and changing food isn't always the answer. I changed Erns food often looking for the perfect food for his allergies and when he was diagnosed with Crohns (IBD) there was only one food available for him here in N.Z. We have spent the last 3 years fingers crossed another food will become available before this one starts to react too, so to keep him stable he is on long term pred.

Then I rescued Tessa and I was convinced it was food so started to fiddle again before thinking...noo don't go down that same track. I listened to the vet... as I should have when I got her. At first it didn't make sense as it had to be food. I am sure it is environemtal as well as food. Vet doesn't think food, but I am sure it plays a part with her. It is a long process and long story but she is getting better and but a long way off looking and probably feeling good.

The allergies not only effect her skin I am sure they make her feel awful. There is so much mnore to allergies and not an easy fix with some dogs.