[kiddsmom]

Derby does awful on Natural Balance foods. He was fed it for 3 years, but then developed problems with it, both their Potato and Duck and the Sweet Potato and Venison, has terrible colitis with them.

How did you determine your dog has problems with fish?

 

[kiddsmom]

He developed problems after 3 years? But he was fine up until then?

How did we determine the fish? I had him off of all egg product (I forget what food we were on at that point) and he did really well, his ears were clear for a long time. Then I read here about giving their dogs salmon, I think, as a treat. I think it was salmon...anyway, I did, and both ears flared up almost immediately. That was enough for me!! We avoid all fish product now....

He was on NB potao and duck up until all the food recalls. I stuck with them through the recalls, but shortly after, he developed problems. Cost me a small fortune in vet bills, thinking he had Giardia, though tests came back negative. Finally just switched him cold turkey, poops cleared up in 2 days. Then last year, thought I would give them another chance. Tried the Sweet Potato and Venison, did a gradual switch. Within 2 days after being on the food 100%, mucus and blood in stools. I'm done with NB.

As for your Salmon treats, maybe it was something else in the treat? Where they made in China. From what I remember, one you were feeding EVO, which has some fish in it, but also had egg. I mentioned that some dogs have issues with egg. That's when you switched back to Purina.

Have you ever tried a food that did have fish, but no egg? Also, do you give any supplements such as joint supplements. Some of those contain soy products.

 

[kiddsmom]

Did you ever have his thyroid checked?

 

[kiddsmom]

Also, left ear means liver. http://www.consumerhealth.org/articles/display.cfm?ID=20060228185653

EAR INFECTION If the right ear is often infected , the right ear signifies the immune system. The left ear signifies the liver. The left ear is often periodic, spring and fall. The right ear will often flare up during the change of seasons, especially from winter to early summer when the temperature suddenly goes from -25 degrees to 40 degrees above F. That's very hard on the immune system. The Chinese herb for that is astragalus, which is a pretty safe herb. I quite often use bee propolis or goldenseal to kill bugs in the ear. If it's only one ear, it's an organ system that's involved.

 

[kiddsmom]

Chronic ear infections go along with hypothyroidism.