Dr. Melissa

[BeagleMum]

I thought that I would share this with all of you. This is the question that I had sent to Dr. Melissa.


Question: I have a 1.5 year old beagle named Spencer who has suffered from food and seasonal allergies since a very early age. He has been to many vets and drematologists but no one can pin point what the cause is and they don't suggest doing an allergy test. I have tried almost everything to determine what he is allergic to with no success (allergy food, elimination diet, you name it...). I am not sure what he is allergic to exactly but I suggest that it may be a wheat since he has a huge reaction to Milk Bones. I have found that on certain foods, I am able to keep him from getting ear infections but I never seem to be able to releive him of the itching. He is currently just getting over 2 ear infections from being on Solid Gold Barking At The Moon dog food. I have since switched him to Dick Van Paten's Duck formula and he seems to be getting better but again, the scratching just won't subside. Is there a specific food that you normally suggest for a dog who is believed to have food allergies?

Answer: I normally will use either Science Diet Z/D or D/D because they are both readily available through most veterinary clinics. I do also like IVD venison and potato or whitefish and potato, but that diet is harder to buy. When pets are on the food trial, I will only have them eat that food for 6 weeks. If the skin looks better, then I will slowly introduce foods to see what they can tolerate. So if his skin looks great, give him a little chicken and wait a few weeks. If his skin still looks fine, you can feed him chicken. I have to tell you that he probably has a combination of food and inhalant allergies. A dermatologist can do intradermal skin testing, but normally, you will find that pets are allergic to 20 different things that are out of your control. House dust mites and certain molds and pollens are leading causes. You might see that the summer is worse than the winter. For the relief with the scratching, get some of our Fish Oil product. The omega 3 fatty acids will benefit his skin greatly after being on it for a month. Also, bathe him with our Oatmeal Shampoo at least once a week. That will make him feel more comfortable. You can also use our Itch Relief Spray on specific spots he is scratching. If he is still very itchy, you will want to call your vet and let them know. You may need to request that they get some cortisone for him or let you know what antihistamine you can use based on his weight.

[Kandy]

Seems like a very thorough and thoughtful answer. Cool! I can't wait to start bugging her! J/K Angel -

[BeagleMum]

I find it funny that she suggested the same food as what my vet suggested over a year ago but I have never tried it.

I am thinking that I may try that one next if the DVP doesn't work. My vet does carry it so it would be very easy to get. The problem that I am having with the DVP is getting Spencer to actually eat it. He is more interested in eating Sydney's food and she wants to eat his. He runs over to her dish and grabs mouthfulls and swallows without chewing the second that I turn my back. The only good thing is that she is also on a duck & potato formula so he really in theory shouldn't react to that either.

So, I don't know why I have waited so long to consider the Hills ZD. I should at least try it, no?

[Kandy]

It seems like there are lots of vets offices that carry Science Diet products, and they seem to recommend them more often than not for their patients. I have to wonder if they don't get a kick back from Hills for it.

I don't think its a really bad food, I just don't think its the greatest out there. I took it from her answer that she was suggesting that food because its easier to find than some others, and I would imagine that the vets have seen more evidence that it works than they may see with other foods. It probably wouldn't hurt to try it, but you may find that you want to supplement it more than you would other foods.

As far as them eating each others food - I would imagine its because they each think the other is getting something better. I didn't want to have to play referee with our dogs, so they all get the same food, even though Malone doesn't need the extra calories - its Parker that I wanted to have on the Mmillenia. Once he's gained enough weight, I'll probably switch them all to WolfKing or something. I stand there while they eat though because Malone will eat whatever Hazel leaves in her bowl (if any) and he doesn't need any more than what he's already getting.

[Angeleyes]

I'm glad she answered you so quickly and she sounds right! Not for nothing, food allergies are only half the battle and most dogs with food allergies also have environmental. Therefore, you may have already solved his food allergy problem- but the environmental ones will continue to bother him unless you get treatment for it.

I say do what you have to do. I wouldn't leave him on Hill's for long term though... yet if you want to try it to be sure you are eliminating the proper things... I say go for it.

I definitely think the oatmeal baths would help too!

[MafiaPrincess]

They often do get a kickback. Ex roomie's dad is a vet. Got kickbacks from iams, eukanuba, and off hills too.

The ingredients in the z/d are so crappy I see more nutrition in a trashcan... Also involves stuff that are often allergens. soybean oil in an allergy food. Right.

You'd be better off getting enviro and food allergy testing at this point.

Once again, vets generally have 4 hours of nutrition or so in school.

Z/D ingredients:
Dried Potato Product, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Potato Starch, Soybean Oil (preserved with BHA, propyl gallate and citric acid), Hydrolyzed Chicken, Powdered Cellulose, Calcium Sulfate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement,
Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Calcium Carbonate, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), DL-Methionine, Taurine, Ethoxyquin (a preservative), Beta-Carotene.

[StaceyB]

I too believe he may have food and environmental allergies. I would keep him on the food that he has had the best results with and get the environmental allergy test done or see what the most common enviro allergens affect dogs and see what you can control.

[Angeleyes]

Originally Posted by MafiaPrincess

They often do get a kickback. Ex roomie's dad is a vet. Got kickbacks from iams, eukanuba, and off hills too.

They ALWAYS get a kick back, lol- seriously. I've worked for my vet and worked with other vets... all have gotten kickbacks. It's the way the industry works!

I've suggested the allergy testing- as it saved Maximus. I do agree with you though Mafia. I refused to put Maximus on Hill's when it was suggested to me- instead I opted for the allergy testing. But that is not to discourage you BM, whatever you choose to do I'm sure will be with Spencer's best interests in mind.

[Melinda]

our vet gets so many free bags for every order (not sure how many in an order) that he sells, he does it for the humane society, they get the free bags, but he will not say "your pet should be on....." If you want it, it's there, if not, then fine.

[Angeleyes]

Originally Posted by Melinda

our vet gets so many free bags for every order (not sure how many in an order) that he sells, he does it for the humane society, they get the free bags, but he will not say "your pet should be on....." If you want it, it's there, if not, then fine.

That's great- my vet knows I won't buy it so now I get an unbiased opinion. However, there were times where I think I did get a bias opinion and it annoys me, lol.