Comments for Allergy Dog Central

Comment on Dog Food Allergies? Try Simplified Diet and Limited-ingredient Dog Food. by Kathy H.

Kathy H. — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:44:35 +0000

Hi Caroline. Thanks for this post. So far, it looks like Elsie’s food is clear – we just checked her bag today. I think we’ll stick with it – it took us so long to find a food that worked. I’ll just need to keep up on any additional recalls.

Comment on Dog Food Allergies? Try Simplified Diet and Limited-ingredient Dog Food. by Caroline

Caroline — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:34:47 +0000

Have you changed Elsie’s food due to the recent recall of Natural Balance foods (and all food manufactured by Diamond)? My dog has been eating Natural Balance due to allergies. I am trying to find a substitute as a result of the recalls and due to the addition of peas to Natural Balance’s food (to which my dog has a low level allergy).

Comment on Dog Allergy Testing and Allergy Shots by Kathy H.

Kathy H. — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:24:24 +0000

Mel, I also hope your pup is in the 65-85%! It may take several months before you start to see any results – so hang in there. I know how frustrating it can be. Good luck and keep us posted!

Comment on Dog Allergy Symptoms by Kathy H.

Kathy H. — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:20:57 +0000

Hi Tom. Thanks for writing. We haven’t experienced nasal discharge with Elsie, but I’ve also learned that dogs have so many different reactions to allergies. The paw licking and the dark pigmented spots on the belly certainly sound like allergy symptoms. Where does your dog sleep at night? If it is most prevalent in the morning, I wonder if she is allergic to something in her sleeping quarters? Possibly dust mites or the material she sleeps on? This is the tricky part – trying to figure out what exactly they are allergic to.

Comment on Dog Allergy Testing and Allergy Shots by Mel H

Mel H — Sat, 05 May 2012 05:19:40 +0000

I have an 8.5 year old Golden Retriever going through this at the moment! Rescued her in January (she had a very bad ear infection, her ear canals are very swollen from constant infections throughout her life) and once spring came she started licking and chewing constantly. Had VARL testing done about a month ago after no response to Vanectyl P, Benedryl or Prednisone for her itching. Somewhat patiently awaiting our vials so we have start hyposensitization and HOPE that we are in 65-85% (*fingers crossed*)!!!! The poor girl is covered in hot spots from licking, has no fur left between her toes from chewing, has constant ear infections and is just itchy all of the time and very unhappy your story definitely gives me hope!

Comment on Dog Allergy Symptoms by Tom

Tom — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:18:29 +0000

I noticed that you did not mention anything about nasal discharge or sneezing. Our 12 year old yellow lab mix began coughing and sneezing a lot about 2 years ago. It eventually developed into bouts of her sneezing out thick, yellowish mucous from her nose. This is most prevalent in the mornings, but she also has occasional bouts during the day too. The severity seems to come and go from day to day. She also licks her paws a lot, and I have noticed some dark pigmented spots on her belly lately. We are not really seeing any hair loss. We had her fully checked out by the vet last year – x-rays of her lungs and nasal passages, a nasal scope, rounds of antibiotics. They finally said she has “rhinitis”, which simply means nasal inflammation. We are convinced that she has allergies, but have not seen anyone relating these specific symptoms to allergies. Has anyone else had a dog diagnosed with an allergy that is having nasal discharge issues like this? Thanks! Great site!

Comment on Dog Allergy Stories. Clayton, the American Pit Bull Terrier. by Kathy H.

Kathy H. — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:34:40 +0000

Hi Cassie – that’s great to hear! I’ve heard that others have had good results with homemade meals. I’ll bet Clayton loves the meals too! That’s interesting that you mention canned pumpkin. I’ve recently heard that it’s great for digestion. Thanks for the update.

Comment on Dog Allergy Stories. Clayton, the American Pit Bull Terrier. by Cassie

Cassie — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:36:50 +0000

Just another update! Clayton was still getting frequent “flare ups” and I was so upset at having to watch him be miserable. To get an idea of the cost, I asked my vet to make some homemade diet recipes so I could see if it would fit into my budget. Imagine my surprise when one of the recipes called for canned tuna and potato! I knew I could afford that!! The supplements are a bit pricey ($45/month) but its SO worth it. Combined with the new diet, and a anti-yeast product called Nzymes, he’s doing AMAZING! It’s completely changed him! He even got into the cat food once and only chewed his knee once! He doesn’t get the intense flare ups he used to! He still has trouble digesting his food (I find whole chunks of potato in his stool) but maybe down the road when I have more money (currently dealing with a health issue with my other dog) I’ll address his digestion. But for now, tuna and potato, Nzymes, probiotics, and canned pumpkin for digestion are apparently the key! He’s a much happier dog, and despite it taking me about 15-20 minutes to prepare each meal, I couldn’t be happier with the outcome!

Comment on Dog Allergy Testing and Allergy Shots by Kathy H.

Kathy H. — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:38:10 +0000

Hi Nancy. Thanks for sharing Jilly’s story. It sounds like allergy testing and allergy shots really made a difference.

Comment on Dog Allergy Testing and Allergy Shots by Nancy Makowski

Nancy Makowski — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:15:45 +0000

I have a very healthy 2 year long coat german shepherd. She was quite itchey at a year old and only Hydroxloline, 3X daily controlled the itch. The vet dermatologist told my vet to do the VARL blood testing and sure enough, Jilly was allergic to a few pollens, low grade and fleas. The allergy shots are VERY worth it. Her vet put her on a fish and potato diet kibble and canned. I use Wellness and he told me not to give her grains as when we did the food trial in the beginning for 3 months, grain seemed to make her itchey. I bathe her in oatmeal shampoo and conditioner twice a month and keep Advantage 11 on her all year along. She is almost 100% non symtimatic. Her itch level is 0.1 all the time. I highky recommend allergy testing and shots. Shots are easy and quick to gice, small needles too. Vet will show you how it’s done,.