Dog Food Question And Allergies.

elbykitty · #1 09-20-2006, 04:37 PM

Hello. I have not been here in a bit, been enjoying the summer. But here I am again with more boxer questions. Well Oscar got his allergy testing after having to deal with various infections(feet and ears) and I thought it just might be more cost effective to just get him tested. I was shocked by all his food allergies. Barley, venison, brewers yeast, carrots, Poultry, corn, Green peas, and eggs. We won't even get into the enviromental allergens. Well the only dry quality food I could find was California Natural, Lamb and Rice. I already feed him small portions with soft food of Innova and they have a wide selection Duck, Beef, Rabbit which seems to be ok just need to cut out the chicken one. So I am here to pick your brain on if anyone else has had any ideas on treats and possible dry food chooses. I would hate to cut out the yogurt and have to deal with the gas again but he had many mold and fungi allergies. Please help with any suggestions you have.
Thanks

**gmacleod** · #2 09-20-2006, 05:25 PM

All poultry? Even duck? Humm. Combined with the other requirements, that does rather cut down on your options.

Natural Balance's sweet potato and fish is one possibility for you: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...ct=171&cat=all
Canidae's new lamb/rice formula is another: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...duct=931&cat=4
Flint River Ranch lamb/millet/rice: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...duct=447&cat=4

I don't suppose you'd consider going raw? In some cases, a raw diet really helps to decrease allergy sensititvities. And even where it doesn't, it's a much simpler matter to control absolutely everything he consumes (and hence exclude the problematic ingredients).

SILLY6PAK · #3 09-20-2006, 06:30 PM

I also just had mu dog tested for allergies. They did not do food though. I thought they said tests were inconclosive with foods. Hmmm?? I wish they had. Anyway Jessie cannot have ANY dry food because of storage mites.
Are you going to do the allergy shots. I am although they said it is a good year before results are seen. On the plus side Jessie is much happier now off dry.

Good luck to you. I know what a pain it can be.

elbykitty · #4 09-21-2006, 04:49 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I knew you would come through with some other foods. I have thought about barf but just can't do it. I work full time and go to school part time. Any spare time is spent with the dogs, sometimes with Oscar louging across on my lap while I study. So barely have enough time to even eat myself. So I am for now sticking with a quality dry food. No he is not allergic to duck. They tested for that and many others. It just has Poultry mix down as a allergin so I assume that is just chicken. I haven't sat down with the vet yet and discussed options. Just the faxed copy of results and a quick phone call with vet asking if I wanted to order the serum now and why I should. I have not decided yet on the shots, but I am 90% there that I am gonna do it. I imagine there is a chance that it will not work but it is fairly inexpensive at $200 a year to try. And the cost of taking him in for ear and feet infections has exceeded that a long time ago. So I think I am ready to take the plunge and try the shots. Thanks again for the responses.

elbykitty · #5 09-21-2006, 04:52 AM

To clarify. The shots are not for foods allergens. Since you can only take them out of diet. The shots are for his many enviromental allergens. Sorry.

**gmacleod** · #6 09-21-2006, 06:22 AM

OK

Well, if duck is an option, then you've got a few more food options also. Natural Balance duck/potato is one: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...duct=169&cat=4
And Pinnacle duck/potato is another: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...duct=918&cat=4
Wellness also: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...duct=325&cat=4

If you ever do have to finally look to raw though, and if cost isn't an issue, then there is always the option of pre-made raw for dogs. It's expensive, sure, but it does solve the time/convenience issue.

elbykitty · #7 09-21-2006, 08:24 AM

Thank you for your response. I am aware of the unreliablity of food allergy testing. From my own experiences with allergy testing. With the skin test I had reactions where in the blood test did not show. We do know that when it says positive in the blood work that is reliable. But it does not always pick up all food allergies and that there may be more allergies to food . But it is a starting point because you have things that they definitely can not have. Then if still a reaction after eliminating those then you can have a smaller list of foods to eliminate and reintruduce into the diet. So in short that if it says positive than you know it is a no no but if it says negative those are the ones that you have to experiment with. So a much shorter list. I am sure you have heard the analogy of the bathtub. That you have a bathtub that is filled to a certian depth and every allergen you add brings it closer to overflowing. If you eliminate what you can then you can still have a high bathtub level but live comfortably. This is things that I have learned from my own allergies and luckily can apply them to Oscars. But it is frustrating because some are not so obvious. If they were like his reaction to corn and eggs and almost immediate stomach problems and diarhea than it would make it simpler. Thanks again for the responses they have given me much to think about,

elbykitty · #8 09-21-2006, 09:15 AM

sidhewl. On your prompting I did more research and you right it does have a high amount of false-positive results on the food test. Sorry I must have misunderstood what vet was telling me.