Persistent skin allergies despite food switches - Page 2

Keep in mind when dogs have a flare up like this it takes approx 6 weeks to clear the system of whatever it is they are allergic to;  then you can truly figure out what is really doing it or possibly a combination of things.  Even meds like flea/tick prevention, heartgard/interceptor or any other heartworm preventative;  grass/flowers/trees; the list is endless and all can be contributors.  This information was given to me by an Oakdale Allergy specialists years ago when I had a bitch flare up and ripped all her hair (mainly her skirts) out down to the skin and kept ripping it out to the skin which then got all inflamed;  took months to clear this mess up.

Also, 2 of my 4 dogs cannot take any type of flax, no seed or oil in their food or treats they will itch like crazy within hours of eating it.  I don't know if this is in any of your treats or foods but beware.  Good luck  Nan

Hmmm. Pepsi hates anything fishy. 6 fish, salmon, I think he doesn't like the smell. Maybe he's a red meat or poultry guy haha.
Oks, we're a few days into the no rawhide thing, with salmon and oatmeal as exclusive food. He hates the food but I force it in. 

Also since he sleeps in a plastic surface, could it be contact allergies instead?
Would there be differing symptoms compared to food allergies?

Food accounts for less that 20% of allergies in dogs. Odds are it's something the dog is inhaling. After you get fed up with switching food and trying to figure out what's going on, take the dog to a veterianry dermatologist and have her skin tested.

I too have an allergy dog. Raw food is the one of the things that helped my girl with severe allergies. She was a a rescue and the poor girl couldn't stop scratching when I got her. After trying every food available I switched to raw and added digestive enzymes and micro encapsulated probiotic along with some cleansing herbs (under the direction if a holistic vet).  The only treats she gets is sweet potato treats grown and processed in the US. She very rarely has issues anymore . I also made a lot of changes inside my home- nothing with a scent, including cleaners, candles, perfumes, etc.  I try not to use any kind of pesticides in my house or on my dogs.  I cover her beds (orthopedic bed with a plastic cover- no cedar!)with organic sheets and wash them weekly. I've gone totally green, non-scented and organic, which I believe everyone in our house has benefitted from. On rare occasions she gets itchy and I still give her Temaril-P, but overall she is light years away from where she was four and a half years ago when I adopted her. I hope this helps.                                              

Treat for candida, then revisit the issue. Most of the time it's not straightforward food issues. 

orijen fish or orijen red.  have had very good results with both.
pjp

If your dog has food allergies, raw will mostly eliminate the problem. However if your dog has environmental allergies, food will NOT help. It will help if the dog has food/environmental allergies a little but if this (example) particular dog is allergic to pollen and lives in high pollen area, then benadryl every evening will help with the symptoms. 
Once you are on steroids, well most of the time these tretments have to be repeated at the highes allergen occurencies.

So first I would see if this really is a food allergy, but it seems that you have a little more of a problem on your hands (mold, pollen and others even maybe combo of those)

My advice would be raw food/ with benadryl to ease the symptoms and a vet who has some sort of holistic approach and ideas to help the dog in the worst times of the allergens.
Some people might be able to help more.

My first shepherd had severe allergies, both food and environmental.  I had him tested, I knew what he was allergic too.

There was only one food he tolerated, Anmar.  Then, that food was discontinued.

Desperate and nowhere to go, I started feeding him raw chicken backs and necks.  It went very well.  That first winter he only needed 1 shot of prednisone, oral steriods as needed and antihistamines.  But the food problem was solved.

The next winter he only needed occasional antihistamines.  From 6 years to 13 years he had a very good life and no more allergy crap.  My vet switched her dogs to raw food and never looked back.

Michele, Pharaoh and Mariah

gsd pACK RIGHT ON!!! Steph