Itchie dog - Page 1

About 1.5 months ago I noticed our, now 1 year old female, was shedding excessively and seemed to be scratching more than normal.  Even though she had recently come in to season (explains shedding) I checked with a few friends who use the same food.  I was concerned that the new formula of Canidae may be causing issues.  As no issues were found in the other dogs and her coat was shiny/healthy I chose to wait it out.  The shedding subsided, as much as can be expected with a shepherd but the scratching continued.  Again coat was fine so I did not panic. 

Last weekend a friend gave the dog one of those huge smoked dino bones (best guess it is pork).  Since then the scratching has worsened.  The bone was promptly removed (Tuesday).  Thursday evening I noticed the poor wee dog has pulled hair off a few (3) spots.  There is skin irritation in at least 1 location (flakey/scabs).  Looking closely there is also top coat damage from scratching.  Friday morning I grabbed a small bag of Natural Balance Duck and Potato.  I picked this food because it is a single, unusual protein and I had good luck with it with a previous dog.  

She has had 4 meals and much to my surprise has not experienced any ill effects from switching foods so quickly (yet, anyway).  Itching has reduced but is still VERY present. 

To add insult to injury she was bit by a bug of some sort Friday that caused local swelling.  This has happened previously and is treated with Benadryl.  It also makes perfect sense as we have been torturing the local bugs with some excavation (tee-hee).   The Benadryl reduced the itching and made her sleepy (of course).

I have a few questions:

How long before the old food (or bone) is out of the dog’s system?

Anyone experience issues with Canidae life stages?

What other causes for the itching should I be considering?  (She is treated with Advantage plus monthly)

Are smoked bones really just smoked bones or are they coated with anything?

Here is some general information based on discussion/questions in previous posts:  While I am certainly not opposed to raw, I’m a lazy ass and would prefer to stay with a kibble of some sort. 

Oops ran out of space...

The dog has been swimming (3 weeks ago) but the 3 dogs with her are fine.  No environmental changes other than the landscaping.  Cleaning products have not changed (laundry soap etc)

Thanks in advance

I had this with my dog ie pulling chunks of fur out and big sore spots, I took him to a dermatologist and found he is allergic to different tree and weed pollens he is now on auto immune therapy and change of food to wafcol salmon and potato,

I have had no probs on the itches since its worth a try.

Try a grain free kibble if you can find it - don't know where you are located, so I don't know what your options are, but here in the U.S. we have a couple to choose from - I used to feed Taste of the Wild before I switched to raw. (Innova Evo is another.) Canidae did indeed change its formula, I've seen a number of negative postings since.........

I never feed any bones which have been processed in any way - just the natural ones. Better to get a nice big knuckle bone from your butcher..........

Thanks Anja and Waya. 

Grain free next, good idea thanks.  I was thinking that or holistic.  

If required I will suck it up and go the dermatologist route however I was hoping to avoid the cost.  At this point the spots are small it would take a keen eye to see them without guidance. One must really look to find them.   I think the hair is being broken, rather than ripped out as there are still short hairs covering the patches.  For the most part the spots are free of 'sores' although, as mentioned at least one has some irritation, I guessing from the chewing itself.  I have applied polysporin.

Has your dog been recently vaccinated?  recently  can be within the last 3 - 6 months.  Dogs "show" immune system damage as allergies.  For my dog the allergies started almost immediately after his last round of vax.  After swtiching to raw and enlisting the help of a homeopath the itching has nearly stopped. 

As the self-problaimed lazy ass you are not doing right for your dog.  Following a prey-model diet preparation is no more difficult than opening a package of store-bought meat and giving it to your dog.  Get with me privately if you need more information on feeding properly.

I have recently done a lot of research on dog food give orijen a try it is the best food on the market and grain free.

also there is a spot on called advocate it kills everything ticks lice mites worms all in one go

hope this helps

Ocoey,

Don't know if this will help or not but I got a GSD who might have a minor flea allergy who was totally infested with fleas when I got him.  He'd chewed sores all over himself, severely on his rear end resulting in yeast and bacterial infection.  While getting his skin back in good condition (over two months later we are finally getting some clarity and good hair regrowth, few sores) and getting him past the itching, we used Atarax.  It's a prescription drug for itching, rashes, allergies.  I was shocked when my vet prescribed it because it's the same thing I keep in stock for myself because I'm allergic to poison oak, ivy, and sumac, and I have all them on my property so my doctor finally just told me to not bother coming in any more because I get it so much and gave me a script.  Anyway, worked wonders on the chewing and itching.  It's kind of expensive but you might try it for a week and see if it helps...then use it only when your dog is itching.  I did Natural Balance Venison and Potato because I thought he had a food allergy (turns out it's IBD) and his skin loooked good on it but he was losing much needed weight (he was in pretty bad shape when I got him).  Now we're on EVO Red Meat with great luck, but I'm not happy with the protein content and looking for something new, with 20%+ fat as he's now still too lean for me and started Schutzhund so he needs the boost.  I live in the middle of nowhere and have no idea how to have my dog allergy tested or I would do it just to be absolutely certain he has IBD (but he does have all the symptoms of IBD and diet doesn't seem to affect it).  Good luck and you're welcome to email me privately at nwilz@aol.com if there's anything I can help you with or if you want to know all we went through getting his skin under control.

Good luck and take care,

Nichole 

Wow, you guys are great.  Thank you all for your advice and offers for assistance. 

Vaccines are due in December, our last shot was just under a year ago. 

Orijen, check!  As I recall (from the issues I have with the previous dog) it is slighly less expensive than Evo.  I too don't love the protein content of Orijen or Evo for that matter.  Weight (Natural Balance) will be a concern as the dog is lean already. 

Advocate, would this be similar to Advantage multi (heartworm plus, flea etc)?  Looking at the Bayer site I think the difference is that Advantage contains heart worm...is that correct? 

Flea allergy photos I found on research are extreme compared to what we have going on (thank goodness).  In fact I tried to take a photo but the affected areas don't show up! I'll keep Atarax in mind! 

Ocoey,to answer your question it can take UP TO 12weeks to totally stop itching if its a food allergy OR intolorance.I have been and am currently going through the same thing with one of my boys.You must not give any kind of treats or food of any kind other than the food you are feeding and there treat version which i know they make as well.I would just try this food you're on for the duration instead of switching which will only prolong it.If you go with a grain free food then you are upping the protein to more than 30 % and you will be more than likely into more ingredients as well.Do you have an idea if its chicken that your dog is allergic to?That seems to be one of the more likely sources usually although it could even be something like say flax.As far as that bone,I wont comment because i just dont give that kind of stuff anyway.I give my boy with the allergy a bone from Nylabone that is green in the middle and no food source in it.These kinds of problems are a nightmare and take alot of patience.I went to a specialist only to be told to try the same food you are presently feeding and oh yea with a 600.00 bill attached.Hope this helps.Oh by the way have you ruled out scabies or things of that nature?