my dads american cocker spaniel has loose stools and is often sick, she also has itchy ears ,chin and paws. could this be a food allergy and if so how do we find out what she is allergic to and what can we feed her.
if the dog is being fed food with corn or wheat as an ingredient in it then it is very likely food allergies. the symptoms you described sound like allergies
December 29th, 2008 at 8:05 am
It can be. Talk to your vet about starting an elimination diet.
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December 29th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Yes it could be a food allergy. Finding out what she is allergic to is a process of elimination. Corn is one of the most common allergies so you may want to start with a diet free of corn. However the quickest thing to do is switch her to diet designed for dogs with allergies which have a unique meat and carb source such as herring, venison or kangaroo and sweet potato or oatmeal. These formulas are available from many makers of premium and super premium dog foods.
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December 29th, 2008 at 9:06 am
It could be the food. chances are the dog is allergic to either Wheat, corn or soy. Check the food you feed and look to see if it is full of grains such as Corn, corn gluten, wheat, wheat gluten, rice, soy protein etc. If the food has those then chances are it’s the food you are feeding so you would need to look for a food that is 100% allergen and grain free. Examples of those foods are: Orijen, Solid Gold - Bark at the moon, Pinnacle Trout & Sweetpotato, Pinnacle Duck & Potato, Wellness Core, Artemis, Merrick, Timberwolf and The Honest Kitchen.
compare your food to others at http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com and see where it rates. It will take a month or more for you to notice a difference so don’t be quick to change again after only 2 weeks.
also you can have them tested at the vets to see if it is food allergies. I know of a dog that is allergic to everything BUT food so try that first and see how she goes after about a month or so. If still the same then chances are it’s not food, but it’s the cheapest way to start eliminating what the problem might be.
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December 29th, 2008 at 9:50 am
the most common allergens in pet food are corn and soy. you might (with your vet’s help) consider cutting these two things first.
dont switch the dog to a new food right away, switch it gradually so that its stomach does not become more upset.
i have an older lab mix who is a rescue dog and he is allergic to many different foods. he does well with lamaderm, which has no corn or soy and is lamb and rice based.
some dogs can also be allergic to preservatives, so you might consider a raw diet.
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December 29th, 2008 at 10:22 am
if the dog is being fed food with corn or wheat as an ingredient in it then it is very likely food allergies. the symptoms you described sound like allergies
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December 29th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Allergies are caused by an immune system that overreacts to an everyday substance, such as fleas, pollen, or a certain food. The three most common culprits.
1. Atopic dermatitis is genetic. An affected dog inherits a tendency to develop skin problems from pollens, grasses and trees, dust mites, or mold spores.
2. Flea allergy - an allergy to blood-sucking fleas–or rather, to their saliva–is the single most common skin disease in dogs.
3. Food allergy - dogs can be allergic to several types of food, but the most common triggers are chicken, beef, corn, or wheat–all typical ingredients in commercial dog food.
A visit to the vet is in order if you spot these allergy warning signs:
* Frequent scratching, licking, and chewing
* Recurring skin or ear infections
* Red, thick, or flaky skin
* Hair loss
* Chronic stomach upset
* Reverse sneezing (sounds a bit like the dog is inhaling sneezes)
Treatment plans vary depending on the allergy, but they usually involve medication, managing the environment to remove the allergen, or both. Hope this link will help.
http://dogtime.com/allergies-dog.html
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