[cch]

Hi,
I am a new owner to a 2.5 year old labradoodle. The previous owner said he doesn't shed and is allergic to chicken and lamb. His symptom with this allergy is itching. I was given natures recipe fish meal and venison/potato to feed him. These actually have chicken fat in them.
I have come down a 2 month long road and need help. He seems allergic to all meats. I am actually MAKING his dog food now (brown rice flour). I have tried rabbit, beef, duck, turkey, chicken, lamb, venison and bison. There is hair all over the house from his constant scratching. He doesn't seem to want to eat anything with fish in it. And he sheds alot in between. I tried legumes and started with chick peas-he itched constantly for 2 days until it went through him. He stabilizes on the brown rice but I don't know of a protein source other than eggs that suits him. Any ideas? I have had him to a dermatologist and went the whole gammet-he also has Atopy-and is on allergy shots. Its alot to handle. Help!

 

[cch]

The canine dermatologist did the skin tests and came up with the 3 things the dog is allergic to. We started shots and did the whole protocal of antiobiotics, steroid, ear drops/cleanser and bathing. I have seen improvement in the itching in the last week when he is eating the brown rice bread I am making, so maybe the shots are starting to work. We have been off steroids for 2.5 weeks and finished the last antibiotic Wednesday.

 

[cch]

Allergy

I got a 2nd opinion phone consult from another pet dermatologist and wanted to pass on some info. She gave me a reliable vegetarian recipe for dog food. She told me to bathe him in Aveeno oatmeal shampoo for people and said that it shouldn't dry his skin further-even with a bath once a week (we'll see). Importantly, the heart-worm preventative that Angus's previous owner gave me (he has been on it all his life) is the CHEWABLE kind. The allergist said it is a BIG no no. Has animal protein in it, I think Beef. And Angus did have a big flare up in itching last week-but I associated it with the new food I was trying. I need to get the regular kind. Whoever told me to contact the Doodle Zoo-thanks-I have gotten alot of great info there as well. And thanks to the person that mentioned the dog might be stressed with a new home, etc. I am being more careful about that too. He was not as healthy as I thought he was when I got him, was eating food for years he was allergic to, heartworm med he was allergic to, and was brought to a home with alot more activity than he's used to. He is such a really great dog, other than the allergies...I would highly recommend this breed for its intelligence, demeanor, gentleness, etc.

PS:can I put Angus's picture on here?