New vet, new diagnosis

[Docster512]

Hi ya'll. Doc and I just moved to Spokane Washington from Austin Texas. Talk about a big change. I went into to a new vet yesterday to get Doc's routine anal glad expression. The vet didn't seem all that worried that his anal glands filled up fast. She was more concerned of his scooting behavior. She checked him out, and noticed that his skin was pinkish with occasional spots. She then said that she beleived he had allergies. She said that could be a reason why he scoots a lot and scratches/bites a lot too. He has one hot spot and I just always assumed he dogs scratched themselves a lot.She told us to switch foods first to help eliminate the problem. My question is:
1) He was on California Natural lamb and rice before, and now is only California Natural Herring and Sweet Potatoes. Has anyone ever had a dog that was allergic to lamb? Has anyone tried this new herring and sweet potatoes food?
2) How can he be diagnosed with allergies when a doctor never mentioned this before?
3) How safe is Benedryl 50 mg twice a day?
4) Since he's been on the Herring and Sweet potatoes he's been passing some stinky gas alot. I got him some hollistic enzyme thing to assist with food transition. So can the gas be from the food itself or the transitioning??


Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

[Brandy and Charlie's Mom]

Been there, done that! Our first golden suffered from allergies her entire life. We moved around alot, and the differences in how the vets treated her were pretty dramatic. For instance, I'd spent 7 years treating symptoms without anyone saying they might be food-related.

Fast forward to Brandy, who also has food allergies. She also had really bad gas whenever we switched foods. Give it about a month, and it should resolve on its own. Or as they say, "This too shall pass." :laugh2

Anyone, including people, can develop allergies to foods that previously gave them no problems. I've heard of some dogs who were allergic to lamb and chicken, for example. For others, lamb was the only thing that did NOT give them itchies!

Sounds like you've got a good vet now. Many aren't even willing to consider food allergies as a problem.

Benadryl is safe to give, and you can use the generic brand. You might also try the generic chlorpheneramine. It's usually just marked "Antihistamine" on the package. A golden can tolerate 2-4 of those tablets daily.

Good luck!

[Jo Ellen]

I used to live in Spokane -- yes, quite a change from Austin ... wait til the winter sets in !! :eek:

Allergies can be caused from a number of things ... food, airborn factors (like nicotine), pollen, certain fabrics. Yes, your dog can be allergic to lamb.

You didn't say how old your dog is. Allergic dogs usually start displaying symptoms after their first year but really, allergies can develop at anytime.

Hotspots can be caused by allergies but can also be caused by heat and humidity, a scratch compounded by bacteria .... hotspots are difficult to trace as far as what causes them.

Do you use Gold Bond Medicated Powder? If you use this powder when a hot spot first begins to form, you probably will be able to nip it in the bud. Keep your golden's nails filed smooth so it's not so easy for them to break open their skin when they scratch. I use a heavy-duty nail file, for acryllic nails, the soft side. I also don't leave my dog's collar on when she's inside -- I do think that helps too.

The gas could be from the food, or from the food transition. It's hard to tell. I would stick with the new food for at least 6 weeks .. that's about how long it takes for your dog's system to acclimate.

50mg of benedryl twice a day is fine. You probably won't even notice any effects. But you do realize the benedryl will only treat the symptoms of whatever is bothering your dog.

Since the vet diagnosed your dog with allergies, did they recommend allergy testing to find out exactly what your dog is allergic to? Sometimes this can help narrow down the problems -- but it can be expensive.

It's not altogether uncommon for golden retrievers to have anal gland issues. I'm kind of surprised your vet was concerned about the scooting but not the filling up part -- aren't they related ??

[Brandy and Charlie's Mom]

The scooting is usually a good sign that the anal glands are full. But if the vet checked them, and they were empty, that's when he probably started suspecting something else.

BTW, both Spokane and Austin are beautiful parts of the world. I've visited both, having lived in Seattle and Houston.

[johnwa]

Has anyone tried this new herring and sweet potatoes food?


--No, but if you search for it on the forums and check the d/b, you might get a hit on it.



How can he be diagnosed with allergies when a doctor never mentioned this before?

--That question is as old as Methuselah. Any number of reasons why. Perhaps this vet has more experience with allergies. Perhaps the other vet really didn’t think this course of action was worth pursuing. Who knows? If I take your vet’s diagnosis at face value, I would have to say that it sounds solid. The skin allergy is a distinct possibility. And it sounds like they suspect the core cause is diet, which is also possible.
Allergies can be tricky. The other causes of scooting could be worms or anal gland issues.



How safe is Benedryl 50 mg twice a day?


--I think I missed something. Why do you ask?



Since he's been on the Herring and Sweet potatoes he's been passing some stinky gas alot. I got him some hollistic enzyme thing to assist with food transition. So can the gas be from the food itself or the transitioning??


--Well, it could be caused by the food. He’s probably having a hard time digesting it, resulting in the gas. And yes, it could also be the transition to the new food. You can give activated charcoal tables, which will absorb the excess gas.

[Docster512]

Thanks for all the replies. It really helps!!
Did ya'll know that when you scratch your dog in a certain area and he/she kicks its back foot, it's because of the intensity of their allergies? I'm not sure if that is true, but that is what my vet told me. Dogs that didn't have allergies don't kick that foot when being scratched...any opinions?

[Brandy and Charlie's Mom]

That one's hard to believe.

[Jo Ellen]

I don't believe that. Did your vet really tell you that?

Seems to me all dogs do that ... or all the dogs I've known so I would say at least most do.

[Docster512]

Yeah she actually said it. I was recommended to this vet too. I dislike having to find new vets especially if you've already found an awesome one before. Doc's itching/redness got a lot better , but yesterday we gave him a piece of garlic and some chicken and he was really red with spots again. SO..i'm thinking he ate something that made him red? I swear he was getting better...