It has been almost a year since we won Apollo’s battle of the creepy cruddy ears.  After a long and tenuous battle against a chronic ear infection that turned into a very serious gram negative antibiotic resistant pseudomonas infection.  After countless consults, cultures and trials and error it was determined that this exaggerated problem had a simple, yet insideous root cause… Food Allergies!  How could this be?  He was 4 1/2 when the problem started. How could something like this develop in the middle of his life?

These are all too familiar questions many dog owners ask after chronic ear infections, intolerable itching, red sores, horrendous gas/diarrhea and/or patchy baldness crop up out of no where in otherwise healthy adult dog.  So the symptoms have cropped up, now what?  Dr. Susan Wright, DVM, resident veterinarian for Dog Fence DIY offers her advise and shed some light on food allergies.

Food Allergies

by guest author Dr. Susan Wright, DVM

Food allergy is a very common cause of skin inflammation in dogs. It can cause itching and reddening all over the body. Because these changes are happening on the skin, it allows the harmless bacteria that normally live there to multiply, causing infection. This makes the problem worse.

Here are the facts about food allergies in dogs.

1. It’s common, and it often occurs in conjunction with other allergies, such as flea allergy, or an allergy to plant pollens in the air. This means that if you manage the symptoms of one allergy, you often reduce the severity of the other.

2. Food allergy in dogs can be managed without drugs, providing you put the effort into finding out what he’s allergic to, and keeping it out of his dinner bowl. This sounds like hard work, and it is.

3. Dogs aren’t allergic to something new you’ve just added to his diet. The problem is something he’s been eating for several years. Wheat, beef, lamb or dairy products are often problem foods for dogs.

4. The only way to tell if your dog does in fact have food allergy is to perform a food trial. This means you need to figure out a source of protein and also a carbohydrate source he’s never eaten before. If he’s never eaten it before, he’s not going to be allergic to it.

5. Feed him this for 6-8 weeks. Nothing else. No treats, no kibble, no toast crusts. It’s hard, and he will look at you with his soulful eyes, asking for a treat from your plate. Don’t give in. Keep in mind that you’re doing him a favor. If his skin improves, you know his diet is playing a role in his itchy skin.

6. At this point, you start adding the components of his regular diet to his meal. However, you only do it one at a time. So, for two weeks, feed him beef. If he is fine, then you can keep feeding him beef. If he starts scratching again, then you know he can’t have beef any more. Do this with several foods, and make a note of the results. You’ll end up with a list of foodstuffs that don’t make your dog itch, and another list of foods that your dog just can’t eat any more.

7. Throughout this process, work closely with your vet, because there may be times that his skin develops an infection from the bacteria that normally reside on his skin. He may need antibiotics or medicated shampoos to clear this up.

For the rest of your dog’s life, only feed him foods that are on your safe list. That way, he’s less likely to have that constant itching and scratching that comes with food allergies. There’s no guarantee he won’t become allergic to one of his safe foods in the future, but you know what you have to do.

Managing our dog’s food allergy in this way is labor intensive and time consuming. However, it’s much safer than treating him with medication that can have side effects, and may not completely solve the problem. Your dog is worth the effort.

This guest post is brought especially to you by Dog Fence DIY’s staff veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright, DVM. Dog Fence DIY will help you choose the right underground fence system that you are looking for. They are wonderful with all the steps involved in the purchase, installation, and training of your new pet containment system. Be sure to visit Dog Fence DIY for all your pet containment needs and questions.

Howdy all!  Its been a long time since I have updated the blog, which I apologize profusely.  Time constraints and well, laziness have been my downfall as of late.  All six of the dogs are doing well and have become much more active now that the weather has started to cool.  I cant believe that winter is steadily marching towards us. I have a really fun upcoming event at the end of October in a burb of Chicago.  Rufus and I will again be making the trek up north to visit with our buddy Basja and attending a Pumpkin Parade and Festival.  Rufus has his backpack and Sew Crazy Dog Lady “pumpkin patch” collar from last year at the ready.  I also have a little gem waiting in the wings called “DIA DE LOS MUERTOS”  - its fancy!  I cant wait to post pictures of Brutus and Rufus in them on November 1st (dia de los muerutos - day of the dead, Mexico)

I will post pictures from our LAST trip to Chicago tomorrow, they are LONG over do!  The pool party pics are the best!

Its great to be back blogging again.  I’ve miss you all!

My blogging hiatus will be over September 14th when I get back from my final Summer Trip… Back to the regularly scheduled blogging!  Lots to share…..  Miss you all!

xoxo

I am a collar-a-holic, I admit it, I need help! Kinda’ like how most women spend on shoes and purses, I spend (and I am sure nowhere near the $$$) on collars and it makes me happy! I just can’t pass up a great collar. Recently I found a new company called Dean and Tyler online that offers the most beautiful, top of the line, posh leather collars, harnesses and muzzles.  They even cater to the “plus sized” dog. I can’t even tell you how hard it is to find beautiful things for big giant dogs.  

Rufus looks so smart in his new collar.

I visited their website for several days admiring the images. I contemplated the nuances of each style, comparing the intricate details and specs. I imagined how each of the designs would look on the boys and how the leather would smell and feel in my hands. I found myself staring at the computer screen daydreaming about them … were we starting a love affair? lol.

I have purchased a ton of gorgeous, fancy collars for my dogs but still had not taken the plunge and bought expensive posh leather ones for the Saint Bernards.  I have actually been a little afraid to drop that much money on a leather collar and have it show up looking like so many of those cheap pleather messes I have seen in many of the pet boutiques.   The Dean & Tyler product pictures were amazing and they looked top of the line so decided I would take my chances.

I narrowed it down my choices to two designs (Plaited Perfection and Tylers Vintage) and it was time to pull the trigger, choose wisely grasshopper. I choose the Tylers Vintage in the 25-27” XL size. Yes, bully breed and big dog owners… they actually carry big boy sizes in stock! Hey Mango… tell mama she needs to get you some fancy new duds!

I was in desperate need of another leather leash as well. I only leather one I had; I got at the expo in Chicago in March. That decision was a lot easier though, they offer exactly what I was looking for. The Braidy Bunch; a ¾” 5 foot leather leash with braiding on the handle and clip to give it extra durability - functional, stylish and elegant.

Satisfied with my choices I sat back and waited for my prized purchase. I expected to wait 6 to 8 weeks for it to ship, and much to my surprise it came in about 2 weeks. .The box arrived and I couldn’t wait to open it.  The anticipation washed over me as I tore open the box.  What I found inside was nothing short of magical.  The collar was sooo much nicer than anything I had even imagined.  It’s thick, buttery handmade leather and embellished with elegant antique brass plates.  The quality and workmanship is superb.  It felt absolutely exquisite in my hands. The photos on the site clearly don’t do the products justice. I love the collar so much I just ordered a second one for Brutus so the boys will match (stay tuned for a picture of them both wearing their BIG BOY BLING!) I could go on and on about how excellent they are, but don’t take my word for it, see for yourself.  Dean & Tyler product are certainly worth every red cent - you won’t be disappointed, I promise.

Dean and Tyler has been gracious enough to offer the Its the Dogs Life readers a 25% discount on all their products, in all their shops; collars, harnesses and leashes.  When ordering enter DOGSLIFE in the coupon code box to receive 25% off your entire purchase.