How to tell if the allergy is to food

[Pugpillow]

They won't respond to prednisone.  Says my traditional (not holistic) vet.

Just came back from the vet where 13 1/2 year old Kimmy got a clean bill of health - YIPPEE!!!  We were talking about her history of allergies and all the medications, allergy shots and different foods she had in her earlier years.  You might remember that Kimmy's experience was what got me started on food research.  She had many miserable years and almost died from atopical dermatitis and related complications before we discovered from a non-vet that she was allergic to grains in her food.  This, despite trying all the special commercial hypo-allergenic diets on the market.  My vet said today that he's given up on commercial non-allergenic diets and recommends home-cooked venison and potato.  He's also okay with raw, as I feed, as long as you know what you're doing.

Have I told you recently that I love my vet?

[Candace]

That is interesting. Salvador did respond to prednisone. I knew he had allergies to lots of things.
I recently decided to try and ween him off his 1/4 tablet, every other day. He is going to every 4th day, without any itchies. Maybe he has grown past his seasonal problems. Maybe his passion for eating sticks and hostas has boosted his immune system!

[lmcpug]

I certainly hope you can ween Salvador off the prednisone, Candace  for his health :lol:

[Candace]

I certainly hope you can ween Salvador off the prednisone, Candace  for his health

Actually, all his blood work has been amazing. It is such a small dose that it hasn't had adverse affects. That being said, I still would like to stop it if he isn't going to have the problems he use to. He would rub his chest raw, until it would bleed and just couldn't get comfortable. That was awful and not way for him to live. We went through many tests and he has been eating raw for 9 1/2 years, but still needed the small dose of pred. to get by.

[lmcpug]

Well I have to admit, I'm glad I never saw his poor raw tummy and chest
 Gotta luv Raw feeding

and yes, it would be definitely nice to get Sal off completely
Better off than on, no matter the dosage!

So go, Salvadorable, go

Hugs,
Lori and the senior pugmen!

[blanche]

Much like Salvador, Tank does take Pred occasionally and it does help with the itchies when nothing else seems to.  Not sure why, but it does.  Considering he was on massive daily doses and is now on 1.25 mgs every 5 to 7 days, I can live with that.  
Also like Salvador, Tank has allergies to tons of things and some big seasonal ones.

[Pugpillow]

I hate prednisone with every fibre of my being because I've seen what it has done to Kimmy.   BUT .... sometimes it is literally a lifesaver.  Would I give prednisone if there were any other alternatives for the particular problem?  Absolutely not.  But if  I didn't know what else to do to help my puglet stop that awful scratching-to-infection cycle (as was Kimmy's case), prednisone it would be.

Raw feeding fixed Kimmy, even though prednisone sort of helped her allergies, but only because she has seasonal allergies as well.  Allergies are cumulative.  That is, the dog can be allergic to certain foods (primarily wheat and corn) and not exhibit many symptoms.  But if you compound the food allergy by seasonal allergies (e.g. at pollen season) or by a hit to the immune system (e.g. a vaccination or surgery), they will manifest big-time.  

It's all about keeping the immune system as healthy as possible.  Feed good food, avoid over-vaccinating, avoiding stressful situations, supplement as necessary with probiotics and/or Vitamin B, etc.

[blanche]

It's all about keeping the immune system as healthy as possible.  Feed good food, avoid over-vaccinating, avoiding stressful situations, supplement as necessary with probiotics and/or Vitamin B, etc.

Good advice for man/woman and beast!!

[SpeedyPug]

Just a question: Geeg eats anything and everything (except for parsely- won't touch it) and has never had a reaction to anything...knock on wood.  At what age did your pug(s) exhibit allergies to foods, what foods and what were their symptoms?  I watch Geeg closely knowing pugs are susceptible but I haven't seen a thing.  And i do (gasp) feed her a kibble with grain; just haven't had any issues and my vet said it was ok...but should i believe my vet?   She does have an allergy to shots and they have to be broken up and her moitored but foods seem fine.  Thanks.

[Pugpillow]

Just a question: Geeg eats anything and everything (except for parsely- won't touch it) and has never had a reaction to anything...knock on wood.  At what age did your pug(s) exhibit allergies to foods, what foods and what were their symptoms?  I watch Geeg closely knowing pugs are susceptible but I haven't seen a thing.  And i do (gasp) feed her a kibble with grain; just haven't had any issues and my vet said it was ok...but should i believe my vet?   She does have an allergy to shots and they have to be broken up and her moitored but foods seem fine.  Thanks.

Kimmy was just over 2 when the symptoms started.  I thought it was because I fed her Alpo when I ran out of food and that's all the convenience store was selling.  I guess I should have put 2 and 2 together that maybe that took her over the brink, but I didn't know about food allergies and immune system problems at the time.  From then on, my father-in-law used to tell us she had fleas because she scratched so much and so hard.  She didn't, and the search for a cure began.  It took many years, and many thousands of dollars in vet bills until we found out from another pug person (not a vet) that she was allergic to grains (even though she had had food allergy testing).  Despite having allergy shots every 2 weeks, she used to lick her paws, get runny eyes and a snotty nose and severe ear infections.  Eventually her scratching caused skin sores which would get infected.  I used to have to dress her in T-shirts so she wouldn't scratch the skin raw.  It was heart-breaking to watch her.  From then on, I don't know whether the hair loss and eye problems were from allergies or the medications (prednisone and anti-biotics alternately) to fix them, which they didn't.  She did develop calcinosis cutis from the meds and when the vet biopsied it, she died on the operating table twice.  [Fortunately she was resuscitated and is now living a healthy life medication free at almost 14 years old, albeit with the long-term effects of all the medication.]

And all this time, she was given annual vaccinations - GRRRRR.  The vets unwittingly tried their best to kill her over the years, but she has spirit, my little girl.  This is why I am fanatical about a few things:

1. Your vet is not a god - vets don't know everything and most of them know squat about nutrition.  Many of them still advise over-vaccination despite the recommendations of veterinary bodies.  Do your own research and challenge the vets.  At worst, you will find out how much they know or don't know. At best, you will provide what your dog needs.  I am willing to help anyone who is willing to help their own dog.

2. Feeding no grains.  I accept that not everyone can manage raw feeding (and even a few dogs can't) but grains are totally unacceptable for dogs, as a study of their digestive systems will tell you.  The commercial dog food industry, which has been in existence less than 100 years, has done our dogs no favours.  Vets that blindly promote these food are just as culpable.   Again, owners that do their research will find much better alternatives for their dogs.

3. Vaccinations are toxic.  Every time we inject a vaccine into our dogs or ourselves, we are putting poison into the system and assaulting the immune system.  I'm not saying there is no place for vaccinations.  I firmly believe in puppy shots (at the appropriate times) and a rabies booster is required by law in Ontario every 3 years (providing you get the 3 year vaccine), but anyone who vaccinates their dogs more frequently than necessary or without knowing the ramifications of what they are doing, is doing their dog a disservice.  You need to research the risks of a particular disease in your dog and weigh them against the risks of pouring poison into their body.  If your dog is not in top health, it should not be vaccinated and the vet should provide a medical exemption for the rabies shot.  If your dog has had an allergic reaction to a vaccination, it should not have any more shots and should be given a medical exemption.

I want people to learn from my heartbreaking experiences and not have their own dogs go through what my poor Kim suffered for years, through ignorance on the part of my vets and myself.

[lmcpug]

A very well written statement, Hilary!

and I totally concur with it!!

Research, research, research!!
Doctors are not Gods and make human mistakes too!
Be prepared with everything and you will give your furry friend the
best possible life!!

I am so glad that Members are taking the time to ask questions though!


Lori