What is holistic approach to helping my dog cope with allergies?

Question

She has no fleas, just really itchy and she is getting scabs form itching herself. Mostly on her back above her tail and a little on her belly. I do not want to use any chemicals. Thank You!

They are on a holistic diet with no grain. So I know it is not corn or anything like that.

Answer 1

Have you identified the source of the allergen? Grain is not the only thing to cause problems. My dog, for example, is allergic to chicken, lamb, liver, eggs, and wheat. Only one grain in her list of food no-nos, but many proteins. She also suffers from Summer Itch, common reaction to the grass when it is active in the spring & summer.

I feed Natural Balance Venison & Brown Rice. It has a single source protien & a single source carbohydrate. They also offer a Duck & Potato formula. I bathe her with NUSAL-T, a coal tar shampoo once a month.

Answer 2

You might check and find a holistic vet in your area. They do exist, they are just hard to find sometimes.
You also might want to check to see if she is allergic to something else in her food (beef, chicken, pork, certain vitamins and minerals).
Your vet can suggest a diet that will eliminate all common allergens, and slowly add one possible allergen at a time, to see if that is causing her problem.
Have you had your dog tested for mange? When my dog started itching, that was the culprit.
You might try bathing her in a nice oatmeal shampoo. They sell them at pet supply shops. It's very soothing, and natural.
Garlic with Brewer's yeast tablets also helped my itching dog.
Hope this gives you some ideas on what to do!

Answer 3

my little yorkie has this also. This year is the first time, she
is 3. . . .

And on vet meds.

I have had dogs for 25 years, all small breed, and know of no
h. diet that has ever helped me.

There are many brands, your vet has a printed out list,
of what the name brands foods contain. They have never helped
me.

good luck

Answer 4

When IgE levels are high in a human, then that person has allergies. When dogs receive vaccinations, their IgE levels are very high when tested. This could be the root of your problem. Vaccinations are good for many, many yrs. Dr. Ron Schultz of Wisconsin University published his Duration of Immunity study in 1999. See weblinks
http://svmweb.vetmed.wisc.edu/articles/68/5/39
http://www.news.wisc.edu/releases/8413.htm