My 7 yr. old Ridgeback mix has been sick for about 2 1/2 years. He was diagnosed with many things by many?

Question

different vets. First, it was seasonal allergies, then to a cleaner (candles, incense, laundry soap and everything else under the sun), then an allergy to his food and after cutting all of these things out of his environment, he is still sick. I've switched his food four times in 2 1/2 years, the most recent being by Holistics, made of salmon and anchovies, because my vet was suspicious of an allergy to chicken. It didn't help. He has an underactive thyroid, which is being corrected with medication. He is also being given ketokonisol and prednisone on an regular basis for rashes, yeast infections and inflammation of the skin. I was also told to give him three benedryl twice a day for his itching. He is very lathargic and he scratches and bites to the point of bleeding and also has a bad case of gas most of the time, which is really unpleasant for the both of us. I need help detoxing him, what's best for kidney and liver function and what type of food would you suggest?

Answer 1

Oh your poor dog!

I would look closely at the food and make sure there is no RICE or TURKEY in the food. My dog requires a food that has potatoes as the grain. (Natural Balance Duck and Potato - available at Petco). He cannot do most any other formula (including beef, venison and salmon)

The lethargy and skin issues are really symptoms of hypothyroidism. I would test his thyroid again - sounds like he is still low. If you have tested this and he is within the "low" range of normal - increase his dose. It is too low.

It should be .01 mg of med per pound of dog. An 80 lb. dog gets .08. A 100 lb. dog gets 0.1. If this is not close to what you are giving your dog - you are not giving enough.

Keep the Benadryl - it does help. That should be 1 pill per 25 lbs. of dog. So a 75-80 lb dog gets 3 pills. A 100 lb dog gets 4 pills. And yes - give it twice a day.

As for detox:

Milk Thistle (amazing liver detox'er)
Dandelion Root
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin B complex

How much to give is determined by the weight of your dog again - I'd check with a holistic vet or Ridgeback group on what would work.

But - two Milk Thistle pills a day to start won't hurt. (I think they are 600 mg?)

Good luck!!! Auto-immune issues are terrible with dogs. :(

Answer 2

The number one symptom for food allergies is Wheat. Try a lamb and rice formula. Also Oatmeal helps with the skin and coat and a sensitive stomach.

You're Ridgeback is now a Senior and that should be taken into account also when choosing a specific food. My number one choice would be Nutro Natural Choice dog food for large breed dogs. Mainly because as a large dog the food has glucosamine and chondroitin already in it. The food is guaranteed for healthy skin and coat and digestibility. (No I don't work for Nutro, it's what I feed my dogs so I checked out all the facts) Check them out nutroproducts.com

As for the vets... speak with YOUR trusted vet and ask for a specialist. As the previous advice stated a dermatologist. There should be allergy tests instead of a doctor shooting in the dark to what the problem may be.

It's dangerous to have your pet on medications he may not need. And remember that symptoms for something can mean something totally different.

My golden retriever has skin allergies, she used to chew her paws and break out in hotspots. Along with feeding her nutro i wash her once a month in Tegren (I believe thats how you spell it) dandruff shampoo. Not head n shoulders - the shampoo is green. It works wonders. It's not heavily medicated and should help greatly with the allergies. Since switching her food and shampooing her it's been 3 years since I've had any problems.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Foods might not be the answer. Usually food allergies have a tremendous affinity for giving the dog ear problems. If its inhalent allergies, these can be tested for. Ask your vet to refer you to a vet dermatologist. Its not good to have your dog constantly on ketoconizole or prednisolone. There are shampoos that can help treat yeast and inflammation. 75mg of Benedryl twice a day can explain the drowsiness. I'm assuming you had other bloodwork done if you know he is hypothyroid. If the thyroid hormone havn't been rechecked, you might need more. Hypothyroid can cause lethargy too. There are also blood tests that can show what foods the dog reacts to. Good luck.

Answer 4

It sounds pretty normal -- not to say not wonderful, though! I think it's amazing how kids learn so much in so little time. My 2 year old (2 and 4 months) can count to 20 in English. He knows no other languages, since we haven't taught him any. He can sing the ABCs beginning to end and identify a little more than half the letters (which is somewhat less than my other kids could do at this age). He is not potty trained, but will use the potty if I tell him to try. He has a big vocabulary, though not the biggest of all my kids at this age. He plays pretend. One of my kids was sounding out words by 2 1/2 and could count objects laid out on a table by that age (counting each item once and no more than once). My current 2 year old is not there yet. They all have their strengths, and they're all amazing!

Answer 5

I would give your vets office a call and ask if they can recommend a Veterinary Dermatologist for your dog. There are also allergy tests out there that your vet can perform, some are less expensive than others, but it can help to determine which foods your dog may be allergic to as well as mold, grasses, trees etc., the allergy testing just involves some blood tests. I would also ask your vet or the dermatologist if they can recommend a soothing perscription shampoo that you can bathe your dog with or have his groomer bath him with. I hope some of this helps. Good Luck to your dog

Answer 6

Here are some natural pet food stores you can order on line. Perhaps these will help.
www.onlynaturalpet.com
www.wildlifepetfoods.com
You and your dog have my sympathies.