Ohhh Allergies!!!

[Marta and Oscar]

My 5 monts old Goldendoodle has allergies :( I dont know what to do anymore. The vet said it could be anything but seasonal, since he is so young. I changed his food from Blue Buffalo to Natural Ballance that has no chicken and it does not help. He is getting red bumps on his back legs and belly and has dry scabs all over his body :( I have a shampoo that I use but does not seem to help, he is recently on antibiotic and Zertec for allergies.... nothing helps.... he licks his back legs raw... I am so frustrated! Help anyone???

[Enid Ferner]

I won't frequent this forum anymore. It's really too bad when one person dominates all the threads and thinks that their opinion is gospel... You are definitely that person.

I've seen many other people leave for the same reason. Now it's my turn, I know there are other forums where people are much more open minded and truly knowledgeable.

[Adina P]

People ruffle and get ruffled on forums now and then.  It's how it is on the internet and even here.  In a real live community, it makes sense to leave if you are constantly running into someone who rubs you the wrong way.  But on the internet...you can easily coexist on the same page without interaction.  No need to leave a whole forum/social network because of a disagreement (even vehement one) with another member.  People value Karen's opinion in general.  But not every single person. That's okay.  People who believe in raw food will butt heads with those who don't...now and then.  Even people who love each other sometimes fight/disagree too.  It's okay and doesn't mean they can't get along again...maybe certain topics are better not debated between two people who don't see eye to eye unless they both want to and can keep the comments to the topic and not the person (even if the other person doesn't do so).

Every member is entitled to his/her own opinions on dog food and is permitted to make suggestions and share their personal experience.  Even if it disagrees with experts (within or outside of this site).  At the same time those who wish to argue the value of a belief or action are free to do so as long as they don't attack the person.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Karen and I butted heads long ago on this forum. I still disagree with her on minor points and she does disagree with me too. We manage to sort the facts and work it all out. I have come to greatly respect her knowledge of dog nutrition and food. I could have left when difficulties arose but I would have lost so many wonderful things about this site. I think Karen has her strong opinions but she supports them with fact. No where did she attack you. You will leave if you wish and that would be a loss, mostly to you. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I do think you will probably be much happier on a forum for raw feeders.  Karen has been so helpful to many of us who have had serious GI and/or allergy issues with our Doodles.  I personally respect her knowledge and willingness to share her experience.  It has been so valuable to many of us. I have two dogs with IBS who are on a home cooked diet with supplements.  Karen and the Food Group helped me to find this solution which has made such a huge difference.  There was no attack directed at you....I'm sorry that you feel that way.

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Oh heck, I was suspended from the food group...and I don't even know why...but it helped me decide to try raw feeding and so heh heh...it worked out for the best.  

[Jennifer and Jack]

Wait I have to say something before you go, Enid. If you truly were on these forums you would know that Karen has the biggest heart you can find.. She is bent toward dogs and not humans because she rescues and she see's the horrors that dogs face on a daily basis.

Karen pours her heart and soul into this page, she doesn't dominate it at all.... I feed Jack raw .. He has been on it since June.. We all of course can make our own decisions and do what is best... What Karen said about Raw is true.... She is not someone who dominates, she is along with other people who have done their research on here are sticklers for facts.... What she said was truth and fact.... 

She works so hard with anyone and everyone to try to find the right food for their dog, It's her passion.  I am a hard headed stubborn girl but I know enough to know we have to look at the facts..... Jack is doing great on Raw..but it's what works for us for now, can I tell you how many times I have put Jack on a food and said whoo we finally found a food that works only to not have it work for us after awhile???

I felt like your post was harsh toward Karen... SHe is only stating the facts.. Yes some dog food kibble has additives that are not meant for dogs to eat... but the high quality foods do not have them...... they are preserved with Vitamin E which is in Jack's raw food diet anyway.

I don't think it is a bad idea to try raw..really I think it is a good idea but it isn't a cure all, Jack my baby is still sensitive to chicken, raw, cooked, dehydrated, kibble, anyway he gets it, also beef gives him the runs.... anyway he gets it..

If there was to be any argument for raw it would have to come in the fact that raw food somehow does something I don't know what.. that's why I don't say anything.. but his poop is much, much smaller, doesn't smell and since I weigh it and I took control of how much he eats.. which I could have done on kibble Jack lost weight.... 

There are too many variables to say what causes some dogs to do better on raw then others and there are a lot of raw feeders on here some of which are good friends with Karen.

I have to say, I love Karen, I am grateful for her.. She is one of my security blankets in knowing I can ask her anything and she will give me sound, evidence proof facts.... that's what I want and need...

I hope you don't leave... Karen is not God Almighty on here but she is highly respected, a respect she earned.. I respect all peoples'' opinions .. This board is loaded with people who have knowledge, I have the least or close to it as I am a first time in my life dog owner and I don't know what I am doing, I am learning.. Even though Jack is 4 I still feel grateful to have people who have raised dogs all there life.

Please reconsider leaving and please maybe try looking at things from an objective view, I assure you Karen really is just presenting facts.... she is not trying to debunk you for the sake of debunking you... but when someone has poured their soul into research for years and years and years and years..... they can't help but want facts... It's in her blood... and I am grateful for it.

[Enid Ferner]

First of all, thank you to those who have shown support, I appreciate it.

Regardless of how big of a heart somebody has, or how much research they have done or how knowledgeable they feel they are on a subject they should not keep shooting other people down because of a difference of opinion. I'm just responding to a post and sharing my OWN experience....and I'm tired of her stepping in and making it sound like I'm crazy with my response.
To be told that feeding raw is dangerous? Oh really... Then why is there a raw feeding group on this forum if it's so dangerous.
Anyway, other than this particular issue I do enjoy this forum.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Adrian is our wise voice of reason in all things!

[F, Calla & Luca]

You mean Adina ? : )

[Jennifer and Jack]

F ...speaking of stickler of facts and right information and words.. HA HA 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, that would be me : )

[Jennifer and Jack]

Love that about you!