Itching, Scratching, Ear Infections: Why we switched to Raw Meaty Bones

[Trudy Harlow]

Paddy and I have taken a long, circuitous route to get to this point.  When he first came to live with us, at 8 weeks old in 2008, he was on some premium brand puppy kibble, and he graduated from there to the adult version.  I was careful to give him grain-free, quality kibble.  After feeding Purina One to my last dog, it was a revelation to me -- all the new, organic, healthy kibbles were just amazing.

We stuck with this diet for two years.  And then, in the midst of my sister's dying of cancer, Paddy started itching and scratching like crazy.  I thought it was the emotional stress in the house, but many months later, he was still at it and was working towards the skin on the fronts of his front legs. The fur on the bottoms of his feet between his pads was deep reddish brown. In addition, he started developing one painful ear infection after another. I finally started reading about canine allergies.  While I had no idea what he was allergic to, I did know that allergens are like building blocks -- your body can tolerate a number of them for a long time, but as you become more exposed to some allergens and create more and more building blocks, the tower of building blocks gets more and more wobbly and eventually it will collapse, at which point you develop allergic reactions to things.  [BTW, this analogy was given to me by a prominent human allergist.]  I figured, in Paddy's case, the more possible allergens I removed from his environment, the better. So, after a lot of reading, I decided to switch him to raw food.

I was a little worried about how to deal with raw food for Paddy.  We travel a fair amount, and he often goes with us.  I initially tried dehydrated foods that were a mixture of protein, veggies, etc.  They turned to mush when I rehydrated them and he totally refused to eat them (I didn't really blame him).  Then I tried frozen raw venison and lamb patties, made respectively by Instinct and B.A.R.F.  These patties are mainly meat with add-ins of various kinds.  He liked these for about 6 months, and then suddenly refused to eat them anymore.  Sadly, and with a real sense of frustration, I returned him to TOTW kibble, topped with Dave's canned meat and one Stella's freeze-dried lamb patty crumbled over the top, which he frankly ate with great relish.

All this time, his itching really didn't improve, and the ear infections kept on coming.  I even sprung for an allergy panel for him, and that produced very little useful information -- just a big reaction to dust mites, but obviously much more was going on here.

By the end of 2011, I was over the top with frustration.  While Paddy is generally a happy boy, his allergies seemed to be getting worse, and I was getting really concerned about his chronic ear infection.  The antihistamines did nothing to help except, occasionally, make him sleepy.  He was scratching constantly, even in the middle of play and walks.

In January of this year, I started reading more about feeding simple, raw food, the kind of food that dogs' ancestors, wolves, ate.  The more I read, the more sense it made to me, although I had many concerns about how to feed chunks of meat cleanly and safely in my home.  I wasn't squeamish; I was just worried about having to mop the floor a lot, I guess.

In my next entry, I'll talk about how I made the decision to switch and how we did it.

[Trudy Harlow]

Forgive my poor communication.  I simply meant, as far as the food allergy debate is concerned, that you have to decide where you are with it and do what works for you.  There are expert vets on both sides of the debate.  That's all.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I also don't quite understand about picking sides. No one has said that some dogs don't have food allergies. But many more dogs, at least from what I've read, have environmental allergies. Of course, it's most important to figure out what each dog's problem(s) are and go from there. But I think we all are on the side of the dogs here.

[Trudy Harlow]

Karen, I was not bringing you into it, your name was mentioned by another and I simply responded.  We each have our own experts and opinions, and we simply disagree.  That is in no way a disparagement of you.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was going to try to stay out o this one, but since my name has been mentioned, I have to say that the advice I have given about allergies and food has come straight from reliable veterinary websites and veterinary allergy specialists, is based on sound medical research, and is in no way my opinion. So you are free to disagree, but you are not disagreeing with me, you are disagreeing with the body os veterinary research on this subject. I do not believe that the field is split on this either, as I have not found a "substantial" number of vets who disagree with the data thus far. And I have found no board-certified dermatology specialists who disagree with this at all.

The information that I give on allergies is what I have learned from the experts, and in Jacks' case, all of it has proven to be true. My dog's allergy issues have been solved. I post what I do on the subject to try to help others, and I'm glad to say many dogs have benefitted from it.

 So you can disagree with the research or the experts, but please don't bring me into it.

There is no benefit or loss to me whatever someone chooses to feed their dog, and I wish them all well. I hope Paddy does well with his diet.

[Trudy Harlow]

Jennifer, how long did you try?  Please see my next blog post.  Paddy, too, is a stubborn boy, but you really have to stick to it.  I seriously thought Paddy would starve himself, too, but in the end he did not.

I don't agree with Karen about food allergies, and neither do a substantial number of vets.  This is one of those cases where the field is split and you have to pick your side.  I know from my own experience with Paddy that he does have more allergies with certain foods.

Stay tuned on my blog.

[Jennifer and Jack]

We tried raw, for one my doctors almost bit my head right off because I am so immune suppressed they don't want me touching raw.. so I did what I always do and kept trying it. I really was not opposed to it but Jack would not eat it, I mean not touch it or anything, I would pick it and up put it back in the fridge until it was not good any more, then i would defrost more and on and on it went.

Who ever said a dog would not starve themselves, has not met  my dog... I am desperately trying to find a dog food to help Jack's digestion and to help him stop itching, which I feel the need to say since Karen has beaten into our heads that only 10 percent of allergies are food related..

I do fear Jack might be in that 10 percent but I don't know.. I look forward to hearing more of your story.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Cooper grew up on raw but she currently eats kibble as we are staying at my inlaws and they dont like the idea of raw. Once we get our own place again I want to get her (and the cats) back on raw  - but this time making my own - buying meat, bones and organs rather than pre-ground stuff. 

Cooper wont eat the dehydrated stuff either - unless its dry and not hydrated. but it seems like such a tiny amount and she would cry in hunger afterwards (which she never usually does)

[Bonnie and Kona]

I feel like I'm reading a mystery novel. You left us all hanging... what happened to Paddy... is he better, the same, worse??? What will you try next??? Time to type out the next installment! ;o)

[Kimmy & Chewie]

Welcome to wonderful world of Raw! I've been feeding (prey model) Raw since I got him at 3 months old. He just turned 1 year old a few ago. Thriving on raw chicken (half chicken or whole leg), beef, pork ribs and also organs.
If you find that Paddy still has dry or itchy skin, might want to also add some fish oil. There's a formula for calculating the dose depending on weight of your dog. But I can't remember it.
Have you joined the Raw food group in DK yet? You should.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Wow that's a journey for sure. I hope Paddy finds some answers and feels better-that must be terrible.