Probable allergies

[Tammy & Gracie]

In reading previous posts I am now pretty assured that Gracie is suffering allergy symptoms. She is chewing on the side of her paws, both, but particularily the right. The hair is discolored kinda reddish but I find no injury, no sores, scratches, bumps, bruises, etc to explain this occurance. She has done this enough that the hair on the bottom portion of her legs is even short. I plan to begin treating her with benedryl, maybe a 25 mg pill 2xs daily and watch for improvement. I also would like to start her on the fish oils that are discussed. What is the dosage for the supplements and is my benedry dosage good for starting? Gracie is 15 months and 30 pounds. She is already on a no grain high quality food. She is also real active and gets real dirty, having baths probably a little too often.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sorry Nicole and thanks to "my crew" who've jumped in here to help. My foster girl was spayed today and between the 9 million applications and tending to her, I'm swamped. I see I've taught you well, though! LOL
Nicole, you're in good hands! Follow Tammy & Allyson's advice, read some discussions, join The Food Group. Your puppy does not have allergies, I guarantee you.

[Tammy & Gracie]

Allyson and I learned from the master!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

yes!!!!!

[Nicole]

Thanks for the help everyone. I could have sworn it was food allergies (and the vet also mentioned she thought it was this as well). I guess I assumed with the stomach problems and chewing, plus the ear infection I had a dog with food allergies. Surprised to hear it could be IBS

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

General practice vets really don't know much about allergies; I just this week had to explain to a vet who examined my foster what the difference is between a food intolerance and an allergy. And you'll find that most vets know less than a little about dog food.
Poodles and all dogs with similar coats get ear infections; in fact, chronic ear infection is called "poodle ear". There is tons of info here on DK about this. Licking and chewing the feet is a sign of allergies in dogs; but as you mentioned, this can also be stress related. And ear meds, even though they may be administered in the ear, still put drugs into the system that can contribute to diarrhea as well.
Many people in the Food Group have had issues with their doodles' digestive systems, and there is a ton of info there as well. That's where I would start, if I were you. Allergies are the last thing I would look at.

[Nicole]

Thank you so much! I will do that and start trying things out.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Yes...the majority of vets don't know anything about dog food. Nicole it sounds like you are already trying high-quality food - you just need to tweak something. Start a discussion in the Food Group and let 's figure out some alternatives. Between all the types of food to homecooking, you should be able to find something that will work for your baby!

[Nicole]

I felt so bad for her tonight. She was starving so we gave her a tiny snack of just plain white rice (she was on this for the last three weeks mixed with the special dog food). Well within 20 minutes she was whining, panting and trying to bite everything. Took a big chunk of hair right off her paw (the third time she did that this week). Finally distracted her with rubbing her belly which always helps when she whines and moans and gave her a hoof to chew to get her mind off it. I was really discouraged since it was just plain white rice! I felt so helpless and frustrated!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nicole, how can she eat a hoof with all these digestive issues? That would be the worst thing for her.
I think you may have changed her food too often, that may be part of the problem. We're going to pick a food and that's what she gets. When she's hungry enough, she'll eat.
First, I would have blood work done to check her blood glucose levels and her thyroid. What you are describing doesn't sound like allergies or digestive issues to me.
Boil some plain white meat chicken and cut it up really tiny. Mix it with an equal amount of white rice, and try feeding her that for a few days. And make an appointment with your vet to have the blood work done.

[Nicole]

She does not really eat a hoof (it is not filled or anything) she chews on it but it is still in one piece so she does not swallow any part of it. She only gets them once in a while. When she was fixed she had all the bloodwork done and nothing came up however I think it is time we saw our vet again and talked to them about everything so I am going to make an appointment for this week. Thanks for all of your help and suggestions, I will keep trying things and see what works.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The blood work they did before her spay surgery would definitely not have included a full thyroid panel, which is somewhat expensive and takes awhile to get results; some of her symptoms (agitation, hair loss)are consistent with a thyroid issue.

[Mona Haight]

My Boston became allergic to the food he was eating since he started on real food. the say an allergy usually starts when they are about 2 if they didn't have it before. I'm not sure what it was in the food but he is way better with what he has now. Often when it is their paws they are chewing at it is something on the ground especially in spring time with snow mold and grass. try to wash the paws off when they come in from outside and the vet can give you meds especially if it's real bad in the spring