Question re food for doodle with chronic skin/eye/ear infections

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

My Lucy has had a multitude of skin, eye and ear infections over most of her life (she turned 2 in Nov.). My vet says I should be exploring changing her food to a different protein. She's currently on Fromm's, with a mixture of dry Chicken a la Veg and grain-free Beef Frittata, as well as some canned Fromm's Shredded Chicken and a half a patty of Stella and Chewy's freeze dried Beef. This has been the combo that appeals best to Lucy and seems the right mix to keep her poops a good consistency. I'm at a loss as to what to try, and I'm not about to ask the vet, as I'm sure she'd suggest some of their perscription Hills junk they sell at the office. Any suggestions as to what to try? BTW, Lucy is a VERY finicky eater... that's why we give so many different foods each meal.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, you could continue to give the same brands, just choose another protein other than chicken or beef. But if your vet is suggesting a food trial, you are going to have to pick one protein and stick with that. It can be lamb, pork, fish, turkey, anything other than chicken or beef,  but you're going to have to stop mixing two different proteins, and it sounds like that won't be easy.

Does Lucy have these issues all year round, or only during certain times of the year?

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Hi Karen, I realize we'll have to stop mixing proteins. I may be forced to go with Pork if we stay with Fromm's, as they have a canned Shredded Pork which most probably will be needed to get Lucy to eat. I'm not sure, but Stella and Chewy's may have a pork flavored freeze-dried product as well. I'm not wild over giving Lucy pork anything, but the other option is to change brands entirely, again. I just checked Stella and Chewys. They do not have a pork product. They do have duck and lamb. Lucy did well when she was on Solid Gold's  Hund n Flocken, which is lamb. However, her poos were quite soft, borderline loose with it, hence the switch. Lucy's poos are perfect with the mix of both Fromm's Chicken ala Veg (with grains), and Beef Fritatta (grain free).  With the Solid Gold food Lucy seemed not to  have yeast issues or eye infections, just ear infections. Solid Gold's grain-free food has beef in it, so changing to their grain free food is out. I guess I'll just have to go through all the recommended brands and see which has a grain free protein in either duck or lamb, as well as looking for an appetizing canned with the same protein. Pork is definitely not my first choice.

The seasons don't seem to affect the occurrance of infections in Lucy. She's had them all times of the year.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Deb, check Canidae's new grain free line, Pure. I think they have both a duck/turkey formula and a bison/lamb formula.

If you go to our recommended foods list, there are descriptions of most of the forulas by protein, plus links to the manufacturer's websites.

Also, don't forget fish. One of the healthiest protein sources for dogs, especially for skin issues, and less likelihood of causing allergic reactions.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Thanks, Karen. I'll look into the fish option as well as Canidae's Pure. As you can imagine, I'm dealing with multiple issues with whatever protein/brand we end up with. Poo consistency, allergies and the appeal of the food are the main ones.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Believe me, I understand. I am losing my mind here trying to figure out what to feed JD in light of his newly diagnosed IBD. Unqiue protein? For a dog who's had them all?

California Naturals has grain free Kangaroo/lentil formula which dogs love, but it's low in protein unless you can supplement with something else. Their salmon formula is a little higher in protein. Ditto, Natural Balance LID formulas, but they do have a lot of choices including duck and salmon, and they make canned formulas for toppers.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Cubbie was on the Natural Balance LID for a while and that is what helped me to determine that he can't have anything with rice.  He would never eat the kibble plain but, to this day, loves their canned food.  It wasn't until recently that he will actually act like a dog and eat plain kibble.  I don't know if it is because we are now feeding TOTW, he has grown up, or just because he see Ollie eat so fast. 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I just checked out Canidae's website. I like the idea of their lamb/bison grain free formula, as Stella and Chewy's freeze dried comes in a lamb flavor. Canidae also has a lamb canned food. The bigger question is whether Lucy will eat it (if her liking SG's Hund n Flocken (lamb) is any indication, then I'm hopeful - she's never been much for fish, unfortunately, but if the lamb option doesn't work, then I'll give it a try). I'm quite surprised most brands of grain-free on the recommended list have multiple proteins, which isn't ideal if allergies are suspected. I have a good supply of Fromm's left and will probably try to get through that before making a switch.  My dh hates the idea of switching again, as do I... just when we finally found a combo that gives Lucy perfects poos and is something she actually likes. Finding a combo that also prevents chronic infections may prove challenging.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Especially since the odds that her skin problems and infections are related to food are 1 in 10,  regardless of the vet's suggestion.  

Has your vet ever suggested seeing a veterinary dermatology specialist?

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

No, but I know there is a dermatology vet clinic in the area. Might be worth checking out...thanks.

[Jo and Beamer]

Beamer who is almost 9 months has skin issues with an occasional ear. I just had a scraping done of his groin area since this has been going on for almost 4 months. I am doing lots of homeopathic treatment but have not seen a huge improvement. I live in Atlanta and we just had our first frost the past week so I am hopefully that maybe it killed some air borne allergens. 

Beamer is now on Orjien. He loves it so much. Though I think he would eat a brick if it was offered. No problems gi at all.

I am waiting for the doc report before figuring out our next course of action. Have you been giving Lucy acidophilus?

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Hi Jo,

We're giving non fat plain orgainc yogurt with every meal. Lucy is on both an internal antifungal and an antibiotic (in addition to eye drops for her eye infection.  Her last vet visit it was found she had yeast overgrowth in her mouth and  an infection of some sort between her back toes.  Poor thing.  Anyway, its time for a change in diet. Good luck with Beamer's report and your next steps.

[Sue Amos & Mulligan]

Debb

Have you considered taking Lucy to a Allergy Vet? My previous dog had similar issues all related to allergies, he suggested food and he was on medication for about a year. Made a HUGE difference there are a couple of great vets in our area.