In a panic! Taking Hunter to the vet!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I am in a total panic - not sure if I freaked over my kids like this!  The light hit Hunter's face this morning and she has a really bad irritation under her lip and a lump above the top lip.  Please send positive thoughts and prayers! I talked to the vet on the phone she is working me in and said I will have to wait patiently - I am sure my fingernails will be chewed off waiting!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I should add that they also get fish oil pills and evening primrose oil, and nothing else at all right now until I figure out whether or not winnie has any food allergies.

[shelly]

So glad you brought Hunter!  And.. you actually killed two birds with one stone and the allergy can also be helped!  I am a worry wart and always would rather bring Tori, than sit home and worry!  So happy!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so glad that it wasn't anything major.  I think Karen has some experience with the California Natural Kangaroo, and I'm sure she'll comment when she sees this.  This sounds like a great Vet....love that there were no Science Diet displays...LOL.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There's nothing wrong with the Cal. Nat. kangaroo formula except that it's made by P & G since Natura sold the company to them. But you don't need it. Canidae has some new limited ingredient formulas that I would recommend instead. Especially since the chances that this has anything to do with an allergy of any kind, let alone a food allergy, is slim to none. The new vet sounds great for most medical issues, but I have found that there are very, very few vets, even the good ones, who understand allergies. Even JD's new IMS, who has three years post DVM education and has been in practice many years, is not an expert on allergy issues and defers to his dermatology specialist on that.

 Nothing you are describing with Hunter's mouth sound like allergy symptoms. The itching is something else. But if you're going to try an elimination diet (which is what would be happeneing with the kangaroo kibble), you are going to have to eliminate every other animal protein source from her diet, or there's no point to it at all. That means no chicken, duck, turkey, fish, etc. in any of her treats or anything else. This is one reason I stopped the kangaroo diet. The food also doesn't contain the kind of Omega 3 fatty acids that are most beneficial (EPA & DHA), because there's no fish oil in it; all of the Omega 3 comes from flax seed, and the forms of Omega 3 fatty acids that come from plant sources are not as well utilized in dogs. Since EFAs are even more important for dogs with allergies, you can see the problem here with switching to the Cal. Nat. food.

Start a discussion in TFG with the exact formula of Canidae that Hunter is eating and we'll help you find another food if you want to switch.

I'm glad it wasn't anything serious. To make you feel even better, I can tell you that JD has an infection along the side of his lip about a year ago, and it had nothing to do with his allergies, and went away with treatment, never to return. Hope Hunter is feeling better soon!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Glad to hear you got sensible help. I see Karen and Sherri have checked in so you are in good hands. A DK vet office, I like that idea : )

[Jennifer and Jack]

What a scary thing. I am glad it all worked out well. Jack is going through allergies of so e type too. We are on Dick Van Pattens limited ingredients. It since being on that he has had two skin infections , ear infections, runny eyes, and runny poop!!! We think it is chicken.. Allergies are so frustrating we are still on antibiotics. Ear drops and headed back to the vet on Monday.

About California Natural, the Kangaroo sounds interesting however, I was under the impression California Natural was bought out by Protor and Gamble no?

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

And thank you everyone for all of your assurances, they really made me feel better :)

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

glad she's ok. I don't blame you for panicing. I do too everytime my doodles so much as sneeze. :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thinking of you and Hunter, glad she will be okay. :-)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Just catching up now and so glad it appears to be nothing serious. I'll be watching for updates and good progress for Hunter.  How refreshing to find no rubbish food on sale, they are in every vets office here that I have ever been to.

[Leslie and Halas]

It was good that you went to the vet. Both of these issues sound like they could have caused some pain for Hunter, so getting in there quickly probably saved her some pain and discomfort. I'm glad they turned out to be minor things. I hope they clear up quickly.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This is my first chance to get on DK since early morning. So glad to hear Hunter is fine.