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???

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

Without defending either side here, I will say I found value in what both of you presented and others are free to do so as well. Or not. A healthy, non personal debate over opinions, life experiences, facts, research, etc, is very beneficial to people who are thinking about either side of the argument as well, and it can be just that, healthy and non-personal.
I feel that anyone leaving DK over a debate or difference of opinion is sad, as there is so much to learn and share here. You certainly are free to express yourself, as are others, and the problem with the written word is you can't hear how it was intended and sometimes our own personal past experiences might lead us into "hearing" something that wasn't even implied.
Bottom line: don't sweat the small stuff and move on. But I hope you stay, for your own benefit.

[Jennifer and Jack]

but the debate did turn into personal attacks...... that is not right.....sorry I can't not say that... I agree a healthy, respectful debate is awesome but not when we start calling people names.. That is not right.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

True Jennifer, there was some personal stuff going on!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Totally agree with you Sue, thanks for posting!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I would like to throw one more thing out there. Since your pup is quite young (too young for food and seasonal allergies I think) I have a grandog that was diagnosed with Demodectic Mange of the follicle. It sounds just like what you are describing Marta. It is my understanding that the mite is born in the dog and comes from the inside out. Sophie was on treatment for 4 or 5 months. Different things until they prescribed something that the Vet said was literally poison (I am sorry don't know the name it was 6 years ago) and it was very scary. She had to have an eyedropper full orally 2 times a day. The good news is, it worked though it was a rough road doing so. 

One thing, I was wondering is did the Vet do an actual skin scrapping to rule that out?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good thought and good question, Lisa. Even knowing that JD does have allergies, his dermatologist always did a scraping when he had a flare, just to be sure and rule out mites. 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Thanks Karen, every once in a while :o)

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh, and not saying good or bad to check the internet but if you google demodectic mange it does show images of dogs that have it and you may recognize if it appears the same.

[Pat and Traveler]

Couldn't resist this....:)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Great : )

[Enid Ferner]

After reading through this thread I have come to the conclusion that this forum is not for me.
There are a few people on here that have absolutely no respect for anybody else's opinions except for each other's and are actually very disrespectful and are down right "catty" and rude. You cut somebody down and then the thread goes on and on as you all give each other pats on the back. I've seen this happen again and again.
I received a few personal messages of support, others who have felt the same way , were attacked for giving an opinion that was different from what these people had.

When I respond to a post it's to share a personal experience. This is actually called "first hand experience", this isn't called anectdotal. I have had many dogs over the years, yes I've had to deal with some behavioural issues etc. but I am a true believer in keeping things simple. Lots of exercise, training and a simple back to the basics diet. It works.
I have noticed that the common answers to medical/behavioural issues on this forum is to rush the dog to the vet and have a complete blood panel done, allergy testing done, fecal count done, an Animal Behaviourist come inI I just shake my head. This is good advice? Hardly, talk about over kill. I shudder to think that first time dog owners are reading this advice and thinking that this is normal.
(Does your dog REALLY have an Internist....an Allergist......????? )

Anyway, the only thing I really enjoy on this forum is the new puppy pictures and posts, plus the grooming group because I like to groom my own dogs. This stuff I can find elsewhere......
I won't be back.