Scabs on body

[Shianne Mack]

My puppy is 5 months old and I started noticing these small crusty scabs on his body. He doesn't seemed bothered by these, but I always feel them when I scratch him. I just got him treated for fleas and ticks so I don't think that's the cause. I posted this on the health group and got some good responses, but I wanted to know if anyone else has had this issue with their dog. I also attached a picture to this post.. Thanks!

[Joan C Hatfield]

she opened one of the blisters on her belly and said there was bacteria present.  She wanted me to try rabbit or venison - said people didn't have such good luck with duck - but I don't know what the source was for that comment.

I sometimes see her nibbling at her paws - but not excessively at all.  If i switch to Acana I guess I have to introduce it slowly to her diet by mixing it with her regional red?

What does JD eat?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There is no source for that comment, lol. It's fairly well known that GP vets are not well versed in allergies in general and food allergies in particular. When there are food allergies, they are going to be to something the dog has been exposed to on a regular basis for an extended period of time, and therefore, it's different for every dog. Venison and rabbit are "novel" proteins for many dogs...meaning they haven't had them before; but so might duck be, for lots of dogs. Bison is another "novel" protein for most dogs; but not for yours, because it's in the Regional Red. So there is no such thing as not having "good luck with duck"; if  dog hasn't eaten duck before, it's just as "novel" and therefore unlikely to provoke allergy symptoms as rabbit would be...or eel, or alligator, or kangaroo, etc. All you need is a protein source that your dog hasn't eaten before. 
JD doesn't have food allergies; he has environmental allergies, which are 10 times more common than food allergies in dogs. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, and do not mix the new food with the old food. No slow transitions with food trials! 

[Joan C Hatfield]

Karen what does JD eat?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's complicated. JD has an immune-mediated digestive disease which really has nothing to do with allergies, skin infections, or with this discussion, lol. He's on a limited ingredient diet of 60% grain-free salmon/potato kibble and 40% homemade food with lots of supplements. But I really think that's a topic for a different discussion. :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Facts About Food Allergies In Dogs

[Joan C Hatfield]

thanks so much Karen!  How did you confirm that JD had environmental allergies?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The only accurate way that you can, with skin testing under anesthetic done by a veterinary dermatology specialist.

[Joan C Hatfield]

ok sorry - didn't mean to pry.  Thanks again for your help

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You're not prying at all; I just didn't want the original discussion to get highjacked or get too far off topic. I've posted about JD's various diseases, diagnoses and treatment here a lot, lol.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Wishing for a speedy recovery.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Shianne, how is your puppy doing? Did you go to the vets?