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Poor Murphy

+10
LisaIzzyAggy
Pugsaunt
northernwitch
Candace
Aussie Witch
SacramentoPugs
Renee
ocnside
thminis
Newsie96
14 posters

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Poor Murphy Empty Poor Murphy

Post  Newsie96 3/7/2012, 3:38 pm

I had Murphy at the vet today. He's been itching himself raw. I had him groomed but that didn't help. We saw a new vet at the practice and she was very nice. We think he may have developed an allergy to chicken since the itches started about the same time I switched from Fromm's duck to chicken. I got Blue Buffalo's salmon version and we're going to try that. If that isn't it, she suspect a deremtolical issue which we'll test for. She mentioned atopica as a med?

I told her we're ripping up all the rugs in a month and putting pergo down and she said this could also help. Although Murphy is the pug who HATES hard floors. We'll have to put down some rug islands for him.

He got a steroid shot and she said to continue with the Benadryl. He's finally sleeping soundly.
Newsie96
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Post  thminis 3/7/2012, 4:24 pm

A lot of vets I know won't immediately jump to Atopica, it's a strong medication. It's an immunosuppressant that required (bi-anual?) bloodwork, is fairly expensive, and can be pretty rough on their GI tract the first month or two. That being said, I've seen it act as a complete miracle drug for dogs who have non food allergies.

I would just recommend exhausting every other option first (food trial - be very strict as to nothing else going into Murphy's mouth, including no treats or chews; also if the fish doesn't work, a lot of dogs can handle venison or duck or rabbit), skin work up, different anti histamines (benadryl doesn't work for all pets, there are other options just like with people), topical sprays/shampoos/soaks/wipes, etc.

Reggie has horrible allergies that have worsened with age (both environmental and food). In the fall, he's usually on Temaril P for a few weeks (it's a mix of steroid with antihistamine). Good luck with Murphy, allergies are super frustrating!
thminis
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Post  Newsie96 3/7/2012, 4:33 pm

She suggested the venison, too. We're gonna try the fish and see. I bought new treats for him with no chicken in it but we'll wait on those. I always liked how low maintenance (aside from his occassional seizures) he was but he is hitting 8 in May. I know he'll need more care as he gets older.

Duke is snoring away on his bed right now. He went to the vet with us for moral support and apparently it wore him out too.
Newsie96
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Post  ocnside 3/7/2012, 5:17 pm

I know how horrible allergies are, Julian is allergic to chicken...we are eating lamb from Taste of the Wild but before that we always get only lamb, lamb sticks, lamb food and only natural...I would be really strict for a long time until he clears up...Good Luck

Oh yea, is he on a vitamin?
ocnside
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Post  Newsie96 3/7/2012, 5:20 pm

He's not on any vitamin now. She did suggest some fish oil or fatty oils to add to his kibble.
Newsie96
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Post  ocnside 3/7/2012, 5:23 pm

Julian is on Nuvet, he has been since he was able to eat food...I swear by it! http://nuvet.com/products.html?sectionid=17
ocnside
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Post  Renee 3/7/2012, 6:00 pm

Newsie96 wrote:He's not on any vitamin now. She did suggest some fish oil or fatty oils to add to his kibble.

Coconut oil, herring oil, or salmon oil - all good. Just watch for reaction. I get the fish oil pills from costco or order them from B-Naturals.
Renee
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Post  SacramentoPugs 3/7/2012, 6:52 pm

Renee wrote:Coconut oil, herring oil, or salmon oil - all good. Just watch for reaction.
LOVE coconut oil. I've used it for years, and it's always given my pugs a buttery-soft coat.
SacramentoPugs
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Post  Renee 3/7/2012, 6:55 pm

SacramentoPugs wrote:
Renee wrote:Coconut oil, herring oil, or salmon oil - all good. Just watch for reaction.
LOVE coconut oil. I've used it for years, and it's always given my pugs a buttery-soft coat.

Dee, I have always used salmon oil. I really want to try the coconut oil though. I just keep forgetting to pick any up at the store!
Renee
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Post  Aussie Witch 3/7/2012, 6:59 pm

Poor Murph-man! Hope the diet change does the trick.
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Post  Candace 3/7/2012, 7:18 pm

Good luck with the change of food. I hope it helps.
Candace
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Post  northernwitch 3/7/2012, 7:24 pm

Just so you know, Sam, lots of dogs have now developed salmon allergies as it is no longer a unique protein. And I'd look for a food that has the same formula, but several different protein variations so that you can switch up foods. the reality is that feeding the dog the same food formula (always chicken) increases the risk of them developing a sensitivity to it.

Another issue for many dogs are eggs. I shoot for kibble without eggs if I can find it, but for now, I'd worry more about chicken as an issue.

And my own personal opinion is that ALL dogs ought to be getting omegas in their food. We use Noble's Herring oil and coconut oil. Again--I switch up due to the allergy factor.....
northernwitch
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Post  Pugsaunt 3/7/2012, 8:43 pm

Poor Murph! Food allergies are such a pain for all concerned. Sending him good thoughts and hopes that it clears up soon. I know that Penny's grain problems have turned me into a devout label reader. Hugs to the Murph-Man and to my Duke of Twirl.
Pugsaunt
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Post  thminis 3/8/2012, 12:04 am

Quick reminder, I also really recommend a fish oil (the omega 3s are natural anti inflammatories and help protect the skin from allergens), but in order to do a real successful food trial, he can literally have nothing other than kibble.

Allergies usually get worse with age. If you're going to take the time and energy to do a food trial, you need to be able to be 100% certain if the food works or not (meaning no treats, no chews, no supplements/fish oil). Otherwise, if he doesn't get better, you'll never truly know. And I second what Blanche said about Salmon/fish protein sources.

I know how frustrating it is. Reggie is currently eating a rabbit protein source food after becoming allergic to Venison (and has always been allergic to beef and chicken).
thminis
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Post  Newsie96 3/8/2012, 11:17 am

Thanks for all the advice. I am just giving him the kibble at this point to see how he reacts. The formula I got also has NO eggs.

Once he's ok on a kibble we'll start on the oils.
Newsie96
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Post  LisaIzzyAggy 3/8/2012, 1:21 pm

Just one more tip, if the itching is localized there is a spray called "Genesis Spray" that works really well. You spray it on the itchy areas and let it dry. It does require a prescription and I'd try it before resorting to atopica. Izzy is on special food/treats, coconut oil, benydryl, genesis spray, weekly baths and atopica so let me know if you need any info on where to buy stuff.
LisaIzzyAggy
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Poor Murphy Empty Re: Poor Murphy

Post  Newsie96 4/9/2012, 9:33 am

Well, it's back to square one for Murphy. The food switch didn't do it and he's all red on his back legs again. It could be the salmon. We have another appointment with the vet on Friday. What other protein would you try?
Newsie96
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Post  Renee 4/9/2012, 12:25 pm

Newsie96 wrote:Well, it's back to square one for Murphy. The food switch didn't do it and he's all red on his back legs again. It could be the salmon. We have another appointment with the vet on Friday. What other protein would you try?

That's a bummer. Crying or Very sad The blue buffalo salmon has three different grains in it, oatmeal, brown rice and barley. Any three of those could be a culprit.

You may try a more limited ingredient diet that is either 100% grain free, or has just one single grain, or else an elimination diet. And, of course, with it being spring, I am sure his allergies are going to act up regardless.
Renee
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Post  Brenda 4/9/2012, 2:02 pm

My foster, Spencer, has horrible food allergies! We tried a few foods and ended up with an Iams food that's made from kangaroo meat. I am not thrilled with it, 1- for being from Iams and 2 - for being from kangaroos, but it seems to be the only thing that helps with his allergies. I use the kibble as treats too since he's a treat whore. He's also on pred every other day; not that I like that either, but.....

Good luck with the Murph Man!
Brenda
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Post  Newsie96 4/9/2012, 2:25 pm

Thanks for all the support. I also got some great aevice via email. I do NOT want to jump to anything drastic without ruling out his diet. I will keep you all posted.
Newsie96
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Post  thminis 4/10/2012, 12:18 am

Newsie96 wrote:Well, it's back to square one for Murphy. The food switch didn't do it and he's all red on his back legs again. It could be the salmon. We have another appointment with the vet on Friday. What other protein would you try?

Reggie developed an allergy to venison, and now his food is rabbit based. We've been lucky that he isn't allergic to any grains. I will say, in my experience, I've seen more protein allergies than grain. And yes, sadly at this point fish is becoming more and more common of an allergen.
thminis
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Post  sallyandtilly 4/10/2012, 9:28 am

Hoping you find something that works sooon. Tilly has allergies too and is on a grain free food now. Her tummy turned back to pink from the nasty allergy black tummy. I keep rotating proteins but even that is limited. Nature's Variety combined their beef with lamb which was a dumb thing to do. Tilly is allergic to beef so that is one less protein we can use. They are having trouble getting rabbit right now so that is off the shelf temporarily. She's eating duck and turkey now but will pick up another protein this week.
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Post  lisamak 4/10/2012, 9:41 am

sallyandtilly wrote:Hoping you find something that works sooon. Tilly has allergies too and is on a grain free food now. Her tummy turned back to pink from the nasty allergy black tummy. I keep rotating proteins but even that is limited. Nature's Variety combined their beef with lamb which was a dumb thing to do. Tilly is allergic to beef so that is one less protein we can use. They are having trouble getting rabbit right now so that is off the shelf temporarily. She's eating duck and turkey now but will pick up another protein this week.

Just a heads up that NV imports their rabbit from China, one of the reasons I typically don't recommend it as an option (and a good friend of mine works for NV so I feel bad). Cal Natural does a grain-free lamb that's single protein, it also has fewer ingredients (less fruit/veg to complicate things) than the NV if its available in your area (they also do a GF chicken, salmon, and kangaroo...all single-source proteins).
lisamak
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Post  Pugsaunt 4/10/2012, 4:22 pm

Poor Murph-man! Sending good thoughts that everything settles down soon. Hugs to all of you!
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Post  leslyeb 4/10/2012, 7:14 pm

Brenda, Chyna used to eat the Addiction Kangaroo and did great. I would order it from www.k9cuisine.com


Sam, you could try the Addiction Kangaroo or Chyna is now eating the Addiction Summer Brushtail dehydrated raw. She is allergic to most proteins. It was hard finding a food for her as so many contained a couple of proteins. Several of the fish based foods also had pork or chicken fat which was listed far down on the ingredient list
leslyeb
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