Atopic dermatit

[Kristina Brannlund Westin]

This time of year is so lovely but there is a backside of it and that is my "Titos" allergic problems starts all over again. During winter no problems at all but now bathe, wash and anoint with various ointments cortison starts. What I have read this allergic condition is hereditary to a certain extent and is more common in certain breeds, and that includes setters, so I just need to know if there is some one else with this problem and if there is some other treatment than cortison treatment who can relieve symptoms.
Must be terrible with this itchy skin all the time.

//Kristina, Cherrybloom´s

[Kristina Brannlund Westin]

I also read that a sweetener for diabetics could be very dangerous for dogs, correct me if I´m wrong.

[Catherine Carter]

I started feeding garlic more than 20 years ago when I read the book by Juliette de Bairacli Levy ( The complete herbal Handbook for the dog and the cat). She was very much the fore runner of natural feeding. Also we have in the UK a company called Dorwest who has a stand at most Championship Shows and one of their best selling product is fenugreek and garlic tablets. So I think Garlic is safe for dogs.

[Kristina Brannlund Westin]

Thank´s Catherine,
Good to hear, and you and others have practised it for many years so I am sure that it is okey. We also know that it is healthy for humans and for sure also same effects on dogs.

//Kristina

[Laura Kolbach]

sweeteners are even dangerous for humans......

[Kristina Brannlund Westin]

Yes I know, but did you also read this american rapport of this kind of sweeterners who is so toxic so the dogs have to been put to sleep, because of inner damage on kidneys, liver and so on,

[Diane Cardwell]

dear Catherine
where do you buy the dried garlic that you give to your dogs? I have problems with my Rupert every spring/summer and am convinced that he has an allergy to something that only occurs at these times.
Regards Diane Cardwell

[Cheryl Gorey]

Hi Kristina
I personally haven't had any problems with feeding garlic and I know a lot of the dry foods and other natural diets we can buy here in Australia all have garlic in them and it is great for the skin, the blood circulation etc.

But I only just read yesterday where they (some experts) are now including garlic with onions (as they come from the same family) as being toxic to dogs. So I am cautious to recommend to someone now. I think they are still debating this as there is no definitive amount that if the dog is given too much when does it become toxic. I am sure many of us on this forum use garlic regularly (whether directly or indirectly given to the dogs).

I agree with Ursula's comment, some dogs must be more sensitive to different things than others. This is certainly the case with humans.

My thoughts are as your boy only experiences this itchy skin in the warmer months and only body areas and underarms, perhaps a change in diet may assist. Perhaps the food that he gets in winter doesn't cause any problems because he is not sweating and getting hot, but maybe it keeps his blood a bit warm in summer and causes a type of heat rash? This is only an assumption, but may be worth a try. But red meat has always been noted as heating the blood! So, it may be worth a try to have more chicken and/or fish in his diet during summer?

When I had my allergy I had the testing done and it came back as me being allergic to horses (which I knew about already), and dogs! My dogs live with me in my house day in and day out, so I couldn't believe that I could be suddenly allergic to dogs. The allergy testing (in Australia for humans anyway) is not that reliable. My homeopathic practitioner strengthened my liver cause my body was under stress and not coping with external environment. I don't have any symptoms and my dogs still live with me in my home whenever I am home they are with me. The reason I am sharing this, as I am not sure whether I would rely only on testing.
regards
Cheryl

[Melinda Auld]

We thought our labrador's reactions were based on environment too - because they seemed to be worse in spring etc. But since we've change the diet, the seasonal changes don't bother him any more. Whether this is because he is better able to cope with seasonal allergins now that his diet is not also affecting him, I can't say. Grass used to drive him crazy. Since the diet change, it doesn't bother him at all. He is happy to lie out on the grass in any season. This is what worked for him, though. It may or may not work for others.

Interesting point about chicken being a "low allergenic" food. Our vet said that chicken, in his experience, was the NUMBER ONE cause of dietary allergies in most of the animals he saw. This is because - in Australia at least - chickens here are given antiobiotics to help them grow faster (not steroids - they are banned here). His theory is that the constant over-dosing of "feed" animals on antiobiotics, as well as the over-vaccination of these animals, is the primary catalyst in causing allergies in the animals who subsequently eat them. He has to be on to something where our labrador is concerned, because any animal that has been raised in such a manner causes an immediate (and very explosive) reaction in our dog! If you think about it, too - it can't be good for dogs to be eating the meat of animals who are loaded with both drugs, and the feed animal's own immune reaction to those drugs.

Does Titos eat a lot of chicken? Maybe cut out chicken for a month and see if you notice any improvement. Also, an addition to his diet of a fish oil (or even better, flax seed oil) tablet once a day (human strength is fine) can help soothe dry, irritated skin. A teaspoon of good quality apple cider vinegar added to their drinking water also does wonders for a healthy coat and skin, and has other benefits as well.

I don't believe that garlic is particularly harmful to dogs in small doses. However, remember that it does have anticoagulent properties and therefore does have the potential to cause harm, if the potential already exists in the dog to have, say, bleeding issues or whatever.

[Cheryl Gorey]

Hi All

I agree with you Melinda as far as the chicken goes if this is a diet related allergy. My earlier post on this forum talked about my old boy who has an allergy to chicken. This was diagnosed many years ago (probably about 7-8) as he is now 11 years old. When I took him to our vet, he was surprised that I thought it was chicken, but perhaps now they are seeing more and more of it and realise the impact of the growth treatments/antibiotics that the chickens are fed and the problems this is causing our dogs.

I didn't notice the seasonal thing with Monty but perhaps that is because our winters are so mild as our winter days still get up into the low to mid 20's during winter.

All the best Kristina, hope you find a solution. Keep us posted how you go.
cheers
Cheryl

[Kristina Brannlund Westin]

Hi Cheryl and Melinda!
Looking at ingriedents at my dogfood it is a lot of chicken in it, so now I will trye to get another food for Tito. I will also get him extra oil in food. Here in Sweden antibiotics are banned to give chickens and pigs and all kind of animals who will produce milk or meat, but I am not sure that Royal Canin is made here in Sweden, have to check that out.
Thank´s a lot for your concern and answers,
//Kristina and Tito

[Sue and Cash]

I believe what artificial sweetener your referring to is Xylitol. It is found in gum such as Trident and many many others. It is so dangerous for dogs. One piece can kill a 20lb dog. Look it up online. And be so careful as to not let your dogs get into your purse if you have any mints or gum in there. Other brands also use it. Dublin ate one piece and the next day he woke with what we thought was seizure type things. He had trouble standing right. Wobbly type swaying. I help him up and look at him knowing he was sick. It wasn't a usual seizure like my other epileptic dog had. But then he had this head temor going on. I rushed to the vet and the only thing different the evening before was that he snatched a piece of trident gum from my husband. We aren't totally sure but those are the symptoms listed for poisoning of the product. On the subject of food. I feel sort of qualified to comment since I have worked as a product demonstrator in the premium pet food market on and off for 10 years now. If you dog has seasonal allergies. Diet probably won't help. And yes chicken is high on the list for dogs when they get tested for food sensitivites. Poultry in general. I have Dublin on Pro Plan sensitive skin and stomach. Which is no corn or wheat. Salmon first and brewers rice. He does very well on so far. Been over a year now. Great coat. Many of friends use it too because dogs love the taste, and you don't have to have a sensitive stomach or skin to use it! It is just a very simple ingredient panel which is easier to digest for dogs. I work for a rather well known organic food. Grain free, and rated in the top one or two is most lists. But I don't use it for him. He is doing well and I don't fix what isn't broken! I know some people use Benedryl for allergies that are seasonal. Might ask your vet aobut that. If it isn't contact allergies, meaning paws on the grass, or tummy when laying on the weeds etc. Then it is airborne and that is tough to treat., We have to get out and we have to breath. Good luck to you.

[Kristina Brannlund Westin]

Thank´s Susan!

Sounds scaring with this Xylitol, not so many people know about it and it can be devistating for the dog. Will look for this food with salmon and rice.

Again thank you, Kristina