I'm having a big problem with Dozer and his allergies. They are really bad again, he is licking his paws until they are soggy, and puffy, his eyes are goopy, and he is itchy. I have been giving him Benadryl, and it helps a little but I need to find a new food for him. I have spoken to my vet, and to the girl who works at the pet food store where I buy my dog food, she has a Boxer with severe allergies and is very knowledgable about them. After speaking to both, I have been told the best thing to do is to detoxify Dozer from all proteins, since he keeps acquiring new protein allergies after being okay on one for months, but then he becomes allergic to it. So far he is showing allergies to Chicken, salmon, beef and now Lamb. I have 3 methods that I can do the detoxifying,
1) I can put him on a bland diet for a month.
2) I can feed him just pumpkin and yogurt for a couple of weeks, or
3) I can place him on a limited ingredient Vegan dog food for a period of 2 weeks, but no
more than a month, and then introduce a limited ingredient food that has a protein that he has never had before and that his body isn't likely to recognize, like Kangaroo or Venison. The idea is that when you reintroduce a unknown protein, the immune system will not recognize and hopefully he will tolerate it. The limited ingredient food that was recommended is Nature's Variety Limited Ingredient or Cavier. I looked up both and Nature's Variety seems like a good food, but the Caviar brand does not have good reviews or ratings and has had some recalls. Has anyone used or is familiar with this brand? Should I detoxify him of proteins, or should I just home cook for him? I'm so confused on what is best, and I feel so bad that he is feeling itchy and miserable.
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
1) I can put him on a bland diet for a month.
2) I can feed him just pumpkin and yogurt for a couple of weeks, or
3) I can place him on a limited ingredient Vegan dog food for a period of 2 weeks, but no
more than a month, and then introduce a limited ingredient food that has a protein that he has never had before and that his body isn't likely to recognize, like Kangaroo or Venison. The idea is that when you reintroduce a unknown protein, the immune system will not recognize and hopefully he will tolerate it. The limited ingredient food that was recommended is Nature's Variety Limited Ingredient or Cavier. I looked up both and Nature's Variety seems like a good food, but the Caviar brand does not have good reviews or ratings and has had some recalls. Has anyone used or is familiar with this brand? Should I detoxify him of proteins, or should I just home cook for him? I'm so confused on what is best, and I feel so bad that he is feeling itchy and miserable.
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.