Gee everyone.... I really wasn't expecting this many suggestions about my poor Slobber's allergies. Thanks to all who posted. I hope this thread helps anyone else out who is just as frustrated as I am with commercial pet products and guessing what could be the next thing to try to alleviate itchy symptoms.
I am not sure where to start to respond ....
Elf Mommy and Bo B, I had the cats on Natural Balance reduced formula for some time, but Pearl was still itchy on that. Chicken Soup for cats was one of the other foods we tried, but she was still itchy. None of the cats ate the Felidae (cat formula of Canidea). The vet suggested Purina OM (stuff only vets carry) and Pearl did better on that, but the first ingredient was corn gluten meal.
They are finally eating the Wellness brand, but it is rather expensive and it is too soon to know if it will help with the itchies. After this, we may try the Evo cat formula or something before going back to the vet stuff.
Korr_and _Sophie, I did read about the BARF diet on some web site. It would get quite pricey for a big dog, but we always seem to find the money in our budgets for the critters...
Thanks for the link for the food analysis. I will take a look at that, but with a grain of salt because some of these things can be backed by any company with enough pull. (Remember the Wal-Mart Ol' Roy survey/analysis of foods?)
Werecatrising, I have been thinking about the allergy test, but it is about $300.00. I don't mind switching his foods at this point to figure out if it could be the grains or meat source. If I do not get anywhere with that, the allergy test will be next on the list of things to try. I will look into the atopica stuff for him also. Does that get perscribed after allergy testing, or could that be used without knowing what the exact allergen is?
RexyRex and BO B, we did the benedryl as a trial to see if it would decrease his itchiness. He would need three or four pill twice a day to see any affects because of his size. The decrease in his itchiness was so minimal that I didn't think that spending seven dollars a week on pills wasn't worth it. I would rather put the money toward a better dog food that could take his itchiness away completely.
The only other thing that crosses my mind is stress. We all think that sleeping all day is not that stressful for an animal, but for Slobbers it could be different. He is such a social butterfly on his walks that I swear he picks routes that will take him right to the people who will want to lovey him up. It has been so cold of late, that walks are almost impossible. It also works the other way during the summer, too hot to walk a cold-weather dog.
Thanks again every one for the input. I will look into the foods that are grain-free next, give him a good bath, and hope that something works before we spend the big bucks for a test.
myheart
