Dog Allergies |
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INTRODUCTION Many dogs are diagnosed with Allergies
when they actually have a Systemic
Yeast Infection with a secondary bacteria infection on the
skin. Please read about both problems through the links I provide
for you before you make a decision. You need to read all about the
two problems (Allergies and Yeast Issues) before you spend all that
money on expensive and inconclusive and expensive allergy tests, which
often produce a false positive results making it look like
your pet has sensitivities to multiple sources when really it doesn't.
This is because the pet's immune system is severely
compromised so to differentiate between an allergy and yeast, we find
if you put the dog on a single source protein food, like
Precise Lamb/Rice Sensicare formula and boast the immune function
with Colostrum,
the dog should show results within a short time. If not, then we know
for sure we are dealing with a systemic yeast issue. I have simply
known of more dogs diagnosed with an allergy when in fact it was a
systemic yeast issues, so in the long run it is better to treat for
yeast issues and it is less costly and you has better results. Personally, I would try
to treat your pet's "so-called" allergy, by trying a change
in food and the Yeast Removal Kit to kill and detoxify the yeast. Reoccurring
ear infections is a dead giveaway to yeast issues. My Dog Has Itchy Skin!Itchy skin is one of the most common complaints of pet owners but the reasons for itchy skin can be numerous.
I think it is important to understand the difference between food allergies and food intolerance. A food intolerance will often cause a digestive 'upset' of some sort. A food allergy, on the other hand, causes an immune reaction when the offending substance is introduced. Randy Wysong DVM writes: "Allergy is a breakdown in the immune system as a result of years of improper feeding and care. Anyone who is feeding singular diets day in and day out is inviting allergic disaster. Animals naturally crave and need variety just as humans do. Food allergy may in fact be a mechanism in the body to attempt to force us to eat different foods. Variety is not only the spice of life - it is fundamental to health." Albert Townshend DVM writes: "Food allergy is rare; other causes of GI and/or dematologic sign are more common and some may also respond (for nonallergeric reasons) to dietary manipulation. There are two types of unpleasant reactions to food. The first is an immunologic reaction (a true food allergy). The second is a nonimmunologic reaction (what is termed a food intolerance). Food intolerance are much more common. Allergic reactions do occur to corn, however, depending on the research cited, corn is not thought to be a very common allergen. At least not as high on the list as soybeans, beef, wheat, eggs or dairy products. Even rice has been found to cause allergic reactions in a rare few animals."
Allergies and Food Sensitivity
- Randy Wysong DVM
These conditions are caused primarily by inadequate nutrition and the constant feeding of so-called “complete” pet foods meal after meal. Breaking this cycle results from rotating nutritious foods, reducing starch, and increasing highly bioavailable proteins. Contrary to popular and professional belief, a diagnosis and identification of a specific food allergen “CANNOT be made on the basis of clinical signs, routine clinicopathological data, serum antigen-specific IgE assay, gastroscopic food sensitivity testing, or gastrointestinal biopsy.” A food must be test fed to determine tolerance. (Guliford, W. Grant, et al. Food Sensitivity in Cats with Chronic Idiopathic Gastrointestinal Problems. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 15 (1), 7-13, 2008.) • “…Diagnosis requires dietary elimination-challenge trials and cannot be made on the basis of clinical signs, routine clinicopathological data, serum antigen-specific IgE assay, gastroscope food sensitivity testing or gastrointestinal biopsy…” Guliford, W. Grant, et al. Food Sensitivity in Cats with Chronic Idopathic Gatrointestinal Problems. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 15 (1), 7-13, 2008. • “…Skin-testing with selected allergenic food extracts was not useful in identifying food-sensitive dogs.” Kunkle, G, and S. Horner. Validity of skin testing for diagnosis of food allergy in dogs. American Journal of the Veterinary Medical Association, 200 (5), 677-680, 1992. • “…adverse reaction to food….diagnosis can only be made by the use of an elimination diet. Blood tests (e.g. allergen-specific IgE) or skin tests are not recommended…” Blourge, V.C., et al. Diagnosis of Adverse Reactions to Food in Dogs: Efficacy of a Soy-Isolate Hydrolyzate-Based Diet. Journal of Nutrition, 134, 2062S-2064S, 2004. • “…suggested that only those products with high or very high protein digestibility should be routinely recommended for patients with suspected adverse food reactions.” Roudebush, P, et al. Protein Characteristics of Commercial Canine and Feline Hypoallergenic Diets. Veterinary Dermatology, 5 (2), 69-74, 2008.
Which Way To Turn There is much myth and misinformation on the Internet regarding this topic of allergies and its relationship to food stuffs. The internet is a tool to quickly disseminate information to a large portion of the general population. And with this capability, there is truthful information circulated, as well as the "intentional" distribution of misinformation or propaganda used in new marketing techniques. Sometimes these tactics are done to try and dissuade the public from the use of a competitors product or to gain momentum for a particular cause. In short, the internet is the new venue for propaganda and it is often difficult for the average user to sort out the truth from the myth. One example of propaganda is the myth that corn causes allergies in dogs. First, corn is one of the best natural sources of coat and skin conditioners like Omega 6. It has an overall digestibility is 90% and carbohydrate digestibility is 99%. In the instance of Eagle Dog Foods use of whole corn, Eagle grinds whole corn fresh for their products and they do not use any genetically engineered corn. It is bought from local farmers and no pesticides are applied from the day the seed is planted until the corn is picked. High quality whole corn is an excellent carbohydrate that is "used" as a carbohydrate source, not counted as protein source and it is not listed first on the ingredient panel. The fact is, legitimate research shows whole corn, to be considered very low on the list of foods that cause allergic reactions. Before jumping on the bandwagon against corn used as a carbohydrate in a diet, you need to understand there is one cause for allergic reactions and that is a problem with an immune system. But there are many triggers for an "allergic type" reaction, some include: Genetic predisposition for Inhalant Atopic Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis, Vaccines reactions (Purdue Study- Vaccine Mediated Responses), Candida Albicans (see Systemic Yeast Infections), Flea bite or Insect bite Determatitis, Thyroid and/or Hormones and in rare cases, food allergies.
It is my experience working with many owners and breeders, that the majority of the times when they think the dog has a food allergy and they try a shift in diet, the dog drastically improves. Systemic Yeast infections are also responsible for similar reactions such as shedding, itchy skin, hotspots, redness between the toes, constant ear infections, yeast infections, urinary tract infections only to name a few. Word About Contact Allergies Sometimes what appears to be a food allergy is actually a contact allergy. Some of the things that cause allergies are carpet products (sprinkle kind), like Carpet Fresh. I know of a breeder who spent thousands of dollars trying to figure out what was wrong with their show dog. They had this dog back and forth to Purdue with no results. Then one day I the owner and he told me of their problems with this dog and how his show career was over because of his skin problem. I knew he was on a very good diet so I figured something else was going on. So I asked the owner "do you use Carpet Fresh?".......he replied, "Oh yes, 2 -3 times a week, we have two males in the house". I said, "Well, sir more than likely that is your problem, you will need to have your carpets professionally cleaned to have the stuff remove and the dog will be fine." I ran into them weeks later and he was glad to report once they cleaned the carpets and bathed the dog, the skin the problem went away. If you think you have to use something on your carpet just use baking soda. Tide detergent, as well as other detergents can be a very big problem if used on dog bedding. Just wash bedding in bleach no soap and NO softeners which can trigger respiratory reactions in young animals and children in particular Any aerosol sprays, like air freshener and especially Lysol and other kinds of disinfectants. Do not use them. Yard, flower, bug sprays and sprayed fields in agricultural areas all of these things can cause serious contact allergy reactions. And lastly, swimming pools with chemicals/chlorine can also be a serious problem for skin and coats. In the majority of these cases, owners can remedy the situation simply by switching the diet (Blackwatch Feed Program), and eliminating environmental factors (detergents, Lysol sprays, carpet sprinkle products. lawn sprays. etc).A Suggestion For Food or Contact Allergies Change the Diet - (Blackwatch Feed Programs) - the supplements I recommend for dogs with allergies will detoxify and boost immune function so the body can resolve the sensitivites. It is important that you understand that variety in a diet is essential to help prevent these sensitivities. The supplements recommended can be purchased in a kit form Kit#15 -Allergy Support
Skin condition: Mist or wipe the spots with a solution of Oxy-Drops (1 teaspoon + 1 cup distilled water). 2-3 times a day until the condition subsides. Never use Oxy-Drops full strength.
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