Hypo Allergenic foods and links

[labracorn]

Thanks ZenCat for these links she has done a great deal of research in this area.
They are all true allergy foods (single protein, single carb):

Californa Natural (Lamb & Rice or Chicken & Rice)
http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=cal-home

Natural Balance makes 4 different limited ingredient formulas
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/allergy/home.html

Wellness makes 2 limited ingredient formulas: Simple Solutions Duck & Venison
http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/well...ons_index.html

[ZenCat]

Your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet for your dog in certain cases (i.e. diagnosing possible food allergy, IBS, pancreatitis, liver function, etc.). While I used to consider these foods as having "inferior" ingredients, after several years of seeing repeated success on this board, and experiencing dramatic results in my own pets, I've revised my opinion of them.

What I've come to believe is that the ingredients themselves are not the point, but the state of them (i.e. proteins broken down so small as to be truly hypoallergenic) and the balance of them for particular conditions (very important in dogs suffering from liver disease or pancreatitis).

In addition, many of these diets are prescribed for a certain period of time only (allergy food trial, during recovery from illness, etc.) and while they are expensive, they should be considered part of your dog's medical treatment.

For those diets that are used for a limited period, please be sure to check with your vet on what type of food you should look for to support your dog's condition, after the prescription diet is finished. Do you need to use a limited ingredient food for food allergies/intolerances? A certain fat percentage for a dog with pancreatitis? Your vet is the person who should help you with this decision.

If, during these difficult times, you absolutely can not afford a prescription diet, again - please work with your vet to figure out what your next best option is, i.e. limited ingredient diet, home cooked diet, etc.

[Rubi'sMom]

This is great information -- Thank you! I was looking for these comparisons earlier this week because I need to switch over to a hypoallergenic diet because Rubi has this skin condition that isn't going away. You just saved me a lot of research!!

[ZenCat]

Glad to help!

[yahpetrescue]

ZenCat- any suggestions on which one of those may be best for a chihuahua we rescued that has chronic diarrhea? We had him tested for every kind of parasite, he doesn't have a virus, and seems really healthy otherwise. We have him on Nutro Natural Choice Senior Formula, but then the vet switched him to Science Diet I/D, which doesn't seem to be helping. We're thinking he either stripped his intestines with stress-induced diarrhea and now is having trouble recouping, or he has food allergies. Any recommendations for one of the foods above?

My dog has been on the NB Potato and duck for a long time and he still gets itchy paws, shaking of head and is always licking himself. I tried to change his food to the Venision, but he had a lot of problems with it.

[ZenCat]

whitelab, are you feeding the NB P&D exclusively (no other treats of any kind)? If so and he's still suffering, I'd recommend discussing allergy testing with your veterinarian. I'd also highly recommend finding a holistic vet in your area who will be able to look at your dog's whole situation and craft a personalized diet for your dog.

To find a board certified holistic vet in your area you can use the search function on the American Holistic Veterinary Medicine site: http://www.ahvma.org

[DogtorJ]

Great advice, ZenCat.

I have found the biggest cause of non-response to the potato-based diets to be "cheating" on someone's part- either the pet is stealing food (at home, from other pets, or around the neighborhood), the kids are feeding them, or a well-meaning family member is showing their love my sneaking treats to them.

For example, I had a client come in the other day for an exam and her dog's skin looked horrible. I asked what she was feeding and she quickly told me "I'm feeding your **** expensive duck and potato!!!" I didn't flinch and asked "Let me ask you. Are your pets restricted to your house and yard or do they wander around the cul-de-sac like mine do?" She answered "Oh, they get around the neighborhood." So I asked "What are the chances that they are getting into the next door neighbor's pet foods?" She boldly stated "Oh, they do that all the time." Hmmm...

So, I have a list of questions to ask when the pet is "non-responsive". It usually provides the answer.

But we must remember: For those that were changed from a food with the gut-damaging ingredients (gluten, casein, soy, or corn) to the duck and potato, there is a chance that the pet will develop an allergy to duck (or even rarely potatoes) due to the damage that was done by the "big 4" above. This IS the basis for the "secondary" food allergies. The primary allergens are the gluten grains (wheat, barley, rye), cow's milk (casein), soy and corn because they do the damage. The secondary allergens are any proteins that pass through that damaged gut that the immune system responds to by forming allergy antibodies to them. This is why, according to the FDA, the childhood allergens (in order) are cow's milk, wheat, egg, and soy. The main dog allergens are cow's milk, wheat, beef, and soy. And the cat allergens are cow's milk, wheat, fish, and soy. The third in each case represents the first secondary allergen and are so because they are the most common protein mixed with the potentially gut-damaging OTHER three. Then, the adulthood human allergens are things like shellfish, peanuts, tropical fruits, tomatoes, and others...things that have been passing through the already damaged gut over the years.

So, the other explanation for a pet to not do well on the duck and potato is that the individual developed an allergy to duck (or potatoes) shortly after they were put on it. The good news is that the duck and potato does not do harm to the gut and if they are on it long enough, the intestine may have healed from damage done by the previously bad diet. Then, if that pet is put on one of the other potato formulas (venison, rabbit, white fish) they usually do well (unless they are already allergic to fish, for example).

BUT, once again, the most common cause of failure is obviously non-compliance. Once we develop a strong confidence in the positive effects of these diets (like I have done), then we can boldly "interrogate" these clients until they confess. (smile). I do it almost every day. I have learned how to do it quite painlessly.

Hope this helps,
John

PS. Of course, another reason for continued itching is persistent inhalant allergies. I have found that the inhalant reactions usually disappear anywhere from 4 days to two years after starting the diet with the average being a few months. There are various reasons for this variation, including non-compliance, air quality/environmental issues, and degree of affliction in that individual. The most afflicted breeds develop the worst immune suppression from these gut-damaging diets. Those can take the longest time to recover and have the inhalant reactions to stop.

I was told to give my lab a medicine called Missing Link. Has anyone heard of this medicine.

[ZenCat]

Missing Link is a nutritional supplement. It looks like a decent one, but I'm personally a bit wary of oversupplementation, especially with a sensitive or allergy dog.

I would also not use Missing Link during an elimination diet, or for any dog who has shown sensitivity to grains (it contains grains). And I also don't like that it has unnamed animal components (Freeze Dried Liver, Freeze Dried Bone... who's liver? who's bone?).

Missing Link Ingredients:
FLAX SEED, BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES, RICE BRAN, PRIMARY DRIED YEAST, SUNFLOWER SEED, FREEZE DRIED LIVER, DEHYDRATED ALFALFA, DRIED CARROT, FREEZE DRIED BONE, DRIED FISH MEAL, FREEZE DRIED OYSTER, SPROUTED GREEN BARLEY, DRIED KELP, LECITHIN, GARLIC AND YUCCA SCHIDIGERA EXTRACT.

[jonesdds]

I was also recommended to use the Missing Link product. I think, like Science diet foods, its something that is heavily marketed through vets offices to boost practice income. It may be a good supplement but being a dentist I know that many practioners selling products are not doing it because its the best thing but are doing it to boost sales. Not always the case but you have to ask the question as to why the practioner is recommending it.

Jeff

[AndiJay]

We just found out that Moose has food allergies. Dh got a bag of the Purina HA from our vet, but I read the ingredients and told him to wait. Got online to do some research & came here first. Glad I did. Moose is now transitioning to Wellness Super5Mix for puppies, and all the old food and treats are gone. He's already stopped sneezing, and the paw licking has lessened also. Thanks guys!!!

I feel like we have tried everything to help Reagan with her allergies. i read this board daily and try whatever is suggested by all of you. I realized that one thing we haven't tried is new treats. the vet switched her food, do you think we should switch her treats too (she used to eat IAMS puppy biscuits)? If so, please let me know what your dogs like. I purchased some organic treats for her and it has been a major set back in training-she HATES them!
Thanks!

[skoochi]

How about the treats?

If i feed my dog a Hypo-allergenic food but still want to give treats, what treats can i give?

I have been giving the dehydrated chicken strips that you can buy in a bag at Costco. Are they OK to give? My dogs absolutely love them better then any other treat.

[Lovemylabby]

A great treat to try for sensitive dogs is the California Natural Lamb and Rice Health Bars.
They are very good and made with very simple ingredients....Toby and Bailey just love them!
Here is the website for them

www.naturapet.com