Dog Community

Itchiness due to WHEAT ALLERGY ?

Posted : 6/4/2006 11:53:04 PM

There is an autoimmune disorder in humans called "celiac sprue" which is an allergy to wheat products. Light skinned people are more prone to it. It can manifest itself through a skin condition ("dermatitis herpetiformis";). It seems like light skinned dogs experience skin disorders with a higher rate. Has anyone asked their vet if it could be a type of allergy to wheat products?? Perhaps dog food without wheat would help.

On a smaller scale, I noticed that when I gave my dog (who doesn't have skin problems) a daily bath because she loves baths (just warm water....no soap & no shampoo because a daily soaping/shampooing probably would be drying & harmful to her skin) she would never scratch her skin. When I stopped giving her a daily soaking, she gradually started to scratch...& now I'll see her stop & scratch at least once a day (just for a few seconds). It seems like frequent bathing (without soap) keeps skin mites away...

cakana

Posted : 6/5/2006 9:01:30 AM

I've wondered the same thing about the celiac disease and it being a possible problem with dogs. I've never asked my vet, but I've done so much reading about allergies and never seen it. It doesn't mean it isn't possible, but I'd think it would've been considered by now. On the other hand, it's only been in the last several years that I've really heard much about it in humans, so who knows.
I think the daily bathing (or rinsing) has been proven to be very helpful in getting the allergens (pollens or whatever) off the skin. It makes good sense and I'd be doing more of it if my big lab weren't such a pain about it. She used to like baths, but now she sees me near the hose or anything bath-like, and she goes and hides [

].

M.W.Lewis

Posted : 6/5/2006 2:37:40 PM

The [linkhttp://www.DogtorJ.net]www.DogtorJ.net[/link] site has good info on gluten intolerance in dogs and people.
Apparently it has been diagnosed in Irish Setters, I would imagine it's more common that we know at this point. So many dogs have grain allergies, and gluten is certainly a protein found in many grains. Dog food companies are including tapioca and other carbs in lieu of wheat, barley and oatmeal (although it seems oats may not be problematic for celiacs now according to the article).

Margaret Tyler

Posted : 6/8/2006 8:25:11 PM

My dog's allergic to wheat. He gets ear infections and a rash when fed large amounts of it. ( a large wheat dog biscuit) I've also heard thatdogs can be allergic to grain mites that can be found in any type of grain (rice wheat barley corn). So maybe try a food with no grains.

David Cagle

Posted : 6/18/2006 12:00:19 AM

My Lab has been itching a lot lately and I thought it was due to wheat. A friend gave us some dog biscuits and the first ingredient was wheat. I also recently switched him over to Innova EVO dog food but I'm also wondering if it's from that, but I don't think there is any wheat in it. The first 5 ingredients are meat. What do you guys think?

M.W.Lewis

Posted : 6/21/2006 8:08:09 AM

ORIGINAL: davidcagle

My Lab has been itching a lot lately and I thought it was due to wheat. A friend gave us some dog biscuits and the first ingredient was wheat. I also recently switched him over to Innova EVO dog food but I'm also wondering if it's from that, but I don't think there is any wheat in it. The first 5 ingredients are meat. What do you guys think?

It could be food allergies or another type of allergies (even mites).
You asked if the Evo could do this and yes, especially if it has multiple meat sources.
Some dogs with food allergies can't tolerate many meat sources, that's why companies always trying to find new ones ( bison, elk, duck, venison, rabbit)
If you systematically try each meat source you'll see if he is allergic to them. I'd eliminate grains as you have done already. Even though your friend may have meant well with the biscuit that in itself is enough for some dogs to react to.