Food vs. Environmental Allergies

 At work we usually notice that itchy ears and feet usually equal food allergy, but I'd say if she seems to do it only seasonally and not all the time, maybe try some benadryl.  Sometimes that's not enough to kick it, and you may have to up it to a steroid (we usually try "Temaril-P" an antihistamine + steroid) to get things under control, then try to keep it controlled with just an antihistamine of some kind. Some dogs do better with different antihistamines, just like we do.  ;)  Antihistamines usually don't have many side effects, either (about all we see is drowsiness sometimes, and that's definitely not with all dogs), whereas steroids can be icky business.  You can also try giving her baths more often in a soothing, even medicated, shampoo (sometimes its grasses that get their allergies going, so its always nice to try to get that off and give them some relief---I know one dog that was allergy tested and he was allergic to fescue [among other things].  Poor dog, fescue has to be the most common thing around in SE-MO!).  Although, of course, you have to make sure not to bathe too much and to get all the shampoo out each time. 

Honestly usually the atopic allergies PREDATE food allergies.  Food allergies are easier to identify and easier to rectify but typically environmental allergies are "primary" but may have the dog at such a high allergy threshold all the time that one small food issue can push them over the edge.  But then take away the food and they seem "better" so then everyone assumes "fixed" -- and it's not.  It's just simmering below the surface.

calliecritturs

Food allergies are easier to identify and easier to rectify but typically environmental allergies are "primary" but may have the dog at such a high allergy threshold all the time that one small food issue can push them over the edge.  But then take away the food and they seem "better" so then everyone assumes "fixed" -- and it's not.  It's just simmering below the surface.

Agreed.  Many people are quick to jump on the food-allergy bandwagon and discount environmental allergies, but my understanding is that it's very unlikely for a dog to have food allergies and not also have other types of allergies.  In my allergy dog, although he's allergic to seven foods, I think they actually play a small roll compared to the 31 inhalant allergies he has.  I've never tried it, but I think as long as his inhalant allergies are kept under control (we do desensitization shots), he could probably eat his offending foods w/o reacting much, if at all.  Because keeping the inhalants under control keeps him under his threshold.  OTOH, taking away his food allergens (via an elimination diet that we did prior to testing) while his inhalant allergies were flaring did little to help.

 I was totally shocked, when I switched Emma to Z/D. Things that I thought were food allergies, weren't. Things that I thought weren't, were. When I had her allergy tested, I was totally shocked. I had her sensitivities completely wrong (if the test was right). The poor dog is allergic to human dander, dust, and grass. Can't keep her inside, can't keep her outside, and it's not going to just go away, LOL.

She has a really off and on yeasty ear. It's continued, off and on, while on Z/D and nothing else. She is also still scratching, almost full force. That was not a food sensitivity.

 Yes! Dog in a bubble! That's what I thought of, immediately, when I read the results. She just needs a bubble, with filtered air, filtered water, and hypoallergenic food. It's a little silly, but it is what it is. Knowing has helped, a lot. It's just crazy how completely wrong I was!

 Did you get a blood test for Em's food allergies? B/c those can be off---I mistakenly did that for Jetta several years ago and it said she was allergic to corn and wheat when I absolutely know that she is not. And the results didn't list the things that today I know causes her to scratch.

 Yes. So far, it's right. I got the VARL test.

Myra

Many people are quick to jump on the food-allergy bandwagon and discount environmental allergies, but my understanding is that it's very unlikely for a dog to have food allergies and not also have other types of allergies.  In my allergy dog, although he's allergic to seven foods, I think they actually play a small roll compared to the 31 inhalant allergies he has.  I've never tried it, but I think as long as his inhalant allergies are kept under control (we do desensitization shots), he could probably eat his offending foods w/o reacting much, if at all.  Because keeping the inhalants under control keeps him under his threshold.  OTOH, taking away his food allergens (via an elimination diet that we did prior to testing) while his inhalant allergies were flaring did little to help.

  I agree that when a dog has allergy symptoms, environmental allergies should be considered first. However, my veterinary dermatologist believes that food allergies are more common than previously thought. On our first visit, she had me put Jessie on an elimination diet. I followed her instructions but doubted if anything would come of it. Well, I was very wrong. As most of you know, it turned out that Jessie has many food allergies, so I would definitely recommend that anyone with an allergy dog try an elimination diet.

  As for how much food allergies affect a dog compared to environmental allergies, I think it's on an individual basis. Offending foods definitely affect Jessie more than environmental allergies, and she's more sensitive to some foods than others. Her worst food allergy is salmon and while she's allergic to chicken she can tolerate it longer before she shows a reaction.

jettababy

Did you get a blood test for Em's food allergies? B/c those can be off---I mistakenly did that for Jetta several years ago and it said she was allergic to corn and wheat when I absolutely know that she is not. And the results didn't list the things that today I know causes her to scratch.

  I asked my derm vet about this a few years ago and she gave me a very good (and technical, over my head) explanation of why blood testing for food allergies was unreliable. I haven't seen chaza around here for awhile, but she paid about $300 for a blood test for food allergies and the results were wrong.

  Jennie; I really hope the lab you used was more accurate.