Dog_Lover:
This is the first time I've seen this post -- been really busy with my dog's issues this week. [
] I'm wondering if you are in mid AL? I want to suggest someone who will be a drive away -- but whom I think will be worth the effort in seeing. She is located in GA - right north of Atlanta. She would need your records - sent before your visit- and a list of all foods ever given. She just put my girl on the hydrolyzed protein source - but only for a few weeks till we start a TRUE elimination diet. Basically, she is using that particular food because I've never fed this food before, and she wants the first food fed to be one that I wouldn't want to continue with in case my dog becomes allergic to it since her gut is problably inflammed. She also have me a special probiotic that I can't buy anywhere else. (I looked it up and no, they didn't over-charge for it. There is another human version, but it's not hypo-allergenic). It has been studied to actually contain the live bacteria because it has been freeze-dried first. I thought the refridgerated probiotics were good, but even they "die off" while on the shelf. The one she carries is hypo-allergenic, which is really important in doing a food trial (you don't want to give anything with a beef base). The thing with food allergies is to heal the gut and then start in a methodical manner to only give one meat source and one non-starchy carb that has never been given before. In my case that's bad, because I've switched foods a lot. But, in time, I will be able to "test" other foods and bring back the ones she's not allergic to.
Having seen several vets for my dog, I can say I was very impressed with her. The first visit is one hour long and the office visit is $110. Honestly, in my opinion that was a bargain. You are getting years of specific training for these types of issues. I have spent way more just on testing for allergies and hair anaylsis and such that didn't help. My normal office visits are $ 35- $ 45 and only last 10 minues. She is a TCVM vet, and has written books, and has been a contributing author to Whole Dog Journal. You will save money in the long run by going to an expert who knows what test need to be run and what doesn't. In reading up, I found a potential answer to my dogs problem and so I had suggested a
articular blood test that would have been close to $200, but she had tried that years ago, and said it didn't help solve the answers. So, she wasn't in any hurry to spend my money. Wow!
Also, my dog has had some kind of back leg/hip issue which I went out of town about a year and 1/2 ago to get chiropractic treatment on. It helped her to walk easier. Well, she was starting to have problems again, and this vet is also an accupuncturist -- so I had requested treatment. I knew this would be a series of treatments, and would add up to a bit of money, and lots of travel days, but I was willing to do it. Know what? She said to wait on that. I had the x-rays which she looked at and bottom line was she thought maybe the food allergies were contributing to muscular spasms, and that her walking problem might be eliminated by the food trial. Very impressive! Again, not willing to do possibly un-nessary treatments just to line her pocketbook. Again, Wow! I don't have to go back for a couple of months. (But, if necessary, you might could possibly do some phone consultations to save time after the first visit).
Yes, we are just starting with her, but I am very impressed with her knowledge and ability to cut to the chase and see what the really important issues are. My girl has previously seen 4 other vets, so I do have a place to make a comparison. Of course, she won't be my regular vet -- but sometimes is just takes the guidance of a specialist.
In the meantime, I would hesitate to start raw. It can be a problem for dogs that have immune-system dysfunction. There are some dogs that do have problems with the bacterial count of raw. If a dog has an inflammed gut that reacts to beef, or chicken, or flax, or whatever, then it can react whether that food is cooked or raw. There are some rare dogs that do respond to a protein source in one form (say, cooked), but not in another form (say, raw). But, mostly, a dog will react even to raw food if it's a problem food. What you could try is to pick a protein that he has already had -- do NOT try a new protein source. You will need new, novel protein sources if you do a true elimination diet.
ick a protein that has showed the best so far and home cook that food. If he has already had chicken,and done farily well on it, then homecook chicken. Do not give any bones! You can add one green vegetable to this and feed for a short term. You can not do this long term because it is not a balanced diet and does not provide essential nutrients. But, if he happens to be allergic to storage mites, which is in all dry foods, then homecooking or canned might be the answer. Again, it's really something that you need professional guidance on for the best results. And, if his immune system is strong enough later, then you can consider raw.
I suspect that with the right vet's guidance, that you will find answers much quicker, and will be much less stressed out in the long run. I realize that you would have to drive a long ways, and maybe stay overnight, and you might have to fight I-285 traffic (urrg - 3 minutes for every mile on that road!), but that's a lot easier than spending tons of money and anguish by trying to "guess" what the irritant is. I know that feeling! Someone suggested 2 years ago that I do a true elimination diet - but I needed guidance, and thought I could just find the right "food". Well, it did get much better with the food I found, but it didn't eliminate the problem -- so I wish I had done this before now.
The problem I have found with "regular vets" is that they just don't have the training or experience to deal with special allergy dogs. They are too busy with their regular practice. It's like going to a family practictioner for a serious health problem you are having. If you are having a serious health problem, then you go to a SPECIALIST. They keep up on THOSE particular issues, what works and what doesn't. A regular, family practioner just doesn't have time to specialize. There's too much to keep up with. So, they kinda "guess" at what's going on and use protocols that they may have read about 5 or 10 years ago, when there is much more current information out there by people who are really studying these particular issues. I did tests that, as it turns out, were not helpful. But, the "family" vets thought it would be because way back when they heard of it, it was thought to be helpful. They were not able, timewise, to keep up with the new information. Same with your baby.
edited to add: If you are not willing to drive that far, then don't give up. Look for a TCVM or holistic vet that you are willing to see. If not, then find the very best vet in the area that is knowledgeable about allergies. There very well may be a "regular" vet in your area that is knowledgeable. Ask specific questions over the phone to help you find one. Please don't just say "well, that's too far, so I give up". I am NOT saying that there isn't a qualified vet who could help you in your area -- I'm just trying to give what I think would be the best route in the long term - a route that would most likely be less money and overall time spent once everything is factored in. But, if you are not willing to drive that far, then please look closer. Don't give up on your dog. They need our help, and will give so much love in return. But, for me, it's worth a trip to have qualified advice and direction so I don't make the wrong turns. I have someone "mapping" it out for me, so I don't keep getting lost trying to find the answers.
It may not be that hard an answer, and it may not be that costly an issue --- the secret is going to someone who really knows what they are doing and not just a "family" vet. And, I wouldn't try the elimination diet on my own for two reasons. One: I found out how important the CORRECT pro-biotic is. Two: It may be something else going on that a specialized vet would pick up on.
If you want to pm me and ask me more questions, or ask me the name of the vet, then please do so. I would rather give the name of the vet I am using in a pm than on the board Please note that my pm is my work address - so unless you tell me on here that you have private messaged me, then I won't see the message till the middle of next week.
Or ask me to pm you with the information, and I will be happy to do that. I know how it is to have a dog that feels miserable -- and I know what it's like to try and figure it out on your own because the local vets just don't have the knowledge. I can't wait for my girl to feel better, and I know you feel the same about yours.
Lynn