Staph. Again.

paulag1955 · 12-30-2011, 11:43 PM

I had Shasta in to the vet today with another skin issue and she's been diagnosed with staph again. She's now on a four-week course of Smz-Tmp, which seems to have been the most effective antibiotic of the three that have been tried.

The vet has suggested we try an elimination diet so I'm researching limited ingredient kibble. Protein sources we need to avoid are fish, chicken, turkey and lamb.

So far, I've compiled a list that includes Natural Balance, California Naturals, Pinnacle, Nature's Variety and Addiction.

Does anyone have any feedback on any of these brands or additional brands that I should consider?

Thanks.

GSDElsa · 12-31-2011, 12:17 AM

Yuck! So sorry

Elsa is doing a round of antibiotics for the same thing right now. We are thinking that it's the wet EVO that we recently added to her diet that caused it or the nasty wetness outside that doesn't let her dry quickly. HOpefully one of those and not something recurring like what you are going through!

Elsa also has some food allergies....I have had good luck with Natural Balance. I use both the Buffalo and Venison. I tried CN at one point too....but when I did, they didn't have any grain free ones (I think they do now??) so I switched as we thought Elsa also had a slight grain sensitivity.

Skin issues and food allergies are a tricky thing 'cause it takes so long to figure out if you figured it out or not.

cci058 · 12-31-2011, 12:21 AM

Hi there. I'm dealing with staph right now too. We feed Canidae Bison and Lamb. She was doing absolutely fabulous until one day recently, out of the blue she started itching and licking. I tried California Natural but it didn't work for Maverick. After getting overwhelmed with reading dog food ingredients for hours, I went to homemade ground beef and potatoes. (its only been a few days) Others may disagree and say this isn't the best thing, but its what worked for Maverick to get her belly back on track and settle everything down. (she had an antibiotic as well) I decided not to mess with all the other kibble and am hopefully going to transition her to raw within the next week. I've also found that the protein may not necessarily be the culprit this time around, even though we already determined poultry is a no-no for her. In Maverick's case, she reacts to cheese and egg as well. I also supplement with salmon oil and bathe her in oatmeal based baths. Those really soothe her. Good luck. I'm interested to hear what works for you!

GSDElsa · 12-31-2011, 12:28 AM

CCI--a single or 2 ingredient homecooked diet is often the best thing to try out immediately. TO keep on a diet like that forever isn't the best thing, but it's DEFINITELY a great route to go. Especially since sometimes you know immediately when something ISN'T working.

When we were doing elmin stuff with Elsa, the first thing I tried was a chicken and rice bland diet...which immediately cause projeticle, watery poops. YIKES! But it was easy to know it wasn't working!

cci058 · 12-31-2011, 12:43 AM

You are right, the homecooked diet isn't a good idea long term. Thankfully, her digestive system responded quickly over the holiday. Seems the itching died down a bit, but I'm not completely certain. Maybe I just WANTED it to die down!

When her digestive issues came to light in early 2011, the chicken caused the exact same immediate reaction in Maverick. It was awful. Turkey and duck did the same thing to her. The bison and lamb was really working well until one day..... I'm not even sure if its the food this time around. Like you said, its so hard to tell. It was warm here in early Fall and they still had the pools out at doggie daycare. She played in the water all day and had to "air dry." I'm thinking this could have started the problem and its at its worst now, but I don't know. So frustrating!

paulag1955 · 12-31-2011, 03:04 AM

cci058, please correct me if I'm wrong, but when I looked at the Canidae, I thought all their formulations had two proteins sources and, unfortunately, each formulation had one source that we're trying to avoid. Are there some formulas with only one protein source? I'll admit, I was looking through a lot of websites today and could have missed something.

paulag1955 · 12-31-2011, 03:05 AM

Justine, thank you for the feedback on the Natural Balance.

Smithie86 · 12-31-2011, 08:44 AM

Make sure that your vet also knows how to treat correctly or refers you to a certified derm vet. Usually it is a combo of meds and topical treatments and you do not want to prolong the issue, waste time and money....

Fish is the best start for an elimination diet. Chicken is too common of an allergy.

cci058 · 12-31-2011, 10:26 AM

Paulag1955 - You are absolutely right about the Canidae, they don't have single protein foods. I sure wish they did. After Maverick had her initial problems, we found the bison and lamb and she did awesome. Suddenly (5 months later), it doesn't work for her anymore (assuming her issues are from the food.) I really like the Canidae, but it seems it was only a temporary fix.

I've been researching the Raw for the past week and hope to start transitioning her in the next few days. I considered Natural Balance and that was my next choice, but I'm so wiped out on trying to find a kibble that works, I figured I'd go straight to the raw and she how she does. This food "thing" gets so overwhelming, doesn't it???

**JeanKBBMMMAAN** · 12-31-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smithie86

Make sure that your vet also knows how to treat correctly or refers you to a certified derm vet. Usually it is a combo of meds and topical treatments and you do not want to prolong the issue, waste time and money....

Fish is the best start for an elimination diet. Chicken is too common of an allergy.

I agree with this. Is it a deep pyoderma or "just" regular?

The derm vet we went to talked about using a brand name vet formula diet, but I just took from that the things he liked about it - asked him what it was that made that diet good and did it on my own. Other than that within 5 minutes I knew so much more about my dog than I had before - it was amazing!

I always like to make people aware of the IgA deficiency that GSDs can have. IgA deficiency I didn't know anything about it but had my dogs participate in this study. The researcher was very helpful when my low IgA dog started to get sick, too. selective IgA deficiency

12-30-2011, 11:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
paulag1955 Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 2,781	Staph. Again. I had Shasta in to the vet today with another skin issue and she's been diagnosed with staph again. She's now on a four-week course of Smz-Tmp, which seems to have been the most effective antibiotic of the three that have been tried. The vet has suggested we try an elimination diet so I'm researching limited ingredient kibble. Protein sources we need to avoid are fish, chicken, turkey and lamb. So far, I've compiled a list that includes Natural Balance, California Naturals, Pinnacle, Nature's Variety and Addiction. Does anyone have any feedback on any of these brands or additional brands that I should consider? Thanks. __________________ Paula Shasta - GSD (4/30/10) RIP Duchess - Shetland Sheepdog (12/25/88 - 2/14/04)

12-31-2011, 12:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
GSDElsa Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central, NY Posts: 3,706	Yuck! So sorry Elsa is doing a round of antibiotics for the same thing right now. We are thinking that it's the wet EVO that we recently added to her diet that caused it or the nasty wetness outside that doesn't let her dry quickly. HOpefully one of those and not something recurring like what you are going through! Elsa also has some food allergies....I have had good luck with Natural Balance. I use both the Buffalo and Venison. I tried CN at one point too....but when I did, they didn't have any grain free ones (I think they do now??) so I switched as we thought Elsa also had a slight grain sensitivity. Skin issues and food allergies are a tricky thing 'cause it takes so long to figure out if you figured it out or not. __________________ Justine, mom to: - Elsa - BrightStar Rescue - "Da Pookins" - Medo Aritar Bastet - "The Beast From The East"

12-31-2011, 12:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
cci058 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Muskego WI Posts: 54	Hi there. I'm dealing with staph right now too. We feed Canidae Bison and Lamb. She was doing absolutely fabulous until one day recently, out of the blue she started itching and licking. I tried California Natural but it didn't work for Maverick. After getting overwhelmed with reading dog food ingredients for hours, I went to homemade ground beef and potatoes. (its only been a few days) Others may disagree and say this isn't the best thing, but its what worked for Maverick to get her belly back on track and settle everything down. (she had an antibiotic as well) I decided not to mess with all the other kibble and am hopefully going to transition her to raw within the next week. I've also found that the protein may not necessarily be the culprit this time around, even though we already determined poultry is a no-no for her. In Maverick's case, she reacts to cheese and egg as well. I also supplement with salmon oil and bathe her in oatmeal based baths. Those really soothe her. Good luck. I'm interested to hear what works for you! Last edited by cci058; 12-31-2011 at 12:23 AM.

12-31-2011, 12:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
GSDElsa Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central, NY Posts: 3,706	CCI--a single or 2 ingredient homecooked diet is often the best thing to try out immediately. TO keep on a diet like that forever isn't the best thing, but it's DEFINITELY a great route to go. Especially since sometimes you know immediately when something ISN'T working. When we were doing elmin stuff with Elsa, the first thing I tried was a chicken and rice bland diet...which immediately cause projeticle, watery poops. YIKES! But it was easy to know it wasn't working! __________________ Justine, mom to: - Elsa - BrightStar Rescue - "Da Pookins" - Medo Aritar Bastet - "The Beast From The East"

12-31-2011, 03:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
paulag1955 Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 2,781	cci058, please correct me if I'm wrong, but when I looked at the Canidae, I thought all their formulations had two proteins sources and, unfortunately, each formulation had one source that we're trying to avoid. Are there some formulas with only one protein source? I'll admit, I was looking through a lot of websites today and could have missed something. __________________ Paula Shasta - GSD (4/30/10) RIP Duchess - Shetland Sheepdog (12/25/88 - 2/14/04)

12-31-2011, 12:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
cci058 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Muskego WI Posts: 54	You are right, the homecooked diet isn't a good idea long term. Thankfully, her digestive system responded quickly over the holiday. Seems the itching died down a bit, but I'm not completely certain. Maybe I just WANTED it to die down! When her digestive issues came to light in early 2011, the chicken caused the exact same immediate reaction in Maverick. It was awful. Turkey and duck did the same thing to her. The bison and lamb was really working well until one day..... I'm not even sure if its the food this time around. Like you said, its so hard to tell. It was warm here in early Fall and they still had the pools out at doggie daycare. She played in the water all day and had to "air dry." I'm thinking this could have started the problem and its at its worst now, but I don't know. So frustrating!

12-31-2011, 03:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
paulag1955 Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 2,781	Justine, thank you for the feedback on the Natural Balance. __________________ Paula Shasta - GSD (4/30/10) RIP Duchess - Shetland Sheepdog (12/25/88 - 2/14/04)

12-31-2011, 08:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
Smithie86 Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Nashville, TN and Budapest HU Posts: 3,810	Make sure that your vet also knows how to treat correctly or refers you to a certified derm vet. Usually it is a combo of meds and topical treatments and you do not want to prolong the issue, waste time and money.... Fish is the best start for an elimination diet. Chicken is too common of an allergy. __________________ Sue www.k9imports.com V KK1 Molinari Enzo SCH3,IPO3,VK3,FH(WUSVx3, FCIx4) HOT KK1 Frodo v Biezenhoeve SCH3,IPO3,HPO3 (WUSVx2, FCIx2)HOT KK1 Tarnoki-Felvigyazo Quamatz SCH3 (HOT), KK1 Griff v Tajgetosz SCH3(BHOT)

12-31-2011, 10:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
cci058 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Muskego WI Posts: 54	Paulag1955 - You are absolutely right about the Canidae, they don't have single protein foods. I sure wish they did. After Maverick had her initial problems, we found the bison and lamb and she did awesome. Suddenly (5 months later), it doesn't work for her anymore (assuming her issues are from the food.) I really like the Canidae, but it seems it was only a temporary fix. I've been researching the Raw for the past week and hope to start transitioning her in the next few days. I considered Natural Balance and that was my next choice, but I'm so wiped out on trying to find a kibble that works, I figured I'd go straight to the raw and she how she does. This food "thing" gets so overwhelming, doesn't it???

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