I'm not crazy! (allergies? ear issues? help w/food?)

SukiGirl · 12-26-2012, 10:12 AM

My Husband calls me the great hypochondriac when it comes to our pup - so I'm hoping you guys can ease my mind or give me some advice so I can convince myself I'm not crazy!

Suki has been acting strange the past week or so. I noticed that she has been scratching her ears and shaking her head quite a bit recently - so a week ago we took her to the vet for possible ear infection. No infection present - but there was quite a bit of inflammation in her ears. Prescribed Zymox for the irritation.

We've been applying it since the appointment...but Suki has been acting quite strange since then. Sleeping ALOT, avoids us at times/goes to her crate to lay down, lacks energy in general and loss of appetite. We checked her temp. yesterday and it was only 101.7 - normal range for pups.

Could the ear irritation be causing these 'depression' like symptoms? The vet didn't notice any other abnormalities at at the appointment.

dogfaeries · 12-26-2012, 10:14 AM

How old is she? Is she spayed? Could she be going into heat? Sorry, just throwing questions out there.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 12-26-2012, 10:18 AM

If you are in doubt then best thing to do is go back to the vet for some followup.

She may be just showing alot of avoidance issues due to the fact you are dealing with her ears which are sore anyways and you keep messing with them! I know my pups don't like having their ears or feet messed with.

May be the start of an allergy issue so changing food to a non grain may help (potato/fish?)

SukiGirl · 12-26-2012, 10:18 AM

She's 13 months old, spayed at 6 months.

SukiGirl · 12-26-2012, 10:21 AM

We have been dealing with some other signs of possible food allergy (anal glands). We switched to a grain free diet approx. 3 months ago. Started on the duck formula, then rotated chicken and salmon into the mix. About a month ago we started noticing the anal gland problems. Our vet told us to go back to the duck and stop rotating the other proteins to try and eliminate which protein could possibly be the issue. She was on the chicken when we first noticed the full anal glands.

We've been trying to add more fiber to the diet to remedy that issue. But NOW the ears are irritated and her appetite is diminished so we're having a hard time 'bulking her up' if you know what I mean.

These allergy issues are a nightmare. Any food suggestions?

**MaggieRoseLee** · 12-26-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SukiGirl

We've been trying to add more fiber to the diet to remedy that issue. But NOW the ears are irritated and her appetite is diminished so we're having a hard time 'bulking her up' if you know what I mean.

These allergy issues are a nightmare. Any food suggestions?

Wow, alot going on.

Have you tried adding canned pumpkin for fiber. My dogs love it.

SukiGirl · 12-26-2012, 10:32 AM

We were giving pumpkin with every meal which was helping, but the issues still remained - so the vet suggested also adding metamucil to the food. Right now she is turning her nose up at just about anything I give her (except for treats!). She is eating enough to produce bowel movements, but is really picking at her food.

Bear GSD · 12-26-2012, 10:38 AM

My last girl was very food sensitive and was on a LID diet. I agree with the vet and stick to only one protein source to rule our what the causes of her allergies are. I know a lot of dogs can be sensitive to chicken, mine was. If you are having problems with that, I would avoid chicken altogether.
I would stick with the duck or you can try bison or turkey. I would also add some pumpkin if you want to add more fiber.

I think you know your girl best and if you feel that she is not acting right then you should take her back to the vet if only for your own piece of mind.

WVGSD · 12-26-2012, 03:22 PM

I have had similar issues with my dogs and use the peeled baby carrots in their meals to "bulk up" and add fiber. They also love them as treats, so it is easy to get them to eat them. Another thing that works is psyllium fiber capsules in a "meatball" of canned food. I have used both with success when my dogs would not eat their food with pumpkin.

My seven month old GSD puppy did not do well on food with chicken as the primary meat. Switched her to a fish and oatmeal food with only slight improvement. Switched her to a venison and potato limited ingredient kibble and having much better success now. She also loves the carrots and takes them as treats too.

SukiGirl · 12-26-2012, 04:22 PM

Which food has the venison and potato?

12-26-2012, 10:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
SukiGirl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South FL Posts: 227	I'm not crazy! (allergies? ear issues? help w/food?) My Husband calls me the great hypochondriac when it comes to our pup - so I'm hoping you guys can ease my mind or give me some advice so I can convince myself I'm not crazy! Suki has been acting strange the past week or so. I noticed that she has been scratching her ears and shaking her head quite a bit recently - so a week ago we took her to the vet for possible ear infection. No infection present - but there was quite a bit of inflammation in her ears. Prescribed Zymox for the irritation. We've been applying it since the appointment...but Suki has been acting quite strange since then. Sleeping ALOT, avoids us at times/goes to her crate to lay down, lacks energy in general and loss of appetite. We checked her temp. yesterday and it was only 101.7 - normal range for pups. Could the ear irritation be causing these 'depression' like symptoms? The vet didn't notice any other abnormalities at at the appointment. __________________ Suki 11.28.11 Last edited by MaggieRoseLee; 12-26-2012 at 10:40 AM.

12-26-2012, 10:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
dogfaeries Master Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oklahoma City metro Posts: 978	How old is she? Is she spayed? Could she be going into heat? Sorry, just throwing questions out there. __________________ ~ Diane in Okla Carly - AKC CH, Herding Instinct Certificate Sage - Ch. pointed, Herding Instinct Certificate Russell - GSD puppy

12-26-2012, 10:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
MaggieRoseLee The Agility Rocks! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bushkill, PA (The Poconos!) Posts: 24,173	If you are in doubt then best thing to do is go back to the vet for some followup. She may be just showing alot of avoidance issues due to the fact you are dealing with her ears which are sore anyways and you keep messing with them! I know my pups don't like having their ears or feet messed with. May be the start of an allergy issue so changing food to a non grain may help (potato/fish?) __________________ MACH3 Bretta Lee Wildhaus MXG MJG MXF MFB TQX HIT CGC TC Glory B Wildhaus AX, AXJ, XF "*It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious."* - Oscar Wilde

12-26-2012, 10:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
SukiGirl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South FL Posts: 227	She's 13 months old, spayed at 6 months. __________________ Suki 11.28.11

12-26-2012, 10:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
SukiGirl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South FL Posts: 227	We have been dealing with some other signs of possible food allergy (anal glands). We switched to a grain free diet approx. 3 months ago. Started on the duck formula, then rotated chicken and salmon into the mix. About a month ago we started noticing the anal gland problems. Our vet told us to go back to the duck and stop rotating the other proteins to try and eliminate which protein could possibly be the issue. She was on the chicken when we first noticed the full anal glands. We've been trying to add more fiber to the diet to remedy that issue. But NOW the ears are irritated and her appetite is diminished so we're having a hard time 'bulking her up' if you know what I mean. These allergy issues are a nightmare. Any food suggestions? __________________ Suki 11.28.11

12-26-2012, 10:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
SukiGirl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South FL Posts: 227	We were giving pumpkin with every meal which was helping, but the issues still remained - so the vet suggested also adding metamucil to the food. Right now she is turning her nose up at just about anything I give her (except for treats!). She is eating enough to produce bowel movements, but is really picking at her food. __________________ Suki 11.28.11

12-26-2012, 10:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
Bear GSD Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 1,929	My last girl was very food sensitive and was on a LID diet. I agree with the vet and stick to only one protein source to rule our what the causes of her allergies are. I know a lot of dogs can be sensitive to chicken, mine was. If you are having problems with that, I would avoid chicken altogether. I would stick with the duck or you can try bison or turkey. I would also add some pumpkin if you want to add more fiber. I think you know your girl best and if you feel that she is not acting right then you should take her back to the vet if only for your own piece of mind. __________________ Bear GSD 10/16/11 Elsa GSD 12/23/03 - 11/10/11

12-26-2012, 03:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
WVGSD Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,231	I have had similar issues with my dogs and use the peeled baby carrots in their meals to "bulk up" and add fiber. They also love them as treats, so it is easy to get them to eat them. Another thing that works is psyllium fiber capsules in a "meatball" of canned food. I have used both with success when my dogs would not eat their food with pumpkin. My seven month old GSD puppy did not do well on food with chicken as the primary meat. Switched her to a fish and oatmeal food with only slight improvement. Switched her to a venison and potato limited ingredient kibble and having much better success now. She also loves the carrots and takes them as treats too. __________________ Shannon Sabra - new GSD puppy - April 30, 2012 Max - rescue GSD - Dec 22, 2010 to March 7, 2012 Sable - rescue GSD - at the bridge

12-26-2012, 04:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
SukiGirl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South FL Posts: 227	Which food has the venison and potato? __________________ Suki 11.28.11

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