[SteveTania]

We have 2 GSD's 5 month and 8 months. They both have allergies which started about 2 months after we got them. We are feeding them Canindae All Stages Life. One is scratching his ears and body and the other gets red runny eyes. sometimes swollen. We thought it was just spring allergies. I have read about other dogs that have had similiar problems while on Canindae. I switched them today to Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy. Just want to know if anyone else has had these issues. The vet said it could be spring allergies.

 

[DSudd]

We had issues with Rocky. Ear infections, lot of scratching. We determined it was actually food allergies. After trial and error of many foods we have finally found one that works well for him. So far we havent had any problems with Apollo, but he is little yet so we will see.

The eye problem could be spring allergies.

I am sure others will be able to help more on determining exactly what the problem could be.

 

[TerriB]

Be careful with the growth rate after putting the pups on Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy. Ruger started gaining 10 pounds a month and grew too fast. He had the most severe case of Pano that my vet has ever seen. The first thing the vet did was switch him to Adult food. The Pano was so painful for him that he was on pain meds for weeks at a time.
I am having trouble with Ruger getting goopy eyes and itchy skin on the Royal Canin GSD. It may be seasonal but they did change their formula a few months ago. I may try to switch after we return from vacation (don't want new food issues while we're gone).
Good luck with your pups!

 

[AnnaRiley]

One of my dogs has skin issues. I am using Natural Balance Venison and Sweet Potato. By trial and error, I an pretty sure this dog of mine is allergic to poultry of any kind. Have not had him tested but also believe he has some airborne allergies as well. He is also on fish oil - three pumps per meal in his food. This helps alot.

 

[EastGSD]

Originally Posted By: Steve&TaniaWe have 2 GSD's 5 month and 8 months. They both have allergies which started about 2 months after we got them. We are feeding them Canindae All Stages Life. One is scratching his ears and body and the other gets red runny eyes. sometimes swollen. We thought it was just spring allergies. I have read about other dogs that have had similiar problems while on Canindae. I switched them today to Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy. Just want to know if anyone else has had these issues. The vet said it could be spring allergies.

It would be *highly* unusual for such young puppies to have allergies. Allergies are an immune response that develops over time and are not common in dogs under a year of age (contrary to popular complaints and opinions.) I would suggest there is another reason for the symptoms you are seeing and since it is both dogs I suggest it is something in the environment causing the symptoms such as forced air heating, lack of fat in the diet etc that would be the irritant.


Personally my dogs had a horrible reaction to Canidae when I tried it. Bad skin, bad coats, clumps of topcoat falling out, weight loss....it was not pretty. I have no idea what it was about the food that caused this....maybe the food is just not right for your dogs and you were right to try something else. Let us know how they make out on the new food.

Cherri

 

[EastGSD]

Originally Posted By: AnnaRileyOne of my dogs has skin issues. I am using Natural Balance Venison and Sweet Potato. By trial and error, I an pretty sure this dog of mine is allergic to poultry of any kind. Have not had him tested but also believe he has some airborne allergies as well. He is also on fish oil - three pumps per meal in his food. This helps alot.

Many of the NB formulations are low in fat (10%) and this can contribute to skin irritation as the skin needs fatty acids in certain levels so that it remains healthy. You are adding fish oil which is helpful but not as helpful as say adding some Canola oil or other oil containing omega 6 as well as they also need these, linoleic acid specifically, to help the skin remain healthy.

Cherri

 

[DSudd]

Cherri are you talking about food allergies or environmental allergies not appearing till later in life?

 

[EastGSD]

Any allergies. Allergies develop over time as the immune system "misfires" and attacks proteins it confuses with pathogens etc Puppies (and people) are not born with allergies, they develop them and it takes time for the immune system to get like that. It is *extremely* uncommon for a young puppy (or baby) to have actual allergies.

Intolerances are something that can be seen at younger ages however, and are usually confused with allergies. Many people use the terms interchangeably and they are different things. For example milk intolerances in babies to cows milk proteins and then needing soy formula.

Hope that explains?

Cherri

 

[LisaT]

My dog had allergies when she was very very young, and we've seen it on the boards here.

I've seen a number of dogs do very poorly on Canidae, so I would start there, and I would make sure that you didn't change to a food that contained corn, wheat or barley.