Food allergy trial-asked differently - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Latte's Mom · 01-13-2012, 06:04 PM

43 people viewed my former post about food allergy trials, but I think I need to rephrase my question. Thanks for reading it-let me try again...

If I have changed her diet and it's only been a week is it normal to see a decrease in itching/scooting but to still see some of each? Latte seems much, much better, but I still have some itching and scooting. Is this normal in a food trial?

Wylie's Mom · 01-13-2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latte's Mom

43 people viewed my former post about food allergy trials, but I think I need to rephrase my question. Thanks for reading it-let me try again...

If I have changed her diet and it's only been a week is it normal to see a decrease in itching/scooting but to still see some of each? Latte seems much, much better, but I still have some itching and scooting. Is this normal in a food trial?

Unfortunately, there isn't really a 'normal' for a food trial, imho. Since every dog is so different - so are all their reactions to the diet. One person might notice a decrease in symptoms (like you); the next person can go 12 weeks - and not see a change in their dog. Wish I had a better answer for ya

.

That said, it could be a good sign that you're seeing less itching...maybe she will continue to improve. If she is scooting less already, it does show you that an ingredient(s) in her former food was irritating her GI system.

Latte's Mom · 01-13-2012, 06:31 PM

Thank, you, that is really helpful. I tried and tried before to narrow down and figure out what was bothering her. I guess now that her diet is so limited, I thought I'd not see scooting and itching any more at all. But I guess for some, it decreases slowly. I did (<Bad Mommy>) put butter on her sweet potatoes and maybe that bothered her tonight. I don't know if the itchiness (anywhere on her body) happens immediately or if it's just leftover from previous allergic reactions. As I've lamented before, it would be so much easier if they could talk. Just tell me what's bothering you??!!!

deonk1 · 01-13-2012, 06:32 PM

I'm currently going through allergy stuff, and my vet is seeing Harley every 2 weeks. We are making subtle changes; however, the original change too a lot of medication, and a strict diet to clear him of his problems (he has both IBD and skin allergies).

I'm noticing a slow decrease in itching, but my vet told me he needs to be on the new kibble for at least 2 bags (like 3 months) before we'll know for certain if he can tolerate it. with my past experience, if it's going to be worse, it will go down hill within 2-3 days. The improvements take much longer to settle in, in order for you to fully determine what is causing problems.

I've been going through this since August, so if you have any questions feel free to ask. I just switched vets to a vet who on top of traditional practice does natural chinese medicine, so I've got a broad spectrum of information coming at me right now.

Latte's Mom · 01-13-2012, 06:38 PM

Thank you! I have been going back and forth for years, and this is one of the best times! Latte is only eating salmon, tilapia and sweet potatoes with duck jerky treats. I also give her peanut butter with carrots and cortalone (Rx) every other day. She only itches occasionally, and has scooted only every other day or so. I also give her some drops of a homeopathic remedy. The scooting makes me crazy because she ended up with an infection because of it in October. I admitted in my last post that I gave her a little butter on her sweet potatoes and I shouldn't have done that. It could be something that bothers her. I know I'm obsessing (see previous posts), but it's just because I'm trying so hard to get her on a diet that will minimize her symptoms. I like the vet, but we're only a week into this particular food trial. I sure appreciate having a forum on obsess without aggravating my hubby.

Latte's Mom · 01-13-2012, 06:42 PM

I don't know what we'd do if she's allergic to fish. Of course, if she was there'd be a LOT of itching even now, right!?

Bitsy · 01-13-2012, 06:55 PM

I'm in a similar situation with Sophia. Just this week I started transitioning her onto a food that has no grains and no chicken. I think I'm noticing less itchies. It's good to know that it takes longer than what I was expecting. I'll just have to give it more time.

Good luck to you.

Latte's Mom · 01-13-2012, 06:58 PM

We're all in the same boat-no mutiny!!

Wylie's Mom · 01-14-2012, 06:25 AM

Just a thought...if she is scooting a lot, you may want to try putting some hemorrhoid cream or anti-itch cream on her bottom, esp if it looks irritated. The vet inspected her bottom, I'm guessing?

When she has that scooting, what are her poos like?

Latte's Mom · 01-14-2012, 07:58 AM

When she had the infection (from scooting repeatedly) I had been applying anti-itch cream to the area. I even bought hemorrhoid cream, too. But the $400 visit to the vet in Oct. established the fact that her bottom is fine.

It's allergies, I'm pretty sure. Her poo has been fine all along. I think she's had food allergies all along. My mistake was trying to make myself believe that I could try dry kibble food in addition to her fish and she developed a sensitivity to it and it just escalated. I think the scooting I'm seeing now-only every other day- is a decrease in symptoms and I just have to "stay the course" and be patient. She's pretty healthy and happy (and spoiled) for a 9-year-old!

Roccosmommy · 01-14-2012, 08:05 AM

You said the scooting and itching has reduced to about every other day, which is also when you said you give her carrots with peanut butter. Could this be related? Maybe the peanut butter is bothering her? So sorry you are going through this, and I hope you find a solution for her soon.

Latte's Mom · 01-14-2012, 12:03 PM

I don't know-she seems to scoot in such a random manner. I kept a log for about a month and could never find a pattern. She had fleas and that was a factor, then we took care of that and now we're trying the food allergy thing again. I thought it was environmental. Wouldn't you think that if it was, let's say, the peanut butter, she was reacting to, it would happen right after eating the "offending" food? Nope! I guess that would be too simple.

The vet said-feed fish and sweet potato, duck jerky and not the oatmeal cookies. I give her her pill with peanut butter.

I don't know???

Roccosmommy · 01-14-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latte's Mom

I don't know-she seems to scoot in such a random manner. I kept a log for about a month and could never find a pattern. She had fleas and that was a factor, then we took care of that and now we're trying the food allergy thing again. I thought it was environmental. Wouldn't you think that if it was, let's say, the peanut butter, she was reacting to, it would happen right after eating the "offending" food? Nope! I guess that would be too simple.

The vet said-feed fish and sweet potato, duck jerky and not the oatmeal cookies. I give her her pill with peanut butter.

I don't know???

Since you've already seen such improvement with her limited diet, I would eliminate the PB for at least a week to see if there's any additional improvement. But then you need a replacement for her pill hiding...I've had very good luck in the past with ice cream/frozen yogurt. Not a single dog ever resisted or caught on to the pill. I don't think frozen yogurt would hurt her..? Or perhaps a boiled chunk of sweet potato? I do hope you figure it out for her soon.

Latte's Mom · 01-15-2012, 09:52 AM

This morning, Latte got up and immediately stated scooting and twirling on the grass. She has been doing this AGAIN off and on all morning. She hasn't pooped yet, but if this itching is food allergies, the only thing I can conclude is that she is allergic to fish...or sweet potatoes...or duck...which is all I've been feeding her for a week. I'll have to call Dr. Dan tomorrow and ask hi what to to. I have to keep her from scooting, because that's what led to the infection and the $4000 vet bill. The other times she scooted earlier in the week it was very brief, but to day she's as miserable as ever!

01-13-2012, 06:04 PM	#1
Latte's Mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 246	Food allergy trial-asked differently 43 people viewed my former post about food allergy trials, but I think I need to rephrase my question. Thanks for reading it-let me try again... If I have changed her diet and it's only been a week is it normal to see a decrease in itching/scooting but to still see some of each? Latte seems much, much better, but I still have some itching and scooting. Is this normal in a food trial?

01-13-2012, 06:31 PM	#3
Latte's Mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 246	helpful Thank, you, that is really helpful. I tried and tried before to narrow down and figure out what was bothering her. I guess now that her diet is so limited, I thought I'd not see scooting and itching any more at all. But I guess for some, it decreases slowly. I did (<Bad Mommy>) put butter on her sweet potatoes and maybe that bothered her tonight. I don't know if the itchiness (anywhere on her body) happens immediately or if it's just leftover from previous allergic reactions. As I've lamented before, it would be so much easier if they could talk. Just tell me what's bothering you??!!!

01-13-2012, 06:32 PM	#4
deonk1 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Posts: 1,795	I'm currently going through allergy stuff, and my vet is seeing Harley every 2 weeks. We are making subtle changes; however, the original change too a lot of medication, and a strict diet to clear him of his problems (he has both IBD and skin allergies). I'm noticing a slow decrease in itching, but my vet told me he needs to be on the new kibble for at least 2 bags (like 3 months) before we'll know for certain if he can tolerate it. with my past experience, if it's going to be worse, it will go down hill within 2-3 days. The improvements take much longer to settle in, in order for you to fully determine what is causing problems. I've been going through this since August, so if you have any questions feel free to ask. I just switched vets to a vet who on top of traditional practice does natural chinese medicine, so I've got a broad spectrum of information coming at me right now. __________________ Kendra Harley, you were the light in my life, rest peacefully my love!

01-13-2012, 06:38 PM	#5
Latte's Mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 246	Helpful #2 Thank you! I have been going back and forth for years, and this is one of the best times! Latte is only eating salmon, tilapia and sweet potatoes with duck jerky treats. I also give her peanut butter with carrots and cortalone (Rx) every other day. She only itches occasionally, and has scooted only every other day or so. I also give her some drops of a homeopathic remedy. The scooting makes me crazy because she ended up with an infection because of it in October. I admitted in my last post that I gave her a little butter on her sweet potatoes and I shouldn't have done that. It could be something that bothers her. I know I'm obsessing (see previous posts), but it's just because I'm trying so hard to get her on a diet that will minimize her symptoms. I like the vet, but we're only a week into this particular food trial. I sure appreciate having a forum on obsess without aggravating my hubby.

01-13-2012, 06:42 PM	#6
Latte's Mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 246	Gosh! I don't know what we'd do if she's allergic to fish. Of course, if she was there'd be a LOT of itching even now, right!?

01-13-2012, 06:55 PM	#7
Bitsy Ultimate Banner! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: US Posts: 6,122	I'm in a similar situation with Sophia. Just this week I started transitioning her onto a food that has no grains and no chicken. I think I'm noticing less itchies. It's good to know that it takes longer than what I was expecting. I'll just have to give it more time. Good luck to you. __________________ Bitsy loves Sophia and Peyton

01-13-2012, 06:58 PM	#8
Latte's Mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 246	to you, too! We're all in the same boat-no mutiny!!

01-14-2012, 06:25 AM	#9
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	Just a thought...if she is scooting a lot, you may want to try putting some hemorrhoid cream or anti-itch cream on her bottom, esp if it looks irritated. The vet inspected her bottom, I'm guessing? When she has that scooting, what are her poos like? __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

01-14-2012, 07:58 AM	#10
Latte's Mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 246	Thanks! When she had the infection (from scooting repeatedly) I had been applying anti-itch cream to the area. I even bought hemorrhoid cream, too. But the $400 visit to the vet in Oct. established the fact that her bottom is fine. It's allergies, I'm pretty sure. Her poo has been fine all along. I think she's had food allergies all along. My mistake was trying to make myself believe that I could try dry kibble food in addition to her fish and she developed a sensitivity to it and it just escalated. I think the scooting I'm seeing now-only every other day- is a decrease in symptoms and I just have to "stay the course" and be patient. She's pretty healthy and happy (and spoiled) for a 9-year-old!

01-14-2012, 08:05 AM	#11
Roccosmommy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,293	You said the scooting and itching has reduced to about every other day, which is also when you said you give her carrots with peanut butter. Could this be related? Maybe the peanut butter is bothering her? So sorry you are going through this, and I hope you find a solution for her soon. __________________ "The little furry buggers are just deep, deep wells you throw all your emotions into." ~ Bruce Schimmel

01-14-2012, 12:03 PM	#12
Latte's Mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 246	It's a mystery I don't know-she seems to scoot in such a random manner. I kept a log for about a month and could never find a pattern. She had fleas and that was a factor, then we took care of that and now we're trying the food allergy thing again. I thought it was environmental. Wouldn't you think that if it was, let's say, the peanut butter, she was reacting to, it would happen right after eating the "offending" food? Nope! I guess that would be too simple. The vet said-feed fish and sweet potato, duck jerky and not the oatmeal cookies. I give her her pill with peanut butter. I don't know???

01-15-2012, 09:52 AM	#14
Latte's Mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 246	Here we go again!!! This morning, Latte got up and immediately stated scooting and twirling on the grass. She has been doing this AGAIN off and on all morning. She hasn't pooped yet, but if this itching is food allergies, the only thing I can conclude is that she is allergic to fish...or sweet potatoes...or duck...which is all I've been feeding her for a week. I'll have to call Dr. Dan tomorrow and ask hi what to to. I have to keep her from scooting, because that's what led to the infection and the $4000 vet bill. The other times she scooted earlier in the week it was very brief, but to day she's as miserable as ever!