Allergies?? So confused!
 

I'm SO confused...My baby boy Bubba has been scratching his little nose with his paw more and more. I brought him to our vet a few weeks ago because of this but it was worse at that time. He was wheezing and snorting out of the blue! My vet mentioned that his lymph nodes were swollen and it looked like it was caused by allergies. He was prescribed antibiotics along with some steroids. Just in case it was some kind of cold. He's not snorting and wheezing anymore BTW..just rubbing his snout. I just don't understand though. Where did this come from? Then I thought...is it because I changed his dog food to a different brand? Both of my yorkies were on Blue Buffalo TOY breed chicken and brown rice but my female yorkie (who is 3 pounds and 4 yrs. old) started having seizers out of no where and I reviewed that change of diet could help. She had 2 a few months ago (2 weeks apart). Took tests and everything looked good. Hasn't had any since then.That's a WHOLE different story. Anyways..we started them both on Natural Balance SMALL breed chicken and sweet potatoe (limited ingredient). She's all good but what's going on with my boy?! Should I change their food again? I'm all about all natural and the smaller the kibble the better. The all natural pet store said maybe keep them on the same brand but switching to salmon/sweet potato. Any suggestions? I'm really confused and want to make sure that BOTH babies are happy!!

I'm not sure but I think you might want to get a second opinion on the cause of your girl's seizures. I don't think food should cause that. What meds was she on at that time? Heartworm brand? Flea control?

Allergies can be caused by environment as well as food. You might want to consult a specialist on him, too. Does he only scratch his nose?

When she had her 1st seizure, we took her right to the emergency vet. That morning she was fine but when my husband got home a few hrs. later...she wasn't fine. It happened out of no where!! The vet ran a whole bunch of tests and everything came back good. They said that small dogs can have 1 seizure and never again. Well...about a week and a half later, she was playing with Bubba and smacked her head really hard on the coffee table! Few minutes later...she had a small seizure (due to head trauma) We did meet with a specialist about possibly giving her an MRI. And she didn't recommend one just yet. If she starts having a few per month, then let's scan her. Teacup did get a bordetlla a couple days before her 1st. seizure too which makes me think...but all the vets we asked said that is very unlikely that caused it. Teacup hasn't had any since and she's been a really happy girl! About Bubba...I'm going to bring it up to my vet tomorrow. He's only rubbing his nose. AND...they take Sentinel as their heart worm med. THANKS MandiesMom for comments/help :)

Some dogs do have a sensitivity to chicken so salmon may be helpful. Could he be having some sort of reaction to something in the environment? New carpeting? Shampoo or conditioner? Do you use a perfume that he could react to?

With one suddenly having seizures and the other such a strong reaction I would investigate all possibilities.

If you want to try a different food, I'd like to suggest you try different ingrediant other than the ones that have chicken, salmon, & sweet potatoes. Try something with bison instead? Also, if you're suspecting environmental issues, don't try changing everything you can think of all at the same time. Take things out one at a time so you can determine if it's that specific thing that's causing it.

Actual allergies to food(s) is very rare, only about 10%...it's most likely a food intolerance, they're lacking in the enzymes to break down that certain food. Or enviro allergies & like gracielove mentioned, perfumes, laundry detergent, household cleaners, candles, etc can aggravate allergies.

It just breaks my heart to see my baby boy irritated with something I don't know! I keep thinking over and over again what it could be but we as far as environmental...we haven't changed anything. The only thing that has changed is their food. I have been putting a little fish & sweet potato Natural Balance into the chicken flavor so I can slowly change it out. When he just got the chicken...thats when he started rubbing his snout like crazy When I gave him JUST the soft fish dog this morning food he didn't rub his nose at all. It's SO weird though because they have ALWAYS been on a chicken flavor! I wanted to change them to Wellness CORE small breed (I've heard so many good things about this brand and plus I want them to be on a food with a higher crude protein) but it only comes in chicken/turkey. I feel like I'm extremely cautious over everything with them both but right now...I feel like a horrible mom!!

There are other brands that have high quality ingredients which don't include chicken. Sounds like it's the food that's making your boy itch so I'd say change to something else. Make sure you change the food slowly though.

Don't feel so bad. These things come with "parenting". And you're doing your best. He'll be ok. :)

Hello,
I am a newbie here, but I wanted to share some experiences. My lovely little Star was rubbing her snout to the point of rubbing off her skin, and food intolerance has been suggested by my very good Vet. Since she was started on an antihistamine, and all beef, chicken, wheat and dairy removed, she is so much better. In the past she has had severe digestive and bowel problems and I now think that by feeding her the best (or so I thought) I was actually doing her a great disservice.
All of her symptoms are getting better. If she has a flare up, steroids help damp everything down again.
I hope this helps.