Changed Food, now She's Scratching! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

katcarasella · 01-17-2008, 10:13 PM

Yesterday I changed Maggies' food from Purina 1 to Canadae, she's been scratching her belly all evening and following me around more than usual.
She had a good BM this afternoon, but she's acting strange and won't leave my side. She is 5yrs old, weighs 10 lbs. and has always been very healthy.
Last week she had her 3 yr Rabies shot and her booster shot. Vet said she's in great health, but I'm worried about her tonite. She's just not herself!

Any ideas? I'm gonna call her Vet first thing in the A.M. Should I do something before then?
Thank You!!!
I just found a big bald red spot on her left side and it's all red!! Help

Beabble · 01-17-2008, 11:40 PM

I'm no expert on this by any means but I have done quite a bit of reading on vaccinations and boosters simply because my Isaiah (boxer boy) had a really bad reaction to the lepto when he was a pup, my vet never gave it to him again after that. Now that we have Maggy May and she'll have to be getting vaccinated when the vet and I both feel her immune system is back up to par (she was really sick cause she came from a real bad situation when we got her) anyhow, I'm scared to death to get her vaccinations. I've expressed my concerns with my vet and told him how scared I was and he said he agreed with me in waiting for her to get stronger and her immune system to built itself up and then we'd vaccinate her. He knows everything she's been through in her short life so he had me to scheduel her appointment for first thing in the AM on a Monday, that way if she had any kind of reaction, I could rush her back into him. In doing research though, I came across this:

http://www.leerburg.com/vaccinosis.htm

it talks about pets being over vaccinated and having reactions to it. I'm in now way saying this is what's wrong with your lil one, but it still doesn't hurt to read it and perhaps talk to your vet about it. It could simply just be the change in her food, hopefully it's nothing serious. Please keep us posted about how she's doing and what the vet says.

bjh · 01-18-2008, 08:06 AM

Most likely she is having a reaction to her shots. Sometimes it takes weeks or months for the reaction to take place. That is why when pets have health issues the owners do not relate the health problem to the shots. Vaccinating a dog annually without doing titer tests first can lead to all kinds of health issues. Just google 'dangers canine vaccinations' and you can find all kinds of information about the side effects of the shots. I use a holistic vet and he says they only need the distemper and parvo, (and rabies by law), one set at around 10 weeks and another at 14 weeks. Personally, I think there are too many breeders, vets, and dog owners over vaccinating our tiny babies and I think that is what is causing so many health issues in our babies. I hope your little girl will be o.k. I feed Canidae and all my Yorkies do very well on it. Keep us posted on how she is doing.

katcarasella · 01-18-2008, 09:39 AM

Thank You Beabble and BJH! Just got home from the Vet With Maggie, He said it looks like a food allergy and to stop the Canidae and go back to her Purina One and see how she does. He gave her a antihisamine shot and said I could give her benydral tomorrow, if needed. I printed out the link on vaccinosis and showed it to him. Well, you know that went over like a lead balloon!!! I'll follow his advice since I've already dished out $230.00 (last weeks immunization shots and todays allergy shot.) But I will not put my
furbaby through this again, believe me! Poor thing has big red splotches all over her little body. She seems to be more comfortable now, at least she's sleeping and not scratching. Once again, thanks for the info, I had no idea!

bjh · 01-18-2008, 10:15 AM

I really doubt seriously that it is a food allergy but you never know. Purina 1 is a poor quality dog food. Vets do as much guessing as we do. I get so tired of vets just blaming everything on the food. A friend of mines puppy once was scratching her ears a lot and the vet said it was food allergies. It turned out later that the puppy had ear mites....problem solved! Anyway, I hope your baby gets better. Sometimes there is just so much trial and error in trying to do the right thing for our babies. What will work for one might not work for the other. It's just like having a baby. It is good that we have YorkieTalk so we can share ideas.

Yorkiedaze · 01-18-2008, 10:20 AM

I would home cook for those babies and stop messing around with their health. Someone yesterday posted this, and I think maybe you should read it to see just what's happening to our companion animals and why. Good luck with your baby.

http://www.dogs-4life.com/does-your-...ized-dog-.html

Beabble · 01-18-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katcarasella

Thank You Beabble and BJH! Just got home from the Vet With Maggie, He said it looks like a food allergy and to stop the Canidae and go back to her Purina One and see how she does. He gave her a antihisamine shot and said I could give her benydral tomorrow, if needed. I printed out the link on vaccinosis and showed it to him. Well, you know that went over like a lead balloon!!! I'll follow his advice since I've already dished out $230.00 (last weeks immunization shots and todays allergy shot.) But I will not put my
furbaby through this again, believe me! Poor thing has big red splotches all over her little body. She seems to be more comfortable now, at least she's sleeping and not scratching. Once again, thanks for the info, I had no idea!

You're most welcome Kathy. I'm glad to hear that Maggie is more comfortable at the moment, I hope she continues to improve. BJH is right though, signs and symptoms could show up immediately from the vaccine (booster) or it could take a while. I'm not ashamed to say at all, I got our furbutts their puppy shots an rabies (plus the 3 year rabies) but I haven't nor will I get them boosters. Isaiah had a real bad reaction to the lepto when he was a baby and it wasn't long after that he started having all kinds of skin problems. His throat actually swelled almost completely shut with the lepto and there wasn't an inch on his body that wasn't covered in huge knotted welts. We ran him right back into our vet and they gave him meds to help him through the reaction, and then later that night (in the middle of the night) we had to take him back into the emergency vet for more meds cause the amount we were to give him wasn't working and I was afraid his throat would swell real bad again. I learned my lesson then and since then I have read SO MUCH on vaccines and vaccinosis. A lot of vets still don't think boosters are hurting our very loved furkids so all I can say is do your own research and make your own decisions on what you believe is right for your furbaby. They depend on us to do right by them so I try and educate myself as much as I can and talk about my concerns with our vet. But then again, our vet is AWESOME, he isn't just in it for the money, he really cares about his patience and really shows it. I can't believe the amount your vet charged you last week and today, that's CRAZY! I feel really blessed to have the vet we do. Our Maggy May had a really bad start in life and after had lost her brother Gibbs to the things he came to us with, (he was only 6 weeks old) our vet didn't think twice to put Maggy right into ICU and start IV's and antibiotics on her and run a series of tests when she started going down hill. You know what he charged me for all that? $19.50 yep, $19.50 I was STUNNED!!! That right there speaks VOLUMES about his love of his patience rather than the all mighty dollar. I don't know if he done it because we spend so much money with him or what, cause with Isaiah alone, I addded it up and just i his care, we've spend darn near $1000 on him with his allergies and reaction to the lepto and other things. The night we had to take Gibbs to the emergency vet, they charged up $140 to say, oh, he perked up, he's fine, you can take him home. Jess and I sat up with him all night long knowing full well he wasn't fine and just praying he'd make it till our vet opened, but sadly, at 7:05, he died in my hands. When I took Maggy in when she started going down hill, our vet said he was still upset over Gibbs and was so sorry and couldn't stop thinkin about the lil guy. I'm really picky about what doctor sees my skin kids and furkids and if I had a vet like yours, I think I'd be searching for a new one. All he has to do is research and he'll see for him self that pets are being over vaccinated and it's hurting and killing animals. Does he do titer testing there at all? I would refuse to have your babies boosters again until a titers test is done. Good luck to you and I hope your baby gets better.

Ellie May · 01-18-2008, 10:32 AM

As much as I hate vaccines this did happen right after you switched foods. That would be my first guess. However, I would never go back to Purina. You could try going with something else. It might take 60 days to notice the results of switching.

KathyinCali · 01-18-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

I would home cook for those babies and stop messing around with their health. Someone yesterday posted this, and I think maybe you should read it to see just what's happening to our companion animals and why. Good luck with your baby.

http://www.dogs-4life.com/does-your-...ized-dog-.html

I read this yesterday and I'm still nauseus. I am looking for information for feeding raw.

I hope your baby feels better soon!

bjh · 01-18-2008, 10:43 AM

Beabble....great post....I agree with you 100%

katcarasella · 01-18-2008, 10:50 AM

Thank you everyone for your concern. My eyes are WIDE open now, we're gonna go with the home cooked menu. it's the very least I can do for my babies, they give me so much and all they want in return is to be loved and cared for in a responsible way. Maggie & Bailey are grateful that I found YT!

01-17-2008, 10:13 PM	#1
katcarasella BANNED FOR STEALING YORKIETALK CONTENT! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 1,175	Changed Food, now She's Scratching! Yesterday I changed Maggies' food from Purina 1 to Canadae, she's been scratching her belly all evening and following me around more than usual. She had a good BM this afternoon, but she's acting strange and won't leave my side. She is 5yrs old, weighs 10 lbs. and has always been very healthy. Last week she had her 3 yr Rabies shot and her booster shot. Vet said she's in great health, but I'm worried about her tonite. She's just not herself! Any ideas? I'm gonna call her Vet first thing in the A.M. Should I do something before then? Thank You!!! I just found a big bald red spot on her left side and it's all red!! Help Last edited by katcarasella; 01-17-2008 at 10:18 PM.

01-17-2008, 11:40 PM	#2
Beabble YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,104 Blog Entries: 4	I'm no expert on this by any means but I have done quite a bit of reading on vaccinations and boosters simply because my Isaiah (boxer boy) had a really bad reaction to the lepto when he was a pup, my vet never gave it to him again after that. Now that we have Maggy May and she'll have to be getting vaccinated when the vet and I both feel her immune system is back up to par (she was really sick cause she came from a real bad situation when we got her) anyhow, I'm scared to death to get her vaccinations. I've expressed my concerns with my vet and told him how scared I was and he said he agreed with me in waiting for her to get stronger and her immune system to built itself up and then we'd vaccinate her. He knows everything she's been through in her short life so he had me to scheduel her appointment for first thing in the AM on a Monday, that way if she had any kind of reaction, I could rush her back into him. In doing research though, I came across this: http://www.leerburg.com/vaccinosis.htm it talks about pets being over vaccinated and having reactions to it. I'm in now way saying this is what's wrong with your lil one, but it still doesn't hurt to read it and perhaps talk to your vet about it. It could simply just be the change in her food, hopefully it's nothing serious. Please keep us posted about how she's doing and what the vet says. __________________ ~Tracy~

01-18-2008, 08:06 AM	#3
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	Most likely she is having a reaction to her shots. Sometimes it takes weeks or months for the reaction to take place. That is why when pets have health issues the owners do not relate the health problem to the shots. Vaccinating a dog annually without doing titer tests first can lead to all kinds of health issues. Just google 'dangers canine vaccinations' and you can find all kinds of information about the side effects of the shots. I use a holistic vet and he says they only need the distemper and parvo, (and rabies by law), one set at around 10 weeks and another at 14 weeks. Personally, I think there are too many breeders, vets, and dog owners over vaccinating our tiny babies and I think that is what is causing so many health issues in our babies. I hope your little girl will be o.k. I feed Canidae and all my Yorkies do very well on it. Keep us posted on how she is doing. Last edited by bjh; 01-18-2008 at 08:09 AM.

01-18-2008, 10:32 AM	#8
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	As much as I hate vaccines this did happen right after you switched foods. That would be my first guess. However, I would never go back to Purina. You could try going with something else. It might take 60 days to notice the results of switching. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

01-18-2008, 09:39 AM	#4
katcarasella BANNED FOR STEALING YORKIETALK CONTENT! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 1,175	Thank You Beabble and BJH! Just got home from the Vet With Maggie, He said it looks like a food allergy and to stop the Canidae and go back to her Purina One and see how she does. He gave her a antihisamine shot and said I could give her benydral tomorrow, if needed. I printed out the link on vaccinosis and showed it to him. Well, you know that went over like a lead balloon!!! I'll follow his advice since I've already dished out $230.00 (last weeks immunization shots and todays allergy shot.) But I will not put my furbaby through this again, believe me! Poor thing has big red splotches all over her little body. She seems to be more comfortable now, at least she's sleeping and not scratching. Once again, thanks for the info, I had no idea!

01-18-2008, 10:15 AM	#5
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	I really doubt seriously that it is a food allergy but you never know. Purina 1 is a poor quality dog food. Vets do as much guessing as we do. I get so tired of vets just blaming everything on the food. A friend of mines puppy once was scratching her ears a lot and the vet said it was food allergies. It turned out later that the puppy had ear mites....problem solved! Anyway, I hope your baby gets better. Sometimes there is just so much trial and error in trying to do the right thing for our babies. What will work for one might not work for the other. It's just like having a baby. It is good that we have YorkieTalk so we can share ideas.

01-18-2008, 10:20 AM	#6
Yorkiedaze My hairy-legged girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lompoc, ca. Posts: 12,228	I would home cook for those babies and stop messing around with their health. Someone yesterday posted this, and I think maybe you should read it to see just what's happening to our companion animals and why. Good luck with your baby. http://www.dogs-4life.com/does-your-...ized-dog-.html

01-18-2008, 10:43 AM	#10
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	Beabble....great post....I agree with you 100%

01-18-2008, 10:50 AM	#11
katcarasella BANNED FOR STEALING YORKIETALK CONTENT! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 1,175	Thank you everyone for your concern. My eyes are WIDE open now, we're gonna go with the home cooked menu. it's the very least I can do for my babies, they give me so much and all they want in return is to be loved and cared for in a responsible way. Maggie & Bailey are grateful that I found YT!