Anyone heard of Dinovite?

[Koran]

My youngest yorkie Sparkle itches all the time. I have been to the vet many times and the pretnezone and meds have only worked short term. I have changed foods, clothes detergents and shampoos. I have tried benedryl and pretty much anything I thought would work. I dont have the hundreds of dollars needed for extensive allergy tests. She has no rash, no leisions but she scratches all the time. The hair that she scratches at on both sides of her body is torn out (not to the skin but is broken off) and her skin there is now tough from all the itching. The hair there has grown back courser than the rest so her back end is beautiful and flowing. The middle is short and course. So my friend sends me this website for Dinovite that has been reviewed to have miracle results for itchy dogs relying on natural stuff and Omega oils. I bought some and it arrived yesterday. Hubby accidently dropped a couple of drops on the tile floor and Sparkle decided she would rub herself into it. I came home and asked why she smelled like a seabass! LOL ANYWAY, Its our second day and I dont see big results but I see some.
Has anyone ever heard of it? If so, pros? Cons?
Here is the site:
Dog Supplement - Dog Food Supplement with Vitamins- Dinovite - Home Page

[Missiemiss]

I wish I could give you more information on it. The only time I have heard about it is on the commercials they play on Sirius Satellite Radio. They advertise that it does help with food allergies. I have not personally tried it because the food that I feed mine elminated the females allergies.

Let us know - I'm sure it won't be an OVERNIGHT success so have patience.

[Wylie's Mom]

Here are the ingredients: Ground flax, kelp meal (Ascophyllum nodosum), yeast culture, ground grain sorghum, diatomaceous earth, zinc methionine, montmorillonite clay, yucca schidigera, alfalfa meal, ascorbic acid , Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product dehydrated, Lactobacillus casei fermentation product dehydrated, Bifido bacterium bifidium fermentation product dehydrated, Streptococcus faecium fermentation product dehydrated, Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product dehydrated.

Just fyi, it can take up to THREE months to see real progress in a dog who is truly suffering from atopy or other allergies/sensitivities. Also, you should know that some dogs are very irritated by flax, kelp, and even alfalfa. When fighting atopy, it is important to also give Omega 6's, not just Omega 3's. I don't think this is the product I would use, if it were me.

More importantly, what are you feeding for food/treats? And, have you ever had a skin scraping done (not expensive)?

[Koran]

I asked the vet about scraping, he told me there is no rash, and after treating her a bunch of times he said part of it could be mental. The first time we went he said it was an ear infection and the vibrations she creates from scratching was satisfying the itch. Then it progressed from that to that she scratches so much that she made her skin tough, still no rash, no flakes only hair breakage and tough skin from her scratching. I have changed to an array of food. I do know that akrylic blankets drive her bananas but she loves them. I took them away.

The supplement doesnt have the Omega 3 & 6 but the super omega, which is what I am also giving her, does.After 3 days I see a small difference already. Roscoe doesnt like it at all and decided to toss it back at me but Sparkle loves it and if it helps, I will continue. I am keeping a close eye on her and if she progressively gets less itchy daily than I will have my answer. If she stays the same or gets worse, then I wont continue.

I feed them both Royal Kanin Yorkie food. I have since I brought them both home. Roscoes hair it PERFECT and this food has been great for him. When Sparkles allergies started, I did the 90 day food change utilizing specific products for allergy sensitive dogs. I have tried 5 different foods to no avail.I even went to making food myself with vet guidance. It didnt make any difference.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Koran

I feed them both Royal Kanin Yorkie food. I have since I brought them both home. Roscoes hair it PERFECT and this food has been great for him. When Sparkles allergies started, I did the 90 day food change utilizing specific products for allergy sensitive dogs. I have tried 5 different foods to no avail.I even went to making food myself with vet guidance. It didnt make any difference.

Royal Canin contains corn - which is quite allergenic for dogs. A few do okay on it, however, since your dog is already itching - I would be very careful of giving foods that contain allergens. If she has atopy, she will then be even more sensitive to potential food allergies in general. I would really recommend you get her off this food asap.

Many who have fought allergies/skin issues feed Natural Balance (ie Duck & Potato etc) and have seen good results.

What do you mean super omega? There is no such vitamin as "super omega", but some manufacturers will use that a marketing ploy. The omegas are 3,6, & 9 and can come from different sources such as fish, flax, hemp, borage, primrose etcetera. My Wylie cannot convert flax (like some dogs) and actually begins to lose hair on his front legs if given it over an extended time - he also becomes itchy and his ears bother him. So, just fyi.

So, as to the "pros and cons" you asked about, that's my opinion and experience.

[Koran]

I never heard of atopy. Where can I find a good source to explain?

BUT Super Omega is the product name because it contains 3 &6 Omega. Its just the product name not a type its in the Dino allergy package.

I tried the Natural balance duck and potato, venison and sweet potato, sweet pototo and fish. She itched even worse which lead me to believe it was skin yeast since potatos contain yeast. I tried to hang in there for the 90 days but she made it about 28 days and I had to stop. I went to a dog show and picked up samples of every allergy claiming dog food there and researched each one. If they had wheat I ditched them, then looked for primarily protein based foods. Vet said no, Yorkies traditionally have kidney issues and this may cause problems for her later in life. Tried cooking myself for 90 days, no different except she ate ALOT more. (little piggie)
Now I am going to try this for a period of time, at least 6 weeks before I change anything else. Then I will change the food again if this doesnt do it. Part of the problems is I cant pinpoint it because I would change more than one thing at a time. At the rate I am going, she will be 10 by the time I figure it out and probably bald! What gets me is no rash, no flakes, no hot spots but yet the itching goes on. I have to say. Today is day 3 and I really see a marked difference. She has not stopped but its not constant.

I need a magic cure.....

[Wylie's Mom]

Aw, gosh - I really feel for you - it's SO frustrating. One thing...you mentioned yeast...is there an odor to her at all? If so (or, even if not), then I'd say do a skin scraping for sure so they can see if yeast grows out in the culture. I think scrapings are about $25.

As for the protein - yorkies can eat high protein. The times they cannot is if they have liver/kidney/pancreas disease. Otherwise, grain free can do wonders for some. I feed Natures Variety Raw - and that might be something to consider. Keep in mind vets receive about 1.5 hours of nutrition education in school...so you may already know more than he does .

Another thing you might try is "Relief Spray" --> Relief Spray - 6 oz. _or_

Oatmeal Conditioning Spray: Oatmeal Conditioning Spray, 17 oz - Jeffers

Here is a general article about atopy: Allergy and Atopy Treatment in Dogs

Great link to learn about Omegas: Omega Fatty Acids: Sources, Effects, and Therapeutic Usesin Dogs

I hope she gets better . So frustrating. If you need a non-flax Omega, let me know and I'll hunt my link for that too.

[jessicasteven]

I was searching for info on Dinovite and came across this forum. I, like TS above, also did a LOT of research on dog food and switched my pup to Blue Buffalo last year. I highly suggest it for dogs with allergies. Its great stuff!

[Koran]

I am still working with my pup but the Dinovite seems to be making things better. I also found a food when I went to the Pet Expo with Salmon in it that made a heck of a difference. Hubby threw the sample package away, now I dont know the brand. :-(

[jessicasteven]

Thank Koran i hop Thank Koran Dinovite make thing better.

[brunes]

I use all of the Dinovite products, and I love them. Now, it did take a while to see results, but hey, nutrition takes time to work through the body, and I knew that going into it, so I was patient.

[Koran]

If I could just keep them from smelling like a big Sea bass after eating then I would be better. Nothing like a big juicy kiss from your puppy that tastes like FISH! YUCK! LOL