Have you tried a food with *zero grains*? Many dogs are allergic to them. I had a collie/shepherd mix with allergies. She scratched and itched just like yours, and was on steroids constantly. I switched to a raw diet and her allergies cleared up within one month. If you do not want to feed raw, definitely try a zero grain food.

weed30, thank you for your response. Do you have any idea how long it would take for the new food to show any difference? I put him on kangaroo and sweet potato and seemed to make no difference. I don't think the vet told me how soon to expect results.
Did your dog pant when he had allergies?

Carla

Yes, she scratched and panted terribly. I don't know how long it would take to show a difference. In my case, a month after starting a raw diet.

Have you tried Wellness Core?

Here is a link that might be useful: clicky

Thanks so much for the link. I'm going to try something grain free and give it a longer time frame. Meanwhile, I'll check into allergy testing. This has got to stop, the dog is miserable and I am too.

Carla

I would look at the wellness core or Innova Evo (I think it's grainless) In any case it can take up to 2 months for a dog to fully adjust to a new food. I would also look at adding probiotics and maybe digestive enzymes to her diet to help combat allergies.

Carla,
Wellness Core and other grain free foods may be available at your local PetSmart, Petco, or other pet supply stores. Don't forget about treats -- they should be grain free too. You can find those commercially or make your own pretty easily.

weed, I'm familiar with Wellness. I feed the kitty Wellness
Thank you roobear
For the first time, I feel hopeful now.
I have some probiotics for people but don't know if I can give to dog. I'll ask the vet. Oh my gosh, I've been giving him his pills in bread!

Carla

I give "people" probiotics to my dogs if they have an upset stomach or loose poop. (along with unsweetened canned pumpkin.) $6.99 at the grocery store vs. $20.00 at the pet store! Same ingredients. Just adjust the dose for your dog's weight, and/or ask your vet to help with dosage.

I would look at canine probiotics like Misssing Link wellness blend, the vegitarian one. The reason being is it's made for dogs contains the probitoics and the fish oils which should help with skin issues as well. It can be expensive but it is good quality wich can make a difference in your supplements.

As far as digestive enzyems I would look for a brand called "prozyme", it's a canine digestive enzyme that's gotten some great reviews.

Both products along with lot's of other dog stuff can be ordered online through a great company called KVPet, or I know you can get the Missing Link at petco and either petco online or petsmart sells the Prozyme as well.

I hope your dog feels better soon, remember to ease into every new diet and suplement change slowly.

Here is a link that might be useful: KV Pet website

McKenzie our Shih tzu has had terrible itchy dry , flaking, lesion covered skin for years. He has been on antibiotics, steroids and you name it for allergies. Nothing helped with the itching, licking or smell he produced as a result. I started him on N'zymes in January of this year and took him to a new vet who immediately started him on Fluconazole (yeast infection pill normally given to women with vaginal yeast infections). Within 3 weeks of starting on the Fluconazole the itching has stopped. The licking is nearly stopped. He has full hair growth where there were simply red, raw bare skin spots on his neck and under his arm pits. He smells like a normal dog and is bright , happy and more energetic than he has been in years. He is 10 years old and this condition has been going on for at least 6 years. He is a new dog. I was considering this allergy testing that was upwards of $800 and am so happy to have found this vet who knows what he is doing. He did a little skin test on the first visit and found bacteria and fungus and knew what to do for this poor dog after all of these years. He does recommend keeping him on the N'zymes for the internal systemic yeast growth. We haven't yet made the determination on how long he will stay on the Fluconazole. I will keep him on it forever if need be. It only costs me $1 a day to have a happy dog. Best of luck to you - I recommend you google N'zymes and read up on the yeast problem. Julez