Dogue de Bordeaux Allergies

[riley712]

Hi Everyone!

Just wondering if anyone else has experience any allergies w. their bordeaux? We have 1 1/2 yr old female (S'mores) who has been itching for quite
sometime. She has had skin scrapings and blood work but everything looks good (no mange/fleas etc). We tried her on a food trial as recommended
by the dermatologist she was referred to but after 2 months and no improvement we switched her back to her regular food. She gets reoccuring
staph infections as well. She seems to go at her muzzle pretty good and her neck area... She is scheduled to have an allergy test at the end
of november to see if there is anything specific but in the meantime - has anyone been thru this before?? We feel sooo bad for her!!!
We have tried shampoos and ointments, a round of steroids (which worked amazing but we don't want that to be a treatment method!) and benedryl.
BUT THE ITCHING never stops!!!! HELP!!!!
Thank you

 

[mcarrel]

Had this issue with my great pyrenees it got better when I switched her to grain free but still some itching on that until I switched to fish based grain free. No problems at all when later I started feeding raw because she began to refuse all kibble. Her itching scratching yeast and ear problems went away for the remainder of her life. My dogue has been raw fed since 8 weeks and no issues with him whatsoever.

 

[seeknoxrun]

I have a female English Mastiff who is suffering from RIDICULOUS allergies, and we're also in the process of narrowing down the culprit(s). Once we're able to have her tested (she's only 9 months now, and we've been advised to wait until she is at least 12 months) we're entertaining the idea of allergy shots if she turns out to be allergic to something we can't limit or avoid.

We have visited numerous vets, specialists, and holistic vets and she seems to stump them all, especially considering how young she was when she started presenting with symptoms. We've tried several different food trials (including two raw trials) to no affect. We've tried all the medicated shampoos/conditioners, topical treatments, food supplements, what-have-you that you can think of. At one point recently she had lost an alarming amount of her hair, was constantly scratching herself raw, and tested positive for both fungal and bacterial infections, we bit the bullet and put her on a antibiotic, anti-fungal, and steroid treatment to give her skin a break and chance to heal a bit. We were told that when a dog responds well to steroid treatments (itching stops, thick "elephant" skin clears up, skin starts to heal) its an environmental allergy - apparently they don't respond as well to steroids if it's a food allergy.

I know some dogs respond very well to being on a raw diet, even when their allergies are environmental in nature. We had no such luck. We've tried several different oil supplements - none helped with the itching, but the most success we've had with re-hydrating her skin and fur was with plain ol' fish oil capsules from the pharmacy. We also have her on a probiotic, just to give her gut and immune system all the advantage we can. We're going to try local honey as soon as I can get my hands on some - local honey (that contains elements from your pup's environment) is supposed to act similarly to allergy shots by introducing the allergens to the body in low doses and allowing the immune system to build up a stronger tolerance. Petco makes a spray that seemed to offer *some* relief from the itching, but her itching was so intense and relentless that we were going through a bottle a day with minimal relief - and not to mention that it's not a solution... just a cover up.

I really hope you're able to find some answers and help - I truly know how frustrating it is! As you're scheduled for allergy testing, I'd say that'll be your best bet. You'll at least know what to avoid and limit access to, or have the option to treat with allergy shots. Good luck, and let me know if you find something (ANYTHING) helpful.

 

[ruthcatrin]

What food did the vet put her on for the trial?

 

[sethmp]

we are acutally in the process of trying to figure out what Porter is allergic too. He will go outside and come in with bumps all over him. Since we let him out as soon as we get home, we are not sure if it's the food or him rubbing on one of the plants outside. We are feeding him Earthborn Great plains which is grain free. I'm going to switch him to the Great Plains fish based grain free formula next to see if that works.

 

[musicdeb]

Titan had horrible skin allergies and constant ear infections when I first got him. He was on steroids, anti-biotics and medicated shampoo. I decided to switch him to raw diet in March 2012 and eliminated sugar from his diet (causes yeast infections in the ears). His skin is now 99% better! No more scratching, no more scabs, no more steroids, no more anti-biotics and no medicated shampoos! Best decision I made for Titan!

 

[TN Dogues]

We went through skin allergies with Hanna.

First, skin scrapings were neg for mites, mange, etc.

Second, she also had yeast infection between toes and in ears.

Our solution was 3 part - 1st change: NO CORN or WHEAT. Food change takes 3-4 months, sometimes as much as 6 months.
A dogue with a sensitivity to corn/wheat is like a human with celiac disease. It causes inflammation of the intestines leading to mal-absorbtion of vitamins and raised white blood cell count. Secondary infections then are common.

2nd part: Treat ear infection separate with antifungal wash. We used a miconalzole (not sure sp?) based ear wash. (Miconozole is the active ingredient in vaginal cream) We make our own with 98% witch hazel, 1% glycerin, 1% miconozole cream, and 3-4 drops tea trea oil.

3rd part: Medicated shampoo. Make your own with a gentle shampoo base and add the miconozole cream to shampoo.

The miconozole is anti-yeast, anti-fungal. So is tea tree oil. But it's very strong, so only a few drops are ever needed.

The ointment can be spread between the toes.

----------------------------------------------------
Some dogues have outdoor allergies on top of food allergies. They will be seasonal and would disappear in winter months.

Hope this helps.

 

[DMikeM]

My RottenChows used to have terrible allergies. I got them off of grains for the most part, (Just rice now). For kibble I use Taste of the Wild grain free dog foods and I feed them raw chicken, beef, fish and other prey model type foods. They only get some light seasonal pollen allergies now that can be handled with OTC Benadryl. Get the grains out then go from there.

 

[musicdeb]

Titan had horrible skin allergies and ear infections. Ear infections are non-existent and skin allergies about 98-99% improved since starting raw diet in March 2012.

 

[Smart_Family]

I also am interested in what you were feeding and what you currently are feeding.

 

[NYDDB]

I agree with nixing the grains. My dog's been on a raw food diet since I brought him home at 8.5 weeks...never a problem.

Until. I ran out of some dehydrated meat treats I used for training, and just gave him some cheapo small dog training treats. Bad Move. Those treats caused him to break out with a yeast based ear infection that I am now treating.

I was thinking that he could handle some grains here and there...(plus, he is often given treats from other people in the park, so it added up.)

I am so strict with my raw food feeding---but I overlooked the damage that grains in treats could cause.

 

[Atlas_Mama]

Raw seems to be the answer to so many ailments. But I am too afraid to take the jump. How can i possibly supply all of the different vitamins and minerals to a raw diet that are in the dog's food? Unless the food is the only vitamins needed? i wish i was more confident in going raw..

 

[musicdeb]

Raw diet provides what nutrients they need. Some add fruits and vegetables. I add chicken feet to Titan's diet for the natural glucosamine and add olive oil and small sprinkle of garlic.

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/canine-nutrition/dogs-carnivores-omnivores/

 

[EllieDogue]

Hi! I am having the same issue with our DDB puppy since we got her at 3 months...she has been on the Royal Canin hydrolyzed protein diet since this summer and it def helped (ear infections stopped and less itching) but still a considerable amount of itching esp when she comes in from outside. Has anyone did allergy shots? She is now 12 months and 125 lbs so she should be good to proceed? I also am due to end her elimination diet but am unsure what to do first??!? )she also gets weekly medicated baths which help a lil too)

 

[Wilsy]

How about trying some fish oil to help alleviate some of the skin irritation? Due to the folds in a DDB's face and amount of skin around the neck (under the chin) its important to keep their face clean and dry. Wilson makes a huge mess when drinking so we keep a towel on hand to dry his face afterwards as if he stays damp around his face he seems to develop an unpleasant smell there (I guess its a mix of damp warm skin, slobber and food). We also use a flannel in warm water to wipe his face and neck with. Wilson seems to be the exception to the rule in that he did not thrive on a raw diet. He is now on Aatu kibble which works well for him as its an 80/20 diet with minimal ingredients. He went through a phase from about 9 months to 2 years where chicken really upset his stomach and coat but he is now fine on chicken. I know that a fish based kibble has also helped other dogs with allergies.

 

[sjdavenport]

Not a DDB, but my corso has some significant environmental allergies (as well as two of my other dogs). We did the allergy testing/injections with him - it's been about a year - and I definitely feel like it's made a difference. I wanted to avoid steroids/apoquel/atopica if possible, and I've definitely achieved that goal. He just gets the allergy injections, topical therapy in the form of miconahex+triz wipes/baths when needed, and anti-histamines. I am very excited about the new canine atopic dermatitis immunotherapeutic that Zoetis is coming out with though (a monthly injection). Although it's new enough that it's still under conditional licensure, I've heard only good things so far. It's essentially an antibody against one of the cytokines that is involved in the itch process. I may give it a try for two of my dogs. Good luck with your pup!

 

[Lisa Drew]

Garm had the same allergy problems and we put him on a raw diet as well and it helped so much. Like Wilsy said, the folds of skin don't make it easy to keep those areas dry and clean. We had towels on every door knob in the house, lol. In fact, when Garm drank, he would come to us for a wipe, lol. I don't know if it is available in the US, but I got this wonderful product called Anicura and it seemed to help with the itching and flaking. I am sure there is something comparable as it contained all natural oils & minerals.