[BrownieMac]

My 3 year old Springer Spaniel has been diagnosed with Atopic Dermatitis. We have seen 2 vets and both basically have come up with the same diagnosis. We have switched food to a Hills Prescription diet of duck and potato and cut out all snacks but baked potato chips. He has been on antibiotics, steroids and antihitamines. He gets better for a while and then he goes back to scratching at his feet and ears. He is outside a lot and we take him to the creek everyday. It could be food or environmental. We live in a old farmhouse but there isn't many carpets. I am at my wits end. I think the vets are too. I went to a holistic store and they basically said I have poisoned him with the Hills diet and vaccinations.

Has anyone found the silver bullet for atopic dematis?

 

[Willowy]

I went to a holistic store and they basically said I have poisoned him with the Hills diet and vaccinations.

Besides just telling you that you're poisoning him, did they give you any suggestions as to what could be done? Not very useful of them if they didn't.

I do agree with the holistic store. I would not vaccinate the dog anymore. Vaccines stress the immune system, and obviously something is going haywire in there---it doesn't need any more stress. Vaccines don't "take" in sick dogs anyway.

I also wouldn't recommend the Hills diet. The "allergy" prescription diet isn't the same as giving the prescription diet for kidney disease---allergies are very complicated, and a "prescription" diet isn't going to help if he's allergic to what's in it! I'd try to find a limited-ingredient, super-high-quality dog food.....California Natural, Wellness Simple Food Solutions, Natural Balance L.I.D. , etc. There are many duck and potato-based foods that actually have the duck as the first ingredient, instead of potatoes.

A raw or home-cooked diet might work for him. That way you'd know exactly what was going into his food.

No magic bullets! Sorry! Too bad you (and he) have to go through this. I know how frustrating it is to deal with a chronic pet health problem.

 

[reynosa_k9's]

I second what Willowy suggested about trying a raw diet.

Jihad
and the pound puppy crew.