I'm hoping you can give me some insight on what may be making my dog's allergies bad.

Hello,

I have an adopted female/spayed German Shep, guessing between 3 & 6 years old. I am feeding BARF diet, along with your products, ie, alfalfa, kelp, and Vit C; no grains, only raw meat (primarily beef & chicken), bones, organ meats, pureed vegetables. I give cod liver oil and flaxseed oil (about 1:2 ratio) for EFAs, etc. Her coat is wonderful, and she appears generally alert and active, however, she seems to have some type of allergy. She does not have fleas or mites, and I am currently detoxing her for possible yeast infection (after one week there is no change, and I'm doubting that yeast is a culprit). Blood and urine tests are normal. I give probiotics whenever necessary. I have installed a whole-house water filter that diminishes chlorine and fluoride. She is cold when the temperature goes below 65 degrees, and seeks warmth in sun and on hard surface (not grass/soil). She is incontinent due to spaying (currently trying a homeopathic remedy--too early to tell if effective). She had 3 puppies at the time the shelter received her (April 2005), and was lactating/nursing, had hookworm and giardia, and was chemically treated for hookworm in April, 2005, when she was also spayed, and vaccinated--all on the same day, by the shelter! (She has not been vaccinated since.) She was chemically re-treated for hookworm in May, 2005, as well as for giardia (metronitazol). She was treated for heartworm in mid-2006 (Immiticide, and heavy/prolonged antibiotic schedule). She has been on a raw food diet since the first day I adopted her, but I added supplements only occasionally, or under stress. I have started adding alfalfa/kelp/Vit C regularly over the past 8 days--her scratching has gone through the roof.

I am suspecting a possible allergic reaction to one or more of these supplements, and have withheld them for the past two days. Her scratching/biting has significantly reduced, although not entirely disappeared. Her ears and belly skin vary between bright pink/red, and whitish pink (depending on activity level).

Are you aware of other owners, or yourself for that matter, who may have a dog that might not be able to handle one or more of the alfalfa/kelp/Vit C supplements? If so, do you know of some other source for these nutrients, as I am concerned my dog currently is not getting a properly balanced diet. Do you have any recommendations, both for the supplements, and with regard to the incontinence? I appreciate any help you can lend toward solving these perplexing problems.

Also, is it true that black strap molasses helps Sheps retain their hair color pigmentation? If so, is it safe to give on a daily basis?

Thank you very much.

Michele