I feel a bit crazy for asking the question, but I just started on raw feeding. I know that many owners who feed raw do so because of allergies and health issues. Caddie suffers with constant scratching and chewing and the vet said she had allergies to food mites(blood test). She wants her on shots I chose to change her to raw. If there are going to be improvements to the scratching and chewing about how long before I see improvements. I ask because I want to ensure that the continued itching is not a factor of the meat I am feeding. I am sticking to just one meat source (after the first day of not doing that :blush. She loves the diet, and is finally eating when I put the food down and not looking at me with "that's what you want me to eat, I want your food", and she did go to the trash to pull it out food from time to time (when I feed kibble)......

Any information would be nice, I just do not want to have the shots the rest of her life, she is only 2 yrs old sweet GSD...

Kim

Don't get ahead of yourself. Improvements can show up in 2 days, 2 weeks or they can take 2 months. It is different for every dog. I wouldn't do any shots until after 2/3 months of raw feeding, personally no shots at all. Allergy shots (usually steroids) mask the symptoms, and don't go after the root of the problem. It can take a while for a dog to adjust to a new food, as eating a healthier diet for humans will take time to show/feel improvements.

When I switched my guy I noticed a shinier coat in one week. This was with salmon oil. He always had a tad of dandruff, not anymore.


What was she eating before?
How long has she been on raw?
Have you done your homework yet?

Hi Kim,

Wanted to address a few things in your post.

First, the blood test for environmental/inhalent allergies is not recommended because it is not reliable. The intradermal skin test, done by a Derm vet, is the gold standard for diagnosing enviromental allergies.

Second, true food allergies are rare and the most reliable way of diagnosing them is an elimination diet.

As far as the "shots" go, did the vet mean steroid shots? If so, I would avoid that as a long-term solution. Steriods are extremely effective, short-term, for a bad itch episode but the health consequences of long-term use can be serious.

Desensitizing allergy shots, OTOH, are a whole different kettle of fish and worth doing, IME. My reading says most dogs see some improvement in their allegic symptoms. These kind of shots are done under the care of a Derm vet, following the skin tests.

If you suspect allergies the very best thing you can do is get a referral to a Derm vet. They know skin and are up-to-date on all the various treatments....something most GP vets are not.

 Quote: Jennifer Skeldon

What was she eating before?
How long has she been on raw?
Have you done your homework yet?

She was eating Natural Choice Lamb and rice, I just switched her two days ago (I know not enough time to make a difference yet) I just keep thinking and worry that she might have a reaction to turkey. As for homework, I have been looking at going raw for a few months, I have a few book due in on raw diet (ordered from suggested list by Leerburg). I just feel a bit worried the change is new, and she is my kid.

 Quote: Sarah Morris

If you suspect allergies the very best thing you can do is get a referral to a Derm vet.

I live in Germany and the language is sometimes difficult. The vet I use is good, when I told her I was looking at changing her diet to raw she suggested I start with cooked lamb and rice and then work her into the raw. As for the shots, when I first took her into the vet she received steroids, I am not 100% sure what the shots she wants to put Caddie on is based with but after researching I wanted to try the raw diet before I went to a life long of shots and vet visits. Caddie goes into the vet in March to get spay done. I will ask her if she can do the skin test or if they offer that here in Germany. The German laws are different here for dogs, I have to have dog insurance in case she is hit by a car and medical insurance is required before you can visit a local vet. Germans hate kids in restaurants but you dog is always welcome, if face she gets served before I do most times (water and treats).

Kim

I miss Germany.


Someday I'll tell you about my mom, and "German Dogs don't bite!"

I have it all on videotape.

Good times.

Derm vet means a Dermatologist, a Veterinarian that specializes in the area of skin problems and allergies in dogs.