We feed origen and so Tanka has eaten the same chicken every day for the better part of two years. Summer it is senior and winter it is regular adult. A while back we took him off anything chicken to give his system a break and not have an allergy come up to chicken. We swapped him to acana grasslands which I do not think he likes as well with a small amount of origen fish thrown in. I have to look but I think he has had about 6 bags of acana already, the 28 pounders. My question is how long does he need to be completely off a food before he can go back on it, and really consider it "a break" from that particular protein. Thanks, Julie

Here is how an allergic response happens:

http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=32046&page=4#363272



While it's true that true food allergies generally develop after repeated exposure and cannot be present on first exposure, and that the most commonly eaten protein sources are therefore the most likely to become allergens, MHO is that either the individual has a genetic predisposition to form IgE antibodies (antibodies called Immunoglobulin E) or s/he does not.

In addition, if s/he has done so (formed IgE antibodies against chicken protein), then no break of any length will rid the system of them.

Preventing food allergies in an individual prone to developing them may not be possible,

But excellent nutrition from puppyhood on will help, because it will support the gut's mucus lining and the IgA cells, or the mechanical and the immune weapons, that come with a healthy immune system and keep too-big (not well-digested enough) proteins from being absorbed.

Excellent nutrition includes variety and rotation, but no special attention to a "break" from a particular protein.

I'm curious about where you read or heard about taking a break from a long-eaten protein source in order to avoid developing an allergy. Is it Dr. Mercola's idea about feeding single proteins in 3- or 4-month rotations?

While he has a lot of good info, I'm not sure this step is backed up by science. However, regardless, I believe what he's saying is to rotate proteins, rather than take extended breaks from particular ones.

If that is what you want to try, his guideline is 3 to 4 months per source, still always reserving novel proteins against the possibility of a future allergy.

If you bump this tomorrow, I will dig up some saved material about this.

In all honesty, I don't remember where I thought I "learned" this. What I should actually say is that I heard it since it is apparently not true. I really have no idea anymore.

The 3 choices with Origen are red meat, chicken and beef. Tanka is not a beef fan, I try to really limit the fish because of ocean contaminants. So that leaves chicken as the main source unless I change foods.

Unfortunately I have let Tanka eat a bunch of those little tester itty bitty bags that are like treat size for a big dog, that the food store gave me for my Mom's dog to test once and she didn't use, so his system has seen a few unusual proteins that I couldn't list if I had to. That's not good.

Something is wrong with the way he's eating the last week or so which has prompted meto get him swapped back. His appetite for the first time ever has dropped off and he hasn't been eating a full days food. Everything else is completely normal and he still will eat what we are, or works for "treats". So I thought maybe he was just done with the Acana. He's lost a few pounds I can tell. I keep him slim and now I can just barely see some rib outline. I am watching him closely but nothing else seems to be amiss.

Well now you might have to move this to the health thread. julie

How are the poops?

Fine. His daily poops when we are hiking/walking in the mornings are 1) perfect 2) somewhat runny 3) squirt This has been the same for a long long time.

I have given him a few probiotics over the last week. One day his stomach was rolling, but that is not unusual to happen every now and then. He does find deer and turkey poop in the woods.

When runny or soft, is there an unusually foul odor or any odd or pale color?

Is the dog's appetite back to normal on a different food? (I would want to know this. That is, is the dog refusing this food, or suffering some inappetene?) Also, I would weigh him and track the weight loss starting now.

Have you dropped off a fecal lately? Or seen any worm evidence?

When is he due for a checkup or when did he last have one?

His last fecal was 11/21/12. Not so much a full check-up, not blood work or anything, well except for heart worm. Negative then, but that doesn't mean it still is. Just got home with a bag of the chicken Origen to see if that picks him back up. I'll let you know if that makes a difference. J

Poops are the same as they have been. Nothing unusual.