http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=product-detail&pxsl=%2F%2Fproduct%5B@id%3D%271260%27%5D

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=Innova+EVO+non+grain&meta=

This is the one I feed my dog btw:

http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=product-detail&pxsl=%2F%2Fproduct%5B@id%3D%271404%27%5D

Thanks for the info. The next time I speak to my father, I'll tell him about the food you recommended. I'm still waiting to hear what happened at the vet.

 Quote: Denise Hau

Thanks for the info. The next time I speak to my father, I'll tell him about the food you recommended. I'm still waiting to hear what happened at the vet.

And more....... this dog has more going on than a food allergy, I would bet a lot. (But no-grain Evo would be a great start, IMHO, if fresh raw is not an option.)

I'd be looking at treating that yeast overgrowth and the atopy as well as the diet change.

And while eliminating grain in the diet is crucial with a dog who has yeast problems, it also sounds as if he probably has environmental and/or food allergies in addition to the yeast overgrowth.

I wonder if there is any chance of the dog seeing a vet with a nutrition specialty, or even a vet dermatologist.

I guess what I'm saying is that unless there is a humongous part to this picture that your father hasn't mentioned, then I see the vet's suggestion as unbelievably inappropriate before testing for environmental allergies, doing a strict elimination diet, and everything else that a dog who is presenting with yeast and bacterial infections should be having done.

I agree with Ed. I'd get two more opinions too.

And I'd be taking action now before the repeated infections alone deafen the dog. (I adopted a dog several years ago who was deaf from repeated ear infections. It was a long process, but a new raw diet, zero grains, skin tests to determine environmental allergens and then desensitizing injections changed her from a bloody itchy scratchy dog with yeasty smelling armpits and ears and bacterial infections everywhere, in constant ear pain, to a dog with quality of life.)

I'm not a health professional, though.

But I've educated myself to the best of my ability about canine nutrition and allergies. That surgery suggestion just floors me. There is so much to try with this situation, none of which has been done (from what I've read here).

Connie, I really admire you for having the patience and compassion for all these sick older dogs that you've adopted. I don't know of many people (including myself) who'd be willing to take on an unknown older dog with such a history of medical issues. The world needs more people like you


Denise, I wish your father luck with his dog. I have to say though, hearing about the absolute incompetence of your father's vet on this issue is astonishing.


This seems like an appropriate place to include a wonderful quote from Ed Frawley:


"Tell this vet that he has his head up his ass - ALL THE WAY UP!"

Yuko, as opposed to patience (and mine is less abundant than I would like), what it is that encourages me to adopt dogs with chronic health issues is this: I know a secret that the owners who surrendered them apparently did not.

I know what you and many others on this board know: Appropriate food can change a dog's life.

And I looooove that quote from Ed Frawley.

Don't blame just the vet. My father is partially to blame for letting it go this long. The eyes and ears are so important to a dog and I just can't believe he didn't take the dog to another vet before this. As I said, I don't know the whole story because I talk to my father infrequently.

I want all of you to know how much I appreciate your comments because I am learning so much here on this forum. I always considered myself informed about dogs but obviously I am mistaken. I am so grateful for forums such as this.