[lori28501]

Hi there! My boyfriend and I adopted a wonderful chocolate lab named Bentley from the SPCA exactly a month ago now. Within the first week we had him, he slowly started scratching himself more and more. This week, we took him to his first vet appointment and she suggested that it might be a food allergy, and she suggest a few foods. We have had him on Eagle Pack Anchovie formula but the itching has not gotten any better. Now, it has escalated to very severe scratching where he itches all the time, is losing hair, and is creating sores on his body. I feel terrible for him. He is getting tested for mange next week. I just wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions about what we could maybe do to help him. We tried one shampoo, one with coal tar in it, but that did not help. The problem seems to be much more severe than one that could be fixed with a shampoo. We would like to avoid expensive allergy testing at all costs. My mother suggested that he may need a cortisone shot (he is about 5 years old), so we will talk to the vet about this when we see her. He was a stray before the SPCA had him so we have no previous health info. He also had an ear infection when we got him, but that has cleared up with antibiotics about 2 weeks ago. Any information would be GREATLY appreciated, I want to help him!

[suebgone]

what were you feeding him? what other foods did the vet suggest? do you have any idea what they fed him at the shelter? or how long he was there?

I agree with you, that it is coming from the food, but I need the additional info to really help you. the shampoo isn't going to make a big difference.

I'm not at all sold on this anchovy stuff, several co's are putting that out now however the Eagle Pack Holistic Anchovy - has a LOT of fish in it.