[k9capture16]

Well after searching long and hard I think I settled in on Pro Plan Turkey and Barley formula. I have tried Orijen and Taste of the Wild on him..also a Lamb formula..he always seemed to have soft poops. that would set his anal glands into infection because they couldnt express. I even tried RAW...diet works wonders but if I feed one RAW I must feed all RAW...I cannot afford that at this time. So even thought I dont like Pro Plan I reluctantly bought a bag. He inhaled it and no loose stools.

I will also throw in the odd raw chicken neck or back..yeah I know its bad to mix kibble and raw but he does well on it. I have had no problems so far. So I have come to the conclusion he doesnt agree with processed chicken or lab..but he does Turkey...YAY!!. Truth shall be told if his glands dont need to be expressed as often. Im hoping not at all like the first 20 months of his life.

The only thing I havent conquered is his itchy dry skin...any ideas?

[Lara's mom]

There are some excellent sites that rate dog food. Pro Plan is not a good food. Read the ingredients. There are also sites that explain what all those strange terms actually mean.

[k9capture16]

I know how to rate a dog food hence why I said I reluctantly bought that bag. I already tried Orijen and Taste of the Wild which are two of the highest rated foods...they gave him soft stool. RAW was awsome but not in my budget yet.

So far the Pro Plan seems to be working. I know it is one of the worst foods BUT it is working..lol.

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by k9capture16

I know how to rate a dog food hence why I said I reluctantly bought that bag. I already tried Orijen and Taste of the Wild which are two of the highest rated foods...they gave him soft stool. RAW was awsome but not in my budget yet.

So far the Pro Plan seems to be working. I know it is one of the worst foods BUT it is working..lol.

The dog food may be the problem you have with the ear! If the ear is not infected (your vet's diagnosis) sounds to me like your dog's immune system is not as healthy as it should be. And your dog is not getting the proper nutrition to keep the immune system in good shape. You said it was not itching so doesn't sound like a flea allergy and if it keeps happening over and over again and in only this one place--Sounds very food related to me. Why don't you check out on the web--Put key words in your browser---You can do the same in this forum--Go to top of page(s)--Find blue strip and find word Search there--Click and put key words in the search box. Don't know if this would work or not to help heal but maybe putting contents of vitamin E capsule on it might--I'm only guessing--Check it out on the web and may find other things too. Wondering about vinegar--diluted of course and definately not use if it is sore or red as it would sting! I would dilute to half water or even 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. You just have to do some research!!!

[Lara's mom]

Have you tried Halo? While not the best, it is one of the better foods available. It comes in chicken and salmon flavours - (the dry).

[k9capture16]

I never heard of the Halo brand, and I called around a few places to see if they carried it..they never heard of it either. I think ill keep him on this food for another month since I see massive improvement on his skin. He always was itchy everywhere...and since I put him on this food I see a decrease in his itchyness. His ear has always been like this....even when he was on RAW for two months. They are not like that all the time..it comes ever few months..heals..then goes away. Of course my vet wants him on medication (prednisone) everytime it breaks out but I dont bother because it screws with his system too much.

Is there anything natural out there that could be used to boost his immune system? Also he has had blood tests done going back last year if that means anything.

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by k9capture16

I never heard of the Halo brand, and I called around a few places to see if they carried it..they never heard of it either. I think ill keep him on this food for another month since I see massive improvement on his skin. He always was itchy everywhere...and since I put him on this food I see a decrease in his itchyness. His ear has always been like this....even when he was on RAW for two months. They are not like that all the time..it comes ever few months..heals..then goes away. Of course my vet wants him on medication (prednisone)a very good thing to stay away from!!! everytime it breaks out but I dont bother because it screws with his system too much.

Is there anything natural out there that could be used to boost his immune system? Also he has had blood tests done going back last year if that means anything.

Am going to paste a few websites for you to click on about the immune system:
http://www.healthyhappydogs.com/TransferFactor--This is an ad for a product but a lot of info there too!
Dog Health Report - Dog Care - Dog Health Problems Solved! - Dog Health Report - Dog Care - Dog Health Problems Solved!
Foods That Build the Immune System in Dogs | eHow.com
Animal nutrition: vitamins, minerals and nutritional support for pets




Immune System - Dr. Jean Dodds ---A lot of reading here--Don't miss the last couple of paragraphs!

[Corky/Max]

Prevention/Solution
A monotonous diet can compromise health, give a dog an unnaturally finicky "sensitive tummy" and may promote allergies. Feeding him a variety of foods and protein sources is better and can prevent food allergies. Adding omega three fatty acids in the form of fish oil (the ones sold for human consumption are fine) will help with skin and coat health and may help dogs with arthritis because it is a natural anti-inflammatory.

[Corky/Max]

If you call your local library and tell them what you are looking for--They can prob. find books for you to read! In my state of Wisconsin---Librarians use a computer to find what you need---If they don't have it on hand--They check for it and it gets delivered via a 'traveling library bus' to your local library---Doesn't cost anything for this service. You can leave them your phone # and they can call you when it comes in--or you can call them.