[Chase's Mom]

Hello all!
I will try to be brief; with Chase's skin/food allergy saga. A little background on Chase. Chase is an AKC Golden Retriever 3yrs old. I adopted Chase 3 wks ago as a rescue, as he was an owner turn in to a local Golden rescue league. Chases previous owner did not want to deal with his severe skin/food allergies due to maintence and the cost of his condition, I know that Chase and I have a long road ahead of us. I don't know how long he has been affected by the allergy as I only got a brief medical history but guessing he has had this for about 2yrs. It was determined that he had a food allergy that contributed to his skin allergy. He has Malassezia Dermatitis as a secondary infection due to food allergies. He was eating the dreadful OTC dog food by his owner even though the owner knew he was allergic. When Chase was in foster care he was switched to Natural Balance with Venision and Sweet Potato; when I adopted Chase I switched him to Call of the Wild Salmon. (he is allergic to all grains, dairy and poultry and certain weeds and grasses) Meds are Ketoconazole 20mg 1x per day Probiotics and Omega 3-6 oils added to his food. And, Benadryl 50mg every 12hrs to alleve some of his itching. I bath him every other day with human Nizoral 1% shampoo...**he really stinks from the Malassezia pachydermatis. After performing extensive research on the web I ran across a posting that Goldens are prone to Hypothyroidism and this could be a cause for his allergies. Has anyone ever experienced this and what was your outcome. Sorry for all of the info; but I'm desperate to find a medical cause and remedy for him. I have another Vet appt today to see how he is coming along; not well actually. Also wondering if I should start taking him to a qualified dermatologist for canines. Any feedback/suggestions help is greatly appreciated!!

[Corky/Max]

I did a thread on What About Vinegar! It is in the Dog Health and Nutrition section/forum. You can find it easily by going to the blue strip across the top of the page(s) and find the word Search in white letters--click --Put the word vinegar in the search box--leave it on threads (not posts) and you will see the title I gave above. Vinegar is good for many things and is used internally and externally. It may help relieve some of the itchiness---and like I said--use both internally and externally! There is a lot of reading there but it is good 'stuff' to know about,
period! I think you will find the topic very interesting and hopefully helpful!

And welcome to the forum---Hope you like it! I also have a golden retriever/cocker spaniel mix. (And a pure cocker) You can see their pics on my profile page in my album.:mrgreen:

[Chase's Mom]

Thanks for the reply...I had a question though using ACV...I read in many articles using ACV for dogs who have Malassezia (Yeast) Dermatitis not to use ACV as a topical as it isn't acidic enough and ACV has more sugars that would promote more yeast production due to yeast loving the sugar enviroment. But to use White Vinegar instead...?

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by Chase's Mom

Thanks for the reply...I had a question though using ACV...I read in many articles using ACV for dogs who have Malassezia (Yeast) Dermatitis not to use ACV as a topical as it isn't acidic enough and ACV has more sugars that would promote more yeast production due to yeast loving the sugar enviroment. But to use White Vinegar instead...?

I am confused as well! I know I give my dogs vinegar to try and make their Ph more acidic as I feed so many alkaline veggies. I looked up on the net about Malassezia Dermatitis/vinegar and not much was given on the 'combo' but what little was sounded to be in favor of it. But I take it you are just referring to its use as a topical!? Would like to read whatever you saw to try to get a 'better handle' on it for myself. The white vinegar has the same 5% acidity as the apple cider vinegar. White vinegar is distilled whereas apple cider vinegar isn't---Does that make a difference, I don't know!! Sorry I couldn't be more help. Keep us posted as to what you may find out. I noted that certain breeds are more prone to this skin condition and my Corky has a double 'whammy' as he is a mix of 2 of the breeds prone to it. Right now he seems to have some kind of allergy--ear infection (only in 1 ear) and is always chewing on his foot on the same side!
It sure is a mystery (and frustrating) trying to figure what is causing all these problems. He doesn't get any commercial dog food (I feed mostly raw with some home-cooking thrown in) so I can't blame it on that. But I don't rule out vaccinations that ruin the immune system and he had his required 5th rabies shot about 6 months ago. Sorry, shouldn't even get started on this stuff as I get so darn heated up! Hope you get your dog's condition under control!

[leigh]

Unfortunately, Goldens ARE prone to both allergy and hypothyroidism. I would definitely start at a veterinary dermatologist for help with this. Unless he has been tested, you'll never know for certain what the dog is allergic to (food is often blamed, but is actually much less likely to cause allergy than things in the dog's environment are). The Ketoconazole is an antifungal-used to treat or even prevent yeast infection. The Benedryl is just to stop (or try to stop) itching. The probiotics and omega 3 & 6 supplements are good for digestion, and skin and coat, respectively, but NONE of the things you mentioned are going to actually treat the allergy. The only way to do that is to use immunotherapy (the dermatologist will be able to help with this) or completely avoid the allergens.

Hypothyroidism has nothing to do with allergy, but can contribute to itching, yeast infections and other skin problems, and in ways, mimic allergy. It's very unlikely that the dog is allergic to ALL grains. He can't be allergic to any grain he has never been exposed to (allergy is a result of repeated exposures to something). Rice, millet, sorghum, and barley are a few that are considered not to be allergenic. Taste of the Wild and Natural Balance are both good foods for dogs with food allergies (the best, in my opinion, is California Natural). If your dog is still having problems, I would venture that the food is not causing the problems now (though he could have food allergies). Rescues often try to pass off their own views onto the new owners...they may exaggerate the supposed mistreatment a dog had at the hands of their previous owners, and they probably assumed that since the dog itched, he was allergic to "all grains", however unlikely.

There is a movement (vocal, but not very correct) that feels that dogs should eat only protein. This is NOT correct. A dog should eat about 50% of his calories in carbohydrates. They also need certain vitamins and minerals to maintain health. Carbohydrates don't have to come from grain, but grains are not harmful, and not all are allergenic (soy and corn tend to be the most allergenic to dogs).

The stink you refer to may be related to hypothyroidism, too. It can wreak havoc with the dog's skin. Dogs (especially Goldens) tend to emit an offensive odor when they get nervous, too. One thing that can help tremendously with a stinky dog is to get a shampoo brush (Drs. Foster and Smith online has them) that is a rubber brush with semi-hard nubs on it-they let you get all the way down to the dog's skin when you shampoo, and really get the dog clean...It's hard to get a Golden really clean without one. Be sure that you rinse and rinse and rinse, too...it's hard to get all of the shampoo out of that thick fur.

Get the thyroid panels done and make an appointment with a dermatologist. Too many vets are quick to diagnose an allergy without doing the testing, and it's infuriating that they do so when a dog continues to suffer without it.

Hope I helped you out a little bit, and that your new pup comes through well.