Allergies and lab retriever

[rick_iles]

I have a chocolate lab that has had issues with allergies. She starts out with itching around her eyes, muzzle and ears. She usually goes on prednisone during the summer months. The vet seems to think it's caused by something around the yard. Although it seems to be seasonal, I'm thinking of changing her feed, to see if that may be a contributing factor. She has been on TLC from the get go. The breeder started her on this food. Has anyone had similar allergies in their labs, and what would be a good food alternative to try ??

[yellow dog]

Put her on a grain free kibble to determine if that is the cause. Lots of them on the market today. Lots of dogs seem to have these issues and sometimes switching to a grain free will help.

[rick_iles]

Put her on a grain free kibble to determine if that is the cause. Lots of them on the market today. Lots of dogs seem to have these issues and sometimes switching to a grain free will help.

Thanks for the info, I'll try that !

[Sharon]

Same problems with my setters from May to Oct. Grain free didn't make any difference. It's ome plant in the bush or grass oozing oils.
I use Benadryl . It helps a lot. Less risky than prednisone.

edited : I'm not saying you shouldn't try grain free; just saying it didn't change things for my dogs.

[rick_iles]

Same problems with my setters from May to Oct. Grain free didn't make any difference. It's ome plant in the bush or grass oozing oils.
I use Benadryl . It helps a lot. Less risky than prednisone.

Thats what we have been thinking...obvious environmental issue. How much benedryl and how often do you give ?
I have tried it, but it doesn't seem to help much.

[Sharon]

I'm not a vet but : It is administered by giving 1 milligram for every pound of a dog’s weight after every 8 hours or three times per day.

I buy it in liquid form at Walmart for 1/2 the price of tablets. My dogs give me a hard time when administering tablets. (Yes I tried everything. You can put it in a wiener etc and they will still spit it out.

[rick_iles]

Thanks Sharon..I'll try that before I change her diet .

[Deerslayer99]

I have had nothing but allergy related issues (ear infections) and licking of paws
with my chocolate and i am happy to say since he is now 100 % on grain free food and treats i have not had an issue with him....i have switched him to Natures Choice made by Kirkland from Costco.....he adapted quite well to the new food and his coat/ears look great not to mention his shedding has slowed down tremendously.....grain free is a simple cost effective way to try first before doing expensive testing from a vet.....good luck

[yellow dog]

I have had nothing but allergy related issues (ear infections) and licking of paws
with my chocolate and i am happy to say since he is now 100 % on grain free food and treats i have not had an issue with him....i have switched him to Natures Choice made by Kirkland from Costco.....he adapted quite well to the new food and his coat/ears look great not to mention his shedding has slowed down tremendously.....grain free is a simple cost effective way to try first before doing expensive testing from a vet.....good luck

I have to agree with you it's well worth trying the grain free in conjunction with an over the counter product such as benedryl if needed.

[JMatthews]

I would suggest that you may want to check with your vet. There are some foods available for dogs with allergies.