Food Allergies
Symptoms of food allergies in dogs often have nothing to do with the dog's gastrointestinal system. Instead, many dogs tend to exhibit symptoms of the skin that groomers will notice.
Yeast Infections
Yeast in a dog's ear causes inflammation, swelling of the tissue, and in most cases, a yellowish or dark brown discharge. The dog shakes her head and scratches, and it hurts when you try to clean out the ear or apply medication. Long-eared dogs are prone to ear infections due to lack of air in the canal. That is the perfect breeding ground for yeast and bacteria. Yeast needs warmth, moisture, and sugar to grow. Many pet foods contain sugars to make the food more palatable. A high-carbohydrate diet with less than optimal fatty acids and other fats and little high-quality protein will predispose a dog to superficial yeast problems. If you keep feeding carbohydrates to the dog, the yeast will continue to grow.
To kill yeast, you need some probiotics, namely yogurt with active acidophilus cultures. Do not buy yogurt with any flavoring — that's sugar and will defeat your purpose. Yeast feeds and grows on sugar. Plain yogurt tastes similar to sour cream and most dogs love it. You can spoon some on your dog's food regularly to keep yeast in check.
Isolated ear infections are common, and you shouldn't automatically assume your dog is allergic to his food. However, if your dog suffers from recurring yeast infections, talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of food allergies. Treatments for allergy-related ear infections differ from other infections. Your vet can determine how best to treat an infection by taking a culture. Your vet may unintentionally aggravate an allergy-related ear infection by prescribing an ointment and an antibiotic, which kills both the good and bad bacteria.
Dogs and Allergies
Dogs can be allergic to some of the same foods that cause dangerous reactions in humans, including peanuts, wheat, and dairy products. Corn, wheat, and soy are also on the short list of common canine allergies. Itchy, flaky, or greasy skin are some of the most common symptoms of a food allergy, and dogs that scratch excessively or bite their feet and legs may be trying to alleviate the discomfort caused by food allergies. However, these symptoms are indicative of many other conditions as well, so it is important to consult with your veterinarian for a positive diagnosis.
If your veterinarian determines food allergies are a potential cause of your dog's discomfort, she can help you determine which foods are the culprits and recommend healthy alternatives. To find out which foods your dog is allergic to, your veterinarian may place her on a highly restrictive diet encompassing meals, treats, medications, and even toys. This diet may last as long as four months to allow your veterinarian to track results. Suspected foods are individually added back into your dog's diet to see whether symptoms reappear.
Like human allergies, dog allergies can develop over time after continuous exposure to foods. Even dogs that are well into adulthood may develop new allergies to common foods they never had problems with before.
Dogs with food allergies can eat specially formulated food, either commercially manufactured or homemade. Making your own food allows you the flexibility of tailoring recipes to your dog's unique needs.
Helping your dog with his allergies can also include more bath time. Oatmeal baths are sometimes recommended to help relieve itching in dogs with food allergies. There are many oatmeal-based shampoos and conditioners on the market for pets; however, some pets may be allergic to oatmeal.
