Golden Retriever's losing hair with skin allergy?

Our 4 yr. old Golden retriever is losing his hair, probably because of his skin allergy. He is on Prednisone, but it doesn't seem to be working 100 percent. The poor thing is almost bald on his belly and it just isn't getting better. Can someone shead light on an easy cure for the poor guy? He has gone to the vet many times for shots to, but I was wondering if there was anything else to do.

Golden Retriever's losing hair with skin allergy?
What food is he on?





Sometimes diet has a lot to do with allergies. Did your vet put him on z/d prescription food? At our clinic we will prescribe Pred along with z/d which is a low-allergen food. When the Pred is done we will have the owners continue to feed z/d food for a certain period of time to see if the allergens come back. If not, we know it is food related and will either have the dog stay on z/d food or recommend different holistic food choices (Canidae is a great choice).





These Goldens and their skin!! I tell ya! :) When did you start the Pred? What is your taper? Typically it is anywhere from 3 to 10 days, depending upon to severity of the skin issue. Finish the Pred completely and see if it clears. Pred is one of those meds that needs to be finished to the very end for the best results.





Hi Golden!!!





Alright... unfortunately Purina is not a qualiy food. Your best bet is to try the following foods:


Canidae


Innova


Merrick


Wellness


Timberwolf Organics





MUCH better choices!





UPDATE: If your dog has been suffering from bad skin for two years I would recommend that you change his food to Ultra z/d (your vet should have this) and see how he does. It is the lowest allergen food out there. If that food does not clear up his skin issues then you need to get this boy to a Dermatologist. I am SO surprised your vet has allowed this to continue for so long without refering you to the skin specialist. Poor guy!! At this point, I would not put him on any other food that myself and Golden recommended (even though they are wonderful brands!) because he has been dealing with these issues for so long. His poor body needs a break from that Pred!
Reply:Yes, what food is he on? If he is on iams, purina, beneful, eukanuba, or any like those, please switch him to CANIDAE. It worked for our english bulldog.
Reply:Hi Vet Tech!





You took my first question but you feel free any time ! LOL





The most like cause for any dog is food! If your food has corn, wheat, soy, by products of any kind than I'd look at getting your Golden on a very high quality food very soon.





I feed my Golden's Canidae all life stages and I have had no skin issues this summer at all. No hot spots, no ear infections and I have had my Golden's swimming a lot!





I think both Vet Tech and I need more information to help you better ok.





Ok You need much better food than Iams. I call it junk in a bag for Golden's.





Here are high quality food that I recommend for Golden with allergies.


Canidae all life stages


Wellness


Solid Gold


Timber Wolf





These are all natural and have no corn, wheat, soy, by products of any kind. The better the food the less allergens in it. Look for one of these foods and slowly switch over and see with in a month or 2 if your Golden is feeling much better. OK





ADD: 2 years! Oh my that is a very long time for your boy's body to be Pred. I'd get the special food that Vet Tech recommends to an then see how he reacts. It it seems to help than Maybe I'd try on of the foods mentioned by both of us.


If it doesn't help Than I'd get him into a dermatologist real quick!


I'd back off on the baths too. They may be drying his skin out way too much too. If necessary get a good dog Oatmeal shampoo uncented and wash him with that. Then I would not use any conditioner.


I get my shampoo at www.Drs.Foster%26amp;Smith.com


They also have a shampoo for dogs with skin allergies too.





Your Poor Golden boy!
Reply:Take him to a Veterinary Dermatologist - they exist, although you may have to travel to see one. I used to work at a vet where we had a Dermotologist (in the NY area) and she helped hundreds of dogs whose regular vets were unable to help them with the normal course of Pred treatments and the like.





There is no 'easy cure', because your dog may have 3 or 4 things going on that contribute to his allergies. And you definitely dont want to go giving him home remedies unless a vet tells you to - it can make his problem much worse. Its best to either see the specialist or have your vet contact one for a consultation. Good luck :)
Reply:I've had really good luck with California Natural dog food with my allergic dog. Just about anything else, even other companies allergy foods, make her itch.


www.naturapets.com has a store locater. They make Innova and California Natural. With food allergies, the idea is to do an elimination diet. Feed him a food with as little ingredients as possible for several weeks and if he's not itching anymore, gradually add other stuff back in.


My dog was completely naked when her previous owner finally surrendered her to an animal shelter. So far, we haven't had to do any prednisone shots, we've been able to control it all with diet.