Common food ingredient causing skin problems

crocknewf

Inactive Member
Herb has dry flaky skin patches only on his back. He has been on the same kibble since puppyhood (Proplan Turkey and Barley) and did ok until about the last year. I supplement it with a natural fish oil concentrate softgel capsule 2x daily but the skin is not improving. I do add a little roast beef or chicken if it is on hand occasionally. Is it the extra protein that could cause this? His coat is very shiny and looks great; it's just the skin on his back that isn't doing well. Thanks! Chris
 

HPond

Inactive Member
Well, with all the reading I've been doing on food, I'll take a shot at answering your question. Herb may have an allergy to an ingredient in the ProPlan. Corn is a common allergen. I know I've read something recently about skin problems being related to food ingredients. Let me think, I'll get back to you.
 

HPond

Inactive Member
According the www.naturapet.com site, on the California Natural page, these ingredients may be allergenic:

Beef & Beef Byproducts,Pork,Glutens (Wheat, Corn),Milk, Corn or Corn Oil,Yeast,Fish or Fish Oils,Wheat,Brewer's Yeast,Eggs.

Hope this helps. There's another site that you might find useful if you are thinking of switching kibble. It lists the top 10 dog foods according to Whole Dog Journal:
www.members.aol.com/smplyschnz/nutrition/wdjtopten.html
 

DennisL

Inactive Member
Glad to see you mentioned the Whole Dog Journal ...its a really great, well done publication...

Love those Newfies....
 

crocknewf

Inactive Member
Thanks so much you guys! I am convinced I need to switch his diet. The references you provided are very helpful. I was surprised to learn they could develop a food allergy from even the food they've always eaten and done fine with previously.

Thanks again,

Chris and Herb
 

HPond

Inactive Member
I was just reading at the Canidae food site and they had a bunch of testimonials about dogs with itchy skin/food allergies and Canidae foods helping. One was from a Newfie owner, so I thought that it was worth posting. www.canidae.com
They are on the top 10 list, plus have human grade meats.
 

Jeannie

Super Moderator
dry flaky patches of skin can be a bacterial infection in the skin. Try using an antibacterial shampooo from your vet along with the diet changes. Sam got those spots this fall and they cleared up using a shampoo with cholorhexadine in it.

by the way I loved getting all the info on the food sites. Always looking for "better" food for my girls

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Jeannie and the rescues
Sara, Samantha and Panda
www.newfland.com
 

Miyax

Inactive Member
YEA YEA YEA!!!!! Eagle Pack (Ese's 'new' kibble) is listed on the Top 10!!! I did a lot of reading and a lot of research on nutrition since his CHD diagnosis and I wound up choosing Eagle Pack....and I did good!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!

Ahem....Okay, I've got a grip now. Thanks HPond for such a great reference source and for making my month!!!


Miyax(Striving to be a good mom!)


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A tribute to his Newfoundland:
"... beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808
 

Miyax

Inactive Member
Very interesting article. Thanks HPond! I have Ese on Eagle Pack's lower protein "maintanence formula" 20/12. This is a trial run. From what I've read about nutrition and large/young dogs with CHD it's important to control their fast growth to try to prevent further malformation of the joints. I'm taking him to the specialist very soon to get a second opinion on his CHD diagnosis. Our vet whopped us with a $600+ bill for his neutering and the x-rays and microchip. All of which I had done on the same day while he was under anyway, so I've been scraping up to make sure I have money for the specialist. I'm also looking for a new vet. Beyond the bill, I just don't think she knows enough about large/giant breed dogs. I won't go into the "whys" here. This is long enough already. Anyway, it's still so great to have it reinforced that I've chosen a reputable dog food manufacturer. I'm always going to be researching though to ensure I'm giving him the best food I can. I'm seriously researching the route of a kibble diet fortified with fresh/raw foods.

Thanks for making my day and giving me a little more confidence in my efforts to be a good mom!


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A tribute to his Newfoundland:
"... beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808
 

HPond

Inactive Member
ps.Miyax-I thought you might enjoy the article, if you scroll way down(past the big gap)she lists Eagle Pack among her top kibble choices. Bil-Jac, Innova, and Wysong are the others she likes.
 

Sound Bay Newfs

Active member
Miyax, I've read your post about the CHD diagnosis. Believe me I know how you feel. I have 2 dogs with it. One is 9 and has been showing signs of it in the past few yrs. My other dog shows no signs. She is five and runs and jumps like a pup. I swear by Glucosamine and Chondroitin. I buy the human kind at the health food store. My vet said it's the same and a lot cheaper. I give them 2 tablets each in their bowl of kibble in the morning. They eat it right up.
I've seen a huge improvement in my older dog!
It's important to start early as it is easier to replenish the joint fluid than to replace it when it's gone. Check with your new vet. But for me the diagnosis was worse than the disease. I'm new here and I hope this helps. lol
Lynn
 

Miyax

Inactive Member
Lynn,

I can't tell you how much it helps! When Ese was diagnosed at 6 months with CHD I was devestated. There have been several responses from other owners who like you have or had dogs with CHD that manage just fine. It does my heart good to read those encouraging, reassuring words. I just couldn't stand it if I were to ever see him in pain, especially so young. Thank you for the tip about buying the supplements at health food stores! I'm also seriously considering "Fresh Factors" from www.springtime.com (a site SARNewfie made me aware of) because along with chondroitin and glucosamine it has so many other supplements that I think Ese will benefit from.
I may give it a trial run.

Again, thank you SO MUCH for telling me about your dogs!!
My heart feels better.


------------------
A tribute to his Newfoundland:
"... beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808
 
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