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Mary Fischer | 2 years ago
I Have A German Shepherd Who Suffers From Allergies And Is On Apoquel Again… But I …

I have a German Shepherd who suffers from allergies and is on apoquel again… but I continue to read that they are notoriously allergic to chicken. Wondering what is the best food for dogs with allergies?? Other than the pro plan Salmon and the Lamb, we tried both and both of my dogs hated it.
I have a Siberian Husky who has suffered from ear infections forever and now I can’t help but wonder if the food is the culprit. He has been to the vet more times than I can count for it and his peeling nose!

3 Responses

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  1. Laura

    A friend’s chicken allergic Greyhound did well on Natural Balance turkey limited ingredient diet. Another friend feeds her Dobes Annamaet Aqualuk and Manitok with significant success – the dogs love it and look great on it.

    Pro plan had a fairly recent recipe change of the sensitive salmon (as in last year), and a lot of dogs seemed to go off it. I’m told it may have improved since then.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    There is a possibility that a food allergen can be the culprit. I was told by a dermatologist that it is about 8-12% of the dogs with allergies. The problem is that there are no commercially available over the counter foods that are truly hypoallergenic. You have to get a prescription diet which is either a novel protein (like kangaroo or venison) or a hydrolyzed diet where the proteins are broken down to be so small the body cannot recognize them. These are expensive and the pet cannot have anything else out in their mouths while on these foods. We feed for at least a month and then we challenge with the old food to see if the itching returns. It is difficult to do and expensive. In my opinion it is imperative to be on a good flea and tick prevention and on it year around. Then use apoquel and shampoos to help. If this works it is the best affordable option most of my patients are on. Occasionally I have to add a steroid for a small period of time or cytopoint. But most are managed well.

    Find a vet who has an interest in dermatology or ask for a referral.

    1. Mary Fischer Post author

      Thank you for your replies! The apoquel definitely makes a difference. I think it works better on him than the Cytopoint shot did, but I’ve heard that the Apoquel has a lot of side effects. I have not noticed any issues. They are both on Frontline all year since we back to woods and like to spend time at the creek.
      I was going to try Victor Ocean Fish? Doesn’t do anything for their breath though. I need to mix dasaquin in one meal a day and like to use wet food which makes for more searching of good quality food.
      I will continue the Apoquel for now though.

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Mary Fischer | 4 years ago
I Have. 2.5 Yr Old GSD That Has Had Diarrhea And Vomiting. He Is Drinking Water And …

I have. 2.5 yr old GSD that has had diarrhea and vomiting. He is drinking water and does not seem lethargic. Some sleep might do him good, but he still wants to play. Is there anything i can give him??

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  1. Laura

    Depending on how long this has gone on, I would fast him for 24 hours, then slowly introduce bland food in the form of chicken or ground beef cooked well with no other seasonings and mixed with plain white rice, with a higher rice to meat ratio at first. Give SMALL amounts to see how he does. Give plenty of water. If the vomit and diarrhea persist, call the vet. If the vomit and diarrhea have persisted more than 48 hours already, call the vet.

    1. Mary Fischer Post author

      Thank you. It has been over 24 hours. I did make an apt with his vet. Hope its not premature.

      1. Laura

        I think it’s fair, especially if you’ve never dealt with this before. We were definitely more willing to call the vet over every little thing until we began to understand how our dog handles things. Better to be overly cautious than let something go for far too long, you know?

        I forgot to add one thing: once he’s keeping food down, plain yogurt is something I’d keep in your repertoire of things to help gut health. Bonus, most dogs absolutely love it.

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Mary Fischer | 5 years ago
My Sisters Dog Has Been Sick. She Wanted To Bring Him Here To Play With My …

My sisters dog has been sick. She wanted to bring him here to play with my dogs and I told her I’d rather not until he saw the vet, he had an apt. Can dogs spread germs like people do. Now that I know they can get corona I was concerned.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    All infectious diseases have the potential to affect and infect others. But this might not be caused by an infection so it is hard to know if he is infectious. I think it is best to play it safe and keep them apart. Start with a vet visit. All sick beings (people and pets) should always be kept away from each other when they are sick.

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Mary Fischer | 5 years ago
My Friend Has A 1 Yr Old Female German Shepherd, Baby Sister Of My Male GSD. She …

My friend has a 1 yr old female German Shepherd, baby sister of my male GSD. She was diagnosed with EPI and has been getting PancreVed in her food, every meal.
She is not seeming to be getting better or gaining weight. She’s lost about 12 lbs. although she doesn’t act as if she’s sick at all!!
Do you have any recommendations for this or advice? And is it hereditary?

My boy in the left and his sister on the right.

Thank you,
Mary

4 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Cab you tell me how this was diagnosed and how it is being treated? And even if the standards of care were met if they aren’t getting better you need to go back to vet for another discussion on what’s next with the plan. I have been treating a 1.5 yo GS for months and although I also suspect EPI if he isn’t gwtting better we keep looking for the cause and the answers. We have tried multiple medications. Bloodwork and treatment plans. It is often not a simple quick easy answer. It is a long discussion and discovery process. Please go back to your vet or ask for a referral to a specialist.

  2. Sarah

    I agree with Krista. There is no sign of improvement. Talk to the vet about changing treatment or adjusting it. Ask about testing for other possible illness and more bloodwork. Ask about initial diagnosis. Also ask about timing for feeding and how many times per day should she be eating. I hope she starts to improve.????????

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Mary Fischer | 6 years ago
Torn ACL- My 8 Year Old Siberian Husky Has Been Diagnosed W/ A Torn ACL…

Torn ACL- My 8 year old Siberian Husky has been diagnosed w/ a torn ACL, although a MRI wasn’t done. Dr said it was a lot of manipulation in the knee which is not normal, indicating a tear. Question is should I do surgery or considering using a leg brace? Besides the high cost, I’ve read mixed reviews that after surgery “their dog was never the same.” My dog is a very active Siberian Husky. X-ray showed great hips and blood was that of a healthy dog. I don’t want him to be miserable. Advise??

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I don’t know enough about your dog to offer a specific course. But, in general I feel the dogs who have surgery with a surgeon so far better than those who don’t. I never advise a brave unless the patient cannnot safely tolerate anesthesia.

  2. Mary Fischer Post author

    Dr. Magnifico,
    Thank you so much for your response! I was looking for your advise. They suggested the place in Towson, CVSS and I found a place VOSM. Do you recommend anyone?

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Mary Fischer | 6 years ago
I Have A 9 Week Old German Shephard Puppy That Is Itching And Scratching. Apparently…

I have a 9 week old German Shephard puppy that is itching and scratching. Apparently all if them from the litter are. Ive washed him in oatmeal bath for puppies and someone suggested they were allergic to the food (blue buffalo puppy, chicken formula). Ive started to change his food, but I dont know what it could be!??
I have 2 other dogs and they don’t do this.

4 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    I would get to the vet right away, for many reasons? First and foremost, to have the puppy thoroughly checked over… this could be parasites, which are possibly contagious to your other dogs. It could also be a reaction which also needs to be treated. 9 weeks is young to be away from mom, in my opinion. Please bring your puppy to the vet right away for a thorough exam and puppy visit.

  2. Mary Fischer Post author

    They were at the vet at 8 weeks, for their shots. They didn’t have any concerns for them being away from the Mom. She stopped nursing, seemed early to me…. where would they have gotten a parasite? The mother father are fine.

  3. Laura

    You just brought puppy home? You need to get him to YOUR vet for a wellness visit, within the first week of bringing puppy home. 8 weeks is the legal minimum for puppies to leave littermates in Maryland. If this is the beginning of mange, demodex is on every dog – it will cause rashes and skin irritations in dogs with suppressed immune systems. Seriously, get your puppy to your vet and bring this up with them. 🙂

    As for the food, I would throw out Blue Buffalo entirely. There have been issues recently with lead poisoning, and in the past with melamine. I would also ask the vet about food options.

  4. Krista Magnifico

    I am not a fan of blue buffalo either. I would be worried about fleas, scabies and infection. Allergies are unlikely at this age. See your vet.

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Mary Fischer | 7 years ago
So My Dog Has An Abscessed Tooth, I Took Her To Festival Vet And I’m…

So my dog has an abscessed tooth, I took her to Festival vet and I’m quoted over $1000 to do the surgery. I don’t have that kind of money!
Any recommendations?? Any vets on here can do it for less or work with me? She had blood work and is on antibiotics.
You can see her little face is swollen. Just popped up yesterday…

4 Responses

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  1. SUSAN SIRICO

    I know the hospital in N Richmond, VA does dogs teeth for $260.. and I can’t remember their name, but if theres one, there has to be more, right? and thats not just that tooth, they scale and clean all the teeth and remove the bad ones.

  2. Sarah

    I would make a few phone calls to other vets in your area and see what they charge. I would also talk to my vet and ask why it costs that much, and what exactly does that price include. See if you can work out some sort of payment plan with your vet too- perhaps a few months of $250 payments with $250 up front? Good luck to you?

  3. Krista Magnifico

    You can also come to my vet clinic Jarrettsville vet for a second opinion and price estimate. I’m sorry I cannot provide this over the phone or online without seeing her in person.

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Mary Fischer | 7 years ago
I Have A Siberian Husky With This Horrible Scabbing On His Nose. He Has Been Looked…

I have a Siberian Husky with this horrible scabbing on his nose.
He has been looked at before and the vet had no suggestion as to what it was and simply told me to use Vaseline or neosporane. Nothing worked. Do you have any advise or suggestions? Thank you, Mary

4 Responses

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  1. Mary Fischer Post author

    Yes they tried and failed. The sedative they gave him never put him out so they didn’t do anything. He can be aggressive. I have to find a new vet. 🙁
    Thank you for responding.

  2. Julie Brader

    Hi Mary….I would be inclined to ask your Vet to do a biopsy. You will know what it is and hopefully get the correct treatment. . His poor nose does look very sore indeed.

  3. Krista Magnifico

    I agree with Julie!! In areas where there is poor pigmentation and sun damage I worry about skin cancer like squamous cell carcinoma.

  4. Julie Brader

    Hi again Mary…hope you find a new Vet soon. Good luck and please do let us know what happens ?

Mary Fischer

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