My dog is a 1.5 yr old boxer-chow mix (i think). Over the last 3 months, she has been scracthing endlessly and has developed bald patches all over her flanks. I am assuming this is due to a food allergy of some kind as it coincides (roughly, as near as I can recall) with a switch to Purina Dog chow, from her puppy chow.
After reading the board, I have switched her food to California Natural Lamb and rice, which she loved. I did not phase it in, she ate it straight away with no problems. We also switched any treats she gets to a bag of Wellness brand treats which claim no grain content. She has been on it a week but is scratching as much as ever, which is to say constantly. I have a couple of questions:
1) How long will it take for her to quit itching? Should we have seen some improvement by now?
2) COuld the rice still be a problem? If so, what should I try?
3) How many foods should I try before it becomes appraent that there is another cause?
Our vet has not been very helpful and I really want to spare the dog any further discomfort. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.
-- Jack
After reading the board, I have switched her food to California Natural Lamb and rice, which she loved. I did not phase it in, she ate it straight away with no problems. We also switched any treats she gets to a bag of Wellness brand treats which claim no grain content. She has been on it a week but is scratching as much as ever, which is to say constantly. I have a couple of questions:
1) How long will it take for her to quit itching? Should we have seen some improvement by now?
2) COuld the rice still be a problem? If so, what should I try?
3) How many foods should I try before it becomes appraent that there is another cause?
Our vet has not been very helpful and I really want to spare the dog any further discomfort. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.
-- Jack