Diarrhea
Question:
Our 6 year old German Shepherd mix, Bailey, has allergies. Every summer
from July through September or October he goes crazy! He licks his front legs
and gets hot spots on his hind legs that he licks until they are raw and hairless
(not very appealing on a dog). He also scratches at his mouth until his gums
swell up and sometimes bleed. Bailey also tends to throw up easily during
these months. Our veterinarian did allergy tests and he tested positive for
various grasses, weeds, trees and foods. We put him on a prescription diet
of fish and potatoes from the veterinarian, but last summer he was as bad as ever
- we had to put him in an Elizabethan collar to keep him from scratching himself
so badly. Are there any natural remedies or supplements that could help poor
Bailey be more comfortable this summer?
Susan
Answer:
Hello Susan,
Chronic diarrhea can have many causes, including food ingredient hypersensitivities/intolerances,
also referred to as food allergies. Feeding diets with wholesome, simple ingredients,
that contain minimal grains, may help control diarrhea associated with food allergies.
Some food choices to consider include:
Wellness
Simple Food Diet,
Honest Kitchen Force Diet,
Solid Gold Hund-n-Flocken Lamb Formula,
Wysong Diet Anergen,
and
Natural Balance Potato and Duck Allergy Formula. These simple protein
and carbohydrate diets are "hypoallergenic and low residue" which minimizes any
possible intestinal maldigestion, malabsorption, and inflammatory conditions that
can cause diarrhea. Along with these diets, probiotics like
NF
Spectra, Chinese Herbs like
Health
Concerns Shin Ling, digestive supplements like
Only
Natural Pet GI Support, and digestive enzymes like those in
Animal
Essentials Plant Enzymes and Probiotics or
Prozyme
will improve gastrointestinal health. Finally, it is important to rule out
intestinal parasites, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, Folate/Cobalamin imbalance, and several other conditions that can cause diarrhea.
Best regards,
S. M. Sanderlin, DVM
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