Hotspot
- Thread starter FayRose
- Start date
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
Brief update. Molly's been back to the vet this afternoon. The vet - not the one we saw 1st time - was generally pleased with the healing of the hotspot but she said it was secondary to the real problem which is her ears !
The previous vet almost didn't prescribe ear drops as he was more concerned about the hotspot, but he eventually decided to prescribe Canaural, which we stopped after the 1st day because it seemed we were overwhelming Molly with meds/treatment, the pills twice a day, having to wash the hotspot with salty water and then apply ointment twice a day.
This vet said that was not a wise move as Molly's scratching had caused the hotspot and was because she was trying to ease the ear irritation. So, Canaural application starts today.
However, the vet also suggested we start Molly on a genuine hypoallergenic diet in an attempt to identify the cause of the allergies - food related or not. She said, despite all the ads etc. there are only 3 genuine hypoallergenic dog foods on the market.
Has anyone tried this route to find out the cause of their dogs' allergy? If so, which food did you use and most importantly, did it prove anything?
The previous vet almost didn't prescribe ear drops as he was more concerned about the hotspot, but he eventually decided to prescribe Canaural, which we stopped after the 1st day because it seemed we were overwhelming Molly with meds/treatment, the pills twice a day, having to wash the hotspot with salty water and then apply ointment twice a day.
This vet said that was not a wise move as Molly's scratching had caused the hotspot and was because she was trying to ease the ear irritation. So, Canaural application starts today.
However, the vet also suggested we start Molly on a genuine hypoallergenic diet in an attempt to identify the cause of the allergies - food related or not. She said, despite all the ads etc. there are only 3 genuine hypoallergenic dog foods on the market.
Has anyone tried this route to find out the cause of their dogs' allergy? If so, which food did you use and most importantly, did it prove anything?
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Cant help re the food or allergies I`m afraid , but just to say that Canaural is fantastic and works quickly too . Good luck with it all , to you and Molly xx
Cath
MLF Sales Coordinator
Did she not tell you the name of these three?
Could you not ring the vets and ask them the names?
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Urgh!
Not so good for you or Molly.
Haven't fed hypoallergenic either so can't help.
I know there were phases of treating kids with really severe eczema with cows milk free diets but I find it difficult to correlate recurrent ear infections with diet.
I hope whatever you choose to so it clears things up
Not so good for you or Molly.
Haven't fed hypoallergenic either so can't help.
I know there were phases of treating kids with really severe eczema with cows milk free diets but I find it difficult to correlate recurrent ear infections with diet.
I hope whatever you choose to so it clears things up
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
Oh, yes she did, sorry, not making myself clear - again ! I know the foods available. What I'm concerned about is if anyone has actually followed this route to identify allergens and if it worked.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
I did with Squidge when she had a recurring rash on her tummy. I didn’t like the hypoallergenic options we had, so home cooking was what I went for. I know exactly what goes into it and I can change it up easily.
It didn’t cure her rash, and I am pretty sure now that’s mainly environmental, but also lentils seem to cause a flare-up, but it was very useful for being able to rule out food as a cause.
It didn’t cure her rash, and I am pretty sure now that’s mainly environmental, but also lentils seem to cause a flare-up, but it was very useful for being able to rule out food as a cause.
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
I think Molly's is environmental too but will probably try in the hope of eliminating food.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Poor Molly!
I'm curious as to which 3 foods the vet states are genuinely hypo-allergenic.
I'm curious as to which 3 foods the vet states are genuinely hypo-allergenic.
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
Sorry, can you delete the muddled post please? Got something wrong there.
I’ve deleted the post as requested.
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
I've got to check with the vet when/if we decide to try - next Friday. I'll post what they say then, she did tell me but I can't remember them all now ! Can only remember Purina- I think - and Hill's atm.
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
Thank you MellowYellow.
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
Back to the vet this afternoon for the check up following a week of Canaural - thankfully her ears are now clear, hotspot healed so, all OK for now.
The vet however is very keen for us to take the hypoallergenic food route in an attempt to identify the cause. We're really struggling with this. She explained how it would work. There would be absolutely nothing else fed apart from this kibble. OH pointed out that Molly has a tendency to 'sample' what's left behind when we are out in the fields/woods/lanes if sheep, cattle or horses have been around and vet's reaction was that if that happened, we'd have to go back to day 1 of the food trial and start over. This trial would have to last at least 8 weeks. There was talk of a muzzle, or even no going out where she could pick anything up !
OH says this is fine in theory but unrealistic in practice. The other concern is that at what point does this affect Molly's quality of life? She is, after all a lab and food is a very powerful influence.
We are not at all inclined to try this but we know we've got to try something. We're thinking that we could use more home made and select what we feed and see if/when anything seems to have an effect, gradually adding and eliminating stuff. I think that's more or less what you did wasn't it snowbunny?
Molly's allergies really aren't that severe, so it won't be straightforward to see a change. All her skin is soft and pale pink, no rashes or anything. She does produce a lot of eye and ear goo and obviously the ears have gone nasty this time, and she has jammed anal glands on occasions.
I'm not sure what I'm asking you really - I'm going round in circles trying to decide what to do. Any wizzo ideas or encouraging comments would be much appreciated.
By the way, the only 'true' hypoallergenic foods are from Purina, Hill's and Royal Canin. Apparently its something to do with hydrogised (or something like that) protein.
The vet however is very keen for us to take the hypoallergenic food route in an attempt to identify the cause. We're really struggling with this. She explained how it would work. There would be absolutely nothing else fed apart from this kibble. OH pointed out that Molly has a tendency to 'sample' what's left behind when we are out in the fields/woods/lanes if sheep, cattle or horses have been around and vet's reaction was that if that happened, we'd have to go back to day 1 of the food trial and start over. This trial would have to last at least 8 weeks. There was talk of a muzzle, or even no going out where she could pick anything up !
OH says this is fine in theory but unrealistic in practice. The other concern is that at what point does this affect Molly's quality of life? She is, after all a lab and food is a very powerful influence.
We are not at all inclined to try this but we know we've got to try something. We're thinking that we could use more home made and select what we feed and see if/when anything seems to have an effect, gradually adding and eliminating stuff. I think that's more or less what you did wasn't it snowbunny?
Molly's allergies really aren't that severe, so it won't be straightforward to see a change. All her skin is soft and pale pink, no rashes or anything. She does produce a lot of eye and ear goo and obviously the ears have gone nasty this time, and she has jammed anal glands on occasions.
I'm not sure what I'm asking you really - I'm going round in circles trying to decide what to do. Any wizzo ideas or encouraging comments would be much appreciated.
By the way, the only 'true' hypoallergenic foods are from Purina, Hill's and Royal Canin. Apparently its something to do with hydrogised (or something like that) protein.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
So pleased that the hot spot and ears are better now . Re the food , its a blinkin minefield for sure and I so sympathise with you in your efforts . I could recommend foods , as others could but I do tend to think that maybe your best route is to home prepare and keep notes , a diary if you like . In this case , I tend to think that Fiona @snowbunny is the best person to advise , as I know she does this for hers . I guess it will be a case of ensuring a healthy balance of carbs , fat, protein , calcium etc . Lots of luck xxx
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
Thanks Cath and kateincornwall. Yes, it is a minefield 
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Good to read Mollys ears and hotspot are now healed.
We looked into the vet hypoallergenic diets for Quinn's allergies this past summer. She has seasonal allergies, but the hypo diets can help build a stronger barrier in the skin apparently. We were given the three same options with Royal Canin being the recommendation over Hills and Purina. I didn't think it was so strict that grass, sheep poop etc would matter. I'm not a huge fan of vet diets but for short term use they can be helpful. I did a lot of research and the hydrolyzed protein seems ok for short stints in very allergic dogs. We were too late to try it this past allergy season, but it is something on my mind to try this year if it can help lessen the itch, allowing to decrease the apoquel. We had Quinn on Royal Canin, then Purina EN following her last surgery and she actually really liked the kibble. Some of the lines have hypoallergenic treats that you might be able to use while on the trial? I'm always on the fence because vets only ever recommend those three brands, as that is what they sell...sorry, this is probably not helpful in the least!