Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Popping in for a little update...

Saw an earlier post on this subject. Hoshi's allergies have been TERRIBLE for the last few weeks. A couple years ago they were bad enough for him to need steriod shots and prescip. antihistamines. He's been on Timberwolf Organics Ocean Blue since and he hasn't had any allergy issues until the last couple weeks. Taking him to the vet tomorrow for some new antihistamines and a predisone shot or something. Poor boy is raw.

He absolutely hates walking on wet grass so I think that might be one of his issues. I am going to try switching his food though, since it's been a while. Solid Gold Holistic sounds good from Amanda's recommendation. I was also considering the Wellness CORE Ocean formula. Any thoughts or recommendations on latest food choices would be appreciated!

Also wanted to share that Shiba turned 8 on Sep. 26th. She is getting so mature these days, I can't believe she's 8 already.
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My crew includes Shiba and Hoshi the Shiba Inus; Aurora, Seneca, Murtle, Rainbow, Sunshine,Raindrop, Diggy, Gimlet, and Luna the Leopard Geckos and José the Rosy Boa.
Shiba's Dogster Page
www.dogster.com/?154312
Hoshi's Dogster Page
www.dogster.com/?197019

Hi Meg,
Kona and Kiko both had the itchy feet. They are still red and they still lick them off and on but nearly as bad as they were. Kiko has allergies and this is the first time Kona has had the itchy feet. They are both on antihistimines and prednisone. They are saying allergies. You are in Ithica, right?
Maybe its the new york weather and grass. I was told that it could be that we have had more dew on the grass than usual and the grass clippings colect mold from the moisture and some dogs have the mold allergy. Im thinking thet could be whats going on. You may want to ask someone at the pet store who knows food because The solid gold holistic has alot of grains and dogs tend to be more allergic to grains. This problem also could have started because i had changed them to Fromm Chicken and Vegetable and they were used to Grain free food. at least Kona was. Kiko always has allergies.
Kaia is on the solid gold holistic because it is the lowest protein food out there for his liver issues.
I guess see what the vet thinks. Mine agreed with me about the wet grass.
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Joanne and Dave, Kona, Kiko, and Kaia, our Shibas and Niki & DJ our adult kids.

Yea I am in Ithaca. The backs of Hoshi's front legs look like KFC original recipe chicken and his stomach is red and sticky. There's definitely something with the grasses up here, we were back in CT for my brother's wedding, and Hoshi definitely seemed to feel relief and was more willing to go outside. *sigh*

I'm hoping this cold snap will help things, but at this point Benedryl just isn't doing the job. Gotta break the cycle with some stronger meds I think. I think I'm going to try the Wellness Core Ocean formula. The ingredients are very similar to what they are on now but they seem to have a better reputation than Timberwolf. The Solid Gold Holistics concerns me a little in that it's intended to have other proteins added to it. Both my dogs are at very healthy weights. I got a little turned off by Timberwolf when they took the word "organics" off the label.

I doubt the food change is going to help anything since it sounds like it's the grass, but I like to change the food every once in a while.
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My crew includes Shiba and Hoshi the Shiba Inus; Aurora, Seneca, Murtle, Rainbow, Sunshine,Raindrop, Diggy, Gimlet, and Luna the Leopard Geckos and José the Rosy Boa.
Shiba's Dogster Page
www.dogster.com/?154312
Hoshi's Dogster Page
www.dogster.com/?197019

I thought I responded to this already. Sorry. Technical difficulties apparently.

You are right, once at the point he's at, you need something to break the cycle or the problem will continue no matter what change you make. Need to kick start the healing process a bit.

I've got my two on Orijen and have really been impressed by it. I do add other food to their diets as well, but I've been happy with it especially for Kita.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas

Meg always good to see you popping in. I ran into Mary at the dog show but she only had a quick second to say hi. Hoshi has to be miserable so hopefully all of the changes will help get him some relief. Hard to believe that Shiba will be 8... harder to believe she was just a one year old pup when we found this place. If I remember wasn't your first post about her chewing her feet or was that someone elses Shiba??

As noted in Joanne's previous post... Toshi also suffers from allergies. I really think the wet weather has something to do with it. Last year was extremely dry from April right through until October and I she never had to even start the antihistamine. This has been different... wet since April except for a three week period in September. Still though I had to start her on the antihistamine and just recently started on the low dose pred to supplement the antihistamine. Now that I see some improvement I started to give the pred every other day.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Yup it was Shiba that had the itchy feet and that was one of my first posts. She was on a food that had corn in it at the time. She still chews her feet as a nervous habit but not to the extent that Hoshi does. Shiba has been scratching a little more than usual which makes me think it is definitely an environmental allergy. Shiba has always been tougher than Hoshi in that regard.

I other news, we went under contract on a house today! FINALLY!!!! Probably wont have a fence until Spring because we will close in December, but still! We are finally on our way!

Cheers everyone.
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My crew includes Shiba and Hoshi the Shiba Inus; Aurora, Seneca, Murtle, Rainbow, Sunshine,Raindrop, Diggy, Gimlet, and Luna the Leopard Geckos and José the Rosy Boa.
Shiba's Dogster Page
www.dogster.com/?154312
Hoshi's Dogster Page
www.dogster.com/?197019

Congrats on the new house! No need to rush the fence... just enjoy the new digs!
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Happy birthday to Shiba!

When I worried Artemis might have allergies, her breeder (also Shiba's breeder) recommended that I try Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance. That was six years ago, though, so I'm sure there's something better out there. Hope Hoshi is feeling better soon.

Hmm interesting, I'll have to check that one out too. Last time I talked to Laura, 8 years ago, she was feeding all her Shibas Innova.
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My crew includes Shiba and Hoshi the Shiba Inus; Aurora, Seneca, Murtle, Rainbow, Sunshine,Raindrop, Diggy, Gimlet, and Luna the Leopard Geckos and José the Rosy Boa.
Shiba's Dogster Page
www.dogster.com/?154312
Hoshi's Dogster Page
www.dogster.com/?197019