Is my dog allergic to his food?

[BrunoB]

This is my first post so I hope I get this right. I will try to give as much detail as possible. When we adopted Bruno about 3 months ago he was VERY underweight! Probably about 35lbs. His last vet visit he was up to 50lbs. He still has a lot of ribs showing but not as bad as they were. Hip bones aren't showing anymore. He was previously on some no name dog food from the dollar store. I switched him over to Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Lamb and Rice. The reason for this food is my last dog thrived on it except he was on the adult lamb and rice. Also I felt that it was the best for my families budget. He has been wormed, vaccinated, and on HW preventative. He also gets a vitamin and 1 raw egg a day. Ok now for the problems...lol!
Dark tear stains forming rapidly!
Constant runny poops!
The same color red that is in the tear stains cover his belly.
Whites of eyes are always red.
And he is shedding soooooo BAD!!!!
So upon noticing the diarrhea first I realized I was probably feeding too much so we cut back to only what the bag says. Now he acts like he is starving. Eating out of trash, high chair, table, and countertops (not like him at all! None of these symptoms were there when we got him. Other than a scrawny pup which leads me to believe its something I'm doing or feeding.
Any advice would be totally appreciated! I have a lot of experience with dogs but this is my first boxer. And please ask anything.
Please Note: I am not interested in feeding a raw diet.

[Doreen]

OK Amanda... did you slowly change over his food, or just jump right into a new one. That would definitely be a reason for diarrhea. But since you said you have dog experience, I am guessing you would know that already. I am not feeding my dogs a raw diet. I did for a while for Rex only because he was so sickly with Boxer colitis. But I didn't do it all the way others do on here. I just couldn't do it. I bought ground turkey meat and fed him that along with some veggies. I did add something to it that I think was a great addition from The Honest Kitchen. It is something online only. Grain Free Dog Food | Dehydrated Dog Food | Homemade | Preference | The Honest Kitchen

They have other products that you can use without raw diet also. But this stuff really helped to make his stools solid!!!! But I also took him too a specialist, internist at a Vet Emergency Hospital. Rex was put on an antibiotic for 3 months straight, by the name of Baytril. Studies found vets only putting them on this drug for 7 days would help for a couple days, but the diarrhea would come back, then they would go on for another 7 days... just never enough time to do the job. Between the food and this full round of antibiotics, Rex became a new dog right before my eyes!!!!

Looking at him these last couple weeks, I am afraid to take him to the vet in time when needed as I am afraid the vet is going to tell me to put Rex on a DIET!!! LOL He is getting a little chunky!!!!! But now he is only getting Natures Balance Organic Kibble, no additives. He hasn't needed that for a long time now. His stools are SO solid. I have often said in posts on here what a pleasure it is to watch him poop, LOL and a pleasure to pick it up now, LOL.

Rex still always seems like he is starving when he is eating. I use one of those special bowls to help slow him down when eating. I guess they get that way fending for themselves for food.

As far as everything else you are dealing with, I don't know how to help with that. I just read today raw egg is not good for dogs:
Friday, December 17, 2010
Human Food that's Deadly for Pets
By Linda Cole

Raw eggs can destroy an essential B vitamin called thiamine. An absence of vitamin B can cause neurological problems and skin conditions. Raw eggs can also contain salmonella and e-coli that can cause severe health concerns for pets.





1-4-09


11-3-2010


All these great people on here guided me to help get Rex to where he is today!

[Doreen]

Oh, I also added cooked rice to help bulk him up also when I had him on that special diet and help to fill him up too.

Also I still give him a half a banana a day to keep his stool in check. Be careful, you can over do the bananas.... too much potassium.

I assume you too his stool to be checked by a vet. And you had him for a checkup and blood work? I know you said he had all his shots and is on HW and wormed, but didn't know if that was your doing or you got him that way.

[AussieGirl]

Could be a food intollerance or food allergy. Best bet is to try a different food, one that has different ingredients to the one you are feeding now, check out dog food analysis to get ideas of good quality foods - aim for a 4 star or higher food. You may even like to try a limited ingredient food like California Natural Herring and Sweet Potato (there are other brands that have a limited ingredient food that is just the first one that came to mind as I have used it). Eggs are quite good for them IF they are fed the right amount - no more than two a week is recommended. I also agree with Doreen that taking a stool sample to the vet is a good idea.

[tom0010]

i am happy to see this great change

[Marylou Mader]

Our Lilly had an IBD syndrome, it lasted about 6 months, we found a food for sensitive skin and stomach to help, and it gradually went away, I'm beginning to think some Boxers have to develop an immune system, and in the meantime, they go through these episodes, so if you can rule out allergy, it is probably the immune system. You have gotten excellent advise on the feeding, don't over do it.

[bruinsBoxers]

The red tear stains is from yeast , And it is quite common but can be hard to get rid of . Yeats can over grow if the dog has a weak immune system and many times dogs have yeasty feet from them being wet a lot ( like in a rainy season ) , you will see red starting on their toe nails.

There are some pro-biotics that can help to balance and maintain a healthy immune system to kill off the over growth of the yeast .
Lots of pro-biotics & nutrition products on here-
Dog nutrition for arthritis, joint, cancer, heart, kidney, bladder, liver, reproductive system, senior care, stress, anxiety, yeast, and fungal. Fish oil, essential fatty acids, EFA, green foods, kelp, herbs, herbal formulas, immune support, vitamins

Some will put apple cider vinegar in their dogs food daily and that can help . Though many dogs do not like the taste .

As for the food he should not be on a large breed formula - large breed food are supposed to slow growth & weight gain in the large /giant breeds .
Boxers are a medium breed .

Many dogs have allergy issues with grains , some signs are bad coat, itchiness , red eyes , lots of eye boogies .


Maybe try a grain free food to see if it helps .

[JoeV]

Bruno, did take him to the vet??

[purplelori]

Doreen--you'd hardly know it was the same dog! He sure looks fantastic now!

[Doreen]

I took Rex to the Vet yesterday for his yearly checkup, stool sample and bloodwork. He gained a few more pounds.... now he is 83 lbs!!! So hard to believe from when we first saw him!!! My little chunky monkey

I just gave both of them a bath today. Now he is a clean chunky monkey and Coco is a pretty smelling little girl.