One of my dogs was recommended to have a food and environmental allergy panel because the hair between his parts and at the point of elbows is red (he is a fawn colored dog). He does not scratch or lick or sneeze or have watery eyes...just really the red hair. I had the test done where a hair sample is used and was shocked to find out he is allergic to almost all meat except chicken, turkey (he hates), and venison. Many outside allergens (was suggested I wipe his feet when he goes indoors...a young, athletic Afghan that digs and plays and is in and out about fifty times a day...not practical). Also allergic to pet dander so was suggested to bathe every 3-4 weeks (he is actually bathed weekly because otherwise the long hair will mat, he is in show coat). And cotton, which is the only thing I can wear. So I am a bit perplexed. I have always thought that allergies were a sign the immune system is not functioning as it should, or is overactive, so feeling like there should be a way I can address this with supplements, maybe homeopathy (??) etc. I am also wondering of allergies are a sign of leaky gut...I know the Dogs Naturally people have a leaky gut/yeast protocol. I am pretty sure that if I test myself I will also be allergic to lots of things, but because of the red paws I do see that as a warning sign that something is not right.
This dog was heavily vaccinated as a puppy (breeder started at five weeks old...old school breeder...), so he ended up with at least four doses of puppy vax. He has also had two rabies shots (this is the dog that was overdue and vaccinated at the time I brought him in for the test), had surgery (so drugs) for a broken and accessed baby tooth as a young puppy (maybe eight or ten weeks old max), spent a night in the ER at under four months old for suspect wild mushroom ingestion (so was also on liver protecting IV overnight), and just had a surgical procedure to remove a retained testicle (this would not have added to the toxin overload since the hair sample was taken before both this and the second rabies vx, but I mention it in case the internal heat from the retained testicle in his abdomen could have been a contributing factor as well).
Any ideas or insights appreciated. I can certainly try to work with most of the foods that he is not allergic to according to this panel, but I would ultimately like to reduce his sensitivity to so many things and support the immune system.
Love to hear from anyone else who has a dog who has taken this test.
Thanks much and happy new year, Cassandra
This dog was heavily vaccinated as a puppy (breeder started at five weeks old...old school breeder...), so he ended up with at least four doses of puppy vax. He has also had two rabies shots (this is the dog that was overdue and vaccinated at the time I brought him in for the test), had surgery (so drugs) for a broken and accessed baby tooth as a young puppy (maybe eight or ten weeks old max), spent a night in the ER at under four months old for suspect wild mushroom ingestion (so was also on liver protecting IV overnight), and just had a surgical procedure to remove a retained testicle (this would not have added to the toxin overload since the hair sample was taken before both this and the second rabies vx, but I mention it in case the internal heat from the retained testicle in his abdomen could have been a contributing factor as well).
Any ideas or insights appreciated. I can certainly try to work with most of the foods that he is not allergic to according to this panel, but I would ultimately like to reduce his sensitivity to so many things and support the immune system.
Love to hear from anyone else who has a dog who has taken this test.
Thanks much and happy new year, Cassandra
