Dog Food For Allergies - Allergy Free Dog Food

Allergy Free Dog Food is a great way to go. If your dog is infected by food Allergies at first you have to look what are the causes of Allergies. Mainly some foods containing high fat are the causes of Dog Allergy.

If food allergy is suspected, you should stop using the same brand of food or to stop the current diet completely and change to a new one. In such a situation, it may take a few weeks to determine if the allergies are really caused by the current diet.

Dog Food

One of the good ways to detect any signs of allergy early, is to regularly inspect the dogs for any signs of allergies such as flaking skin, sore skin, excessive losing of fur and so on. Such inspections can take place any time.

For example, inspect the dog after play time, during a bath, or when you get back from work. The key message here is, it definitely helps to pay close attention to the physical condition of the dogs. If the allergies go away after the diet is changed, then the food may be the cause of the allergies.

Dogs can become allergic to food they have been eating. That is why many people overlook the possibility of a food effect.
Remember that sometimes, allergies can be very hard to diagnose, and for that reason time to treat.

So give your vet and yourself more time to deal with the allergies, and above all, spray lots of love and attention on your dog. Your dog will have a much better chance of recovering from the allergies quicker.

Dog Food For Allergies - Allergy Free Dog Food

Dog Food

The Itchy Dog: is it an Allergy?

Scratching is a very common symptom in dogs, and you as an owner should aim to nip it in the bud early before self trauma causes secondary injuries to your dog. However, before wondering whether your dog could have an allergy, you must rule out the common parasitic (fleas and mites), bacterial (hot spots) and fungal (ringworm and yeast) infections. See my article Is your Dog Scratching to explore these in greater detail.

Just as allergies have become more common in children these days compared to several generations ago, veterinarians are seeing far more allergies in pets too. It is difficult to explain this phenomenon, theories range from alterations in the content of pet foods to the use of modern day household cleaning products or simply genetic evolution. One thing is certain, whatever the cause, allergic dogs benefit hugely from avoiding the offending allergen or, if that is impossible, appropriate treatment to minimize the itchiness.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Lets start with the presenting signs of an allergy in dogs. Itchiness can manifest itself not only as obvious scratching at the neck and flanks, but also as face rubbing, foot licking or chewing and over grooming. Foot licking, for example, is often perceived by owners as normal, when in fact the dog is responding to itchy feet in the only way it can, by licking them. The skin between the toes may turn red and sore due to the compulsive licking, and in white dogs such as West Highland White Terriers and Bichon Frises, the fur is stained brown by saliva.

Ear infections are another common sign of an underlying allergy. Though general waxiness, hair in the ear canals, lack of ventilation, bacteria and yeast may trigger the infection, an underlying allergy is often the root cause of the itchiness. If your dog gets recurrent ear infections, by eliminating an underlying allergy you may prevent your dog from going over the itchiness threshold and developing full blown ear infections.

So, what are the common allergies in dogs?

For convenience they are best separated into 4 categories.

1) Flea bite hypersensitivity

2) Adverse food reaction

3) Atopic dermatitis

4) Contact dermatitis

Flea bite hypersensitivity is relatively straight forward to cure. It is a simple case of eliminating every single flea on the dog and, crucially, in his/her environment. The itchiness is caused by an allergic reaction to the flea saliva, and so even a solitary flea can trigger a scratching frenzy. To rule out flea bite hypersensitivity, all animals in the house (dogs and cats) should be treated with a reputable veterinary spot on medication monthly without fail, and the house should be thoroughly sprayed with an insecticidal spray.

Adverse food reactions are more difficult to treat as it can be difficult to isolate the precise ingredient responsible for causing itchiness in your dog. Not only that, treating adverse food reactions requires owners to be exceptionally disciplined and motivated in preventing their pet having even a single treat unless the exact ingredients are known to be safe.

There are two ways of diagnosing an adverse food reaction (also known as a food allergy). For those readers for whom cost is not an issue, a blood test can be done to measure for ingredient specific antibodies in the bloodstream. The blood test is quite costly, and if combined with a blood test for environmental allergens is usually upwards of 0 (?200). The company performing the blood test then provides a list of ingredients (chicken, beef, pork, rice, wheat etc) and a score next to them, suggesting which ingredients are best avoided. The owner then picks a commercial diet which does not include any of these ingredients, or indeed a special home cooked diet. The second way to diagnose an adverse food reaction is to conduct a dietary trial. This involves picking a very bland hypoallergenic diet and feeding your dog exclusively that for at least a month, preferably 6 weeks. The author usually suggests turkey and rice, as less dogs are allergic to turkey than chicken. Of course if your dog happened to be allergic to rice or turkey, which is rare but nevertheless possible, you would be none the wiser as the itchiness would continue and you would assume you had ruled out a food allergy having done the turkey and rice dietary trial. Remember if you are doing one of these trials, then your dog must not be given any treats, especially not pigs ears, chews, boneos, dental sticks or any rawhide products. Literally nothing must be swallowed other than turkey and rice (and water!) for the entire trial period.

If you have ruled out flea bite hypersensitivity and ruled out an adverse food reaction, the next step is to consider an environmental allergy, also known as atopic dermatitis. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis usually begin between 1 and 3 years of age, though any age is possible. The itchiness is often seasonal, which is consistent with a pollen allergy, though some dogs are itchy all year round. There are certain breeds which are predisposed to this condition: Boxers, Bull Terriers, Dalmations, English Bulldogs, German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Shar Peis, Shih Tzus and West Highland White Terriers being the most commonly affected. Diagnosis is usually made based on the history and ruling out all the other causes of itchiness, and many vets will treat the condition on these presumptions. However, definitive diagnosis can be achieved via a panel of injections into a patch of skin, or blood tests. Neither of these are particularly effective and generally not performed unless the owner is prepared to attempt a desensitization programme. This involves a long term course of injections given by your vet on, say, a monthly basis to desensitize your dog to the offending allergen, and so make the allergic reaction much smaller when he/she does come into contact with it.

Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction caused by your dog coming into contact with a chemical that is an irritant. It therefore only tends to affect the stomach, groin and feet of the dog, and is characterized by reddening and drying of the skin in these areas. It can also be seen when owners shampoo their dogs with a product that is not intended for use in dogs. Contact dermatitis is rare, but easily ruled out by careful use of cleaning products around the household. Just think, did the itchiness coincide with the introduction of a new carpet cleaner, washing powder or fabric softener?

By far the best treatment for any allergy is avoidance of the cause. By careful investigation and following the steps above this is often possible, especially for flea bite hypersensitivity, adverse food reactions and contact dermatitis. If avoidance is impossible though, as is the case for many cases of atopic dermatitis, then seasonal or lifelong treatment may be indicated. Steroids are very effective at stopping itchiness caused by allergies, but long term use can lead to undesirable side effects, such as adrenal gland disease. Long term steroid use should only be used as a last resort, when other medications have been tried and failed. These other medications include antihistamines, essential fatty acids and medicated shampoos.

The Itchy Dog: is it an Allergy?

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Does Your Dog Have a Dog Food Allergy?

It is estimated that about ten percent of all allergies seen in dogs and cats are caused by food. After flea bite allergies, food allergies are the third most common cause. People seem to think that by introducing a lamb and rice diet, they are preventing or treating a dog food allergy. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

dog food mat

Food allergies can affect animals of both genders male and female, whether they have been neutered or spayed or are intact makes no difference. There is no specific age for an allergy to appear. They can show as early as five months and as late as twelve years of age. Generally, the vast majority of these symptoms occur between two and six years of age.

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There is a difference between food intolerance and food allergy. The latter is a true allergy with symptoms of skin problems and constant itching both associated with canine and feline allergies. The symptoms for food allergy is different and this can result in the animal vomiting or having diarrhea. This, to the owner, may not appear to be a typical allergic reaction. Choosing a diet for your pet that is free from offending agents can eliminate both food intolerance and food allergy.

Through various studies, it has been acknowledged that some ingredients are more likely to cause a dog food allergy than others. The most common offenders for dogs are dairy products, beef, wheat, eggs, chicken, soy and corn. These are the common ingredients in dog foods and they are the most common offenders for allergies. Many pet foods for years have had ingredients of chicken, beef, wheat and corn. It was because of these allergies that several companies decided to produce a lamb and rice diet.

This diet of lamb and rice was nothing to be perceived as special apart from the two ingredients had never normally been present in pet foods. It is possible because the animals had never eaten rice and lamb before that it is not sure if they are allergic to this combination of food. If lamb and rice are to be the main ingredients in pet food, it may become apparent that the combination of these two will be responsible for food allergy. There are many other ingredients other than lamb and rice; this alone may be hard to detect if this is the cause of food allergy.

It can sometimes be hard to detect if your dog has a dog food allergy as symptoms can be similar to most other allergies seen in dogs. The most common sign is itchy skin; this may include recurring ear infections, excessive scratching, hair loss, hot spots and skin infections. These can be treated using antibiotics but can often reoccur after the treatment has finished. Dogs with food allergies sometimes have increased bowel movements, studies have showed a non-allergic dog has 1.5 bowel movement a day as opposed to a dog with food allergy possibly going three or more times a day.

Does Your Dog Have a Dog Food Allergy?

Dog Food

Food Allergy - The Body's Cry For Help

If you often feel bloated, tired, or not so good after a meal; if you gave frequent have stomach pains, cramps, or bowel problems; if you have strong food cravings or food dislikes; if you experience a collection of symptoms that you just cannot explain, or sometimes become more anxious, irritable, or depressed f you may be suffering from food allergy.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Allergy has reached epidemic, proportions, and it has been estimated that at this rate, half of Europe will have allergies in a few years. Food allergies are of particular concern, as they are now being recognized as a factor in many health problems and diseases, especially in children.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Many scientists and health practitioners believe that a poor diet and the sheer quantity of toxins that are now present in our food are major factors in this unprecedented rise in the number and severity of allergies over the last decades.

When Food Harms Instead of Helping

Much of our food is over-processes and treated with toxins all the way from production to sale. Instead of being a major source of true health and resilience, therefore, the food we eat can actually undermine our body's ability to deal effectively with daily stresses, and to clear out the toxins that assault us from all sides. No wonder that more and more of our bodies are reacting with food allergies.

Food allergies not only harm our bodies (and our minds), they also prevent us from deriving the full nutritional benefits from the healthful foods we do eat. By causing damage to our digestive systems, they can prevent complete breakdown of foods into essential nutrients, and interfere with the body's ability to properly absorb what nutrients are available. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition, even though you might be eating lots of good food.

Another problem is that food allergies can restrict your ability to eat the foods you need. A diverse diet offers maximum assurance that you are getting the nutrients you need, but if you live in fear of a reaction, you might find yourself limiting your diet more than you need to. For instance, a person with an allergy to swiss chard or silverbeet might eliminate all greens from their diet, when really, they might only be reacting to a particular chemical found in plants of the 'beet' genus. By eliminating all greens, this person is losing many health-giving properties of greens, which are outstanding sources of chlorophyll, calcium and magnesium.

Allergenic foods

An allergenic or reactive food is one that causes an allergic reaction, such as hives, wheezing, stomach cramps or stuffy nose. The foods that tend to be most highly allergenic (especially to children) are: milk wheat corn sugar soy nuts eggs.

Other highly reactive foods are: oats, yeasts, chocolate, seafood, beef and citrus.

However, you can develop an intolerance, sensitivity or allergy to any food. The degree of sensitivity to a food depends on your tolerance 'threshold' for that food. You might be able to eat small amounts of a food, but react to larger amounts. Or some foods may be eaten without reaction once in a while, but not more frequently.

In fact, you may not be reacting to the specific food, but to one of more of the components of that food. It might surprise you to learn that the most common problematic substances are the vitamins and minerals in foods. They can cause us to have allergic reactions to many foods we eat on a daily basis. Other major causes of food allergy are food additives, sulphur, pesticides, biotechnology and genetic engineering.

Symptoms of Food Allergy

There are many warning signs that indicate that you might have a food allergy: dark circles under the eyes, frequent sniffing or throat-clearing, irritability, moodiness, hyperactivity, or frequent fatigue. Other signs may include headaches, stomach aches, bowel problems, muscle pain, coughing or wheezing, and frequent digestive or respiratory problems. Symptoms vary from person to person. Common signs of food allergy include the following:

Digestive problems - Reactions to food allergens can damage to walls lining the digestive tract, and also disrupt the balance of hormones and chemicals needed for proper digestion and elimination. This can lead to problems such as Leaky Gut syndrome, where the walls of the small intestine leak partially-digested food into the blood stream. This can lead to bloating, stomach cramps and inflammation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, autoimmune and immune deficiency diseases, and many other problems.

Blocked airways - Food allergens are responsible for excess mucus in many allergic people, leading to chronic blocked noses, and mucuosy throats - as well as ear infections. Babies have very small upper airways and it takes very little to block them. When the allergens are removed from the diet, the mucus dries up.

Middle Ear infections - Over 70% of children suffer from middle ear infection at some time or other, and it believed by many researchers to arise from food allergies, particularly to milk and wheat. One study reported that 78% of the children with otitis showed allergies milk, wheat, egg white, peanuts, and soy, and when these foods were eliminated from their diet, 86% experienced significant improvement.

Psychological or emotional problems - Food allergies have been clearly linked to a range of psychological and behavior disorders such as autism and hyperactivity in children, anxiety, depression, inability to concentrate, mood swings, and 'fogginess'.

Food addictions - If you are addicted to a food, you are probably allergic to it. This is because allergic reactions in the body trigger the release of certain chemicals, among them, opioids, which make you feel good. If you feel happier when you eat that food, you can develop a craving for it.

Types of Food Allergies

If you are allergic to a food, you can experience either an immediate or a delayed reaction to food. The immediate reaction pattern is referred to as Type l food allergy. Immediately or within a short time after eating the food, you show clear and often dramatic symptoms. If you are allergic to fungus, you might develop abdominal cramps within an hour of eating a ragout containing mushrooms. A child with a type 1 reaction to kiwi fruit might experience severe itching in the mouth or vomiting within 15 minutes of eating a kiwi fruit.

The most dangerous Type l reaction is called anaphylaxis - a severe reaction that can be fatal within minutes. If you or your child experiences light-headedness), swollen tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, fainting or facial swelling immediately after eating food, seek immediate emergency care.

Type l food allergies are easy to diagnose. They respond to allergy skin tests, and show up on blood tests because they result in an excess of IgE antibodies. For many doctors, this is the only kind of real food allergy. Recent estimates show that that Type l food allergies occur in between 3-5 % (sometimes to 8%) of children, and in 1-2 % of adults.

Type ll food allergy does not involve IgE antibodies. Instead, IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies may be produced. This reaction pattern is associated with the release of inflammatory substances by the immune system. Many food allergies are of this type, therefore, they are not detected by standard allergy tests, which usually only test for the IgE antibodies.

Some reactive patterns are 'hidden'. Delayed patterns of food allergy (referred to as Type lll food allergy) often go unrecognized because the symptoms are not usually obvious, and may occur days after the food is eaten. Also, since they do not involve the production of excess IgE antibodies, delayed allergy reactions to not show up on skin tests or IgE antibody tests. Rather, they tend to show up as clusters of physical, behavioral and learning problems affecting several body systems at once.

You may experience Type lll allergy as a combination of recurring or persistent symptoms such as breathlessness, frequent clearing of throat, episodes of hyperactivity and emotional hypersensitivity, chronic stuffy nose, and frequent flu-like symptoms. Another person may experience recurring headaches, frequent itching of the eyes, abdominal pains, fatigue, bouts of depression, sleep problems, and swelling of the lymph nodes. These delayed reaction patterns of food allergy are difficult to diagnose. Yet according to many health practitioners, they account for the majority of food allergies, especially in children.

In fact, food allergies are so common - and still so frequently undiagnosed - that you should take any undefined pattern of illness that involves different symptoms and different body symptoms as a sign of food allergy until proven otherwise.

Treatment

It used to be accepted that children outgrew food allergies, and adults sometime report the same, but we now that allergies just evolve and change over time. For instance, allergies to milk or eggs can evolve into respiratory or other allergies, or as various health problems. For true healing to occur, the underlying allergies must be addressed.

The most common treatment for food allergies is avoidance. This will relieved the symptoms and prevent further damage; however, it can mean a lifetime of restrictive diets.

There is some evidence that eating organic foods can decrease the incidence or severity of allergic reactions to food, and may even help protect against allergic reactions. Organic foods provide more of the quality nutrients needed to build up the immune system, which is always weak in those with allergies. Certainly, a diet high in organic foods decreases the chances of developing allergies to food additives and pesticides, and can reduce the incidence of allergies.

However, if you already have food allergies, the damage they have already caused still needs to be corrected.

The best solution to food allergies is desensitization. There are different treatment options available, some of them immunizing the body to allergens with extracts taken under the tongue or injections. Acupuncture has also been shown effective in treating some allergies. The problem is that these therapies may not address the underlying health issues, such as nutrient deficiencies, toxin overload or stress, that caused food allergies in the first place.

For a real solution to food allergies, choose a program that involves detoxification to clear the body of toxins that contribute to allergies, corrects other underlying health problems, and desensitizes you to the allergens that are affecting you.

Once the food allergies are under control or eliminated, it is important that you obtain solid nutritional advice to help you maintain and build the health of your immune system. If you don't eat enough of the right foods, or eat too much of the wrong foods, you are at risk of developing new allergies or other problems. A good diet is still your best protection.

Food Allergy - The Body's Cry For Help

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Negative Food Allergy Testing Is Not The Same As Food Intolerance And Food Sensitivity Testing

You can be intolerant to a food to which you are not "allergic". Food intolerance or sensitivity is much more coarse that food allergy. It estimated that somewhere between 6-10% of citizen are allergic to a food or foods but between 30-60% of citizen are intolerant to one or more foods or the additives or chemicals in food.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Food allergy testing will be negative if you are not allergic even though you are intolerant or sensitive to a food, additive or chemical. Food allergy is an abnormal immune response or reaction to a food protein. It is due to the same response to inhaled pollens or allergens. It results when the body makes a exact type antibody or immunoglobulin, known as IgE, to a food. When the food is eaten the IgE antibody recognizes the food protein as foreign and triggers the publish of chemicals, especially histamine, from allergy cells in the body. This results in characteristic symptoms of swelling, itching, rash or hives, wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, low blood pressure and rarely death when the food is eaten.

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Testing for food allergy consists of blood tests for the IgE antibodies (Rast) or the nearnessy of a hive like reactions produced from histamine released at the site of skin prick, injection or patch experience with the food. The many food reactions that are not due to an allergic immune response provocative IgE or histamine will have general Rast IgE antibody levels and negative skin testing. Some of these food sensitivity or intolerance reactions are due to other antibodies such as IgA, IgM, or IgG. These antibodies may be detected in the blood, stool or saliva though such tests are not as well validated, acceptable or available, especially in the U.S.

Diet treatments provocative elimination of foods based on elevated IgG, IgM or IgA antibodies in the blood, evacuated stool samples, saliva or intestinal fluid retrieved from the body have shown mixed or to moderate success in citizen with rheumatoid arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome. The most well understood but still under recognized autoimmune food sensitivity with a genetic basis is gluten sensitivity, also known as Celiac disease. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is much more coarse than Celiac disease but even less well recognized. Lactose intolerance is the most coarse food intolerance and often confused with the second most coarse food sensitivity, cow's milk protein or casein sensitivity. Gluten free casein free diet is now commonly employed as a medicine for autism. The medical society has commonly been slow to accept gluten free casein free diet for autism, considering it unproven, though there is tremendous scientific and experiential data to maintain this safe and often dramatically productive treatment.

Testing for IgG antibodies to foods in the blood is ready from a few industrial laboratories. Saliva IgA antibody testing for foods is also ready straight through any laboratories. These tests are commonly not universally by condition assurance and are often rejected as not valid or reliable by many doctors. Stool testing for IgA antibodies to gluten, tissue transglutaminase, dietary yeast, cow's milk protein (casein), soy, and chicken egg is ready from Enterolab. This laboratory does not ageement with any condition assurance and most will not reimburse for the cost of testing. Most doctors either are unaware of this testing and either don't accept the tests as valid or don't know how to clarify the results.

Testing for mediator publish (Mrt) testing looks for an evidence of publish of chemical mediators from immune blood cells triggered by foods, additives or chemicals. The nearnessy of such a reaction is presumed to indicate sensitivity to such foods, additives or chemicals that can yield various symptoms and when substances producing such reactions are avoided or eliminated symptoms are suppose to heighten significantly or resolve. Mrt is ready commercially straight through Signet Diagnostic Corporation (www.nowleap.com). any assurance carriers pay for at least a part of the cost of this testing however because it is carefully "out of network" for most plans patients are commonly responsible for cost of the service. Some carriers consider the testing "experimental" or not validated and therefore do not cover the testing.

The principle of Mrt testing is that sure foods, additives and chemicals are capable of triggering non-allergy immune-based reactions. These reactions publish various immune chemical mediators into the blood. If an immune reaction is triggered and these mediators are released, changes occur in the ratio of solids (cells) to liquid (blood serum) that can be measured. The white blood cells and platelets shrink and the volume of the liquid increases. The degree of convert can be measured and reported as mild or moderate to severe corresponding with the degree of sensitivity to that particular food, additive or chemical.

Signet claims success with reducing or eliminating a myriad of symptoms or conditions along with migraines, headaches, autistic behavior, anxiety, depression, Add, sinus and ear, nose and throat problems, irritable bowel syndrome, vomiting syndromes, Celiac, persisting stomach aches, bladder problems, fibromyalgia, arthritis, eczema, hives, and persisting fatigue syndrome. The testing includes a allinclusive color description booklet containing a results exact diet plan with detailed facts supplemented with any hours of personalized counseling from a dietician.

Of all the food intolerance or sensitivity testing Mrt is the most broad and comprehensive. It looks for actual reaction produced by the body in response to foods or chemicals. Signet provides testing for 150 foods or chemicals (123 foods and 27 chemicals) along with nitrates, nitrites, Msg and various food dyes. The limitation of all these tests is lack of universal acceptance by physicians and coverage by insurance. However, for those with suspected intolerance to foods or chemicals in whom ready testing is negative or indeterminate, such testing can be quite helpful.

Negative Food Allergy Testing Is Not The Same As Food Intolerance And Food Sensitivity Testing

Sensitive Stomachs

Dog Food Allergy - What's The Best Dog Food For Dogs With Allergies?

What's the best food for dogs with allergies? Here are 6 tips for choosing the best!

dog food dispenser

1. Look for a dog food with whole foods and no by products. Many of the commercial pet foods contain animal by products. Animal by products are things like chicken feet and bones.

Dog Food

These waste products can build up in a dogs system and compromise their digestive system. As the body tries to eliminate the waste, it gets carried out through the skin causing rashes, hot spots, foot chewing and licking.

2. Sometimes a so called "dog food allergy" is simply the result of a depressed immune system and an unbalanced diet.They may not really be sensitive to just one ingredient in the food they are eating. It may be that they just need to get on a good, quality dog food.

3. Stay away from food with corn, wheat, soy or dairy in it. Many dogs are sensitive to these ingredients. These ingredients can be very hard to digest and can cause stress on the dogs digestive system.

4. Find one that has probiotics that will help support the dogs overall immune system. Probiotics will help balance their system and aid in digestion.

5. Find a food with quality grains like barley and oatmeal. Dogs still need grains but they need the kind that are easy to digest and ones that add good nutritional support to the body.

6. Look for grape seed extract in the food. Grape seed extract is wonderful for boosting the immune system of both humans and animals.

The best defense for a "dog food allergy" is a healthy immune system.

Dog Food Allergy - What's The Best Dog Food For Dogs With Allergies?

Dog Food

Pollen Allergy and Food Sensitivity: The Oral Allergy Syndrome and Food Intolerance

Oral allergy syndrome (Oas) is a well-recognized but minute known condition. It is characterized by a burning sensation or mouth pain and swelling when you eat exact foods that cross react to pollens to which you are allergic. Interestingly, the exact foods causing this reaction are well established to cross react with safe bet trees, grass, or weed pollens, house dust mite or latex. There are coarse groups of foods that cluster with safe bet nasal allergies. For example, ragweed allergy generally causes an oral or gut reaction after eating melons or bananas but ordinarily not other foods. Birch tree pollen is generally linked with reactions to numerous foods as is latex allergy. The explanation for these reactions include similarities in protein structures as well as some chemicals in the foods.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Though this reaction is well documented in the allergy literature it is not generally recognized or diagnosed by most doctors together with some allergy specialists and many stomach specialists. Assorted allergy web sites include lists of the coarse foods linked with safe bet pollens, dust mite or latex. However, a whole list that is easy to read or expound can be difficult to find. Also, the names of some pollens or the coarse links in the middle of a group of pollens and a group of foods can be confusing.

Sensitive Stomachs

In its first-rate form Oas should be easy to recognize. After eating a food linked with a pollen to which you are allergic you palpate near immediate burning sensation in your mouth or throat with or without swelling. However, it is generally recognized that oftentimes in medicine, symptoms do not occur in the "classic" or typical manner in a exact person. Worded an additional one way doctors are taught "patients don't read the textbooks". Therefore, you may palpate variations of the reaction such as throat swelling or tightening, burning when swallowing, a lump in the throat or a sense of swallowing mystery but not make the association to what you ate or what is happening to you.

You or your doctor may misinterpret your symptoms. oftentimes population just assume it happened because they were having a choking spell on food that was poorly chewed, swallowed too fast, or eaten or drank while too hot or cold. Commonly, it is assumed that an esophageal (swallowing tube) disorder, especially acid reflux with a hiatal hernia is the cause. Acid reflux can cause an esophageal constriction called a stricture or ring that can ensue in a food sticking sensation, but this is ordinarily linked with heartburn symptoms or food getting stuck which then prompts an upper endoscopy or scope exam. Other times, especially if occurring in an elderly person, a neurological health like stroke or Parkinson's disease is blamed. Sometimes doctors rule that your symptoms are due to a nervous reaction or neurosis that historically was called as globus hystericus. The hystericus quantum of the term is ordinarily dropped these days to the shorter term globus or globus sensation especially since it is not proven it is due to a psychiatric problem. However, globus may be the analysis arrived at if your complaint is that you feel a lump in your throat and an 'evaluation" appears to turn up nothing even if Oas was not carefully or excluded.

An unusual health that has been more recently recognized in the field of gastroenterology (diseases of the stomach and intestines) that may be linked to or a variant of Oas is called eosinophilic esophagitis (Ee) or allergic esophagitis. It was first described in the pediatric population but is now known to occur in adults. Classically described in juvenile boys and young men who presented with food sticking episodes without heartburn or acid reflux symptoms, it is linked with a strange appearance of the esophagus on endoscopy (lighted scope exam of the upper gastrointestinal tract). What the doctor doing the scope sees is that the esophagus resembles a cat's esophagus. That is it looks like it has rings (cats have cartilage rings in their esophagus, we do not) and this is referred to as "ringed esophagus" or felinization of the esophagus. On biopsy of such a ringed or felinized appearing esophagus (that is also often narrowed resulting in food sticking) minute signs of allergy are noted. The lining shows numerous eosinophils, a reddish pink appearing white blood cell, characteristic of allergic conditions. These eosinophils publish chemicals like histamine that trigger swelling, pain, and damage to tissue.

Food allergies are generally found to present in Ee though sometimes the quest for a food allergy by original skin tests or IgE blood tests is negative. Treatment is avoidance of known food allergens and swallowed nasal steroids sprays that are designed for use in the nose for nasal allergies. Though not specifically proven yet, eosinophilic esophagitis (Ee) may be a variant of Oas.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis and eosinophilic or allergic colitis also exist and can be diagnosed by biopsies of the stomach, small intestine and colon respectively. Allergic colitis is typically seen in infants who have a cow's milk protein allergy. It presents as colic type abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and bloody diarrhea in an infant on cow's milk formula or sometimes in breast-fed infants whose mom is drinking a lot of cow's milk.

Allergic gastroenteritis occurs in any age group presenting typically as abdominal pain, with or without intestinal blockage or perforation; diarrhea; anemia; weight loss; and minute bleeding in the intestinal tract also known as occult blood in the stool. Such bleeding is detectable only by extra stool chemical tests known as fecal occult blood tests (Fobt) or stool guaiac testing.

At least some population with food intolerance that does not make sense on minute diet diary information, blood tests, biopsies, or allergy testing, may have a form of Oas. In other words, the proximity of known pollen or latex allergies may be predisposing to reactions to foods known to cross react with allergies noted in Oas. However, instead of first-rate oral allergy syndrome symptoms other stomach and intestinal symptoms or even non-gastrointestinal symptoms may result.

Support of this view can be found in detailed screening of individuals for food intolerance. Those with known pollen or latex allergies, any known food allergies or intolerance together with gluten intolerance (celiac disease) and casein intolerance, are asked to complete a series of indication of illness assessments and severity rating scales followed by a exact elimination diet. This is followed up by re-assessment of response of symptoms while re-introducing foods one at a time while monitoring for recurrence.

This type of analysis is the basis for the Neopaleo exact Diet. In the near time to come online indication of illness assessments and screening for food intolerance along with dietary recommendations exact to individuals will be available at www.thefooddoc.com. An online diet indication of illness diary will also be available. A simplified table illustrating the coarse foods that may cross-react with the broad categories of pollen allergens and latex allergy is available. Food intolerances are more generally being recognized as a coarse cause of illness and symptoms. Individualized exact diet recommendations and elimination diet trials may be more helpful in discovering any possible links to what you are eating and how you feel.

Copyright 2006 The Food Doc, Llc. All rights reserved.

Pollen Allergy and Food Sensitivity: The Oral Allergy Syndrome and Food Intolerance

Sensitive Stomachs

Steroids For Dogs - Tips & Cautions For Quick Relief of Allergy Symptoms

Steroids for dogs: In the control of intense allergy symptoms, anti-inflammatory steroids provide highly effective relief of inflammation and swelling. They are most often used for a short period of time while testing is performed and other means of control of the symptoms of dog allergies is put into place.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Anti-inflammatory steroids are usually prescribed orally and initially given at a starting dose, with subsequent doses tapered until discontinued. A dog steroid should never be stopped abruptly or before the completion of the entire series of doses is given as prescribed by your veterinarian. This is because tapering the drug correctly is necessary in order to prevent a possible deficit of adrenaline in the dog's body.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Be aware that canine steroids are also used for other medical conditions other than the allergies that dogs have, these include inflammation of the brain, spine, stomach, and intestines, as well as arthritis and immune mediated diseases.

In dog allergy treatment, canine steroids are considered the most problematic of canine medications because of the side effects of both short term and long term steroid use. However, this should not dissuade you from the use of a canine steroid because there are instances when a canine steroid is the only medication capable of bringing quick control of the severe symptoms of dog allergies.

Although intended for short-term use, there are situations when a dog steroid must be used on a continuing or on-going basis. However, when possible they should be used only for short-term treatment for dog allergies, or other conditions as determined by your family veterinarian.

Side effects from anti-inflammatory steroids in dogs are more numerous than in cats. The most common are a drastic increased in appetite and continuous thrust, with the resulting frequent urination and unexpected weight gain. Other side effects include mood swings, which can be disconcerting, and panting. Long term steroid use can cause skin lesions and very serious changes inside the body, most notably Cushing's Disease. With long term steroid use these internal changes can shorten the dog's life span.

Nevertheless, anti-inflammatory steroids are one of the most important and highly effective canine medications used today. When needed, canine steroids are efficient in controlling inflammation and swelling, allowing relief from symptoms, and allowing time for blood tests, lab work, allergy skin testing, and for determining and implementing a course of treatment most suitable to your dog.

Steroids For Dogs - Tips & Cautions For Quick Relief of Allergy Symptoms

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Dog Allergy Symptoms - Commercial Dog Food

Dogs may have allergy problems which affect their eyes, ears, skin, and other organs. Unfortunately, our pets cannot tell us what is wrong; however, we can observe the miseries our dogs are experiencing such as scratching, rashes, hot spots, dry skin, loss of hair, ear infections, bad breath, smelly stools, sneezing and so on. These are very typical dog allergy symptoms.

dog food mat

Have you noticed your dog having any reactions to the chemicals or the preservatives which are found in commercial dog foods? These companies may claim that their food is the healthiest and the best, but truthfully, this may not be the case.

Dog Food

Our canines like humans need a variety of foods appropriate for them. Commercial dog food may taste good; however, this is not the test for wholesome food which our dog needs. If the food ingredients are causing the problems, you can be sure the chemicals and preservatives are the culprits.

Dog food is treated like many of our human foods. At one time in our past history a prisoner would be restricted to bread and water for three days. In those days there was real nutrition in the bread and a prisoner could survive on its ingredients. The bread of today would not have you see three days. It does not have whole health nutrition. We would get sick.

Likewise, dog food has been shortchanged. We are blindly trusting the dog food companies to do our pets right, however, this is not always the case. And so you and I take our pets to the vet trying to restore their health with medication which in truth is more chemicals and preservatives. It is a vicious cycle.

Chemicals and preservatives are our friends. I am only referring that some of our pets like us may be sensitive or allergic to certain chemicals and preservatives and it affects their health and behavior. We need to be alert and try to solve what is ailing our pet.

Other more severe dog allergy symptoms:

Different types of cancers Liver dysfunction and other organ failures Immune system interruptions Blindness Chronic diarrhea Packages labeled as food containing natural ingredients or are preservative free may not be completely true. These companies may not weigh:

The health and condition of meats and vegetables from the original source Names of chemicals, medications and antibiotics that were used in the animals Fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides used for growing plants Storage conditions and shipping methods upon arrival Sanitary handling by employees Cleanliness and sanitation of machinery and building No matter how many precautions you take we live in a world of chemicals. You breathe oxygen which is a chemical for human survival and you exhale carbon dioxide which plants need for their survival.

We just need to identify the harmful chemicals and preservatives and keep them out of our food and water supplies.

As you think about your dog allergy symptoms and the costs of medical care; do visit the pet category on the home page of Tricia Deed at http://www.Infotrish.vpweb.com/ and review Dog Food Secrets.

Dog Allergy Symptoms - Commercial Dog Food

Dog Food

Dog Food Allergy

Dog food allergy is very common and getting worse, or very uncommon and not a problem, depending on whom you ask. But there is one thing that is certain; it is one of the top three allergies that will affect your dog.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

This condition in dogs, unlike other allergies and diseases, has no real common denominator among species or gender. It can affect any dog breed, at any age and at any time.
 
Vitamins and Mineral supplements can help tremendously with this condition, and there are several nutritionists who believe that allergies to foods, especially dog food, may indeed be caused by nutrient deficiencies.
 
These allergies may be reduced, or may even cured, by including Vitamin C and Quercetin, a plant derived flavonoid, both of which are very potent antihistamines, as well as Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Zinc, and Calcium which are great antioxidants as supplements in your dogs diet.
 
Our dogs eat highly processed food, possibly the highest processed of any type of food, and quite often the ingredients are of questionable origin.
 
Would you eat your dog's food?
 
Many of our dogs foods are loaded with chemicals, some of which are actually banned in other countries, so is it a stretch that these allergies may be caused by their food, or the lack of nutrients in their food?
 
And in the processing of these foods, is there any second guessing that several of the important vitamins and minerals you pet needs may be lost in that process?
 
So what exactly is this allergy in dogs?
 
This condition (or hypersensitivity to food) is simply an abnormal immune system reaction to a substance found in your dogs food. If your dog food causes gas, bloating, or other such unpleasant reactions, this is not an allergy; it is intolerance, much like lactose intolerance in humans.
 
This allergy is much more threatening to you best friend than is food intolerance.
 
An allergy to food can and quite often does produce rashes, swelling of the tongue and or throat, headaches (yes your dog can get headaches), hives, and a difficulty in breathing.
 
It can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, hypertension and stomach cramps, in severe cases. However, it is much more common with this condition to develop itching, sometimes severe, rather than vomiting, cramps, or diarrhea.
 
Some forms of these allergies can appear virtually overnight, while others make take years to develop.
From personal experience with my 12 year old Dalmatian who is very sensitive, it took us a couple of years to find the real cause, but we did find it.
 
This condition is much different in dogs than in food allergy in people.
 
The allergic reaction in a dog is the immune system actually over reacting and than producing antibodies to what it senses as danger, and it can quite often be something it should be able to have normally tolerated.
These allergies are most commonly caused by the gluten from wheat, beef, chicken, soy, and most all dairy products.
 
However, while proteins are by far and away the largest cause, most any type of food can cause an allergy, it all depends on your dogs system, making it very, very difficult to pin down.
 
So what can you do to try to pinpoint the cause of a food allergy in your dog, outside of completely changing your dogs diet after every few weeks (actually 12 weeks is recommended), to try to find the culprit?
 
Today is has become much easier. Your veterinarian can now run blood tests that will show you, with a high degree of accuracy, what your dog is allergic to, but it is still not full proof.
 
Treating dog food allergies will still involve some trial and error on the owner's part.
 
It may still involve hypoallergenic diets or home made diets in very stubborn cases. You may have to substitute your dogs diet every twelve weeks until you can find the real cause.
 
Recent studies have shown the recommend trail periods of 3 weeks only produced accurate results in about 25% of the cases, so as hard as it may sound, 12 weeks may be the only accurate way to eliminate foods.
 
Some special blends of dog food that include lamb and rice, or duck and potato, may be the answer, but lamb and rice are no longer considered the answer either, as most commercialized lame and rice will contain wheat, eggs, or the very ingredients that may be causing the problem.
 
In the most stubborn of cases, you may find that there is no substitute for home made remedies that are pure novel sources of protein. With homemade diets, you can truly control exactly what is placed in your dog. And please remember, your dog depends on you for everything.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Dog Food Allergy

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs