finally having success with my wiem's many allergies

saalwi

Hey everyone, I just like to share what I hope is success in alleviating my wiem's itchy skin.

This is her fourth summer and the first one that hasn't involved hives, skin sores, anti-histamines, anti-biotics, or steroids. Knock on wood.

We had the allergy test done her first summer and found out she was allergic to everything (except grasses) in Ohio. Every other inhalant was highly irritating and made her extremely itchy.

However, this year I found a supplement made by a company named Springtime (they make supplements for horses, dogs, and humans) that delivered on its claims that it supported the immune system and helped the body process immflamation better.

I'll also say that I've tried a multitude of foods and have finally settled on a varied diet of the Honest Kitchen's Emabark and Force formulas, Flint River Ranch's Trout and Sweet Potato formula, and several homecooked meals throughout the week. Never any wheat, soy, or corn..... and always a 1/4 teaspoon of digestive enzymes and probiotics

I'm so excited that I haven't seen a single hive and it's almost July. It took us a long time but I hope I can keep her symptoms at bay. This regimen has worked way better than the allergy shots, which she hasn't had for almost a year now.

I hope this can help another itchy weim out there.....

Welches · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:53 pm Post subject:

We had great success with California Natural dog food, as well as a Springtime product for all of Yukon's skin allergies and sensitivities. Both have done wonders for all 3 of our dogs. We also feed several home-cooked meals throughout the week so they don't get used to the same thing.

I'm glad you found something that is working for you!

iris · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:19 am Post subject:

SAALWI, Please please, if you can tell us the name of the supplement because we are going though hell with Rocky and his allergies. This is his first summer and we have scratching, biting of the feet, red irritated webs, hives and bumps all over. I have been giving him benadryl but in the last few days i have noticed that after we get back from a walk his head or back break out extremely bad in these little bumps or hives and he stretches them whenever he can and some of these even bleed. This morning i just decided that i would just give him a bath bc it was the worse i have seen him yet. I was just about to call my vet again when i came across your post. Rocky is an a raw diet and i have come to believe the food might not be the problem but something outside is driving him nuts.

saalwi · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:29 am Post subject:

Hi Iris,
The name of the supplements that Sophie is on are bug off garlic and longevity both are made by Springtime... you can find them on the web just type Springtime supplements into google and you'll find their site. Hope they can help...Sarah

Welches · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:46 am Post subject:

http://www.springtimeinc.com/

We use the Fresh Factors and absolutely love them! (Longevity is that plus the join factor complex). We tried the Bug Off but there was too much garlic in it for our dogs and actually made them worse, just an fyi. Click on the product and scroll down to the bottom of the page for a good comparison chart.

iris · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:27 am Post subject:

I am thinking of getting Longevity especially after looking at the chart! It seems that the only thing that its missing its Insect Repellent. I am praying that this will help because i can not imagine how uncomfortable he must be right now. Thank you all soooooo very much!

iris · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:27 am Post subject:

I ordered Longevity from Springtime and they are running a sale special right now. Buy 2 1.4lb jars and get the third free. I cant wait for it to get here because it makes me so sad and uncomfortable watching Rocky go though this. I wonder how i would feel if my body was covered in hives!
Any of you guys have used Longevity, i noticed it was the pricier one but i think it helps with everything besides Insects.

Welches · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject:

It's a little pricier because they combine the Fresh Factors with the Joint Health to get the Longevity. So it's basically two-in-one. I don't know why I went with Fresh Factors instead of Longevity when I started a few years ago (I think it was on a recommendation from someone who used them) but I noticed the Fresh Factors have everything Longevity does expect the Longevity has more in it for their immunity. Let me know what you think. I'm sure you'll see a difference in just a matter of a couple of weeks.

I just ordered $150 worth of Fresh Factors but with all of their specials - buy 2 jars get 1 free and spend $150 get 2 jars free - it ended up being just 9 cents a tablet.

iris · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject:

Guys I'm in trouble! Springtime longevity came in the mail today and I sprinkeled a bit of it in Rockys food. At fist he would smell and and walk then he started eating and finished half of it, then 5 minutes later he puked it all out just like he ate it! Its never hapened before so now I am worried. Ohhh and he is not finishing the rest of his food. What should I do? I calles springtime but they closed at 5.

saalwi · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:14 pm Post subject:

Gosh I'm sorry to hear that... I remember when I started Sophie on Longevity I introduced it gradually. She's not a picky water so it never fazed her. I also mix it thoroughly in the wet food before I mix in the dry food. I don't know if any of that will help, I hope he feels better soon .

Welches · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:49 pm Post subject:

Oh goodness, I don't know. We use Fresh Factors which are in capsule form and my dogs love them.

I would say to mix some wet food and water with his kibble and Longevity, but since he threw it up, I'm not sure. Are you for sure he threw up because of the longevity? I'd call Springtime first thing in the morning.

iris · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:13 am Post subject:

I am just hatting myself right now! He never finished his food last night and i am just at a loss! I ended up giving him fish and dumping all the meat in his bowl out last night. He ate that right away, then this morning i gave him chicken again but w/o adding anything to it and he is still not eating it. This dog is going to drive me insane, he is sooooo extremely picky about his food. Yesterday, after he pucked everything he ate i wanted to make sure he finished the rest so i added some tripe to the food thinking that maybe that will drive him to eat it. A few minutes later i came into the kitchen and there was pieces of meat spread out everywhere, he had literally picked out all the tripe and spit the chicken out. I honestly don't know what else to feed him anymore.......i am just loosing it.... Crying or Very sad

Welches · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject:

Is he on a raw diet? Maybe he's having a reaction to the raw meat? Have you tried boiling the chicken?

Have you tried just feeding him plain rice and plain chicken? Or if he doesn't like chicken, you can also feed him hamburger with the rice.

I'm so sorry you're having such trouble! I feed kibble in the morning and then sometime "raw" at night, but I boil the chicken, so I'm not very familiar with raw. Anyone else know what to try?

iris · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:07 am Post subject:

Hi guys,
Sorry been a little crazy! Rocky finally ate last night and i just gave him meat and bones. Then later, right before we went to sleep i gave him organs with the tinnies sprinkle of Springtime Longevity, and guess what he through up and it was only that. Its almost like his body cant accept it. I am sending it back in hopes that i can find smth else that would help his immune system. Thank you all for the support and suggestions.

weimdogmom · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject:

That's sort of what happened with Jazz and the Chinese herbs (but she had diarrhea, too).

Something else you may want to look into, and this was also suggested by the holistic vet for Jazz's allergies, is Udo's Choice Pet Essentials for Dogs.

http://www.udoerasmus.com/products/pet_essentials_en.htm

And they may have other products, I haven't really looked in awhile.

I'm sorry the other didn't work for you. I know it can be frustrating.