Allergic to chicken ???

[Jerrybo66]

Our Pit was 80# and I did everything to get him to lose weight. After low cal food, green beans & pumpkin he lost a few pounds. I gave up. Then he dropped down to 70# and looked good. Then five more and I took him to the Vet Monday. Something's not right. On previous visits he had an X-ray for old dog lung which was relieved and bloodwork that came out ok. No reason for weight loss but possible "tumor" so an ultra-scan was ordered. Happily no tumors but found a thickened (I think was the word)intestinal wall. The thought was that the food was going through without being absorbed, causing periodic diarrhea and weight loss. I feed them Blue Buffalo with chicken as the first ingredient and mix in boiled chicken. The only thing the Vet can think of, he's allergic to the chicken protein. It's irritating the intestine and causing the weight loss. I'm getting the BB basic tomorrow and topping with beef, no more chicken. The Rotti has "rumbling" stomach every week or so as does the Pit. Nothing bothers the other dog. Maybe the Rotti has the same chicken problem. I understand chicken allergies are common and wondered if your dogs had any experience with it and if so what were the symptoms? I always thought allergies caused them to lick their feet as the Rottweiler does occasionally........ Thanks for any replies.

[Jerrybo66]

dturm wrote:
IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease )

This article pretty well describes IBD, causes and treatments.

It definitely seemed to be thorough... Thanks..

[dturm]

IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease )

This article pretty well describes IBD, causes and treatments.

[AZPops]

Jerry, this has to do some what with allergies, e.g. Calvin takes Wal-Finate twice a day, and I keep 5MG Prednisone tabs on hand. Given only when he really needs it (I keep a log when I give him one. So far during the spring and early fall rainy seasons. He takes one tab per week). He also takes a 10MG tab of Metoclopramide to help him move his food though his digestive system.

I tried a few brands of limited ingredient type of foods, settling with Royal Canin's limited ingredient. Hill's Hypo-Allergenic biscuits, and kept him on Harlee's Pedigree Jumbones (I started her on this treat when her pancreas flared up).

I take Calvin in every 6 months to do his semi-annual blood work to keep track on how he's doing (although 5MG Prednisone is a low dose), as well as for my peace of mind!

One thing that's great about his DOC in Phoenix is she has a blood annalist machine in her office!

Since you live in one place, e.g. don't move around like I do. May be do an allergy type of test.

Anyways good luck!

Pops

[Jerrybo66]

Pawz4me wrote:
I'm not a vet by any means, but for an older dog having those symptoms a food allergy sure wouldn't have been the first thing I would've thought of. I hate to say it, but either IBD or lymphoma seem more likely to me. I hope it is just the food.

I've never heard of those problems so I mentioned chicken before the Vet ventured a possible cause. He probably thought it best to try a different diet before suggesting a more serious problem. PetCo didn't have BB Basic Food so I bought Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison, Vet recommended. The dogs don't seem to like it. The Pit doesn't have any shin problems and just occasionally licks his paw. Diarrheah seems to be gone. What is IBD, a cause & treatment? It will give me an idea of what questions to ask when I go back in a couple weeks... Thanks..

[LadyRVer]

My cocker spaniel, now 12, is allergic to chicken. Lots of stomach issues.
Just recently slowly changed him over from Lamb (which actually had chicken in it) to the Nutro Grain Free Lamb and Potato in the a.m. (small amount, maybe 1/4 can) and for supper he gets Blue Lamb about 1/2 small can with an extra lean ground beef pattie. He still mangages to get about 1/2 small can of Cesar's Lamb (which has the chicken, but he won't let go of that.) He is so much better stomach wise. Have to watch the treats,too. They contain a little chicken. He has had the stomach problem since he was 5 months old. Blood work-up is very good.

[Crowe]

Jerry, does he have any skin issues like scratching or rashes? This is indicative of food allergies as well. Jesse is allergic to chicken-he breaks out in eczema type rashes. We also didn't notice he was somewhat lethargic and had a "pained" expression on his face quite often. When we changed in to Blue Buffalo Salmon and Sweet Potato, grain free, his rashes stopped and he is the happiest little dog in the world.

[AZPops]

Calvin takes, .... hold just a minute, ........ OK! Calvin takes METOCLOPRAMIDE 10MG TAB half an hour before eating to help his digestive system move his food through his system. Something to do with this stomach disease thing.

[Pawz4me]

I'm not a vet by any means, but for an older dog having those symptoms a food allergy sure wouldn't have been the first thing I would've thought of. I hate to say it, but either IBD or lymphoma seem more likely to me. I hope it is just the food.

[AirZone]

Same kinda thing happened to our dog, rumbling stomach , diarrhea , lethargic.
Found out he has pancreatitis . Put him on a low fat food and he seems to be much better. Has flare ups if we give him table scraps so he doesn't get that anymore. Even had to change his cookies to low fat. Probably all tastes like dirt, poor dog.

[AZPops]

Jerry you could try feeding Royal Canin "Bambi and Potato" Limited ingredient.

[dturm]

Jerrybo66 wrote:
... Happily no tumors but found a thickened (I think was the word)intestinal wall. The thought was that the food was going through without being absorbed, causing periodic diarrhea and weight loss...

Several things can cause thickening, the most common being IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and intestinal lymphoma. If the diet change does not resolve the issues, if this were my patient, I would recommend an intestinal biopsy.

Doug, DVM

[TugCE]

When my Macy was having a problem and was getting sick a lot my Vet suggested making sure that I make sure that whatever I fed her did not have Chicken in it. She said that the Chicken would basically absorb water and cause her to feel sick.

I have been feeding both of my Girls Nutra Grain Free Lamb and Potato. Macy has been on this for over six months and has only got sick once or twice.