Is this a detox?

[WeeDex]

Hi all,

I switched Dexter to raw 7 weeks ago to try and help with his allergies. He was previously fed a wet, fish based food. He's now on pork which is a new protein for him.

I did so much research beforehand, I understand that often symptoms can become worse before they improve - itchy skin, redness etc. But can anyone advise how long it should take to be able to understand if this is a natural healing process, or he's reacting badly to the protein?

His skin is really terrible. He's scarlet, itching at any opportunity, has brownish eye muck, and he just generally stinks. He's dumping his coat and there is hair absolutely everywhere, even though I furminate him daily - sometimes more than once.

It's really hard to watch, and the urge to stop feeding him raw is big because I feel guilty, but I really want to keep it up as I know how beneficial it can be. I'm hoping this is just a tough phase and he'll come out the other side with lovely skin, hair and improved itching.

Any advise would be really appreciated. Thanks all.

 

[Joeturbo26]

I am certainly no authority on this... But did you switch him gradually? Or just cold turkey?

 

[Rudi Lim]

It could take up to 3 months for the body to adjust. Most of mine had no major detox process. Mine lasted 2-4 weeks, heavy shedding is common. Each dog is different, give it some time. Seems like your dog is yeasty, you may need to treat it locally. You could use hydrogen peroxide soak (ratio 1:1 with water) or iodine works too in that ratio. Maybe everyday on affected area for the first 3-7days. See if it improves you adjust accordingly. Pay extra care on eyes area, just make sure the peroxide didn't get into them.
I presume u follow the 80-10-10 rule on raw feeding. 80% meat 10% bones and 10% organs.

Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

Aww Dex! I have never dealt with allergies to this extent so I really have no idea. I do wish that he gets some relief soon. Poor little thing!

 

[WeeDex]

It could take up to 3 months for the body to adjust. Most of mine had no major detox process. Mine lasted 2-4 weeks, heavy shedding is common. Each dog is different, give it some time. Seems like your dog is yeasty, you may need to treat it locally. You could use hydrogen peroxide soak (ratio 1:1 with water) or iodine works too in that ratio. Maybe everyday on affected area for the first 3-7days. See if it improves you adjust accordingly. Pay extra care on eyes area, just make sure the peroxide didn't get into them.
I presume u follow the 80-10-10 rule on raw feeding. 80% meat 10% bones and 10% organs.

Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He has definite yeast issues yeah. That was really my main reason for switching. I do use the hydrogen peroxide soak on his feet and chin. It's tough though because it seems to make him want to lick his feet more. Not sure if he likes the taste or something! I have another 6 weeks of food left, which will be 12 weeks total which fits with the possible 3 months you mentioned. His food is pre-prepared and delivered frozen, in an 80/10/10 ratio. And I give him some kale and spinach that I've blitzed up in the blender. Hopefully if I stick with it he'll improve in the next 6 weeks.

I am certainly no authority on this... But did you switch him gradually? Or just cold turkey?

It was almost cold turkey. The original plan was to do a gradual switch, but he didn't take well to the mix of wet food and raw, so I just had to switch him.

 

[WeeDex]

Aww Dex! I have never dealt with allergies to this extent so I really have no idea. I do wish that he gets some relief soon. Poor little thing!

Thank you - it's so good that Wally and Uma don't have these allergies..... I just caught him outside rubbing his face so hard on the slabs I was horrified. He must be so itchy to be dragging his face over the concrete :-(

 

[Rudi Lim]

He has definite yeast issues yeah. That was really my main reason for switching. I do use the hydrogen peroxide soak on his feet and chin. It's tough though because it seems to make him want to lick his feet more. Not sure if he likes the taste or something! I have another 6 weeks of food left, which will be 12 weeks total which fits with the possible 3 months you mentioned. His food is pre-prepared and delivered frozen, in an 80/10/10 ratio. And I give him some kale and spinach that I've blitzed up in the blender. Hopefully if I stick with it he'll improve in the next 6 weeks.



Mine licks every time too, even on full raw. He was on beef and he was fine. But after a while, he licks again. Now I switched him to wild boar and he still licks but not as much. I think it's much of a habit, recently I tried to spray some vinegar after the hydrogen soak, it works now as my dog hate vinegar. You need to find the reason why he is licking all the time. Could be boredom, separation anxiety, habit.
Have u tried putting on an A cone? For a few days to a week?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cbrugs]

Whenever Jax gets yeasty, I use a combination of these wipes https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G3D8JL0/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A25JWFYNDVVI0A and this spray https://www.amazon.com/SynergyLabs-...&sr=1-4&keywords=chlorhexidine+spray+for+dogs and then wipe him down with diluted iodine in between and it usually starts to clear up in a few days.

I switched Jax to raw cold turkey last November and thankfully he didn't show any signs of a detox.

 

[WeeDex]

Thanks everyone.
[MENTION=188]Cbrugs[/MENTION] I've just followed your links and I can get them here so I'll order some today. Thanks for the tip! Definitely worth a shot.

Last night I woke up at 4am after hearing him hurting himself. I ran down the stairs and he was really hacking up his pits. This morning his skin is looking so inflamed. I feel sad for him. It's awful.




I've been looking in to the Nutriscan test as they will ship internationally to see if I can get some clearer guidance on what he may be allergic to. I know this could still just be him detoxing, but it looks an awful lot like what happened when he was on chicken and his skin badly flared up.

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

I'm so sorry he's in so much discomfort! The poor little guy!!

 

[Cbrugs]

Thanks everyone.
[MENTION=188]Cbrugs[/MENTION] I've just followed your links and I can get them here so I'll order some today. Thanks for the tip! Definitely worth a shot.

Last night I woke up at 4am after hearing him hurting himself. I ran down the stairs and he was really hacking up his pits. This morning his skin is looking so inflamed. I feel sad for him. It's awful.

View attachment 9369
View attachment 9370

I've been looking in to the Nutriscan test as they will ship internationally to see if I can get some clearer guidance on what he may be allergic to. I know this could still just be him detoxing, but it looks an awful lot like what happened when he was on chicken and his skin badly flared up.

Poor guy. I totally feel for you as I have been there with Jax. Before he got on Apoquel and had the allergy testing done, he would scratch himself raw. Can you try a different protein, maybe something more novel? Also, maybe you can get a shirt or something that Dexter can wear so that he can't scratch his skin directly?

Are you on Facebook? If so, there is a bulldog raw feeding group on there called Raw Feeding Bulldog Breeds. I have read posts from other people about their dogs detoxing after starting raw. So maybe you can post on there and get some advice from people that have gone through the same thing.

Good luck and I hope Dexter gets some relief soon!

 

[WeeDex]

Thank you I'll look that page up on FB just now. The company I'm using for the food are really helpful. They have rabbit which he has never had before, but it's mixed with a small amount of lamb just to give it the necessary fat content. They were reluctant to try it since it's 2 proteins, but I think we might have to.

I went and got him a couple of kids t-shirts yesterday. 18 month old boys seems to fit him! So I cleaned him up and covered him in Sudocrem and popped his Finding Dory shirt on and he slept for 3 hours I think it just settled him a bit He's not as inflamed this morning so I'll do the same thing today.

Allergies are just the worst. Hopefully we can get on top of this again soon.

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

Good news he got some sleep!

Please tell me there's going to be a pic on IG with him in his Finding Dory shirt!

 

[Cbrugs]

Thank you I'll look that page up on FB just now. The company I'm using for the food are really helpful. They have rabbit which he has never had before, but it's mixed with a small amount of lamb just to give it the necessary fat content. They were reluctant to try it since it's 2 proteins, but I think we might have to.

I went and got him a couple of kids t-shirts yesterday. 18 month old boys seems to fit him! So I cleaned him up and covered him in Sudocrem and popped his Finding Dory shirt on and he slept for 3 hours I think it just settled him a bit He's not as inflamed this morning so I'll do the same thing today.

Allergies are just the worst. Hopefully we can get on top of this again soon.

Glad to hear the shirt helped him! Let's see a picture of him in his new shirt. Another thing you can try is rubbing some coconut oil on his belly and pits, etc. You can do that and then put his shirt on him and that should help relieve the itching as well. I also give Jax a bath every Sunday with a medicated shampoo.

Once he gets through this and you can pin down what his issues are, it will be much easier to deal with and maintain.

 

[WeeDex]

The raw feeding FB group is amazing! I sat and read posts for a couple of hours last night. So many people going through the exact same thing - or significantly worse in a lot of cases :-( Definitely leaning towards the Nutriscan testing to see if it will point us in the right direction. We can only get blood tests here for food allergies, and I don't really want him back under sedation again with shaved bits all over him.

The last time I tried the coconut it didn't seem to help him, but I'll give it another go. The t-shirt is certainly stopping him scratching up his pits and they're looking better again today. I've got him some new nylabones too to keep him busy and hopefully distracted for a while.

Here he is modelling his kids shits - it's great what you can find in the summer sales just now

 

[2bullymama]

I do hope you find the issue soon... poor bugger sure is having a rough go and Mom is too


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[blushy]

Aw poor sweet Dex is having such a hard time! He deserves a break already! And obviously so do you having to worry about this little guy!

He looks adorable in his shirt, I'm glad you found some to fit so you can use skin soothing tactics and keep it on him!

Sending good luck your way! Hug Dex for me and Titan! Haha!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MaplesMommy]

The raw feeding FB group is amazing! I sat and read posts for a couple of hours last night. So many people going through the exact same thing - or significantly worse in a lot of cases :-( Definitely leaning towards the Nutriscan testing to see if it will point us in the right direction. We can only get blood tests here for food allergies, and I don't really want him back under sedation again with shaved bits all over him.

The last time I tried the coconut it didn't seem to help him, but I'll give it another go. The t-shirt is certainly stopping him scratching up his pits and they're looking better again today. I've got him some new nylabones too to keep him busy and hopefully distracted for a while.

Here he is modelling his kids shits - it's great what you can find in the summer sales just now

View attachment 9377
View attachment 9378

I have heard nothing but good feedback on the NutriScan Test. Its super accurate and usually you get the results fast.

I dont know where you're located but make sure to send it either 'over night' or '3 day xpress' and send it on a monday so it doesnt sit at the post office all weekend and dries out.

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

SO glad that you found some help with his allergies. He looks absolutely darling in his shirt.

 

[WeeDex]

Thanks everyone

I decided to go with the Nutriscan, so ordered it at the weekend. That's a great point [MENTION=377]MaplesMommy[/MENTION] about being careful when I send it back. I'll be sending it from the UK so I'll do the test on a Monday and send it off express so it's as fresh as it can be. I'll update when I get the results back, in case it helps anyone in the future who may be deciding on whether to take the test or not.