On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 04:18:35 GMT chrisc  whittled   
   these words:   
   > I have been taking him to the vet for over a year now. They keep putting him   
   > on antibiotics . It's not his food cause we switched him from innova to   
   > science diet to diamond premium edge lamb and rice (over time). It is not   
   > seasonal cause its year round. The meds clear him up temporarily, but then   
   > it comes back (itching, redness in the ears, raw skin near the crotch on the   
   > inside of his legs from constant licking). They told me the next stpe would   
   > be to try putting him on a special diet (fish or allergy type food). They   
   > told me it could be the chicken meal in the foods. Also, I was referred to a   
   > dermatologist . The thing is they want $5-600 to test him!!!!!! Any   
   > suggestions? He is 2 years old. Thanks   
      
   Switching from one multi-ingredient food to a different multi-ingredient   
   food isn't very useful in identifying food allergies, which are very   
   common in dogs.  A very important step in identifying food allergies is to   
   reduce the number of ingredients to absolute minimum then once the   
   condition is stable slowly re-introduce new ingredients.  The food   
   switching process you have already tried was a reasonable first step, but   
   not enough to conclude it is "not his food."   
      
   --   
   Diane Blackman   
   http://dog-play.com/   
   http://dogplay.com/Shop/dogplayshop.htm   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)