When we got our new dog Carbo, I wanted to try out a vet for him that a friend of mine recommended. Well, I think we finally have a winner!! We've been in to see this vet at least 6 times since about mid-November, and I'm SO happy with him. He's treated Carbo so well, and has really gone above and beyond to help him. The lab in the U.S. that made Carbo's allergy serum before won't ship it to Canada. The vet called a number of labs in Canada and the U.S. till he found one that can make Carbo's allergy serum and ship it here. He takes a lot of time to explain things -- he's even called at 9:45 on a Tuesday night and sends e-mails on the weekend to answer our questions and provide information. I also like the atmosphere at the vet clinic. All the vets come out to the waiting area to greet the pets and owners and bring them into the exam rooms. At the other vet we've been going to, a receptionist brings you into a room and then somebody comes in to talk to you about your pet, then you finally see the vet. What's up with that!? And they really seem to push you to spend a lot of money to get all sorts of tests and things done. This new vet isn't pushy and doesn't force anything on us. He seems to really love what he does and to genuinely care about Carbo. I just get a really good vibe from him, and I like him a lot. Which is a good thing, considering how often Carbo goes to the vet!!
I sent the vet an e-mail yesterday to thank him for everything he's done for Carbo, and to let him know that I'd like to bring our other pets to him as well. I had a reply back from him in about half an hour. The guy must REALLY be devoted to his job if he checks his work e-mail on the weekend!!!!
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Well if you are not quite comfortable going totally raw, there are prepared foods out there that are grain free. They cost a little more than going raw but are a good alternative.
Usually you can find them in independent pet stores. One is called NRG (you have to read the label because I think only one of their's is totally grain free but if you avoid the two big allergins (corn and wheat) you may find one). NRG is a dehydrated food that you have to rehydrate but there are other brands out there without grains and if you hit someone who knows their stuff in the store they can show you. Also they usually have test packs.
Some dogs are also more sensitive to chicken than other meats and some people feel turkey is too rich for some dogs.
Unfortunately with all the things Carbo has going on, he may have allergies to a few things like the additives and preservatives, certain proteins, etc. The one beauty of raw is you can monitor everything and know exactly what he's eating and reacting to because he'd only get one thing at a time. On the raw forums they sometimes get very scientific about it all with elimination diets etc. to get a handle on what their dogs do better with. They are also good places to visit to get an idea of what the usual culprits are and it does seem to vary by breed. It does cost more to get a different diet, but you know it sure pays off in the savings in vet bills. Eb is 2.5 and I've already really seen the difference in those costs.
I would think the only issue you might have if you changed Carbo's diet is explaining it to the other two but you can see the recent posts by Ms. MOdern and how her 3 love the new diet.
Speak to the vet but don't be surprised if they poopoo it. Mine sure did until he saw how Ebony thrived. He still jokingly complains that he should be making a lot more money off her being a Cocker since they are regular vet visitors with their ears and eyes. The only reason I go in there now is for Revolution when she is doing daycare.
Oh yeah, another big allergy producer is shots. This is quite controversial but I decided no more vaccines for Ebbie after her puppy shots. She will get a rabies ever 3 years only because it's the law. Again the vet wasn't happy with this at 1 year but last time I saw him he told me he is no longer recommending yearly shots. Look up vaccinosis to see the arguements and if any of it fits Carbo. Some people who feel their dogs have been effected are using holistic methods to counteract the problems.
Yes, Carbo gets LOTS of ear infections. He has a few different ear cleaners and drops that we've been giving him, and he was on an anti-bacterial ear drop for a while. My SIL said that his ears get stinky when they're infected, just like you described.
Hmmmm..... I wonder how our vet feels about the raw diet. It might be worthwhile to ask him what he thinks the pros and cons are, and if it might help reduce or eliminate Carbo's ear problems.
Our vet is going to think I'm stalking him with all the e-mails I keep sending him!!
Thanks for the tip, DBD :)
Does Carbo's condition manifest as ear infections? I ask because Ebony's breed (well all long earred dogs) are prone to infections. Ebony had one when I got her and my last dog got them at least once a year.
Anyway, When I changed Ebony to raw, one of the benefits was that Spaniels didn't get the same number of ear infections. It seems to be true since Ebony has not had any since that first one, and she has only had one eye problem (vet thinks from sticking her head out the car window). For her breed this is highly unusual so it looks like the diet is working. Even the vet believes it (and he didn't like raw at all before).
I'm mentioning this because the belief in the Cocker community is that some breeds/dogs are very sensitive to grains and that the first sign is ear infections and stinky yeasty ears. Grains are also being blamed for a lot of skin conditions. So, I'll throw that out there for you just in case.
I can send him missing-you e-cards -- easier, quicker, and free :D
You're absolutely right -- the vet said that it's possible that we don't have the same dust mites here that Carbo was allergic to when we was with my brother in Pittsburgh. So it's quite possible that he isn't exposed to the allergens that were causing him problems before. He went about 1 month without having an allergy injection. He didn't seem to suffer any ill effects, although he may have developed a chronic lick granuloma as a result. But no problems with his big ears, which is where his allergies normally manifest first.
We're going to gradually cut back on his allergy shots and see how that goes. We're hoping we can get Carbo down to 1 shot every 20 days.
Well that's good unless you count the 'missing you' cards you'll be sending to the vet. Good for Carbo. Maybe your house is better for him. could be some of the things he's allergic to just aren't as prevalent or something.
I'm so lost..... after two straight months of bringing Carbo to the vet practically every week, we don't have any appointments booked!! I brought in one of our cats yesterday for some shots, and I guess it'll be April before I go back with the other cat and Squirt for their annual check-ups.
Carbo is doing amazing -- his ears are good, no allergy problems, all his incision areas are healing up nicely, he's looking more fit and trim..... I didn't expect him to be this healthy!! I hope he stays healthy for a while now!!
My dad brought a bottle across the border with him when he brought Carbo here, so getting it across the border isn't a problem. The problem with shipping the serum is that it has to be refrigerated at all times. My brother and SIL have a bottle for us, but we won't get it until my dad drives down to visit in February.
I told you he's a high maintenance dog!! ;)
Could your brother get the serum and ship it up? I think as long as it's on the okay list they will let it threw customs. There is also a proceedure that I can't quite recall...filling out some forms of some sort to get permission to have non approved drugs brought in. If it came to that, I could find the info as a lot of Cushing's dog owners use it to bring in treatments from the UK.
No, not on Greenbank.
Is the new vet. by any chance in Greenbank Plaza on Greenbank Rd. ? I used him and he was super. :)
It's only been a month with the new vet, but I'm quite impressed with him so far. There's just something about him that I feel really good about. When I brought Carbo in a couple of weeks ago for chest Xrays, the appointment ended up lasting over an hour. He only charged for the Xrays and not the time he spent with Carbo, which I thought was really nice.
Also, we were given a tour of the facilities, which I thought was cool. Sort of gives me peace of mind to know where Carbo is going when he disappears around the corner. At the other vet, we have no idea what's going on past that exam room door.
DBD, Carbo is allergic to dust mites and some grasses. But dust mites are the main problem. I'm not sure if his serum is the same serum used for humans, and I don't know how it works. The serum that my brother and SIL got for him was for the three dust mites that he's allergic to. It contained three different ingredients. But that lab doesn't ship to Canada, so the vet had to find another source. He found a lab in Canada that has two of the three ingredients required, but they won't mix the two together (no idea why). I can't remember if the lab that the vet eventually found that can make the same serum is in Canada or the US.
Carbo is supposed to get his shot once a week, but it's been 4 weeks since his last shot, and he doesn't seem to be showing any signs of allergy-related problems. The vet said that we can try going to a schedule where Carbo gets a shot every two weeks and see how that works. Although maybe we don't have the same dust mites here that my brother has in the U.S. -- in which case, maybe he can be taken off of the serum altogether.
wow he does sound like a super vet and very caring....all the best with your new vet!
smiles
janetc
Well that is so good. he does sound more like a humane vet. You sound relieved to have found someone.
What's Carbo allergic to? Is his serum like the ones humans get to make the allergy go away?
Oh yeah, that's for sure. Especially seeing as Carbo averages close to 1 vet visit a month. It IS a relief to have a vet that I like and that's close to home.
The new vet is going to call the old vet and request that they fax over the files for all our pets. Thank goodness I won't have to do that again!!
That's such a relief for you nice to know that there are still some out there that are in for the love of the animals.