Hi, I'm new to the board and just wanted to say hello before I ramble on about my dog. :)

We have had Zak for nearly 5 weeks now - he is 3 months old. He recently had his 2nd vaccination. We have been feeding him on Beta Puppy Food since we got him, as the breeder said thats what she was using.

Recently, he has been scratching quite a lot - particularly around his ears, head and sides. This has resulted in some small bald patches on his head at the top, these patches are not red/inflammed in any way.

I took him to the Vet this a.m, and he suggested that it may be an allergy to his food - which I found rather odd considering he has not exhibited these symptoms until the last week. The Vet also said that I should wash him in the shower with some mild human shampoo occasionally, and begin to feed him on a more human diet - such as rice/chicken, beef mince/potatoes etc. He then gave him an injection of what I believe was either antihistamines or cortocosteroids, and a course of some tablets (the label says Mul V 2mg from what I can make out) to be taken once a day for 2 weeks. He was convinced that the problem is not mange, fleas or anything of that nature - purely a dietary issue.

After his shower and shampoo - his itching has calmed down a great deal (he also smells a lot better ;)). My questions are this:

1) Why would the dietary defect - if thats what it is - only show up now?

2) I was under the impression that one shouldnt feed pups rich human foods - true/false?

3) Cooking chicken breast etc is going to be rather expensive means of feeding a pet - any other suggestions?

4) Alternatively, should I put him onto another brand of puppy food?

Cheers for any help received in advance. :)

Hi, If you are going to change his food (gradually) you may like to try James Wellbeloved or Davies Rangers both complete foods and 'wheat free' this is often responsible for skin allergies and itchiness.
If the itchiness is mainly around his head, did the vet check his ears? Could be ear mites.
Another thing that can occur is Cheyletiella 'walking dandruff' seen as the name suggests. But if he was frontlined this would have killed it anyway.
It could be a mild reaction to his vaccine causing him to itch.
Sorry not very helpful realy. :)

Food intolerance is not as unusual as it might appear. A friend of mine has a Flatcoated Retriever with just this condition. Her bitch has been living on Chicken and rice since she as around 14 weeks. My advice would be to start on this in order to get things under control then try something like the James Welllbeloved Chicken and Rice to see if this will suffice. You may well find something which will work (Although my friend never did!) so it is certainly worth a try.

Best wishes John

Food intolerances or allergies take some time to appear to begin with. Dogs are normally allergic to a particular protein. You need to switch to a food that has as few ingredients as possible, I would recommend Burns or Naturediet as these do not contain some of the most common allergens ie soya, wheat, maize, linseed. Your dog may be allergic to a particular "animal" such as chicken or beef, in that case you will need to go onto some novel protein such as venison or duck or even fish.

HTH