Immune Problems in Rotties?

[Kate]

I have two Rotties that I got through rescue sources. In the books that I have read about Rotties, I have never heard about immune problmes. Now, my two "boys" have been diagnosed with allergies and I am hearing that Rotties have immune sensitivities and are more susceptible to diseases. What is the story on the immune problems and where can I get more information about this problem?

[nick teifke]

here's some pages you can check out:
www.amrottclub.org/archcrep.html
www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/8870/dm.html
www.doggypaws.com/health/aller.htm

Now I dont agree or disagree with any of this info. I just ran a search on infoseek on immune problems in rotties and these seemed relevant so dont blame me for anything these pages say
But I hope it helps some.

------------------
nick teifke
nteifke@kcc.com
www.angelfire.com/wi/1strottie
icq# - 28884141

[CarolineS]

Kate,

I've owned many different types of dogs before I got my Rottie and she is the worst I have ever owned for having food sensitivities. She doesn't itch, but it shows up as gas and diaherrea. It drives me crazy. After 2 1/2 years, I'm still searching for the "perfect" food for her.

I have quite a few friends who own Rotties (different breeding than mine) and all their dogs seem to suffer in some minor way from sensitivities or allergies. There do seem to be a disproportionate amount of illnesses Rotties are susceptible to, as well. I have heard that the susceptibility to parvo goes for all black and tan dogs, not just Rotties.

While this is frustrating, it could be a lot worse; we could all own Shar pei's!

[This message has been edited by CarolineS (edited March 04, 1999).]

[Mike Bolton]

Dear Caroline S. & Kate,

Over the last few years I have conducted many test on many many brands of dog foods. I have used all three of my dogs plus rescue dog I foster home that have had numerous allergy problems. Itching, Scratching, Dry flaky skin, Gas, Diarrhea, etc and have done extensive food brand and ingredients testing. Treats can cause problems too. I have found a food that agrees with everybody in my house now and although each dog had it's own set of intolerances it was one or more ingredients in the food. Mostly corn, wheat, soy, and even chicken and brewers yeast in several dogs I have owned.

Natura Pet Products makers of INNOVA and California Natural has proven to solve all my dogs allergy and intolerance problems. The California Natural is what worked for my three and several dogs I know are on INNOVA with wonderful results. It is truly a case by case basis to find a food that will work for your dog.

I highly recommend everyone take a look at Natura Pet's web page and check out all there products. www.naturapet.com - use the dealer locator to help find a store in your area.

If you have tried there products and still have gas and or loose stools it is mostly caused from over feeding. This is not your normal premium dog food. It is very high quality human grade meat, is very dense food and is to be fed at 1 - 8 oz. cup for each 25 lbs of body weight and sometimes less.

I have seen and heard so many stories about the great effects of these food, where nothing else worked. I am one of those many stories.

E-mail me direct is you would like more info and I have info on supplements that work too. I have tested them also. Please discribe your dogs problem.

Caroline S. I would like to know what you have tried and if you have tried California Natural yet.

I hope this helps all that read it.

Mike Bolton
thedogtrainer@hotmail.com

[CarolineS]

Hi Mike,

I believe we talked on another bulletin board, over at Dr. Jeff's. To update you, I did try the California Natural Lamb and Rice. The regular formula gave my dog the runs and the "lite" formula gave her gas so bad I had to discontinue it. I don't in any way think this is reflective of the quality of the food, but of the touchiness of Maggie's disgestive tract.

What she's currently eating is Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice "Lite", mixed with "Evolve". I'm using 2/3 lite and 1/3 Evolve. When I used 100% lite, I found that her coat got very dull, so I've added a little of the Evolve. It is fairly high in fat (for her coat) and also includes a lot of veggies and probiotics to aid in digestion. I think my dog just can't handle a rich diet, high in fat.

[Kate]

I have tried numerous dry dog foods. We've been through Pro Plan, Sensible Choice, Nutro Max, California Natural and Innova. My other 2 dogs (Lhasa mixes) are fine with Innova but my Rotts just can't eat dry dog food. I finally started making my own food out of raw meat,vegetables,and supplements. Since then, they have not had diahhrea or gas. But what is curious to me, is that they both have the same type of problems, yet they are not related and there is no other medical explanation. Is this a Rott thing?

[antonschinkel]

Some Rotties seem to over react on a change of food. I know my Rottie has that problem.

When you want to change a Rotties diet it's
you better don't do that to fast.

You should mix the old food with the new food, increasing the new food day by day.

I suggest you should try that if you wanna stop making the dogs food yourself. Put some regular food in it and increase that each day until they eat the new food.

That should work

Anton

[This message has been edited by antonschinkel (edited March 12, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by antonschinkel (edited March 12, 1999).]

[CarolineS]

Kate,

I've come to the conclusion that it is a "Rott" thing. I, too, know lots of unrelated Rotties with the same problem. I've tried changing Maggie's food so gradually that, after three weeks we're still not to 100% of the new food! And it still doesn't work!

I've tried all the foods you have too. The one thing that I'm having some success with is the "lite" food. It does seem to be the fat content that bothers my dog. Perhaps you could try some of a "lite" brand and see if you have any luck. I'm searching for the same answers, so if you discover anything feel free to e-mail me or post here. I'll let you know how my research continues.

Caroline

[stone]

CarolineS: I have the same problem with food sensitivities and have try many brand of dog food including those that you mention. The one that really work for me is Solid Gold. Not many places carry them but it does wonder for my 2yrs.

[Rrowl]

Got all my guys on a raw diet. No allerigies here! Not that I had food allergies beforehand, but since switching from commerical to Raw, I've seen a remarkable improvment in their general overall health. Let's see, hmmmmm, when was the last time I was at the vet? It's been that long ago.

[Kate]

Hello all-

Well, I have found that the raw diet has produced the best results. They have no gas, diahhrea and they both seem to feel great. Unfortunately, finding time to put together all that food (the meat, pulping the carrots, apples, etc.) is difficult. I was spending about 15 hours a weeks "preparing" their meals. I then went to a simple combination of raw meat, canned pumpkin, and supplements. That was better, but the cost of all the supplies was a little too much. Now, I'm trying "Balance Diet". They have a web site (I think its www.balancediet.com) where you can get information. Their food is "fermented" and the ingrediants are USDA chicken, USDA chicken liver, eggs, salmon, avocado, carrots, grapefruit, etc.etc. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this food will work out for my "boys".

My Rottie Akira is now due for his rabies vaccination and both boys will need to get their heartworm medication soon. Does anyone have any thoughts on the monthly versus the daily. I have heard that the daily heartworm meds is better for immune sensitive animals, but I don't have much "evidence" to support that. Any info?