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Allergies

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • tanzaT

    Another one that is grain free and you can get without chicken is EVO

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • renaultf1R

    Jeremie…lucky that you have one of the ones before the change...I think the chicken fat is about the 4th or 5th ingredient on the label on the new batch. Innova EVO is a great food as Tanza said and they have a non chicken version but they don't have fish. A lot of people here feed their kids EVO with great success. When I switched off Timberwolf Ocean, I put Ruby & Brando on Orijen 6 Fresh Fish...awesome food and BOY do the kids LOVE it...but very expensive.

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  • J

    Well, thanks for the suggestions renault. I apologize for having listed his food as Timberwolf Ocean 6 (it's really Timberwolf Ocean BLUE)… apparently I've been investigating too many dog foods and they're all blurring together. I may look into the Orijen 6... I went back and found it on one of my lists from when I was trying to narrow this all down. Orijen ranked highly for me, I think it was just that my local specialty store carries timberwolf but DOESN'T carry orijen :( I may have to order it online (even though I prefer supporting the local guy whenever possible). I'll probably call Timberwolf and give them an earful... I at least like to let a vendor know when they've messed up and lost a customer. It isn't likely to change anything, but it can't hurt either. You never know which complaint will finally put it over the top and pique their interest on any given issue.

    Thanks again,

    --jerremie

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  • lvossL

    If there is a brand that you really like but you local store doesn't carry it, talk to the owner. I buy most of my pet food from small local retailers. When they have not had what I wanted, I let them know. Many have been willing to order a specific food for me.

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  • tanzaT

    lvoss is right, many of the smaller specialty stores will order for you. Also good is Wellness, they just came out with a new brand that has no grains and ones without chicken fat…

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • renaultf1R

    @tanza:

    lvoss is right, many of the smaller specialty stores will order for you. Also good is Wellness, they just came out with a new brand that has no grains and ones without chicken fat…

    Yup, Wellness Core, they also have a fish based food…it is more moderate in protein than EVO or Orijens.

    And I third what lvoss & Tanza said about the special order...my favourite store locally said they can pretty much special order any food I want.

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  • lvossL

    Also Merrick's is releasing a grain free food. I think some retailers are already carrying it. I got a free sample a month ago at the Orange County Pet Expo.

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  • chiyaC

    Blue Buffalo carries the Wilderness grain free formula too!!
    I would use it if I don't have a Fanconi dog that is not doing
    too well on high protein food.

    **_Steffie Cheng

    Chiya Basenjis

    Denver, CO_**

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  • tanzaT

    @chiya:

    Blue Buffalo carries the Wilderness grain free formula too!!
    I would use it if I don't have a Fanconi dog that is not doing
    too well on high protein food.

    And to that note… isn't it great that we have a Fanconi test now and that if people test before breeding no one ever has to live and care for a Fanconi Affected Basenji again... (as in my monthly public service annoucement)
    Remember to strip test monthly (and do it for 3 to 4 days in a row...) and/or do a DNA test for Fanconi

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • Tommy360T

    I don't know if this helps but the ONLY medications that work for me are a combination of Zyrtec/Nasonex. I've been on everything and that combo works for me. I have pretty bad allergies and have 2 B's with me in the house at all times…

    Chinese music under banyan trees

    Here at the dude ranch above the sea

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  • KiroGurlK

    I am allergic to my baby girl too :) i get red and puffy where she scratches me and i get itchy eys bad…BAD . :) I find that bathing her once a month with OATMEAL shampoo and then brushing her outside or running my hands throuegh her coat every day (she loves) and giving her her own pillows helps me alot and when i act up I take a benadryl :)

    she seems to be worse in the CAR, when wwe go places, and wheh shes nervous or just dirty. It was worse when she was a puppy but now im fine (1.5 yr later)

    "I swore I wasn't a D-O-G person, AND it's true, I'm BASENJI person. Totally different" ![](images/smilies/cool.png "Cool")

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  • M

    My boyfriend is very allergic to animals, and was miserable until he started taking zyrtec (he's not very allergic to my B, mostly to my cat).
    I have tons of allergies to seasonal stuff. I love febreeze allergen reducing spray. Using that along with keeping the house clean (using a vacuum with a hepa filter) is one of the best ways (in my opinion) to keep the allergens down. I also use ALL allergen reducing laundry detergent. I love my ionic air purifier, I noticed a HUGE difference the first day I plugged it in.

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  • E

    Both my sons have allergies diagnosed by a professional allergist and do fine with Basenjis. We have just got our 3rd B two weeks ago and no sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes. I think for you that it MUST be something the dog is bringing in or perhaps your dog is one that performs one particular way and my family lucked out with 3 of the other way. Maybe someday they will have a test like the Fanconi that shows the DNA of this family tree has more dander and the DNA of that heritage has less dander to near none.

    I do agree with the smart person that has posted on this site the best idea I have ever heard: rub a t-shirt all over the possible family addition, sleep with the t-shirt, and THEN decide. I know it is too late for you but a good thing to repost for readers.

    Good luck with your situation.

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  • M

    Seasonal Allergies?

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    Oh, yes! Dogs can have seasonal allergies!!! Mine has seasonal (weeds and grasses) allergies, food allergies, and is even allergic to humans. His allergies are considered pre-existing conditions now, so pet insurance is not an option for us. Your vet will probably start your dog on Benadryl, but we've also had prescriptions for hydroxyzine and Zyrtec for our dog (only use these with your vet's dosing instructions). A simple thing you can do is to wipe off your dog with a damp cloth to get any pollen off of her paws and belly. It will keep her from tracking outdoor allergens inside, just as you would prevent by taking off your shoes at the door.
  • GriffinsMomG

    Food Allergies Out of the Blue?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    D
    It might be a combination of food and seasonal allergies. The food/biscuits might be a slight problem but then added to the seasonal allergies, the allergies become major. Arnie has allergies and he rarely gets treats because of this and his kibble dog food is his treat. Does your dog also have a rash on his stomach area or the inner part of his rear legs? Arnie usually starts off with this and then if he is biting his feet I know the allergies are bad. He has not had this for a few years though! I would clean the area and this would help tremendously. Allergies are difficult to diagnose. The allergy season here in OH has been extended because of the crazy weather. If you have leaves on the ground that are/were wet, there could be mold, fungi, etc. on them and your dog is getting it on his paws. Jennifer
  • basenjiboy20B

    Allergies

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    V
    Do you live in the country in MN? My 4-year-old hound mix, Priss, has problems in the summer months starting about August. She will lick her feet until they are red and the fur is almost gone. I have tried all kinds of medications, shots, and changed her diet, but it is something environmental. I've even taken her to different vets to see if someone might have a solution. Most of the medications are steriods; they work for a week or so, then are ineffective. I won't use them anymore. Priss bloats up like a balloon! My vet thinks it is either a particular weed that grows this time of year or possibly a mite or small insect that is invisible to the naked eye. I wash her feet in vinegar and water when she comes in the house and have started using Willard Water, http://www.dr-willardswater.com, too. Sometimes, I use a diluted solution of tree tea oil to soothe the itching. Priss smells like a dirty sock from licking her feet when she is troubled by allergies. Also, she runs a low-grade fever, especially in the morning. I give her 1/2 a baby aspirin and wash her face with cool water.
  • L

    What works for allergies ?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    BasenjimammaB
    I did have a Westie in the past that had severe allergies to….storagemites, which is in every dogfood that has been stored for a few weeks or more, i.e every food known to man, so he was on the raw diet, did great, he was also severly allergic to fleas, or the saliva from the fleas and to mold/mildew, which living in houston Tx there is a lot of. Poor guy was miserable, until we did the raw diet and decided to keep him inside all the time, when the other dogs went out to play he had to stay in..and it is funny he wanted to go out and the other dogs wanted to come in...figures. The few foods out there that are supposedly good for allergies according to my vet is grainfree ones, Dick Van Pattens sweet potatoe and duck, I believe was one of the ones he recommended. Try to keep the ingredients list as small as possible, cleaner food means less irritants. Just like our food, the less junk we eat the better we feel... Good Luck, I know how hard it is with a dog that clearly is bothered by something and you don't know how to help it. I do know that Petco and Petsmart here in Texas will take food back even though the bag has been opened, which is nice if you are having to try various/numerous different brands until you find what works. Basenjimamma
  • K

    Allergies!!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    MDSPHOTOM
    @Vanessa: I was allergic to our basenji when he first came home. I would break out in a rash when he touched me. My eyes would water and become really itchy. Just wash your B and wipe him down a few days a week until you adjust. Also consider some allergy meds…Zyrtec works great and now you don't need a perscription. Agree, Zyrtec is a great drug for allergies, but can make some people very sleepy. There is a new prescription allergy treatment available called Xyzal that has shown equal symptom relief to Zyrtec in clinical trials, but has less sedation. However, I will warn you that it is very expensive!
  • J

    Flea Allergy

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    S
    I remeber that the powder 20 mule team borax is it even around now?? sprinkled in the carpets and then vaccumed up, would kill and of the flea eggs that were in it. I have used it and it works… But since the frontline, have had no need.