Moon's Graden

My 12 month old male Weim has developed a rash on the inside of his    
front upper legs and though less obvious, on his chest. It does not
appear to be bothering him. Along with this, his eyes are      
producing more discharge than the normal sleeper type stuff. I began
feeding Innova a little over a month ago, the rash appeared a few      
days ago. There has been no other changes to his environment like new
carpeting, detergents, etc. The eyes were the first symptom beginning
about the same time as the food change. I brought him to the vet at that
time, but he
did not think there was a connection to food, gave us a tube of med    
to put in his eyes. They appeared better after the 2 week treatment
but are appearing irritated again. Are these typical food allergy
symptoms? I have put a call in to my vet, but would like input from this
group.

Thanks.

Well, its spring!  Are there flowering trees, etc. in your area?  Could be inhalent allergies or some type of allergy to pollen.  Since your pup is only 12 months old, this could be the first time he was exposed to this stuff.  Did you start walking him in a new area - possibility of herbicides?  Just a few thoughts,  cb

    My 12 month old male Weim has developed a rash on the inside of his
    front upper legs and though less obvious, on his chest. It does not
    appear to be bothering him. Along with this, his eyes are
    producing more discharge than the normal sleeper type stuff. I began
    feeding Innova a little over a month ago, the rash appeared a few
    days ago. There has been no other changes to his environment like new
    carpeting, detergents, etc. The eyes were the first symptom beginning
    about the same time as the food change. I brought him to the vet at that
    time, but he
    did not think there was a connection to food, gave us a tube of med
    to put in his eyes. They appeared better after the 2 week treatment
    but are appearing irritated again. Are these typical food allergy
    symptoms? I have put a call in to my vet, but would like input from this
    group.

    Thanks.

It could be the food... and since it's easy enough to tell, why not take him
off of it for a while & see if there's any improvement?
Stefanie

Fran,

If it's a food allergy, given Innova's ingredients it is likely an allergy
to poultry (either chicken or turkey).  Innova does not have as
ingredients many of the other common allergens.  One way to see if this is
an issue is to put him on a different diet--maybe the same company's
alternate brand, California Natural (which is a lamb-based food, I have
heard good things about it).  I am not too familiar with Weimeraner diet
needs, but Innova is very high in meat content, so for dogs who need a
lower protein it might not be ideal.  The protein % is not high when
compared with other brands, but the source for the protein is much more
high in meat than most brands (where much of the protein % comes from
grains & other ingredients which are not as digestible).

It also might be that it's springtime and he's affected by the airborne
pollens.  

                                n,
Sandi Shrager                 _/ | _
School of Social Work        /'  `'/
University of Washington   <~    .'

                         _/      |
                       _/      `.`.