Vitalin chicken and potato

Does anyone use this? Or anyone any opinions Just looking into alternatives for Mya who has a nasty ear infection possibly allergy food related.

Chicken Meat Meal (min26%), Potato (min26%), Refined Chicken Fat, Sugar Beet Pulp, Peas, Carrots, Yeasts, Fishmeal, Minerals, Vitamins, Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Yucca, Prebiotic MicroFOS.
Analysis:
Protein 23%, Oil 9%, Fibre 4%, Ash 7%, Copper (Cupric Sulphate) 15 mg/kg. Vitamin A 20000 iu/kg, Vitamin D3 1500 iu/kg. Vitamin E 160 iu/kg. Plus a full complement of B-vitamins and trace minerals.

Many thanks
Tracy

My setter was fed on this over 20 years ago. He lived a long and healthy life. Not sure thats much help to you

Harvey reacts to Beet in foods - see if you can get a small bag of it first to try. Fish4dogs is supposed ti be good. I haven't tried it. Cant recommend food the vet is getting us as we havent tried either. Will get it tomorrow hopefully

Harvey reacts to Beet in foods, just be very canny especially foods that add beet & yeast. Some of the skin problems that some Boxers can be prone to are yeast infections - see if you can get a small bag of it first to try. Fish4dogs is supposed ti be good. I haven't tried it. Cant recommend food the vet is getting us as we havent tried either. Will get it tomorrow hopefully

thank you, just looking around. It's a mine field this food business

You can spend a lot of time fannying about "guessing" if your dog has an allergy (meanwhile dog is still suffering) or you can have proper testing done to identify the cause and remove it; thus reducing the time your dog is suffering from the effects of an unknown allergen.

If you are insured the vet can arrange this for you very quickly and simply.

Quite often people spend a great deal of time and money looking at the wrong cause eg when they "decide" that food is the issue when it is actually an environmental issue (far more common).

If you are not insured and money is at a premium then the best way to reduce the guessing is to put the dog on an elimination diet. This can be easier said than done especially when using kibble.

Many people focus on an ingredient(s) in the diet which has been a problem for a dog or they have heard can be a problem.

The truth is that dogs, like us, can be allergic to ANYTHING. So whilst my friend is allergic to peanuts, I have no issues with them.

For example milk and cereal can be prime triggers of problems.

Casomorphine is derived from the digestion of casein (milk protein) and exorphine from the digestion of gluten (found in cereals) These substances, together with hormones, hormone like substances and pheromones are naturally present in many dog foods. All have been scientifically shown to alter normal dog behaviour. Casomorphine and exorphines can trigger behaviour in dogs not unlike giving them morphine or other opiates.

In addition dogs are generally lactose intolerant.

Specific complete proteins can be a problem cooked but not raw and vice versa.

Sugar beet is a source of fibre and prebiotics (needed for good gut flora production).

A lot of people believe yeasts to be less than beneficial to dogs, but many have no idea which yeasts are in the food, their origin or purpose and just link all yeasts together.

Some are highly beneficial to animals.

Basically this food is circa 60% carbohydrate and, as dogs have no proven need for them, it is not one I would personally choose.

Although I am sure there are thousands of dogs out there doing very well on it, otherwise it would simply not sell and thus be eliminated from the market.

Most ear infections come about due to an overgrowth of yeast which is fed by sugar produced by carbohydrates.

So have you tried a food which is potato and grain free? That would be my first port of call.

I would also ensure that my dog consumed a high quality probiotic which "eats" yeast, one that has an enteric coating to survice the stomach and did not need refrigeration.

These are much more powerful than live yoghurt or diluted yoghurt drinks and a lot less expensive per dose!

HTH

Then again even with the allergy tests, which can be expensive, the results are not always conclusive, as we found out.

If you want to go that route i would suggest a referral to a vet who specialises in skin problems - the vet we consulted was excellent however as i say the resukts were inconclusive

I would recommend Fish4dogs i think its excellent food, noticed a difference in my dogs coats, shinier and much less shedding, and my lurcher had perfect poo (lol) she suffers from colitis and had no problems on this.

Is that what you are feeding now?

Thank you all, I will speak to the vet on Monday about allergy testing and I have ordered a small bag of fish for dogs and also arden grange fish and potato to try. For the time being I am cooking for them both which they are enjoying.
Her ears flaps are normal size today. Still red and crusty but she managed to shake her head normally after getting wet on our walk this morning which is better than she was on Sunday when she was reluctant to shake so at least she is improving. I also managed to get her ear drops in without her struggling so they must be feeling a little better too.
It's really good to get others experiences and advice on here, I really appreciate the time everyone has taken to respond