Miserable, Itchy Dog

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Redyre Rotties said:
http://www.ebvet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26
Personally, I do not vaccinate dogs over 8 years of age for anything. Ever.
I also agree with switching her back to the previous food. Hope she's feeling better very soon.
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I agree! Except for required rabies vaccinations. Switch back to the regular food, feed a lesser amount, and treat the itching symptomatically until the dog feels better.
 
My vet recommended against the senior food. One of the main things they cut from it is fat, which can lead to dry itchy skin. She suggested that we just feed a bit less of the regular food and supplement it with some vegetables. That gives him the volume so he's not ravenous, but reduces the calories and increases the vitamins. We found that Sam loves zucchini and carrots. I blanch and dehydrate them. They could easily be frozen but our freezer space is limited.

We feed twice a day and I add his vegetables to his breakfast since fullness from veggies doesn't seem to last quite as long. This way he's got his full, regular evening meal to tide him over the night. I rehydrate and add about a cup to his breakfast and cut the dog food down to about a quarter of his "regular" ration. He's 12 now and has lost enough weight to be really fit and vigorous for his age. If his skin/coat seem dull and dry, I'll add a tablespoon of oil to his food once a day. He has thyroid issues, so we tend to do this quite a lot. I use olive oil since many dogs have problems with corn products.
 
I don't vaccinate at all after the puppy series is complete except for Rabies. In NC we have a 3 year Rabies vaccine. This means a dog vaxed at 8 is going to be 11 by the time the due date for the next vaccine rolls around, and a geriatric. And no, I don't vaccinate geriatric dogs, not even for Rabies.

I believe serial vaccination is harmful to dogs, in particular the immune system. I believe that a dog vaccinated at age 8 will be immune to Rabies for the duration of it's life. In fact, there is a study going on right now to push the Rabies vaccine to a 7 year duration.

My dogs are out and about a lot. I show and trial my dogs and attend MANY dog events. I have never had any issue with my dogs getting sick or picking up disease. In fact, once I stopped doing the kennel cough vax, my dogs picked this up much less at dog events.

IMO when vaccinating dogs of advancing age, the risk of AIHA increases radically, and I never ever want to see this awful disease.

Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia
http://www.antibioticfailure.com/animal/allspecies/autoimm/Savvy/aiha.htm
 

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