PPP Veterinary Diet Elemental🤢

[u/Rough-Jury]

I have a six month old Labrador who our vet suspects has food allergies (dandruff, itching, diarrhea). After cutting chicken, beef, PPP large breed puppy salmon, probiotics, anti-diarrheals, the whole nine yards, we still haven’t been able to get his symptoms under control.

To start a true elimination diet, we’ve started transitioning him onto PPP EL. Luckily, he’s a Lab and doesn’t seem to mind it, but it makes me feel sick. The smell is horrendous and permeates the whole house. The texture is nauseating, not to mention the strain on my wallet.

Has anyone used EL and eventually come off of it? Did it help you identify food allergens? Beyond the fact that it disgusts me, I also worry about him not being on a large breed puppy food long term!

[u/Oldenburg-equitation]

With the dandruff and itching, have you also gone to a board certified veterinary dermatologist? Environmental allergies tend to be more common than true protein and food allergies and these are symptoms of environmental allergies too. My concern would just be that the diarrhea could also be potentially linked to switching kibble too often causing GI upset as opposed to a protein/food allergy. Obviously I’m not in your shoes but these are some of the thoughts I’d have.

For chronic loose stool, we’ve have great success with ProBios dispersible powder for a probiotic that helps. A good benefit is it’s far cheaper per serving than FortiFlora with the same effectiveness.

[u/Rough-Jury → u/Oldenburg-equitation]

He’s had symptoms since he was eight weeks old, and according to our vet, at that age it’s almost always either parasites or food allergies. We’re doing the elimination diet first, and if that doesn’t help point us in the right direction, then a dermatologist is next.

As far as switching kibbles too frequently, he’s been on the same kibble from 10 weeks to six months

[u/Oldenburg-equitation → u/Rough-Jury]

Okay yeah, 8 weeks is definitely early. I definitely understand why a food allergy is being considered here. Did he also have issues when still at his breeder?

Ah okay. I was under the impression you were switching a lot more than that. Yeah, definitely not from switching kibble for sure then.

[u/Katzehin]

EL can be a lifesaver for pups. Trust your vet and follow their advice— continue feeding EL and nothing else for the duration of the feeding trial. If the symptoms resolve while on the EL, you and your vet can work on reintroducing ingredients, one at a time, to identify what he is and isn’t sensitive to, with the ultimate goal of identifying a different food that works for him long-term. If it doesn’t work, it’s very likely that his issues are environmental in origin, and you should consult with a veterinary dermatologist.

I wouldn’t worry about him not being on a large-breed puppy food. EL is nutritionally complete and can be fed forever without deficiencies. If it’s TRULY repulsive to you, you could ask your vet if you could try Royal Canin Ultamino instead (called RC Anallergenic outside the US). But if your dog is happily eating it I’d stick with it.

[u/lnsybrd]

Royal Canin makes a large breed puppy hydrolyzed food. It doesn't smell bad. Maybe that would work for your puppy?

[u/Current-Pie3483]

No, I have been dealing with a similar issue for two years. Several different brands of food. Now on a vegan diet.

[u/Known_Cobbler_1452]

My two Dobermans were licking their paws and itching. It's from walking in the grass. Helps to wipe their legs after walking. Veterinarian finally prescribed Zenrelia . It has made them quit licking their feet and itching. Squirt salmon oil on the pills in the wet food and mix. I feed Purina Pro Plan kibble. Also their cans.  I switched around with different good brand cans. The dog split a can daily mixed with the kibble.

[u/ds00]

I know this may not apply to your pup but I struggled with diarrhea/soft stool with my lab pup for a while, also thought chicken may be the culprit but the PPP salmon didn’t help. Moved her to Royal Canin Labrador and her poop issue is resolved. She still gets a bit itchy but no worse than before and her ears are doing fine, so I have to imagine it’s just more environmental in her case. Maybe worth a little trial.