Hello!! My name is Bella. Pleased to meet you! :) I know what you're thinking....how did I get this beautiful? Well, it's a long story, so I'll try to make it as brief as I can. My canine mom rescued me from a shelter during Christmas 05'. I was quite a mess at first. I had to go through 3 major surgeries in just one year AND to make matters worse I had severe allergies. My legs and body had terrible lesions from self induced trauma. Here is a picture of me at the beginning. (picture on left) You can see the redness on my legs and face. I was a mess......:/ I'll spare you the close up pictures of the lesions....

My foster mom was desperate to help me overcome these terrible allergies.  She took me to a allergist and I was put on antibiotics to help my lesions.  She then took me to a canine Nutrionalist - Dr. Jane Morse to see how to help me overcome this mess without steroids.  Jane wanted me to start on a totally home cooked diet and lots of supplements.  Below, you will find a sample recipe. The recipe is free of carbs because yeast thrives on carbs.  My coat is a bright glossy white with no more tear stains.  I had my blood tested before I started the diet and after.  The results are better now.   I hope that my story helps you conquer your allergy problems.  Severe allergies sometimes seems hopeless, but there are ways to help improve the immune system to fight them off. 

Recipe for the week-

A couple yams
2 chicken breast- If you can, try to buy organic chicken not treated with antibiotics or hormones.
1-2 zucchini ( organic veggies if possible)
1-2 yellow squash
4 cups green beans.
2 cloves of garlic. Trader Joes has frozen herbs in cube size quantity. It makes it easier.
Cilantro- 1/2 Tsp
2 cups of celery
Sprig of parsley
Sprig of rosemary
1 cup Low sodium chicken broth- (Fresh Fields has some)
Flavoring I add- teaspoon of Celtic Sea Salt. This can be purchased at Natures Way Health Food Store or other Health Stores. Turmeric- few dashes. You can add spices you choose from taste. Stay away from any onion based spices.

Cooking-
Rinse\scrub veggies with a soft brush to clean. Chop vegetables into small shredded pieces. I use a food processor. You want the pieces very small, due to the short intestinal tract that dogs have. This makes it easier for the digestion. Place the veggies in a crock-pot on high. Cook chicken in the oven on 350. Boil Yam.  Mix in spices and chicken broth with veggies. Cook until the veggies are soft. I usually shred the chicken on each serving of food each day. Mix in a teaspoon of the Yam for each feeding. Start out mixing about a quarter cup of veggies to your little one’s current food. During the week, cut back on the old food replacing it with the home cooked meal. If you experience stomach upset, replace the food on a slower pace. I’ve noticed good results. I add cooked low sodium salmon to the diets 1-2 days a week.  I add some probiotic organic cottage cheese and yogurt a few days a week.  You can add some carbs after the allergies are under control.

Vitamins-

Fish oil-  RX Vitamins Ultra EFA oil.  I get this through my vet.  It's not sold in stores, but Nordic sells a good fish oil as well. 

Multivitamin- I started out with Thorne vitamins

Senior Blend tonic

Probiotics & Prebiotics by Ark Naturals

Calcium from egg shells- 1/4 teaspoon a day, or use a supplement

 

Bathing-

Shampoo- Maleseb

Rinse-  Calendula leaves boiled and cooled and used as a rinse. 

Bath every week.

DRY FOOD RECOMMENDATION-

Try looking for a food that is grain free.

TIPS-