Feeding raw and still has allergies

[Hachi]

I hope someone can help us. We've been feeding our black lab mutt raw food for about 4 months now. And about every other month she breaks out and we are back to the vet to get her allergy pills and cream for her red ears. We found a butcher that saves us scraps and sells them to us at $0.40 per pound. They are almost all chicken parts.
Got any suggestions for us?

[Kat]

What protein sources are you feeding? Is it still just chicken? It could just be a contact allergy, or if you notice its when you feed a certain type of meat that makes her break out. Are you going to a good butcher? Make sure the meats arent enhanced with sodium. There are so many things it could be, so its hard to pinpoint allergies if it comes and goes. My pug suffers from allergies aswell, but raw has really helped improve them. Im sure others will chime in with good advice.

[Hachi]

Right now its all chicken. I'll check with the butcher. I didn't think it was enhanced, but you know, maybe it is. Because she is also breaking out around her mouth (like she did when I first accidentally gave her enhanced chicken).
Not sure we can afford to give her fish and beef. Unless I can find a good "manager's special" that is getting old. Thanks for the ideas.

[maplewood]

What kind of water containers/bowls does she drink out of? Are they being washed regularly? If you live in the city or have treated water there could be chemicals that they use that could cause problems

[cprcheetah]

Where is she breaking out? Just her ears? Has she had a thyroid test done? Low Thyroid is a notorious cause of ear problems in dogs. Is she getting any other food sources, treats, tid bits from kids?

[Khan]

I'm not sure about the chicken. I know there has been recent talk about enhanced causing reactions. I happen to not be experiencing those issues, so I can't comment on that. What I can comment on, is besides the chicken for her meals, what else is she getting? I feel like I'm sometimes a broken record; but a lot of people forget about the treats the dogs get. She may be having a reaction to an ingredient in them. My husband is the weak link in our house, and the dogs know it. He is constantly giving them bites or nibbles of whatever he may have. He would casually give Khan peanuts as he was snacking on them, by the next day, his ears were red and blotchy! I guess I'm just trying to give you some things to think about besides just the chicken. Cheese is another one.
Don't forget about the environmental allergies that could also be the culprit. Not sure where you live; but we have only been off the OTC allergy pills for about 3 weeks. Khan is on them from early spring through fall. That keeps the pollen, grass, etc. kind of allergies in check during that time of year. Have you cleaned your carpets lately, switched laundry soap, used cedar bark in your yard? Does her dog bed have cedar in it?
Sounds silly; but these are all things that I've dealt with that have made Khan's allergies get so bad that I've taken him for a shot to calm his system down.

[DaneMama]

I would also suggest getting some other proteins into her diet. Red meats are typically better than white meats like chicken. Maybe ask your butcher if he has beef heart available?

Any other treats or supplements?

[shellbell]

My Tux has been on raw about six weeks now, and still has allergy issues. I’m 99% sure he is allergic to grass though, so that is not going away. It does seem to me that they have gotten just a little bit better. His main symptoms are chewing on his feet a LOT. He does this the most right after he has been outside. And sometimes if the grass is wet he doesn’t even want to walk on it, I think he knows it irritates his feet.

I almost think though that maybe his licking/chewing has decreased just a tad. Not sure if this is related to raw though, or the fact that it is getting colder out.

Maybe your girl has environmental allergies?