Went to a holistic vet today and he recommended...

[paulabeans]

IVD Rabbit and Potato for Molly since she has allergies. Its by IVD/Royal Canin. I had just started feeding her the Evangers canned 100% rabbit, which I personally think is a higher quality food than IVD. Although I mentioned that she could be allergic to potato, he said she couldn't be, because dogs are only allergic to proteins! I had never heard that before...gwyneth...any input?

The good news is that she is on two herbal medicines that he says should clear up her skin condition and stop the itch, although it may take a few months. We go back in three weeks for a recheck.

I hope he is right :)

[paulabeans]

Here are the ingredients for both the canned and dry:

ROYAL CANIN Veterinary Diet™ canine POTATO and RABBIT FORMULA Dry
Dehydrated potatoes, rabbit meal, rabbit, canola oil, potato protein, potato fiber, calcium phosphate, natural flavor, L-lysine, salmon oil, sodium chloride, choline chloride, vitamins [DL-alpha-tocopherol (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), inositol, niacin, vitamin A acetate, D-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), beta-carotene, riboflavin (vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement], minerals [zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], DL-methionine, preserved with natural mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract, and citric acid.

ROYAL CANIN Veterinary Diet™ canine POTATO and RABBIT FORMULA Can
Potatoes, water sufficient for processing, rabbit, rabbit liver, canola oil, calcium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, natural rabbit flavor, vitamins [DL-alpha-tocopherol (source of vitamin E), inositol, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), niacin, vitamin A acetate, calcium panthothenate, riboflavin (vitamin B2), beta-carotene, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement], salmon oil, sodium chloride, choline chloride, minerals [zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], preserved with natural mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract, and citric acid.

[gmacleod]

Dogs can be allergic to anything at all - including potatoes. Potatoes aren't protein-less either, even if the major contribution they make is carbs (and the IVD food happens to contain potato protein as a separate ingredient ;)).

Anyway, as prescription foods go, IVD is certainly one of the better ones. But frankly, I fail to see the point of it in your case. The major ingredients are rabbit (which you're already feeding) and potatoes (which are not required, and a possible allergy problem to boot). There is no doubt at all that the Evangers is higher quality.

There are plenty of allergy formulas around in dry foods that are better than the IVD also (though I can't actually think of one right now that's rabbit-based).

[paulabeans]

(and the IVD food happens to contain potato protein as a separate ingredient ;))

Wow, thanks gwyneth! I didn't even notice that! I wonder if the Vet really knows what is inside the food he is recommending :confused: