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If your dog has been trapped in a cycle of ear infections, relentless itching, or skin issues that conventional treatment can’t seem to fix, Buddy’s story might sound painfully familiar. And if you’ve been told the only option is a lifetime on prescription diets and medications, what happened next might give you hope.
Phil and Kaya Jones had watched their 9-year-old German Shepherd, Buddy, suffer for three years. What started as recurring ear infections had spiralled into something far worse: intense itching, constant paw chewing, hair loss, thickened, darkened skin, and a strong odour that wouldn’t shift no matter how often he was groomed.
“He was constantly scratching,” Kaya recalls. “Despite being groomed every couple of weeks, his coat had a strong odour and hair was shedding everywhere. He seemed flat and miserable, and it was affecting the whole family.”
Three years earlier, Buddy had been thriving on a raw diet. But when ear infections began, his vet suspected a protein intolerance and recommended switching to a hydrolysed prescription kibble. The ear infections stopped, but a new set of problems gradually emerged.
The itching intensified. Buddy’s feet and undercarriage became irritated and inflamed. He lost patches of hair, and the skin underneath darkened and thickened. Veterinary investigations ruled out parasites and mites, leading to a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: a broad term for allergies that cause skin disease and itching. To manage the flare-ups, he was prescribed a regimen of antibiotics, steroids, and Apoquel, a medication designed to suppress the immune response driving the itch.
But Buddy wasn’t getting better. He was getting worse.
He was trapped in a vicious cycle: inflammation fuelling itching, itching causing scratching, scratching feeding yeast overgrowth, and the high-carbohydrate prescription diet providing the perfect environment for yeast to thrive.
“Buddy’s case is a textbook example of how gut imbalance and diet-driven inflammation can manifest as chronic skin issues. The prescription kibble may have addressed the initial ear infection trigger, but the high carbohydrate content was feeding yeast overgrowth while offering none of the anti-inflammatory, gut-healing support his body desperately needed. We knew that if we could reset his gut, reduce systemic inflammation, and remove the foods fuelling the yeast, his skin would follow. The key was doing it in carefully phased stages: stripping back to novel cooling proteins, supporting his detox and immune pathways, and rebuilding his gut lining. This isn’t about suppressing symptoms. It’s about addressing the root cause.”
Alison Frost, Canine Nutrionist
On recommendation from Buddy’s trainer at Chaperone K9, Phil and Kaya reached out to ProDog’s nutrition team. After a comprehensive consultation with Alison Frost, ProDog’s lead nutritionist, they put in place a carefully structured nutritional protocol designed to break the cycle from the inside out.
Buddy was transitioned onto ProDog’s novel protein raw dog food, with cooling protein options specifically selected: rabbit, duck, and white fish—gentle, low-reactivity proteins chosen to reduce immune stress while supporting his body’s natural detoxification. His diet was stripped back to clean, species-appropriate nutrition: no grains, no legumes, no additives. Even treats were replaced with 100% single-protein options.
Targeted supplements were introduced gradually to support liver detoxification, gut repair, immune balance, skin barrier recovery, and yeast management. Each stage was carefully phased to minimise stress on his system, with new proteins introduced gradually to broaden nutritional support and enhance diversity.
“With Alison’s structured protocol to guide us, and knowing she was always available to answer questions or concerns, we felt completely supported and confident,” Kaya says. “For the first time in three years, we genuinely felt we were moving in the right direction.”
Buddy’s response was rapid and remarkable.
Within weeks:
Over the following months:
Even during early yeast die-off phases, minor reactions were short-lived and controlled naturally. No medications required.
Today, Buddy is stable, comfortable, and thriving.
Buddy’s story demonstrates something powerful: when conventional approaches focus only on managing symptoms, they often miss the root cause. A carefully structured dietary reset, using clean novel proteins and targeted internal support, can restore gut-skin balance, calm the immune system, and break chronic inflammation cycles that medications alone can’t resolve.
But here’s what made the difference: expert guidance. This wasn’t guesswork or a generic ‘try raw and see what happens’ approach—it was a phased, personalised protocol designed specifically for Buddy’s needs and adjusted as he responded.
“Seeing our Buddy happy, healthy, and full of life again has been incredible,” Kaya says. “At 10 years old, he plays and moves like a young dog, and it’s all thanks to Alison and ProDog.”
“We continue to feed him a premium raw diet to support his ongoing health and longevity, and we couldn’t be more grateful. If anyone is struggling with their dogs like we were, I would highly recommend getting in touch with ProDog.”
If Buddy’s story resonates with you, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to navigate this alone.
Book a free consultation with ProDog’s expert nutrition team to discuss your dog’s specific needs and create a tailored plan.
New to raw feeding? Our Beginner’s Guide to Raw Feeding walks you through everything you need to know to make the switch with confidence.
Ready to try? Start with a Sample Pack and see the difference fresh, species-appropriate nutrition can make.
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