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Hi Alison!
I would also recommend going through whatever treats cooper gets with a fine toothed comb. We use and sell life’s abundance here mainly because it has been working for us with literally every dog we have had in our care for years but we also control the treats. We do this to make the training go smoother and not to push for a profit as a motive. I know of lots of dogs that have had skin and ear issues (the skin in the ear gets irritated which causes the whole chain reaction), but I have always been able to clear it up by just making sure no corn or wheat especially is in anything they eat. For instance milk bones are a huge culprit. Besides the common allergens it has been moisture trapped in the ear, either from swims, baths, using water/peroxide etc.. to clean that starts an infection that needs to get over the hump with meds. We have had two dogs recently that were in-kennel with us for two months and had perfect skin, ears, etc.. then went home and were returned for boarding about a month later and had ears that were a mess (and drier skin). One dog was getting daily milkbones (wheat) the other was getting a treat with wheat. I see this a lot. I think Cooper could do good on any food that avoids the common allergens. But, I have yet to ever be convinced that any meat based protein commonly causes ear/skin problems. I do not want to sound like I am disagreeing with Teresa, because I am not I am just adding what I have seen with my own eyes on more dogs than I could ever count. Our lab shelly here, also had a chronic ear problem every time we had him returned from the owner (three times), even though he was on lifes abundance. But he would also swim in the ocean and eat other treats when with the owner. The labs ears flop over the opening which unfortunately make them more prone to keeping in moisture. I hope you recover well and we see you sooner rather than later!
