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I Think I've Been Glutened By Dog Food

DogWalkerNYC

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DogWalkerNYC Apprentice
DogWalkerNYC
Posted

As I type this my arms (top of each arm, wrist to elbow) are a throbbing, itchy, burning mess. Why?? I've been so good the last few days. Grabbed my shampoo bottle and looked for hidden gluten but couldn't find any. What could it be??

Then I realized I'm boarding a dog for 9 days. His mom sent him this past Friday with a big bag of Purina Dog Chow. I started to read the ingredients on the bag and realized this is the culprit. It should be renamed Purina Gluten Chow. Shortly after feeding the dog, and picking up the stray pieces of food (with my bare hands) that fell onto the floor, I made myself a gluten free sandwich (gluten free bread, turkey and mustard). I later had a gluten free coconut milk dessert.

So proud of myself for eating such good food, I didn't realize I was eating them with a gluten appetizer. UGH!!

As I think about it, I boarded the same dog two weeks ago. My arms were bad then too and seemed to improve last week when the dog wasn't with me. I thought the DH was over. The dog came back this past Friday and my arms are a mess again.

Could it be that I picked up gluten from the dog food and transferred it to the sandwich and into my mouth? If so, why is the only reaction that I'm aware of topical? In other words there is no bloating or any other symptom, except my burning, itchy arms.

Starting tomorrow I'll wear plastic gloves when I feed the dog. This will be an interesting experiment. In the meantime I'm really shocked. I have never had an allergy of any kind and this is all happening so quickly. But there's a part of me that enjoys the challenge and welcomes the fact that I now must take better care of myself than I ever have.

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GFreeMO Proficient
GFreeMO
Posted

That happened to me one time at Petsmart. Instead of getting a cart, I decided to carry the dog food. By the time I got to the car, my arms and wrists were covered in itchy, red bumps.

I have a dog that I feed wheat free dog food to. I don't think it's gluten free though. I wear a pair of work gloves to feed him and then come in to wash my hands. (he eats in the garage by the back door)

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

Laura, Not knowing your history I can only guess at things. But you stated that you thought the dh was over. So you've had dh before? Or do you mean that you thought the dh was over from last time you boarded the dog?

Yes, you can get glutened from a dog that eats gluten food. DON'T let that dog "kiss" your mouth or face.

Did you wash your hands after picking up the dog food & before making your sandwich? You need to be extra careful too not to let any of that food get on your counter tops. Prepare the food on the floor.

Plastic gloves are a good idea.

Celiacs with dh tend to have less GI symptoms than celiacs w/o dh. We react in our skin more than our gut. This does not mean damage is not being done to our guts but the obvious parts show up in our skin.

Of course, with Purina Dog Chow who knows? That stuff is vile! You could be reacting to anything in IT. Lord knows ther's enough bad stuff in it to choke a horse.

Let us know how you're doing.

DogWalkerNYC Apprentice
DogWalkerNYC
Posted
  • Author

No, I've never had DH or any allergic reaction before. You are correct, I did mean I thought it was over from the last time I boarded the dog. Now I'm concerned about using wheat based cat litter too. I do have bloating and GERD when I eat gluten foods but it seems that the DH is aggravated more by touching gluten. The dog I'm boarding goes home on Monday. Until then I'm going to wear rubber gloves when I feed him. My own dogs eat gluten free Orijen. I called the company and they said it's gluten-free. I'll also wear gloves when I change the cat litter. And I'll change all my personal care products over the weekend. I'm seeing my gastroenterologist in August for a routine checkup. By then I'll know what works and what doesn't. Thank you, thank you. Without this forum I'd feel like I'm walking on a land mine.

Cathey Apprentice
Cathey
Posted

Sorry your not feeling well, it's all in the washing hands again and again and again and dry with paper towels. I feed the dog, cat, fish tank and pond as well as making DH's sandwich (gluten bread)every morning. Cat treat as well as dog treats everyday 3 x's day. Wash, wash, wash. I must wash my hand 6 times for dh lunch alone. Our home is gluten-free except for dh sandwich thins and cat food, fish food (dog food is gluten-free as well as treats). Your symptoms are probably from pet the food. I also feed feral cats 2 times day at work. Wash, Wash, Wash, sorry to sound so repetitious. It is what it is.

Please be careful if that is the only gluten your in contact with. You'll be ok just be careful, oh and no kisses from the dog they contain gluten.

Cathey

DogWalkerNYC Apprentice
DogWalkerNYC
Posted
  • Author

Hi Cathey, what does DH stand for in your post? You mention gluten bread so it can't mean dermatitis herpetiformis, I don't think. No I wasn't washing my hands, but I am now. What soap do you use? I just bought rubber gloves at the drug store that I'll wear to feed the gluten dog and change the wheat cat litter until I can buy a different brand tomorrow. No doggy kisses from the gluten dog but my boys are gluten free. The gluten dog goes home Monday. Thanks for your help.

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