Then one might think that the dog does NOT have ear mights. The "new school" Vet would probably have given you a diagnosis for your dollars though. I'm glad that it is working out for you and your furry buddy, I would just hate for someone here t try that on their pet Rotty that actually has ear mites or other sensitive inner ear skin irritation and get bit, albeit, rightfully so.
As far as food allergies go
These "high-end" food companies did nobody any favors by pushing the single protein diets, i. e. Lamb and Rice. Companies like Science Diet (don't get me started!) had single protein diets, that cost a little more, to use a s an alternative to the "normal" foods purchased over-the-counter. That's where the idea Perscription Diets came in. When a dog (or cat) presented with clinical signs of food allergy (ruling out parasites and other skin conditions), the Vet. was able to change the dog over to a "perscription" diet. In other words, a Protein that the dog hasn't been exposed to yet (including grains). This usually cleared things up for a considerable length of time. Should the dog become sensitive to that protein, switch to another. These cost more because, well, price Lamb, Venison, Rabbit, Ostrich etc. and you'll understand. Now all these "High End" dog food companies saw a way to make a buck by mass producing this stuff, usually with a mixture of grains and other "Crap" like beef and pork and poultry fillers, not to mention rendered oil and grease from restraunt used grease barrels (what do you think happens to that stuff?), now the dog has been exposed to so many different Proteins, what do you do with them now?!?!?!!? Hmmm, Steroids! Great
But that's new medicine, and you can hardly get the "Old Vets" to keep up with their Continuing education requirements, let alone actually spend "unpaid" personal time staying current with modern medicine. Modern Vet medicine has expanded so much in the past decade, that if your vet still does Large and Small animal medicine, A) He/she has no life because all their free time is spent with Continuing Education. Or B) They do neither very well.
Sorry, I've had too much exposure to breeders with "Puppy Mills and Kitten Mills" and Private Practice Vets that are in it only for the money or lost interest in what they are doing 30 years ago. When you find a good Vet that really cares about your animals, isn't afraid to refer you to a specialist when necessary (instead of "givin it a try" on your animal) explaines what is happening, why, and what is necessary to fix it, talks and pets your animal (who is probably a bit freaked out) then hold onto them! Refer them to your friends. But if something doesn't seem right. . . STAY AWAY. We just had a Vet up here in our area, hit a Whippet (think miniature Greyhound) in the head with an X-RAY glove (lead filled glove) because he wouldn't hold still! That dog will hold still forever now. He died. That vet is now suspended. It should have been permanent with Jail time.
I'm now looking over this and thinking of deleting it and letting "sleeping dogs lie". I don't know, maybe if one pet is helped it will be worth the animosity it may create. This by no means is an attack on MCOLEMAN this is a little wake-up call for the benefit of our pets. If you always ask youself, what would I do if this were my child? You'll never go wrong by your pooch!
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
