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Dealing with german shepherds allergies

Posted By Janine (Texas, US) on 11/07/2014

Okay! I have a four year old GSD that, of course, has moderate allergies. Through blood and skin testing we found out she is allergic to most grasses, fish and fish mix, chicken and poultry mix, kelp, oats, corn, duck, soybean, turkey, eggs, and brewers yeast in addition to several others (like cats, yup). I have her on Meadow Feast Organic dog food. We did try raw for 3 months, of course she loved it but with her allergies it became expensive and we also have a golden retriever. We feed twice a day adding organic coconut oil and occasional pumpkin. She is miserable if she is not on prednisone, Temeril-P, or Benadryl. Her allergies have cost her, her undercoat and all of our sanity. When she is miserable so are we. HELP!

Is there a better food or home remedy to help my baby? Low to moderate cost is preferable. Thank you for any help.

Janine

Replied by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia) on 11/07/2014

Janine, I feel for you and know what you are going through. My dog had bad skin issues, but I've managed to keep them under some control this year with giving him cod liver oil and flax seed oil and feeding him my dog canned food recommended by my vet. Things are much better, hope this helps.

Replied by Theresa

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(Mpls., Mn) on 11/07/2014

Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

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Hey Janine!

Two things come to mind that may help your GSD girl; alkalizing and probiotics. Both of these will help improve the health of the flora in her GI tract, which in turn helps how the body reacts to allergens.

In a break out hives or a crisis, I give my pack 1 teaspoon of baking soda into 1 liter of water - this for 7 days. I then do 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into 1 liter of water for another 7 days, and then drop it down to a long term maintenance dose of 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 1 liter of water. Make sure it is the ONLY source of her drinking water.

Adding probiotics can help immensely. The cheapest would be to make your own sauerkraut; store bought is generally pasturized and is of no benefit. Next would be to buy the probiotic capsules in the refrigerated section at the health store. DDS w/FOS is a good one to start with, PB8 a good follow up once you use up the first type. I switch them around to keep the strains varied.

And, while prednisone for long term use isn't desired, it does stop the itching and in some cases you need that in order for the skin to heal. I do try to avoid it but if natural remedies fail to produce the results I want I do use it. One natural anti-inflammatory is Yucca; you might consider adding yucca to your dog's diet to see if that helps reduce the inflammation that leads to an itchy episode.

Lastly, you might consider bathing her in Ted's mange remedy, or Ted's Anti-staph/Anti-fungal remedy, or if the ingredients are hard to come by, a baking soda rinse may provide temporary relief from itching.

Replied by Diamond (Ma., US) on 11/07/2014

I thought that using diluted ACV on my dog would be great for any fleas or ticks he may get but instead he is itchy all the time, where as I use a little diluted on my cats and they seem to do great, I was wondering what the difference was.(?)

Replied by Theresa

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(Mpls., Mn) on 11/08/2014

Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

Hey Diamond!

The difference may be diet, may be that your GSD is prone to seasonal allergies while your cats are not, could be myriad things.

I would first look at the diet you are feeding and check for grains; if you are feeding a grain based diet switch to a grain free diet and give it 6 weeks. Additionally alkalizing with baking soda in the water may also provide results.

Replied by Debbie (Portslade, Uk) on 11/08/2014

What jumps out at me is the steroids!! Steroids and antibiotics 'FEED' the yeast. Do not use!! My vet very nearly killed my puppy. Doing this. He has always had yeast issues. I did loads of research and said, enough is enough.

I also changed to raw meat and raw bones. He is now a very healthy 5 year old. I have 4 dogs, all raw fed. I don't find it that expensive.

If you need an antibiotic. Then use colloidal silver.

The majority of skin issues usually relate to diet. Some dogs just can't tolerate pet food. Anything with any grain in will just make things worse. Change to raw meat and raw bones. No fruit or vegetables to start with. You have to get it under control first. Then you can keep a food diary and see if anything makes her worse.

Once a week, bath in a anti fungal or medicated shampoo. Rinse really well.

Mix up in a bucket. Half Distilled WHITE vinegar/half warm water. Fill a spray bottle with the solution. And put some in a small bowl, that her/his paw will fit into. Use a jug and pour the rest all over the dog. Soak really well, get into the groin and under arm pits. Squeeze the excess off. Then 'dunk' each paw into the bowl mixture. Leave the dog to dry. Every day use the spray bottle on any bad areas. And, mix more up to 'dunk' the paws every day. Just before bed, is the best time.

Give only bottled or filtered water to drink. NO tap water.

Give probiotic yogurt every day. And, half a clove of fresh garlic.

NO treats or biscuits.

Don't use ACV in this situation. Apples=sugar.

I know this works if you stick at it. From personal experience and advising many others in the same situation. You can use the half water/half white vinegar solution inside the ears. To clean. Often dogs in this situation, will have 'mucky' ears.

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