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Questions About Apple Cider Vinegar for Poodle with Skin Issues

Posted By Cathy (London, Ontario, Canada) on 07/31/2013

"Good morning. I have a 9-month-old black male standard poodle. He is groomed often, fed well and lives in a good environment. He has developed a skin problem which I just discovered under his thick poodle hair. I've been combing the dandruff out and applying apple cider vinegar, then a few days later, witch hazel, to the skin for the past week. It's not working. Also, I've bathed him in medicated neem oil shampoo.

I don't know whether my dog has fleas, scabies or mange, or some kind of dermatitis. (I'm praying it's not sebaceous adenitis, which is a known disease for poodles. He is considered young for SA. ) But I understand this solution is broadly effective for all these problems.

Sorry for all the dialogue. My concern: I have used hydrogen peroxide 3% on my dog, in combination with baking soda and dish soap when he was sprayed by a skunk. I do not think the hydrogen peroxide is good for his beautiful black coat!

So I'd prefer to use vinegar - regular vinegar or apple cider vinegar, whichever.

My question is do I dilute the 5% vinegar with water, as you dilute the 3% hydrogen peroxide?

Thanks for your help! I await your response. Cathy"

Posted By Claudia (Pasadena, California) on 07/31/2013

"hi Cathy, this sounds like a similar issue I have been struggling with my dog (a mutt)... The best thing I have found is bathing him every 10 days to 2 weeks with human shampoo made with tea tree oil and making sure to rinse it out thoroughly. I also cleanse his ears once a week because they tend to get very yeasty. I believe after much research, that I have been dealing with a yeast issue. The apple cider vinegar didn't do much for his skin issues, so I would try the bathing route if I was you. Also look into yeast overgrowth from your dog's food. Happens more than we realize. Good luck and blessings to you and your furry friend!"

Posted By Kavegirl77 (Arkansas) on 04/24/2014

"My 5 month old pup was diagnosed with localized demodectic mange. After lots of research I decided to use extra virgin coconut oil (feed it to her. I believe its 1 tsp per every 10 lbs and also rub on trouble areas) It does seem to help as some of the areas have cleared up but it still has spread now to other areas. I was thankful to come upon this website!! I will be trying the ACV, I actually just rubbed the red areas of her chest with it so we will see what happens!!"

Posted By Theresa

(Mpls., Mn) on 04/25/2014

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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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 Kavegirl!

If your dog was skin scraped confirmed to have localized demodicosis, you might consider Ted's Mange remedy; I have first hand experience using the remedy for my pup that had demodex and it did the trick!

Ingredients:
Borax laundry booster - the plain stuff with NO scent.
1 -16 oz bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide

I get both of these from the grocery store.

Process:
Empty hydrogen peroxide into larger bottle - I use an empty 1 gallon vinegar jug. Add to this 32 oz filtered or distilled water - I just refill the hydrogen peroxide bottle twice - and dump into the jug. What this does is change your 3% hydrogen peroxide into 1% hydrogen peroxide.

Next add 1 cup of the borax crystals and shake. There should be some undissolved crystals in the mixed solution - this is just right. I try to use hot water from the kettle on the stove, that or sit the jug of mixture in the sink full of hot water while I bathe the dog.

NEXT:
Bathe the dog - use whatever shampoo and rinse well. Squeeze out excess water and make sure the tub is drained. I then plug up the tub. Now pour the mixed up solution over the dog. I use a small sponge to soak up the solution from the bottom of the tub and squeeze it out onto the dog again and again, making sure I get the head and underneath. Keep squeezing solution over and over onto the dog for about 15 minutes - 30 minutes is better. Then pull the stopper from the tub and let the excess drain. DO NOT DRY THE DOG OR RINSE THE DOG. The solution has to remain wet as it is still working. Allow the dog to air dry. I just pop mine into their crates and I remove any absorbent bedding.

If you are worried about poisoning your dog keep in mind that borax has the same toxicity as table salt. The solution doesn't seem to hurt the eyes or sting any sores on the skin. Some dogs feel instant relief!

Dip the dog once per week for 1 month and up to 2; 8 dips should resolve the demodex and if it does not, then you likely are not dealing with demodex."

Posted By Kavegirll77 (Arkansas) on 04/29/2014

"Thanks for the info, ACV seems to be doing the trick! The heat was gone from the red spots within 15 minutes and the red was gone within 24 hours! I have beed spraying her with a light mist of ACV 2x daily and working it into her fur and she has been itching MUCH less, almost no itching. And it appears she is getting new hair growth :) I also have been rubbing vitamin e oil on the scaly areas and it appears to be helping also!"

Posted By Ken (Florida) on 12/29/2015

"Theresa,

I enjoyed your post. I have a 15 lb Silky Terrier. He is 2 years old. I have been treating his Demodectic Mange since he was a pup with success. However Demodectic Mange is an Auto Immune problem so you have to treat the condition until the Immune System is built up. So the Ted's Mange remedy is not a cure, but it will control the Mange until the healthy Immune system takes over.

All dogs have Mange but their Healthy Immune System keeps the condition at bay. It is the same with Humans. We all have Cancer and other diseases but our healthy Immune System keeps them at bay. And for God's sake no one should ever use the POISON Vet cure Ivermectin.

Not that it doesn't work, but the problem is you have to administer this poison for the life of the dog, and if you stop using Ivermectin the Mange will return with a vengeance. Bottom line, the dog still has a weak Immune System."

Posted By Theresa

(Mpls., Mn) on 12/30/2015

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'.

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How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

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

http://ted.earthclinic.com

"Hey Ken!

Thanks for your post!

I do want to point out that an autoimmune problem is one where the body's immune system attacks its own healthy cells- this is different from a weakened or compromised immune system which allows ordinary things that are commonly found on the body - bacterial staph or demodex mites - to run amok and cause problems.

I agree that a weakened or immature immune system may result in a demodex mite break out; in my experience there is such a thing as a cure - as Ted's remedy kills the mites, and when used consistently over time [6-12 weeks] will stop a mite break out. Some will insist that any sign of demodex = genetic issue/compromised immune system, however I tend to view demodex as a parasite first. We worm our dogs because worms are parasites and a heavy worm load can kill our pets; we don't say that our pet's inability to combat the parasite is an immune disorder: I tend to lean in that direction with most demodex issues.

Have you had your dog scraped and confirmed for demodex? If you did and got a positive 2 years ago, have you had one done recently? I ask because 2 years is a remarkable time to battle a parasitic mite with a 2 week life span. My last demodex dog - a puppy - was treated by the book with Ted's Mange remedy and she cleared up quickly. For your dog's mange to continue for *years* makes me wonder if you are dealing with a super resistant strain of demodex mite, an underlying health issue such as cancer or malfunctioning thyroid - or that you may be dealing with sarcoptic mange [and constantly getting reinfected for some reason] or that you may be dealing with something else entirely such as allergies.

In any event you may find it helpful to supplement your guy with yucca/yucca intensive; this helps to build up the immune system and reduce inflammation. Quercetin also may help, as well as colostrum; you can find all three of these remedies at your local health food store."

Posted By Tammy (Tucson Az) on 01/02/2016

"Were you spraying with straight ACV? Your help is appreciated. Blessings to everyone and their Beloved fur kids."

EC: Hi Tammy,

Apple Cider Vinegar should always be diluted with water 50/50.

Posted By Dana (Kansas) on 11/20/2016

"Can borax be replaced with Diatomaceous Earth?...borax might be too strong for my baby pit."

Posted By Theresa

(Mpls., Mn) on 11/21/2016

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'.

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

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

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

http://ted.earthclinic.com

"Hello Dana,

The answer is NO. DE works differently than borax in the mange remedy. I used Ted's Mange Remedy as directed on my baby French Bulldog and it cured her demodex mange and was not too strong and did not cause any irritation or dryness."

Posted By Cajuncole (Cali Colombia) on 06/01/2017

"Sorry, although I like to use natural remedies on myself and my dogs, I have used Ivemectin since 1984 and have never had a problem with any of my Riesenschnauzers and I had over 6 adults during that time. To each his own If Ivermectin will keep my boy from suffering and looking badly he is getting it. Now I must say I am using ACV straight and also Tea Tree oil but I have good days and HORRIBLE days. I hate seeing him suffer and he is only 4 months old and a big Belgian Malinois. It has to be his immune system because my little Yorkie is not affected. I believe in natural as well as the next person but I have great friend and doctor DR. O'birne a biomedical doctor and one of the best in the world and a HEEL Laboratory representative who goes on tour for HEEL, he is also a surgeon and a acupuncture practitioner. He says sometimes you have to use modern medicine if all else fails sometimes both. One of the smartest people I have ever met."

Posted By Katzie (Cancun, Mexico) on 12/24/2024

"Hello. I just wanted to add here that keeping a dog in a tub for 30 mins does not sound easy. No bathtubs here at my house, so I sponge-bathed my dogs with the solution 3 times over the infected areas, which took one minute, then leave them to air dry. This works like a charm, every time. You want to get the skin wet, but it doesn't really need to soak the dog for 1/2 hr to work."

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