★★★★★
T's Skin Cleanse -
This recipe was created after reading through EC's pages paying particular attention to Ted's advice for skin issues in dogs. The basic recipe consists of hydrogen peroxide, borax, Epsom salt, and Milk of Magnesia.
Take one 16oz bottle of 3% drugstore hydrogen peroxide and dilute it with 32 oz of water to get a 1% solution of hydrogen peroxide.
To this add 1 cup each of the borax, Epsom salt and Milk of Magnesia.
I will make up a vat of this at one time, filling a medium sized plastic storage tub with the solution, using up an entire box of borax, entire bag of the Epsom salt, 2-3 bottles of Milk of Magnesia and half a dozen bottles of hydrogen peroxide; when filling a bin/vat/tub I tend to add more water to bring the level up in the tub I am using. It helps to use HOT water to mix up the borax to get it to dissolve.
When the ingredients are all mixed and I have a nice, toasty dip for my pack, I wash each dog first, squeegy off excess water with my hands and then into the tub full of skin cleanse dip they go. I keep them there for at least 10 minutes and pour the solution over them constantly.
I use the solution in any skin folds, the male's prepuce, tight areas around the tail, and also inside the ears to flush out debris and cleanse the inside of the ears. After time is up I take them out of the tub and let them run around the bathroom wet while I dip the next dog. When you make up a big tub, it helps to do multiple dogs to get your money's worth.
If the solution gets cold, I pour some into a pot and put it on the stove and reheat it, and then mix it back into the big vat and on to the next dog. Having the dog standing in the solution, or for smaller dogs to be up to their chin in the solution, helps treat the entire skin and having them stand in the wet working solution for at least 10 minutes allows the active ingredients to really penetrate the dermis for a good deep cleaning. The solution has about a 24 hour 'working' life, and after that time I pour it down the drain.
I have found this skin cleanse dip to nip an allergy break out on the skin in the bud, and also relieve itching to boot. Because of the hydrogen peroxide this may not be the ideal solution for black show dogs, as it will bleach their black coat into a dull red.
Evening Primrose Oil
Lynn, go with your primrose oil but there are so many things to try: vit c echinacea, garlic, coconut oil, Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother internally and externally and definitely probiotics, I believe you have to look after the immune system to clear this up so therefore I would look at the diet so give the healthiest diet you can stay away from grain a lot of dry has this remember not a overnight cure try for a couple of weeks then try something else get back if none of these are working we can always look at something else .........good luck
Evening Primrose Oil
Dear Lyn,
Please read Earth Clinic's pages on yeast infections and allergies for suggestions about dietary changes. One of my dogs was having a lot of skin issues for several years and losing all his fur and I insisted the vet run a thyroid panel on him. She then ran an additional T-4 test to verify he was hypothyroid. After a month on the lowest dosage of thyroid medications, his energy returned and his fur grew in thicker and more beautiful than ever. I also put both him on a raw food diet and that has helped his allergies immensely.
Evening Primrose Oil
My 2 year old Jack Russell has been on steroids for most of her life now due to allergies and is losing her coat to the extent I will have to have her wear a coat all the time. Can anyone tell me if evening primrose will help her and will it help her coat grow again. I would appreciate any and all suggestions as the vet is at a loss. Lynn
Omega 3 Alternatives
Flaxseed oil is one alternative and likely least expensive to fish oil for omega 3s and it is sold in liquid form. Gelatin (derived from animal sources) is a cause of allergic reactions in humans often and is used to make pill capsules, so I think thats what you want to avoid. Capsules can be made from vegetable stearate I think and this might be fine for your pooch. You could try searching for vegan brands of chia seed oil and seaweeds as well or use walnut oil, sold in the standard grocery store. Seaweeds and algae should be used with caution since your dog has such severe disease and these can worsen some autoimmune conditions in humans (ask the vet). Organ meats like liver are great sources of b vitamins and iron. Its best to use grass fed beef for organ meat, since cows are not meant to eat corn, the livers of beef from industrial farms can be very unhealthy.
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
I am caretaking my brother's Shih-Tzu, who is the sister of my own Shih-Tzu. I know that skin problems are genetic because I struggle with periodic scabs on my dog. However, My brother's dog has an absolutely horrible skin problem where she is bald in 30 percent of her body and the skin is sticky and smells horrendous. I too have assisted him and tried everything-yesterday I bought vetricin which was recommended by my groomer. Its safe to spray areas where the dog will lick. I just gave her her second bath in Miconazolle-type shampoo and let it sit on her for 15 minutes-then dried her and sprayed again with Vetricin. I shall keep you posted.
I wanted to mention-I see a lot of posts about changing the diet. I have a lab mix that was my husband's when we met. For the first 3 years that I've had her-she's had a chronic ear problem where gobs of gunk would come out of her left ear-everyday.
Finally her ear is better! After several vet appointments and ointments-washes-etc....a new vet suggested that she may have a food allergy and said that most of the time the allergy is CHICKEN!!
She hasn't had chicken in 2 years and her ear is clean as a whistle.
Merice, I would try probotics and here in aussie we can buy curash - its a powder for itchy skin its actually for babies. I have used it for my dogs and it has helped a lot. Maybe you can buy it there or something similar.
Dietary Changes, ACV
Hello Merice,
You might try bathing her and using a vinegar rinse - or dipping her in a vat of vinegar solution; rinse or dip should be 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water- for topical use I use the white vinegar.
Also while you have changed the diet to grain free, you might consider changing protiens as some dogs do not tolerate beef while others do not tolerate poultry. So change it up and try feeding one bag [ie beef] and then when it runs out try a different bag [ie chicken] and keep a daily log to note any changes.
Dietary Changes, ACV
★☆☆☆☆
We have had Dilly, our rescue Lhasa Apso, for 9 months. She had been used for breeding then abandoned. She is about 4 years old and has had a very bad start she came with a very seriously dry red inflamed skin.
So far we have put her on a grain free diet give her mega 3 6 9 shampoo her in organic chemical free products keep her hair short give her cider vinegar ... she is about 75% improved in the 9 months we have had her but she can't stop licking and scratching ... I am unsure if she is getting a recurring mite as her skin will flare up look very red and angry then go very dry - she won't sleep on her own and is keeping us awake night after night. I just want to get her well as she can be.
Please can you help? I have booked to see a homeopathic vet in July earliest I can get photo how she was when she was found ... how she was when we adopted her And how she is now when not flaring up.
★★★★★
My dog had an itching problem and she was losing her fur. I took her to the vet they did a scraping for mites, ringworm and checked for fleas the test came back negative for all. They gave her medication for jock itch, I tried it. Well...sometimes the docs think they know, but they don't. The itching continued. I have tried Teds mange recipe and use it also. I have since found neem oil. I put a generous amount of neem oil on each crusted welt. I put neem oil in her shampoo and try to bath her once a week. All of this has helped. I will continue until its gone. This is a slow process.
Raw Food Diet
Hey Laura,
Try googling 'bones and raw food' or 'raw food diet for dogs' - you will find many hits.
Raw Food Diet
Raw Food Diet,
How do you prepare it and how much do you feed the dog, mine is a shepard with allergies, she weighs around 70 lbs
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
I have a puppy who was suffering terribly five years. she was seen by different vets and we couldn't seem to clear things up for her no matter what we did. She would chew on her front paws so her feet were swollen twice their normal size. The skin was bright red, then she started scratching her face and would scratch it until it bled. She also licked her genitals until they were ulcerated And would hide in my closet all day. I was at the end of my rope and one night I googled "canine yeast infections". then I was led to the Great Dane Lady's site. I started my puppy on her recommended products on July 8th and I can tell you EVERYONE notices Molly's improvements. Her feet are normal size and no longer red, she her genitals are back to normal size and no longer ulcerated and she is with us constantly and no longer hiding in the closet. It cost $125. + shipping and duty from the USA but was the best money I ever spent. I am just now going to order more of some of the products as I'm starting to run low on some things but I can't tell you what an amazing difference these (all natural) products have made for my little Molly. People used to think she was an old dog when she was only 1 yr old. Now she's five and the lively, loving puppy she once was.
Raw Food Diet
★★★★★
I've cured hundreds of dogs and cats by switching their owners to raw feeding. Cheaper and pets live 25-30 years old with no issues.
80% flesh, 10% raw bone, 10% organs as a rough diet plan.
Dietary Changes
Hi, I have a Retriever/Shepherd mix that I adopted at approx. age 1. After a few months, he developed allergies. His scratching would keep us up at night and was very intense. His face would be ripped open, bleeding and raw. His vet practised both both traditional and holistic medicine.
It has taken about 6 months to get under control, but he has gone from 3 reactine tablets (which only eased, didn't eliminate the scratching) to being drug free and scratch free. What changed? I took him of his dog food, and changed to a high grade food called canisource, the Herring Flavor. Most food allergies in dogs result from chicken, beef, grains and dairy. This is why I choose a fish source protein. This food is expensive, but so are trips to the vet. I also mix in boiled vegtables that I mash together. I use sweet potato, carrots, turnip and green beens. I make big boilers and freeze containers.
The vet doctor also suggested that I give him Omega 3 (seal oil) capsules for the inflammation that his allergies cause. His ears and anal glands become inflammed. He gets 3 in his breakfast and 3 in his supper. MOST fruits and vegtables are okay. Stay away from tomatoes, grapes, onions and a couple more..These are simple foods with only one ingredient and allergy friendly. My dog has pineapple for a snack at lunch time and an apple before bed. He is strong, healthly and his coat gleams. I am so glad to have found a way to cure him of his allergies. It didn't happen overnight, it won't and his cells have to regenerate. It took 3-4 months. Now that his allergies are under control, I can introduce one food at a time in small, consistent amounts for a couple of weeks to see if the allergies reappear. I have done so with both chicken which caused pretty much immediate scratching and with beef, that started his scratching after building up in his system after about a week. These were removed from his diet again and he is allergy free again. Next I will try cheese or peanut butter. Hope this helps someone else out there that is struggling to help their furry friend.
Dietary Changes
My one and half yr old westie/border terrier mix, has developed a growth on his front gums over his incision tooth. The doctor wants to do a biopsy. I want to try a holistic remedy first. what do you suggest. Thanks Doris
Dietary Changes
Dietary Changes, ACV
I have noticed that most vets insist on me giving my cats either reg. cat food or with no grain cat food.I rescued a cat at the of eleven years old/ some one found her eating out of the dumpster, I have tried many types of cat food & she still likes eating out of the trash.When she eats cat food no matter the type or brand she continues to throw up so I decided to cook nice fresh chicken for her, she has no problem with eating this & does well at keeping it down, If I slip in vit's. she refuses to eat, so it's obvious she was a picky dumpster diver. :-)
Dietary Changes, ACV
Hello Vernon, It's Robert again. Did I mention in my previous reply to STOP the treats also. Nothing in her diet but balanced raw meats and non-weight bearing uncooked raw meaty bones in proper proportion with her food and for treats. Do not expect overnight miracles, it will take time , be patient please. Lots of love, no stress and lots of exercise, along with the instructions in my previous reply, It is very important not to give in and give her something to make her happy , she will be happy being healthy again. So many people say , gee Ive been doing this for a couple weeks now and I don't see a change , here sweetie have a rawhide treat to make you happy. Don't do it. Concerned for her, Robert Lovemyamber
Dietary Changes, ACV
Hi! Vernon,
It is no wonder this has been going on so long. The food you are feeding your dog is not species appropriate. Blueberry Fiber, Cranberry Fiber, Apples, Blueberries, Carrots, Spinach, Cranberries, are people food and are not dog food. They are indigestible to dogs and can cause allergies. STOP. The medicines you have been using, temeral-p , prednisone and antibiotics are immune system compromising and may seem to help in the short term but are harmful in the long run. STOP If you give your dog shots and flea & tick and heart worm meds. STOP. Supplements ? STOP. Feed your dog nothing but USDA approved human grade diversified RAW MEAT. You can get this at REEL RAW dog food co. delivered to your door. The premium diet costs a little more but it contains green tripe among other ingredients that will be very beneficial to your girl. If it seems expensive, think how much you will save on Vets. bills. You can find it on the internet. It is not usually chicken etc. she is allergic to it is the commercial dog food itself. NO KIBBLE, STOP Keep up with soothing dips you can find on this site, ask Theresa. No ACV where she is raw, it burns. I use peroxide for cuts. Don't give up, be patient and persevering, it will take a long time for her to get well but it will be so worth it. I went through it with my sweet Abby who even had seizures due to the flea & tick and heart worm poisons. Her seizures stopped and slowly things resolved themselves in spite of several Vets opposition who wanted sell me anti seizure and numerous other toxic cures and Prescription [ what a scam ] dog food. Switch your girls diet all at once, no tapering off . She may have diarrhea but don't worry it is the toxins being eliminated. She will go crazy over the food and get her energy and well being back and be more alive again. Like a car with a permanent oil change and tune up. Let me know in six months or so how she is doing. I really hope you see my message. Yours truly, Robert Lovemyamber
Dietary Changes, ACV
Lynn, What are you feeding him? Let me know.
Robert Lovemyamber
Evening Primrose Oil
Hey Don!
For a dog that size I would start off with the human dosage as indicated on the bottle.
Evening Primrose Oil
We have a 60 pound golden puppy...scratching like mad...how much primrose oil for his size??
Dietary Changes, ACV
★★★★★
Lynn; Try probiotics.... I have two I take one every other day and the other on the off day. It's cats claw and grape seed extract. Good Luck
Dietary Changes, ACV
Dietary Changes, ACV
★☆☆☆☆
Hi,
I have a four year old GSD and we have battled allergies her entire life. She has blown her undercoat and never really gotten it back. Her scratching typically requires antibiotics after she creates cuts and sores. She has been on Temeral-P which keeps her at bay, Prednisone, and other oral medications. We removed her from it all except Benadryl twice a day about two months ago.We have to cone her at night to stop her biting and scratching. From blood and skin testing her allergies are;
Cats, Fish and fish mix, poultry and poultry mix (duck, chicken), Kelp, Corn, Eggs, Brewers yeast, Oat, Soybean, all grasses except fescue, dust mites and others with lower reactivity.
We feed her Earthborn Holistic Meadow feast, her treats are dehydrated beef liver (only liver), celery, carrots, ice, beef bones, and I think that is it.
Currently we are supplementing her food with coconut oil twice a day, pumpkin with both meals.
I tried ACV and water 50:50 This resulted in a super soft coat but she continued scratching. PLEASE help us, we can't stand to see her miserable.
★★★★☆
Apologies if this has been mentioned already. There are so many pages and my concentration is terrible but while in here about one of my dogs heart issues I thought I should post my experience with my other dogs allergies. He is a cavalier King Charles spaniel who after being allergy tested is found to be allergic to too much to list but things like weeds, grass etc are the worst. He gets skin so itchy it ripples to the touch, flaky dandruff, hot spots etc. I tried so many remedies which failed but skin eze herbal supplement worked so well I stopped his anti inflammatory injections at the vets. I live in th UK and allergic pet.com are US based; however, they do ship here. It's quite expensive so I tend to order in bulk. I give my 24 lb Cav 2 capsules 4 times a day and increase the number of capsules as needed. He isn't cured, his skin still ripples and the dandruff is there but he doesn't drive himself so mad he yelps with the itching and howls in distress
If you are also in the UK and can't afford skin Eze or want to supplement it I have also found skin & itch by homeopet and allergy aid by phytopet to be good. Both are available on Amazon.co.uk.
I hope these help cos seeing your pet driven mad by itching is heartbreaking. Good luck.
Side Effects
Hey Judy!
This is typical for a steroid shot. Your dog will pant like crazy and have hot flashes -and will drink and drink and drink and then have to pee every 10 minutes. As the level of steroid in her system goes down, so will the symptoms you are seeing. Expect to see these intense symptoms for the first 2 weeks. The good thing is that the allergy itching will be better almost instantly.
Side Effects
our dog received a steroid shot for allergies...so far has severe panting, high heart rate.
Hey EC....Guys....This site has always been there for me and so because of this, I am so happy to share my two cents which hopefully will help someone who has to watch their dog suffer through allergies. I own a cockapoo who is 7 years old. He has been suffering from allergies since he turned 3, however, as he is getting older, it's starting to get worse....his paws are almost black even though he is white so go figure...the worse was when recently I noticed that he had developed a hematoma in his left ear...he was in so much pain...the vet said that was because of the constant shaking of his head when he eats something that he is allergic to....now what bothered me is that I buy the best food for him....you name it I tried it...Blue, Orijen, Wellness etc....nothing worked...until finally, I found a food called Acana limited ingredients dog food. It's a food that is made in Canada with only the freshest ingredients and what amazed me is the ingredient list....I waited for at least six weeks to write this post just to be sure....update...my dog still scratches but....rarely and I am beyond happy...his paws are almost white again with only traces of black so go figure....The type of food I buy is pork with butternut squash. Try it guys and let me know if it works....Thanks for hearing me out....
Side Effects
Hey Deb!
You do not specify which sort of allergy shot your cat received so I will assume it was a steroid shot.
If the vet did not position the injection correctly and the injected steroid hit a nerve, it would cause temporary paralysis.
Side Effects Omega 3 Alternatives
Hey Adrienne! Not Ted responding, but in case he doesn't visit this section I thought I would chime in.
The first thought that came to mind when reading your post was that your dog needs GI support in the form of probiotics and acidophilus. The next thought was that alkalizing would also help.
I have a number of allergy dogs and when whatever it is that blows in on the air/blooms in the molds and pollens and I start seeing my pack develop hives and get the itchies, I alkalize the water with baking soda. If every seems to have it I do crisis dose of 1 teaspoon into 1 liter of pure water - this for about a week; then I drop down to a maintenance dose of one half teaspoon into 1 liter of water. I may rotate this out with Epsom salt in the water or borax, especially if I feel a yeast component is involved.
And in the clearance bin at the grocery store I found a bottle of liquid Benadryl for topical use; I tried that on my one dog's skin fold pyoderma at the base of her tail and it seemed to help greatly reduce the itch/irritation. It got me better results than the turmeric I had been applying, and the dog is comfortable so I have no problem using it topically.
And I know you have tried everything, but have you tried spirulina powder for vitamins for your dog?
Omega 3 Alternatives
I have a question for Ted. I have a rescue with extreme allergies. She is allergic to every type of food except raw beef. The beef has to be untreated or her stomach will reject it. She also is allergic to something in ALL types of vitamins and supplements. I add unprocessed apple cider vinegar so she gets a, c and e. Sometimes she can tolerate black strap molasses for a source of b's and iron but usually her skin will break out. She needs omega 3 fatty acids but is allergic to fish and whatever would be in the casing for fish oil capsules. Do you have any suggestions for alternative omega 3 sources to treat her skin allergies that act up in spring, summer and fall?
Hey Aurelia!
You can try 1 capsule 2-3 times a day with food.
My computer is glitching up right now and my internet is about to konk out, else I would do this search for you - but you can search the site for Ted's replies in the allergy and mange sections as he does mention use of evening primrose for dry skin.
Good luck!
Evening Primrose Oil
How much Evening Primrose oil for an 8 pound Yorkie? Can I put it on the itchy spot as well as in her food?
Allergy Remedies
I have read that yew would help after vaccination but I found that out too late to use it on my dog. I adopted her when she was 8 so she probably had been given shots many times since our Animal Control requires them for licensing. But instead of rabies shots, I had titers done and her numbers were so high that Animal Control waived her rabies shots for the rest of her life. Titers were expensive but worth it to me, because she has terrible itching.
Multiple Remedies
Thanks again - I understand now! It was an either/or - not a both at the same time :) I will remain with the current protocol for the 3 months period and then take it from there! Once we transition into a maintenance period, we will be sure to incorporate probiotics/digestive enzymes in her daily regime, and switch them up monthly to ensure different strains / layers are effective.
We just got the 5 panel Thyroid test back and her Thyroid levels are excellent. The very high T3 and free T3 results likely reflect a tissue metabolic response to increased metabolic demand (from yeast infection?).
We will get the food panel results back shortly, but we are so happy to rule out any medical issue/damage and now focus solely on the yeast!
Multiple Remedies
Hey Aimee!
The first probiotic combo you are currently giving to Matilda contains 4 specific strains of bacteria:
Lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacterium thermophilum, bifidobacterium longum, enterococcus faecium
The other probiotic combos you linked have many, many more - but they don't include the same 4 strains.
I think you should stay the course with the current therapy you are using for Matilda, so if the Nzymes are going to be too pricey, perhaps one of these formulas are available to you and more affordable:
This product has the 4 strains plus 1 additional strain of bacteria -
http://houndgatos.com/hgsprobioticblend-dogs.aspx
This is another option to consider:
http://www.davincilabs.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=200836060
I'm not saying that other formulas aren't good - but I think its important to stay on the current therapy until its finished. After that, hit the discount bin for your digestive probiotics and I say the more strains the merrier! I like switching them up so as to keep the strains constantly changing.
Now, YOU having candida - Ted's remedies are the best! https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/candida14.html#ted
Multiple Remedies
Thanks Theresa :)
We have started Matilda on the program that the greatdanelady recommends - supplementing with probiotics, digestive enzymes, ox-e drops, and tincture of black-leaf. However, as we are in Australia and they have to send the 'human' equivilent products due to import laws, and due to high rates of shipping, I have already realised I will have to make another order of the probiotics soon as they will run out after 45 days, and it is a 3 months (minimum program) - which is getting so expensive, therefore, I would like more information on your preference "to dose acidophillus, primadophillus, DDS with FOS and the like"
What you wrote earlier:
"My experience with clearing layers of yeast is that all probiotics are not identical. Some blends work better in the winter season while some blends tend to be more indicated in the summer season. Depending on how long the condition has gone on, starting the DDS with FOS, 1 capsule am and pm for 3 weeks wouldn't be amiss; DDS is the probiotic and the FOS helps the bacteria populate. Follow up next with Primadophillus for 3 weeks am and pm. And then finally follow up with PB8 for 2-3 weeks, same dosing program. While these are all probiotics with overlapping strains, they each bring something different to the table... Or the gut as it were. If you do not get any indications as to which probiotic to use from your vet, the above wouldn't steer you off course. Usually if its the right remedy you know right away - in a matter of days."
So, without much knowledge at all about probiotics I am trying to figure this out. The current probiotic she is on is:
http://www.nzymes.com/store/pc/articles.asp?article_id=50&type=&condition_id=&product_id=&panel=5
Does this fall into any of your above catagories? 'acidopholos' is in the description.. This one has 2. 1billion probiotic microorganisms per capsule so if I do change probiotics to one I can get within Australia and therefore keep shipping down, I would want it to be of this calibre.
The pro-biotic we have at home is Bio-Kult: this is cheaper and available in Australia
http://www.bio-kult.com/about-bio-kult/319/bio-kult
Also approx 2billion probiotic microorganisms per capsule, its description says it is a multi-strain so unsure what above this catagory falls in?
We also have another probiotic at home - its the powder we had Matilda on prior to starting this program -
http://www.animalhealthstore.com.au/protexin-multi-strain-probiotic.html
made by the same company as above but is the one for dogs. Protexin Green Label is an in feed formula containing 60 million CFU/gram. I'm unsure how many grams she was getting in her food but it was 2 small scoops, probably only 6-8 grabs so the calibre was no where enar as strong as the two above. Also multi-strain so not sure where that fits on.
I have googled DDS & FOS but am still confused about what I can buy to ensure its enough and works within this program. Also because I know I have candida and would love to do the same program on myself at some point I'd really love to figure this all out with your help! Thankyou!!
Oh! I forgot I also still have a bottle of Dr mercola's probiotic at home:
http://probiotics.mercola.com/probiotics.html
From reading the description is sounds like this is the DDS one, and has FOS?? From reading its 30 billion per capsule so sounding like a stand-out compared to the others.
Multiple Remedies
Hey Aimee! I forgot - Matilda is a Stafford - not Staff! She is a small, handy size, isn't she? I raised APBT a dozen years ago, and just recently said goodbye to my 12 year old OFRN Ruby, who now runs in heaven with her mother and littermates. All the bully breeds are dear to my heart, but the pit bulls will own it forever. Thanks!
Multiple Remedies
Hey Theresa!! Thanks so much for your wonderful loyal replies!! Is there a way we could swap email addresses without posting them for the world to see? I wanted to grab your address and send you a little thankyou something
So the barley issue - thanks for your input - once I also looked it up from a different angle I realised pearled barley is the refined grain and not considered 'whole grain' so I have just ordered 5kg of organic unhulled barley - perfect, that should last us awhile!!
Ox-E drops - perfect, I understand now - I thought that I had to mix them with water only but that makes more sense. Although just to clarify, Matilda is only 26lbs so I'll give her 2 drops, AM & PM. Or maybe 2 drops AM & 1 drop PM as she's at the lower end of the next drop bracket.
I'm not too sure why Matilda doesn't drink much water! I think because she gets wet food morning and night when we're around, maybe we just dont see her drinking a bit throughout the day, but the waterbowls around the house never seem to lower too much as we are always refilling them - maybe thats why, maybe throughout the day when we're at work, she has a bit of a drink. She is only a small dog, and as soon as she runs in the house after a big exercise and is knackered she goes straight to slurp at her water. I know she drinks a lot more in summer when its hot but as its currently winter I just dont see her drinking much - she only gets reverse osmosis filtered water and it tastes great, we both drink it. She does drink water, just not enough for me to know that if I was putting 2 drops in her bowl, that it would end up in her system, as she doesnt drink a bowl of water a day. Does that make sense? I've never been too worried about it!
She is our world - I will never give up on her and I am feeling so positive about our current journey - all thanks to you!
Thanks again :)
Multiple Remedies
Hey Aimee! You asked:
"The confusion I'm having is that I'm using Pearled Barley... Does this mean I'm not feeding an acceptable grain? Because the fiber is not longer intact because its hulled? "
I too googled about and tried to find an answer to your question. What I found was that the nutrient information listed for barley - chock full of all kinds of good stuff! - is always for *pearled* barley; they don't list the nutrient value of whole barley - not that I could find anyway.
I say use what you already have on hand - sounds like you are getting results, kudos! - but do try to find barley groats or pot barley as the hulled [but not polished] barley will have more nutrients and fiber. Look into buying barley groats in bulk - should be cheaper and healthier in the long run.
As for question #2 - From the website, re: Ox-E drops:
"Give the pet 1 drop per 20 lbs. Of body weight “internally” twice daily. [ So 3 drops a. M. And p. M. For your beast. ] Add the drops to a little water and pour over food OR if you free feed you can add drops to a small amount of water and bring up into a syringe (no needle) or eye dropper and squirt along the outside of the pet's teeth line. Do not squirt the fluid directly down the throat as the pet could choke!! Do this twice a day."
The simplest way would be to add the drops to your raw food/home made food. If she turns her nose up, then you can mix with a little water and use a syringe to get it down - just tip her head back and pull her lip/flew out at the corner of her mouth and put the syringe there and gently depress the plunger; most dogs will just start swallowing. If she reacts like it tastes beyond foul, add more water. I have also used size #1 gelatin capsules - I buy the blanks at the pharmacy, but I have also taken capsules of acidophillus apart, sprinkled the power on the food and then reused the gel cap. Just take the drops and put it into the capsule and push it together again - and then hide it in a ball of raw meat, or whatever.
I'm curious as to why your dog doesn't drink water. What kind of water do you give her? Straight from the tap? Filtered? Bottled? If its tap water does it taste funny? Do you drink it and can you taste anything? I know that dogs fed a RAW diet tend to drink *less* because they get their water in the form of their raw food - but they still drink water from the bowl. So why is your dog such a limited drinker? Is your home made diet the consistency of soup? Or is there something about the water itself that deters her from drinking? Again, curious about this.
And again kudos for being persistent and working with all those vets! A good holistic vet understands that you are not only a client - but a potential teacher as well.
Thanks!
Multiple Remedies
Good morning Theresa! I hope you are well today :)
Just thought I would give you our current update and ask a few more questions if you don't mind!
So I read an article on the greatdanelady website which states to NEVER spay a female during any of her estrus period and as our pup is just 2 months from finishing her heat cycle I decided to cancel the appointment I had to go through with it last week. Her nipples are still slightly swollen and I want to ensure it really is in the middle of her cycles and not too close to the last one. We are on holiday for 2 weeks in the middle of October so dont want to do it too close to that so she's booked in for 31st October - its as close to the ideal world as we can get under the circumstances :) Once she's recovered we will certainly take her back to the doggy chiro, thanks for that great advice! I have purchased Milk Thistle and will do research on bentonite clay, charcoal & primrose oil (my holistic vet isn't up to speed on this stuff, I've been to two holistic vets, the dermatology ward and the advice you have given me and led me down the path of is the first time I've seen a noticeable change in her! )
So our order from 1st choice naturals arrived yesterday so we now have all the kits I mentioned about to start conquering the yeast. Are you familiar with the program on the greatdanelady website? I know you suggested an alternative protocol but I have purchased this kit and when I asked the company for some advice, I havent had a reply (the lady running the show now is understandably very overwhelmed since the passing of Linda)
So the protocol on the website is the following steps:
1) Thyroid test - 5 panel
2) Change diet
3) Herbal Wormer
4) Start Skin Recovery Kit #30
So yesterday we went to a regular vet who took her blood and is sending the blood serum off to USA for testing - so it is going to be a little while before we hear back on that. We have already changed her diet from sweet potato to pearl barley and my gut instinct is that is the reason for the huge improvement we've seen in her paw licking. The herbal wormer we now have, however the product (PBG-51) WILL kill heartworms and could be a problem if the dog is heartworm positive. Although it is very rare in our area, the vet from yesterday also has sent off to check that, and I wont get those results for another few days. My question is - do you think we can start immediately with the the skin recovery kit for yeast removal and then once we find out regarding the heartworm, we can treat that, and then once we get the results about the thyroid, we can deal with it (if its negative) - all vets I've spoken to believe there's no way she has thyroid issues but all the advice on the greatdanelady websites says to get this test done first, so I'm glad I'm doing it, best to just know.
Maybe you can help me with these questions I have, maybe not but worth an opinion :)
So the diet guidelines from greatdanelady are to feed meat + whole ground quality grains (oat, barley, millet). As I'm in Australia the recommended brands aren't available here so we make our own food.
So it says: Use a Holistic food with a quality whole ground grain such as oats, brown rice, barley, millet, quinoa, amaranth as the carbohydrate component. Contrary to what you read about grains being bad - whole ground, human grade grains are not bad to feed (as a carbohydrate component to a diet) even for yeast situations, because they have their fiber intact, which changes the glycemic index (rate of burn).
The confusion I'm having is that I'm using Pearled Barley - Pearled barley is produced from whole seeds that have been scoured to remove the seed hull and bran. An excellent choice for specialized obesity and diabetic pet diets due to its unique nutritional makeup, modest amounts of slowly digested starch and the soluble fiber ?glucan.
Does this mean I'm not feeding an acceptable grain? Because the fiber is not longer intact because its hulled? And if so do I ned to get hold of Cracked Barley? I would love your thoughts on this. I've googled until the cows come home and I just can't get a straight answer.
Also, as part of the yeast removal protocol - Oxy-Drops are given in water. As I may have mentioned to you before, as its currently winter here, (actually Spring but you wouldnt know it! ) our dog really just doesnt drink water. However, she would drink raw milk (kefir) or coconut water. The easiest option for me if the coconut water - its raw, organic, and nothing added - now I could putt he drops in there and be sure then that she was getting them instead of putting it in water and not knowing if she even touches it, HOWEVER I'm unsure if coconut water would feed the yeast, as the protocol also says no fruit for the first 2 weeks - again, thoughts?
Thankyou thankyou thankyou :)
Multiple Remedies
Hey Aimee!
In an ideal world you would wait until the yeast situation was resolved before you stressed your dog with a spay surgery.
That said, being intact may be causing some of the issues she is experiencing as the shifting hormones from going in and out of heat are very stressful for some dogs [you just never know].
If your dog were having reproductive issues - goofy heat cycles, cystic ovary, etc. - then yes, wait until that is resolved as spaying will only cause the symptoms to manifest elsewhere in the body.
But given the health advantages that spaying provides [reduced chance of breast cancer, remove the chance of pymetra] if this were my pet, I would opt to spay now. What does your vet say? I would be inclined to follow the vet's advice and if the vet says wait it out then do keep exact records of when your dog starts her cycle and when she ends it as this info is important to have until the gets spayed.
If you are still seeing the doggy chiro, getting your dog adjusted after the spay surgery is a wise idea as when under anesthesia the dog is abnormally relaxed and when they wake up from this deep state of relaxation the bones don't always go back to the correct position! So its a good idea to get her adjusted after she has healed up from the sugery.
The anesthetic can do goofy things - your holistic vet may wish to prescribe bentonite clay or charcoal or some other detoxifier and liver support such as Milk Thistle. In addition to detoxing from the anesthetic, you may find her skin will become dry and flaky [this seems to happen to my dogs when they go under] so you may want to supplement with evening primrose oil or flaxseed oil or some such for a couple of weeks while the anesthetic works its way out of her system.
Multiple Remedies
Hi Theresa! Hope you have been well, just thought I'd shoot through an udpate and ask a few more questions if you don't mind!
Firstly, thank you so much for pointing me in the direction of the greatdanelady website as I have learnt a lot (was also saddened to hear of her recent passing). I have taken all recommendations from the Systemic Yeast article and ordered:
Kit# 30 + K9 Ear Solutions
Kit #34 - Skin and Coat Repair
Kit ParaBe-Gone PET WORMER
I am excited to start this regime as I really believe this is exactly what she is suffering from that is coming out in the form of allergies such as gunky ears and paw licking.
I have been making small batches of the Teds Mange treatment up. Just 1/2 teaspoon of 35% h2o2, diluted down to 1% and then adding some borax and just soaking in cotton wool and bathing her paws. Its the best I can do to keep it cheap and the rest of her coat is fine.
Since removing the sweet potato from her elimination diet last week and replacing with pearled barley as per suggstion from greatdanlady website we have noticed a remarkably less paw licking, so whether its to be attributed to the borax solultion or new diet, either way we are so pleased!
I have a question in regards to the fact we would like to get her nudered, but still have not yet. First, as recommended by our holistic doctor, we were waiting for her first cycle. Once that came we were going to get her fixed in between the two cycles, however that was the same time her ears got out of control and she underwent surgery for them. As we didn't want her going udner general anesthetic too close together, we waiting and 2 months ago she went on heat again. Now, next month is when we were hoping to go through with the procedure, but wanted your opinion on whether we do it or not while starting on this program to rid of the yeast. Whether we should start this AFTER she has been fixed, or before and put off her operation, or any advice would be really helpful!
Thanks!
Allergy Remedies
You may be able to get a waiver from your vet for the rabies vaccination - that or make sure you get the 3 year instead of the annual. For heartworm try the daily oral tablet you may wish to consider Nemacide/Decacide [diethylcarbamazine aka DEC] - this only after a negative heatworm test. It's sure been a rough year for allergies :(
Allergy Remedies
Hi. I take in rescues, rehabilitate them and rehome them to a loving home. Raven came to us last year, but was a mess (giardia, bladder infection, severe hair loss, sores all over his body, ear infection, 15 pounds underweight, diarrhea, etc, continued kenneling, allergies) & had been through a lot, so he stayed with us. We've had him for one year and cushing's has been a question. He is 9 years and 4mths. I am feeding him a no grain dog food, (potato & turkey), dasuquin (for athritis??), salmon oil, slippery elm powder. I give him Bach Flower remedies. Also, chamomile tea when need be. Last year in July, when I got him, I had his rabies vaccinations and started him on Revolution. In August, his allergies really started up. He couldn't go outside, the pollen, hayfever and goldenrod through him for a loop. Also, I wondered if the rabies vaccines & revolution were bothering him. It all made so much sense. But, living where we do, there are a lot of mosquitos and if I don't give him revolution, there is a chance of heartworm. Now, it's a year later and he's suffering again. He does itch a lot, (I bathe him with a nice african oatmeal item), I wash his laundry in non fragnant no chemical biodegradable soap or just baking soda or vinegar. Can anyone suggest an alternative to the Revolution and the Rabies? I really think that these are causing him problems and a lot of vets don't believe in holistic. Thank you so much. I really appreciate anyone and everyone's help. Raven is really a great guy, wonderful gentle soul and even through his horrific suffering, he wags his tail, gives kisses and is the most wonderful loving guy. I want to do what is best for him. The vet that we have is very good, but there is some controversy regarding the holistic treatment for rabies/revolution treatment.
With gratitude and in kindness,
Alison
Hey Aimee!
I can buy 16oz of 3% hydrogen peroxide for 99 cents here in the USA, and the borax is $5. 50 a box - so super CHEAP on my end.
There are dilution forumlas all over this website, but this is a quick dilution chart:
http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/peroxide-dilution-chart.html
In a nutshell: To make a 3% solution from your 35% the dilution is 1:11 - so 1 part 35% add to that 11 parts water= 3% solution. Ted's remedy uses a 1% solution, so you would then take your 3% solution and dilute it even further by adding 2 parts water for every 1 part of your 3% solution.
Clear as mud?
If you search in the REMEDIES section under Hydrogen Peroxide and also Borax, sources are listed for how to purchase these ingredients in areas where they are not commonly sold.
Multiple Remedies
Thanks, hope you don't mind I just want to confirm the explanation of the Ted's Mange dipping solution for this weekend as we have everything now but I think I'm missing something as this would be a very expensive exercise to do regularly.
"can be used to help balance the PH of the skin:
- One 16 oz bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide [from the supermarket]
- 32 oz of filtered water [fill up the perxoide bottle twice and dump into larger jug]
- You have now made a 1% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Now add to that 1 cup Borax.
Shake it up, the solution SHOULD be grainy. Bathe and rinse the dog, and then plug up the tub and pour the solution over the dog. I use a small sponge to soak up the solution from the bottom of the tub and squeeze out over the dog - do this for 15 minutes, 30 minutes is better. The key is to not rinse, do not towel off, and to let the dog air dry"
So here in Australia, you can buy a bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide in the pharmacy/supermarket and its $5 for 100ml. So 16oz=500ml ($25) and I read online that this stuff was full of fillers and wasn't pure, but anyways I could order online (ebay) a 500ml of pure 3% and have it delivered for $27. The solution above seems to use all 16oz(500ml) in the one go. Borax isn't sold in pharmacies/supermarkets over here anymore but found an 11kg tub online, delivered $60, so I'd assume a cup will only work out to about 50c - but still, for each time it to cost $25 I feel like I must have something wrong - either that or h202 is so much cheaper in USA.
The other option is that awhile back I purchased online a bottle of 35% Food Grade h2o2 - cant remember how much that cost but probably around $50 - so if I can dilute a small amount of this and still get the same affect that would probably be more cost effective? I haven't looked into the diluting calculations but just considered 3% v 35% I believe it would.
Anyways if you could clear this up for me I'd really appreciate it :)
Multiple Remedies
Hey Aimee! Aren't doggy chiro's fun? I like to get my litters adjusted before going to their new homes - its a small thing to do, but can make such a big impact. You might think adjusting a tiny puppy isn't warranted, but the natural birthing process involves so much... Squishing and compression, so yes - the spines can be pushed out of wack and this can have life long influence if not corrected. The reason why I thought a subluxation was present and an adjustment was indicated was the ears; in human infants chronic ear conditions have been linked to the C1 vertebra [the one right at the base of the skull] being subluxated, often due to delivery with the use of forceps. Once these babies get the C1 adjusted their chronic ear problems are resolved -no tubes needed, no more infections. Your doggy chiro would have checked the C1 and adjusted it if it were an issue, and its all good to be moving and gaiting correctly, as having a shoulder or patella out of wack long term can lead to arthritis in that joint.
Now, the 1:10 white vinegar solution is merely a foot bath and not intended for a lengthy soak. If Matilda is allergic to grasses and grass pollens, then the simplest and most direct way to help remove the contact allergens is to bathe her. And since you don't want to have to bathe the entire dog 6 or more times a day, having her step into a dish tub of the vinegar solution and then walk onto a towel and then into the house sounds like a workable plan. JMHO.
And, because you are using a vet who practices NAET, try gathering some allergens to bring to the vet for allergy elimination. Go outside first thing in the morning and run a jar over the morning dew in the grass - get up as much dew as you can; this is the stuff that Matilda is reacting to, so bring in for elimination. If you have a yard full of dirt and no grass to collect dew, bring a sample of the soil in for testing. You should also set out a pan of distilled pure water and leave it out over night or for a few days if you have the time; pour this into a jar and bring this to the vet for elimination [the water will collect any airborne pollens et al].
The thyroid can show normal on tests yet still be out of wack in my experience. Not saying your vet is a quack or that sending a sample to Hemopet wouldn't be money well spent, just saying that tests are not perfect nor often sensitive to the ideal degree. You have an allergy dog so the thyroid should always be considered; it wouldn't hurt to bring some kelp to the vet and see if kelp/iodine is indicated for Matilda via AK.
My experience with clearing layers of yeast is that all probiotics are not identical. Some blends work better in the winter season while some blends tend to be more indicated in the summer season. Depending on how long the condition has gone on, starting the DDS with FOS, 1 capsule am and pm for 3 weeks wouldn't be amiss; DDS is the probiotic and the FOS helps the bacteria populate. Follow up next with Primadophillus for 3 weeks am and pm. And then finally follow up with PB8 for 2-3 weeks, same dosing program. While these are all probiotics with overlapping strains, they each bring something different to the table... Or the gut as it were. If you do not get any indications as to which probiotic to use from your vet, the above wouldn't steer you off course. Usually if its the right remedy you know right away - in a matter of days.
Good luck, and please keep me posted!
Multiple Remedies
Thankyou Theresa, that has clarified a lot for me! I now understand what you mean about the systematic yeast infection and will research that.
I also did some research awhile back and found out about when two blues are bred, skin conditions run rife - unfortunately my research came after the fact, only wish we had done it prior to choosing a breed but yes, the breeders certainly were going for looks (and money, blues sell for more) and not health, and we are paying the price now :) not that I would change anything, love our little girl more than anything! I feel like we were supposed to go through all this with her to prepare us for children in a few years haha. We have informed the breeder about all her allergies but they are not too interested which is a shame.
So this morning she had her appointment with the veterinary chiro, it went great, she did have some things to fix and straight away she is running straight! She never has, very interesting. He said he has no ideas if it will have an affect on her allergies but I'm so glad you mentioned it because its great to rule that out now and have her alligned properly :)
I have considered the thyroid - The place in California (Hemopet) where we sent off for the dog sensitivty food test (saliva - 20 panels of food) also does the Thyroid testing. I asked our holistic vet if she though it was worth us getting the test, and her words: "Don't think she is hypothyroid. The opposite condition, hyperthyroid dogs can be aggressive, lose weight, have vomiting, diarrhea, enlarged thyroid and drink a lot of water. It tends to be rare in dogs. I would be surprised if she had it."
I did my own research on common symptoms and would agree that Matilda has none of them. Would like your opinion on whether you still think its worth looking into though?
Our holistic vet who does NAET also does the AK - which is why we havent introduced coconut oil back into the diet, she confirmed that is doesn't work well with her at this stage, so we have kept it out. She goes over all the things we give to her on our monthly visits. I have an appointment this tuesday where I'll be taking along the new additions to her regime from the past few weeks: baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and Protexin probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus salvarius subspecies thermophilus. ) - once the borax and other things arrive (I ordered off the internet) i'll be able to take them on our next visit. So interested to hear what she says. I will do the research from the Great Dane ladys website prior to going so that I understand what you mean by the changing up of probiotic powders..
I have a spray bottle of 50/50 ACV/Water that I've been spraying on her feet after her runs, she licks it off immediately, but is this sufficient or is the white vinegar 1:10 water "soak" better? She spends her days going between the backyard and inside the house so I'll have to think of a good way to go about that.
You are so kind to give so much great advice :)
Multiple Remedies
Hey Aimee! You said: "The yeast was certainly cleared (layer by layer) with the operation and conventional drugs that followed. " This is NOT how clearing yeast works. While you may have cleaned infected gunk out of the ears, it doesn't touch the systemic yeast infection - the yeast overgrowth that is occurring in the GI tract - that is causing the symptoms to manifest in the ears in the first place. The conventional drugs that ensued only served to further depress the immune system, further reduce the healthy flora in the gut, address only the surface symptoms and not the root, and cause additional symptoms to manifest. Please search the link I provided for the Great Dane Lady's site for 'systemic yeast infection' -she has some programs laid out to get a grip on this sort of problem. My preference is to simply dose acidophillus, primadophillus, DDS with FOS and the like but the Great Dane Lady's system works.
And - while the immune system can be built up and supported, 'genetics' happens. What I mean is, you have a dilute dog; she would normally be a black dog except she has the dilution gene which makes her coat a pretty blue. Not sure about your dog's breeding/pedigree/breeder, but there certainly has been a craze of late for blue in many of the bull breeds. Unethical breeders are breeding dilute to dilute to get 100% blue puppies placing color above all else, including health. So unless the breeder took pains to assemble a healthy pedigree your dog might be a genetic lemon. It doesn't sound as if she has CDA - color dilution alopecia - but the dilution gene has been suspect in animals with chronic skin issues - particularly during color fad crazes. Have you consulted your dog's breeder? Are they experiencing issues with littermates or the sire or dam or other related dogs? At the very least the breeder should be informed of your dog's health issues so they can choose to avoid breeding those two parents together again.
Another aspect to consider is the thyroid; if the thyroid is out of whack for whatever reason, then steroids help balance it. Steroid does not automatically = bad. Low dose long term use doesn't automatically = bad. And as you say, it does buy you time.
As for the vaccine schedule, I used to go with single poke vaccines, different labels and the like, but what really works well IMHO is AK - applied kinesiology. So regardless of whether its a combo or single vaccine, you use AK to see if that particular vaccine is OK for your dog. Works for food too, so you can check to see if a particular diet or food item is right for your dog based on compatibility with her energy fields. Use this to find the most effective probiotic too - and keep in mind that as you clear yeast layers you will need to switch around on the probiotic for the next layer.
As for the borax dip - Ted suggested once a week; dip Matilda and then crate her without bedding in a room with a space heater, right? And then mix up a tub of white vinegar and water [1:10 ratio is enough] and have her walk through on her way into the house after going potty outside but you can towel the feet off as this solution is only for washing any contact allergens off her feet.
Good luck!
Multiple Remedies
Hi Theresa, Thank you for taking the time to read our story!
Vertebral subluxation I had never heard of, nor did I know there were veterinary chiropractors, found one where I live and we are going for an appointment tomorrow, would be great to rule something like that out as an over-arching hinderance on her immune system.
I understand your stance on conventional medication - for me its a path I don't want to go down again until I have to because I truly believe that there must be an underlying issue. Immune system, gut flora, acid-rich environment, etc - and the itching is just the symptom. To treat the symptom is something I want to do, but not at the expense of not discovering the cause. Of course sometimes we have to turn to conventional medicine to buy us time though :) I hope I don't have to again, I will try -everything-!
I will have a think and look at records re: vaccination, it's got me thinking - although we went for the smallest vaccine schedule possible through our holistic vet that shares the same views as us, and in the future we are doing teeter tests instead of annual boosters
The yeast was certainly cleared (layer by layer) with the operation and conventional drugs that followed. Her ears currently look/smell great but my worry is that we haven't got to the root cause (or maybe we have, maybe the ears were in relation to a food allergy, and the reason they still look great is because she only eats horse/sweet potato now - maybe they wont turn gunky again as Spring comes) - but as she is still licking/biting her paws incessantly, it is clear there is still AN allergy present - whether it be food or environmental - and I believe the root cause is her immune system.
Thank you for posting the different solutions to use in layman's terms, I will now order the products needed and start this treatment topically - its such a shame its winter here, I worry about soaking her daily for her to drip dry, its cold here!!
What do you think about putting 1/4 teaspoon of bicarb in 500ml coconut water? She will drink the whole lot, loves the stuff. Water, not so much but its in there incase she does have some! In summer she will certainly drink more water once its hot!
Thanks again, really appreciate your time and effort :)
Multiple Remedies
Hey there! A couple of things came to mind when I read your post. Chronic yeasty ears for sure indicate allergy, but vertebral subluxation is also a possibility. It may help to have your dog adjusted by a chiropractor. And, yeasty ears at 4 months: were any vaccinations given at that time? The puppy is teething and in the states here 4 months is when many get a rabies poke so double whammy to the immune system; it could be vaccinosis [lovely catch all term! ] Even if you have given excellent groceries all along, if the yeast overgrowth was never addressed you will now need to clear the yeast layer by layer; you may find using applied kinesiology helpful in choosing which probiotic to start with: after 2-3 weeks it likely will be necessary to switch probiotics. It may take 6-8 weeks or longer to get the yeast under control.
I have 'allergy' dogs also, utilize both holistic and western vets along with a doggy chiro, and while not perfect this is what works for me:
ZYMOX for funky ears. I have used home remedies for the ears and for normal dogs they work - but for allergy dogs they often just miss. Clean ears *frequently* during allergy season - you have to stay on top of them - Virbac ear cleaner from the vet works well for non-infected ears. Again, home remedies such as gentian violet or vinegar rinses sometimes just do not touch allergy ears and if that is the case then no shame in buying veterinary approved products.
Steroid shots/antibiotics - it can be a fact of life for allergy dogs; if your dog needs them, then your dog needs them. I've tried herbal nettle, herbal thuja, local honey to no avail and in my experience nothing halts a skin reaction quite like a steroid poke. Yes, its not ideal and they don't last forever and some seasons my dog may need 3-4 pokes. I have accepted that for my dog to be comfortable that occaisional steroids are needed.
That said, Ted's Mange dipping solution certainly can be used to help balance the PH of the skin:
- One 16 oz bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide [from the supermarket]
- 32 oz of filtered water [fill up the perxoide bottle twice and dump into larger jug]
- You have now made a 1% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Now add to that 1 cup Borax.
Shake it up, the solution SHOULD be grainy. Bathe and rinse the dog, and then plug up the tub and pour the solution over the dog. I use a small sponge to soak up the solution from the bottom of the tub and squeeze out over the dog - do this for 15 minutes, 30 minutes is better. The key is to not rinse, do not towel off, and to let the dog air dry. This should bring some relief to itchy skin. If you suspect an infection of the skin Ted's recipe for Yeast/staph may help:
- 1-1/2 cups 1% hydrogen peroxide
- 1 tbsp borax
- 1 tbsp epsom salt
- 1 tbsp Milk of Magnesia
- mix it all up and then apply to a freshy bathed still damp dog and do not rinse -let air dry for however long it takes.
Licking and chewing feet sound like contact allergy to me - frequent bathing or a foot bath when she returns from out of doors may help. I don't trust the mixed up hydrogen peroxide solution to keep, but for frequent daily dipping a vinegar solution might work for rinsing the feet off when returning from outside and also help balance PH.
I mix up a big pitcher of baking soda water and fill all the bowls full and keep them full. Your dog may not drink much water, but I found mine tend to crave the baking soda water, so offer full bowls and your dog may gravitate to them.
I agree that fats are important in the diet - perhaps sunflower oil or other such cooking oils will suffice? I tend to cook for my dogs, meaning I cook with doggie left overs in mind, so I limit use of certain ingredients so I can turn any left overs into dog food. So if I roast a chicken, I don't use any onion - and the fat that is rendered from the chicken can then be fed to the dogs. Maybe you can see what you can use from your own meals to provide the needed fats?
You might also take a visit to this site from a canine nutritionist who has written extensively on how to nutritionally support dogs with myriad ailments: www.greatdanelady.com/index.html. Good luck, and keep us posted please!
Multiple Remedies
★☆☆☆☆
Hi everyone! I have emailed Ted during the week without a response so thought I may open it up to the rest of the community. My story is long (apologies! ) but the opposite to most peoples pet stories. Most people can elliminate most things with animals with proper diet: raw home-made food. Our story is different and we're at out wits end, happy for people to weigh in if they have a moment to read our story :)
We have an 18 month of Blue English Staffordshire Terrier female dog – Matilda – currently desexed (but we are not breeding her)
From day 1 we only fed her home made food. Grass-fed, organic beef including liver & kidney, kangaroo meat, organic cold pressed coconut oil, organic garlic, organic raw egg yolks, etc. Her diet was perfect - and all raw. Unfortunately at about 4months old she started having ear troubles, and we battled with yeasty, gunky, infections for months. Itchy feet also an issue, on and off - varying degrees of infection at different times. No chemicals in the house, bare minimal vaccine schedule given to her. The most natural puppy around! Lots of raw meaty bones, and diatamaceous earth in food incase of fleas but she never had them.
We tried different ear flushes (ACV, rubbing alcohol, aloe vera) and (h202 3%) and (Mix of Acetic Acid & Boric Acid). Sometimes ears were better than other times.
We played around with diet and went on first elmination diet: all the same food but slow cooked instead of raw (holistic vet said she was a 'hot, damp' dog and this was coughing infections in ears and feet. Not much difference. Then a proper elimination of boiled white rice and cottage cheese. Some difference, varying results, never stopped though.
She was given different chinese herbs along our time at the first Holistic vet - the issue progressed worse with unbearable rubbing ears on floor / head shaking that she ended up having an operation - Video otoscopy with deep ear flush – Myringotomy (incision to ear drum). Aural hematoma drained and skin on ear flap sutured to prevent refilling. It was very sad. She was put on steroids (internal and topical) and antibiotics (internal and external) - not what we wanted but we had run out of time, the situation had got so out of hand and there was no other options.
Over the next few months the situation was all under control because of conventional drugs. This has bought us some time. She is now off these and we have time again to look at natural therapies.
Her current elimination diet is Horse meat and sweet potato. She has been on this for 6 months since that operation. In the past we sent off for saliva tests done in the USA by Dr Jean Dodd for food allergies a panel of 20 foods were taken and only three things showed up as a moderate reaction - these were soy, turkey & millet <-- we have never fed her any of these. This was at 8 months old, so we are having them re-done now to see if this has changed - also because some extra foods have been added to the panel. But hard to know if food is the reason.
The vets believe she has a combination of food & environmental allergies. She is currently seeing a different holistic vet who practices NAET - a natural allergy elimination technique. She has not improved so far, although her ears are still looking good, but as Spring approaches in Australia we are worried they will revert back like they did that time last year (and the only reason they cleared up is because of conventional medicine - so they *will* come back)
Current elimination diet: horse meat, sweet potato, brocolli. What we add to her food: Probiotic powder by Protexin, chinese herbs (Liu Jun Zi Wan, Si Miao San, Five Mushrooms) and we also give her a combination of flower essences. <-- this is current treatment from new holistic vet. She has holistic vets baffled - no one understands whats wrong with her. Conventional vets just want to keep her on antibiotics, antihistimines, steroids.
She is only 11kg, very small and muscular, so happy and fit and loves life - her issues do not affect her spirit! But we are so concerned, we do everything natural and still have so much problems - right now the biggest issue is that she incessintly licks/chews her paws all the time.
Tiny from birth (she was born last in the litter - a day later than the others, that is why she is so tiny! ) She is now 18 months old and we are about to come into "allergy season". I read everything Ted writes on here. Because her food is very wet and it's winter, she does not drink much water. I have been putting ? teaspoon of baking soda per half litre of water in her bowls around the house for the last week, but she barely drinks water. Could I put the baking soda in her wet food instead? She will drink raw organic coconut water, could I put the baking soda in that? I have started adding a teaspoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar to her food twice a day for the last week – I am just starting to look into the alkalizing issue as per Teds advice.
We stopped giving our dog coconut oil since the elimination diet. I would like to reintroduce but our holistic vet doing NAET has identified this as one of the things she disagrees with. We would like to add fish oil / flaxseed oil to her food, but on the saliva IGA allergy testing panel they tested for Salmon and she came back 'Weak Reaction' so we werent sure if we should. I agree she needs fats in her diet though. She used to have them, we would regularly give her raw sardines and coconut oil.
I have not tried the borax/peroxide remedy - as I always read this in relation to mange - should we be putting this on her paws? or washing her with this? To be honest we dont really wash her with anything, she enjoys the beach, she is short haired and never smells, we give her an occasional bath with filtered water and use a bit of diluted Dr Bronners Soap.. so this is something we can work on.
All feedback welcome, thanks in advance for your time!
Correction: The colostrum I purchased is bovine (cow), not goat.
Colostrum
★★★★★
My nine-year-old corgi has had terrible allergy problems since we moved to Texas. They seem to get worse as he gets older.
I have switched his diet from premium dog food to raw and cooked. I have tried Benedryl and a daily dose of Zyrtec. The antihistamines helped a bit.
While researching ways to increase immunity in dogs, I happened upon information about colostrum. I ordered a goat's milk colostrum for dogs from Amazon.
I noticed a difference the first day I added the colostrum to his food. Even with the other allergy medications, his eyes watered like crazy. It's been five days now, and his eyes are dry. He is only making little, dry eye boogies like normal dogs do. He is not licking his paws like he usually does.
Next week, I plan to ween him off his daily Zyrtec. I'm sure in the days and weeks to come I will notice other health benefits from the colostrum. I'm hoping they help his seizures also.
★★★★★
I know the potential side effects of cortisone shots and steriods, but I must say our 5yr old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has CHRONIC severe food and environmental allergies (ear infections, flaking skin, open sores, watery eyes, lethargy) and we have literally tried EVERYTHING and spent a small fortune doing so... Including organic exotic ingredient diets like: raw rabbit, kangaroo & lentils, garbanzo beans etc. We have seen every type of specialist & tried every kind of medicinal/homeopathic therapy including: Atopica, Enzyme (yeast-decreasing) therapy, predisone, allergy shots... You name it~ we've tried it! The ONLY thing that has ever proven to give him instant relief and comfort have been Cortisone Shots. We don't do antibiotics or oral steriods anymore, and we keep him on the highest quality exotic protein (limited ingredient) diets because we would love for his immune system to rebound and have a fighting chance... But when the allergies spiral out of control every 4 months or so~ Cortisone injection is our saving grace. He's better within 24 hrs~ skin returns to a normal healthy color, ears improve dramatically, and he's running around like a happy puppy again! I know there are horror stories out there and I'm all about natural healing (I'm an (all organic) vegetarian who has never had a flu in her life), but everyone should be informed of the benefits to Cortisone injections when weighing their options. Every creature's biological makeup is so very different, so what may spark miracles in some- could very well wreak havoc in others. Consider your options carefully.
Raw Food Diet
Vegetable Oil
Thank you sooo much. Exactly same thing happening to our new 6mo old Cockapoo. After many searches this seemed to fit!! I have to spend a fortune to bring her to vet we'd so he can tell me what chewing bald spots occurring making her beautiful fur disappear. I put neosporim and seemed to sooth but veg oil is the ticket we think. Thanks so much, Judy in San Jose, CA
General Feedback
We bought a tiny toy poodle that from day one has cost us thousands of dollars. He had vomiting and diarrhea for 2 or 3 years. Switched him to ZD dog food, hypoallergenic. Was fine with occassional allergies. Then took him to TN for vacation. Allergies never went away. Plus we had BP oil spill and burning oil in air. He gets yeast in ears. Been cleaning with diluted apple cider vinegar. Coat is dry. Constantly scratches ears, and licks feet. No hair loss or wounds. Starting a raw diet and have started adding flaxseed oil to his food. See bark website. Natural vet gives list of supplements that can be added to their food to help allergies. Acidophillus is one. Don't want to continue to give him benadryl (taking twice a day) because it just knocks him out. Don't want to give him steroids because of the possibility of muscle necrosis, as well as long term use can cause cushings disease.
