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helsonwheels
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The Holistic Approach
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helsonwheels
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helsonwheels
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We get ask a lot of questions on what food to feed my new puppy, vaccines, ticks, fleas, deworming or how much of a little workout should my pup get.... this link sums it well on how to raise a pup.....
5 Tips For Raising A Puppy
5 Tips For Raising A Puppy
For Dogs
Allergies affect lots and lots of dogs. Just try googling ādog allergiesā and youāll get over 20 million results.
It can be really disheartening trying to solve your dogās allergies. You can spend many months working with your holistic vet to get to the bottom of whatās causing the allergies and then finding a way to eliminate them.
Whether your dogās allergies appear in the form of itchy skin, ears or feet, or digestive problems like chronic diarrhea, allergy symptoms can make life miserable for both your dog and you.
Needless to say, pharmaceutical companies have come up with quite a few ways to medicate dog allergies. But you should think twice before using any of these drugs.
Why Avoid Conventional Treatments
Allergy symptoms are the result of an improper immune response, so conventional treatments usually involve drugs to suppress your dogās immune function.
These can include steroids as well as anti-allergy drugs like Atopica or Apoquel. These are highly risky drugs that may reduce your dogās allergy symptoms (sometimes only temporarily) ā¦ but because they suppress your dogās immune response, they can also increase his susceptibility to serious life-threatening diseases like cancer.
Holistic veterinarian Deva Khalsa VMD describes how these drugs work in her articles on Atopica and Apoquel. Be sure to read these articles before you consider using either of these drugs for your dog.
Conventional veterinarians also like to recommend expensive prescription dog foods for allergies. But according to veterinarian Meg Smart DVM PhD, these diets usually contain a lot of dubious ingredients.
One of these is hydrolyzed protein, another name for MSG (monosodium glutamate), which can cause brain damage. Hydrolyzed proteins have not been effective in fighting allergies in clinical trials, and have caused some dogsā skin symptoms to worsen.
Hypoallergenic prescription foods are also very starchy, making them likely to aggravate allergies; they use low quality oils that easily become rancid; and they contain fillers like powdered cellulose ā which is basically sawdust.
Dr Smart recommends preparing your own dog food so you know exactly whatās in it.
So, if you donāt want to use suppressive drugs that may provide temporary relief but donāt really ācureā anything, or feed expensive but poor quality prescription diets, what can you do to relieve your dogās allergy symptoms?
Fortunately there are many natural solutions that can help. Here are some easy and effective allergy-relieving fixes for your dog.
Top 10 Allergy Fixes For Dogs
This listās divided into two categories: first, foods and herbs to help relieve your dogās overall allergy symptoms, and second, some topical fixes for itchy skin ā things you probably already have in your kitchen or bathroom cabinet.
# 1 Colostrum
Colostrum is naturally found in all mammalian motherās milk. It plays a vital role in developing a newbornās immune system and protecting him against disease.
But it turns out that bovine colostrum (extracted from cowās milk) in supplement form can be very beneficial to adults as well. And one of the things colostrum can do is help with allergies.
Colostrum contains an ingredient called praline-rich polypeptide (PRP) that research shows can help eliminate or improve allergy symptoms. It does this by helping to control an overactive immune system that causes allergic reactions.
Itās believed that PRP can also inhibit lymphocyte (white blood cell) and T-cell overproduction thatās common in allergic reactions. PRP may also help create special cells (helper T-cells and suppressor T-cells) that suppress and switch off the immune response. PRP is also anti-inflammatory and can reduce histamine that triggers allergic reactions.
Bovine colostrum also provides your dog with antibodies to common allergens. These antibodies are built up over time in the cows as they themselves respond to the same allergens. When a dog takes a colostrum supplement, he takes in the antibodies contained in the colostrum and theyāre then available in his body to respond to allergens.
Giving Colostrum
Colostrum comes in powdered or capsule form. Itās most effective when given on an empty stomach, but you can also use a little yogurt or broth. Use it for a month to start, then give as needed after that.
Or
Read more about how colostrum can help your dogās allergies.
# 2 Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid (a group of phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables) that has antioxidant, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Itās been called Natureās Benadryl for its ability to turn off histamine production and help manage inflammation and itching.
Histamines are chemicals that cause allergic reactions, and research has shown that quercetin prevents immune cells from releasing histamines. This means that quercetin can help reduce allergy symptoms.
Quercetin is contained in foods like green tea, broccoli, and apples so feeding these foods can be helpful. However, to really tackle allergies itās best to give your dog quercetin in a more concentrated form, as a supplement.
Giving Quercetin
Quercetin supplements come in pill and capsule form. Quercetin supplements often come with bromelain, an enzyme that inreases the bioavailability of quercetin, making it more effective.
Quercetin is best given on an empty stomach. The recommended dose is 8 milligrams for every pound of your dogās weight.
Read more about quercetin.
# 3 Sprouted Seeds
The immune system starts in the gut so balancing gut bacteria is essential to help control our dogās allergies. You can do this by giving prebiotic and probiotic foods.
Holistic veterinarian Dr Jodie Gruensternās favorite way to do this is to give your dog sprouted seeds to protect against allergies.
Sprouted seeds contain highly bioavailable vitamins, minerals, enzymes and probiotics that support a dogās healthy gut flora. The nutritional value of sprouted seeds is far greater than that of the unsprouted seed and the nutrients are more easily absorbed by the body.
Carnivores forage and we often see dogs eating grass. Itās possible they intuitively know the value of eating the amazing nutrition contained in freshly sprouting seeds.
Sprouted seeds can provide the same probiotics and prebiotics a dogwould eat while foraging in nature, to benefit his own individual gut bacteria.
Feeding Sprouted Seeds
Well, let your dog eat grass when he wants to, of course! (Just make sure it hasnāt been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides).
But you can also buy sprouted seed toppers to sprinkle on your dogās food.
Start out gradually and work up to 1 Tbsp per 10 lbs of body weight per day.
# 4 Nettles
Many herbalists recommend nettles to help manage your dogās allergies and Dr Gruenstern uses them in her practice too.
In their book Herbs for Pets, Gregory Tilford and Mary Wulff explain that nettlesā effectiveness against allergies may be due to their histamine content. They suggest that the effect is similar to the ālike cures likeā concept in homeopathy: the plant stimulates the body to protect itself from an attack of allergens.
Nettles also contain quercetin (see # 2 above) which boosts nettlesā anti-allergy effects.
Feeding Nettles
If theyāre growing nearby, you can pick nettles yourself but wear sturdy gloves because they sting! You can dry the herbs, or make nettle leaf tea, or, as herbalist Rita Hogan recommends, sautĆ© fresh nettles in a pan with coconut oil until tender, and add to your dogās food.
You can also use nettle tincture, giving 2 drops per 10 lbs of your dogās body weight per day.
Dr Gruenstern also likes to use cooled nettle leaf tea topically for itchy skin or even as a rinse for itchy eyes.
# 5 Licorice
This is another favorite of Dr Gruensternās. In Eastern herbal formulations licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is a harmonizer thatās been used by Chinese and Ayurvedic formulators for allergy patients for thousands of years.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), licorice tonifies the spleen, benefits the Qi, moistens the lung, stops coughing, clears heat, detoxifies Fire Poison (boils, sore throat) and soothes spasms. A study of one licorice constituent, glycyrrhizic acid, showed that it has an antitussive effect similar to codeine.
Licorice can also relieve inflammation in the upper digestive tract, increase the anti-inflammatory effect of glucocorticoids and helps eliminate mucus from the respiratory tract. Just what the doctor ordered for allergy sufferers!
Giving Licorice
Tilford and Wulff recommend consulting a practitioner because dosage varies widely depending on your dogās condition. However they suggest starting with 12 to 20 drops per 20 lbs of body weight twice daily, using a low alcohol licorice extract, or if using a tea, triple that dose.
If you canāt get any sleep because your dogās scratching his itchy skin all night, try some of Dr Deva Khalsaās recommendations for topical fixes for itchy skin. Many of these things are probably already in your kitchen or bathroom cabinet.
# 6 Green Tea
Polyphenols in green tea have an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effect that can help soothe your dogās inflamed itchy skin.
Make a very strong brew, let it cool, then and apply it to the itchy areas for three to 10 minutes to soothe them. Save the rest of the brew in the refrigerator to use later. You can also wet a green tea bag and apply it to the skin, especially for hives or reddened areas.
# 7 Aloe Leaf
Keep an aloe plant in the house and you can use it for all sorts of skin ailments, from your own sunburns to your dogās itchy skin. Or you can buy fresh aloe leaves at many grocery stores ā theyāll keep for three days in the refrigerator.
The fresh gel contains enzymes that help heal itchy skin and decrease inflammation. These enzymes are only in the fresh plant and not in the bottled gel.
Slice the leaf open and apply the gel inside the leaf to itchy areas ā it will cool and calm the skin.
# 8 Baking Soda
Another common kitchen item, baking soda can work wonders in helping calm itchy or reddened, inflamed skin. These are both great recipes that you can use:
Baking Soda Paste
Baking Soda Spray
# 9 Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is high in tannins and can help reduce swelling and repair broken skin. Use organic witch hazel to soak a cotton ball and apply it to rashes or itchy areas a few times a day. You can also use witch hazel for itchy ears, and you can put some in a bowl and dip your dogās feet in it if he has itchy paws.
# 10 Cabbage Leaf
This is an old time remedy to help remove heat and inflammation. Pound a cabbage leaf until the surface is broken and the juice oozes out. Hold the leaf on the inflamed area. The leaf will get warm as it draws the inflammation out. Remove after several minutes.
Allergies affect lots and lots of dogs. Just try googling ādog allergiesā and youāll get over 20 million results.
It can be really disheartening trying to solve your dogās allergies. You can spend many months working with your holistic vet to get to the bottom of whatās causing the allergies and then finding a way to eliminate them.
Whether your dogās allergies appear in the form of itchy skin, ears or feet, or digestive problems like chronic diarrhea, allergy symptoms can make life miserable for both your dog and you.
Needless to say, pharmaceutical companies have come up with quite a few ways to medicate dog allergies. But you should think twice before using any of these drugs.
Why Avoid Conventional Treatments
Allergy symptoms are the result of an improper immune response, so conventional treatments usually involve drugs to suppress your dogās immune function.
These can include steroids as well as anti-allergy drugs like Atopica or Apoquel. These are highly risky drugs that may reduce your dogās allergy symptoms (sometimes only temporarily) ā¦ but because they suppress your dogās immune response, they can also increase his susceptibility to serious life-threatening diseases like cancer.
Holistic veterinarian Deva Khalsa VMD describes how these drugs work in her articles on Atopica and Apoquel. Be sure to read these articles before you consider using either of these drugs for your dog.
Conventional veterinarians also like to recommend expensive prescription dog foods for allergies. But according to veterinarian Meg Smart DVM PhD, these diets usually contain a lot of dubious ingredients.
One of these is hydrolyzed protein, another name for MSG (monosodium glutamate), which can cause brain damage. Hydrolyzed proteins have not been effective in fighting allergies in clinical trials, and have caused some dogsā skin symptoms to worsen.
Dr Smart recommends preparing your own dog food so you know exactly whatās in it.
So, if you donāt want to use suppressive drugs that may provide temporary relief but donāt really ācureā anything, or feed expensive but poor quality prescription diets, what can you do to relieve your dogās allergy symptoms?
Fortunately there are many natural solutions that can help. Here are some easy and effective allergy-relieving fixes for your dog.
Top 10 Allergy Fixes For Dogs
This listās divided into two categories: first, foods and herbs to help relieve your dogās overall allergy symptoms, and second, some topical fixes for itchy skin ā things you probably already have in your kitchen or bathroom cabinet.
# 1 Colostrum
Colostrum is naturally found in all mammalian motherās milk. It plays a vital role in developing a newbornās immune system and protecting him against disease.
But it turns out that bovine colostrum (extracted from cowās milk) in supplement form can be very beneficial to adults as well. And one of the things colostrum can do is help with allergies.
Itās believed that PRP can also inhibit lymphocyte (white blood cell) and T-cell overproduction thatās common in allergic reactions. PRP may also help create special cells (helper T-cells and suppressor T-cells) that suppress and switch off the immune response. PRP is also anti-inflammatory and can reduce histamine that triggers allergic reactions.
Bovine colostrum also provides your dog with antibodies to common allergens. These antibodies are built up over time in the cows as they themselves respond to the same allergens. When a dog takes a colostrum supplement, he takes in the antibodies contained in the colostrum and theyāre then available in his body to respond to allergens.
Giving Colostrum
Colostrum comes in powdered or capsule form. Itās most effective when given on an empty stomach, but you can also use a little yogurt or broth. Use it for a month to start, then give as needed after that.
- 1/3 tsp powdered colostrum per 25 lbs of body weight, twice a day
Or
- Small dogs 1 capsule twice daily
- Medium to large dogs: 2 capsules twice daily.
Read more about how colostrum can help your dogās allergies.
# 2 Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid (a group of phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables) that has antioxidant, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Itās been called Natureās Benadryl for its ability to turn off histamine production and help manage inflammation and itching.
Histamines are chemicals that cause allergic reactions, and research has shown that quercetin prevents immune cells from releasing histamines. This means that quercetin can help reduce allergy symptoms.
Quercetin is contained in foods like green tea, broccoli, and apples so feeding these foods can be helpful. However, to really tackle allergies itās best to give your dog quercetin in a more concentrated form, as a supplement.
Giving Quercetin
Quercetin supplements come in pill and capsule form. Quercetin supplements often come with bromelain, an enzyme that inreases the bioavailability of quercetin, making it more effective.
Quercetin is best given on an empty stomach. The recommended dose is 8 milligrams for every pound of your dogās weight.
- So for a 20 lb dog, youād give 160 mg
- Or for a 50 lb dog, 400 mg
Read more about quercetin.
# 3 Sprouted Seeds
The immune system starts in the gut so balancing gut bacteria is essential to help control our dogās allergies. You can do this by giving prebiotic and probiotic foods.
Holistic veterinarian Dr Jodie Gruensternās favorite way to do this is to give your dog sprouted seeds to protect against allergies.
Sprouted seeds contain highly bioavailable vitamins, minerals, enzymes and probiotics that support a dogās healthy gut flora. The nutritional value of sprouted seeds is far greater than that of the unsprouted seed and the nutrients are more easily absorbed by the body.
Carnivores forage and we often see dogs eating grass. Itās possible they intuitively know the value of eating the amazing nutrition contained in freshly sprouting seeds.
Sprouted seeds can provide the same probiotics and prebiotics a dogwould eat while foraging in nature, to benefit his own individual gut bacteria.
Feeding Sprouted Seeds
Well, let your dog eat grass when he wants to, of course! (Just make sure it hasnāt been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides).
But you can also buy sprouted seed toppers to sprinkle on your dogās food.
Start out gradually and work up to 1 Tbsp per 10 lbs of body weight per day.
# 4 Nettles
Many herbalists recommend nettles to help manage your dogās allergies and Dr Gruenstern uses them in her practice too.
In their book Herbs for Pets, Gregory Tilford and Mary Wulff explain that nettlesā effectiveness against allergies may be due to their histamine content. They suggest that the effect is similar to the ālike cures likeā concept in homeopathy: the plant stimulates the body to protect itself from an attack of allergens.
Nettles also contain quercetin (see # 2 above) which boosts nettlesā anti-allergy effects.
Feeding Nettles
If theyāre growing nearby, you can pick nettles yourself but wear sturdy gloves because they sting! You can dry the herbs, or make nettle leaf tea, or, as herbalist Rita Hogan recommends, sautĆ© fresh nettles in a pan with coconut oil until tender, and add to your dogās food.
You can also use nettle tincture, giving 2 drops per 10 lbs of your dogās body weight per day.
Dr Gruenstern also likes to use cooled nettle leaf tea topically for itchy skin or even as a rinse for itchy eyes.
# 5 Licorice
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), licorice tonifies the spleen, benefits the Qi, moistens the lung, stops coughing, clears heat, detoxifies Fire Poison (boils, sore throat) and soothes spasms. A study of one licorice constituent, glycyrrhizic acid, showed that it has an antitussive effect similar to codeine.
Licorice can also relieve inflammation in the upper digestive tract, increase the anti-inflammatory effect of glucocorticoids and helps eliminate mucus from the respiratory tract. Just what the doctor ordered for allergy sufferers!
Giving Licorice
Tilford and Wulff recommend consulting a practitioner because dosage varies widely depending on your dogās condition. However they suggest starting with 12 to 20 drops per 20 lbs of body weight twice daily, using a low alcohol licorice extract, or if using a tea, triple that dose.
If you canāt get any sleep because your dogās scratching his itchy skin all night, try some of Dr Deva Khalsaās recommendations for topical fixes for itchy skin. Many of these things are probably already in your kitchen or bathroom cabinet.
# 6 Green Tea
Polyphenols in green tea have an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effect that can help soothe your dogās inflamed itchy skin.
Make a very strong brew, let it cool, then and apply it to the itchy areas for three to 10 minutes to soothe them. Save the rest of the brew in the refrigerator to use later. You can also wet a green tea bag and apply it to the skin, especially for hives or reddened areas.
# 7 Aloe Leaf
Keep an aloe plant in the house and you can use it for all sorts of skin ailments, from your own sunburns to your dogās itchy skin. Or you can buy fresh aloe leaves at many grocery stores ā theyāll keep for three days in the refrigerator.
The fresh gel contains enzymes that help heal itchy skin and decrease inflammation. These enzymes are only in the fresh plant and not in the bottled gel.
Slice the leaf open and apply the gel inside the leaf to itchy areas ā it will cool and calm the skin.
# 8 Baking Soda
Another common kitchen item, baking soda can work wonders in helping calm itchy or reddened, inflamed skin. These are both great recipes that you can use:
Baking Soda Paste
- Mix 1 Tbsp of baking soda with a little water to make a paste.
- Place it on itchy, reddened areas and leave it on for a few hours before washing it off.
- This is very useful if your dog has itchy feet: place it between the toes or on top of the feet.
- If it falls off onto your carpet, it wonāt do any harm ā just vacuum it up.
Baking Soda Spray
- Mix 1 Tbsp baking soda with 8 oz water.
- Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray your dogās skin as necessary.
- Shake the mixture each time before using.
# 9 Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is high in tannins and can help reduce swelling and repair broken skin. Use organic witch hazel to soak a cotton ball and apply it to rashes or itchy areas a few times a day. You can also use witch hazel for itchy ears, and you can put some in a bowl and dip your dogās feet in it if he has itchy paws.
# 10 Cabbage Leaf
This is an old time remedy to help remove heat and inflammation. Pound a cabbage leaf until the surface is broken and the juice oozes out. Hold the leaf on the inflamed area. The leaf will get warm as it draws the inflammation out. Remove after several minutes.
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helsonwheels
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- #20
Mangos anyone? Yes for dogs too!!!!
Mangoes Destroy Cancer, Blast Fat, Reduce Cholesterol, and More ā Be Wise Live Wise
Mangoes Destroy Cancer, Blast Fat, Reduce Cholesterol, and More ā Be Wise Live Wise
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helsonwheels
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I said it numerous times Iām against any flea tick treatment we give our dogs. Yes I did give 2x advantage multi to Duke cause of losing hair issue but that sure stopped while back. I felt so guilty each time I was putting it on him. Hell with that I stopped. The holistic approach is 200% just as effective and it works!!!!
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/toxins-flea-and-tick-treatments/
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/toxins-flea-and-tick-treatments/
Mom of Tucker
New member
- Jun 22, 2015
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- Bulldog(s) Names
- Sophie (2015), Jasper (2020), Tucker (2015-2020)
I appreciate the information you have shared. When Tucker was diagnosed with IMHA last month, the vet advised NOT to have him vaccinated, at least for a while. He indicated that perhaps he should only be vaccinated for Rabies. Fortunately he is not due for that for several months.
The rabies vaccine is a catch 22 situation for us though. Over a year ago, I lived in an apartment complex, and while walking Tucker on a leash, he bit a woman. (Long story) If he had not had a current rabies vaccine, they would have euthanized him. They insisted he be quarantined for 10 days, but I threw a big enough fit that they allowed me to "home quarantine" him. It was very traumatic, but I was thankful for having insurance and a current rabies vaccination.
The rabies vaccine is a catch 22 situation for us though. Over a year ago, I lived in an apartment complex, and while walking Tucker on a leash, he bit a woman. (Long story) If he had not had a current rabies vaccine, they would have euthanized him. They insisted he be quarantined for 10 days, but I threw a big enough fit that they allowed me to "home quarantine" him. It was very traumatic, but I was thankful for having insurance and a current rabies vaccination.
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helsonwheels
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Depends where you live. For sure some states will be a law just like here in Canada only certain provinces will enforce it.
Mom of Tucker
New member
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- Sophie (2015), Jasper (2020), Tucker (2015-2020)
I live in Texas, so you can imagine, there is little leniency here.
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helsonwheels
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The way it works here in Canada they goes with how many rabies problems they have per year and the average of 5yrs. In Ontario itās a law n in Alberta itās not.
Mom of Tucker
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That makes the most sense, but I am sure it has to do with who is lining whose pocket.
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helsonwheels
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Member asked me to put these 2 links in holistic thread... voila! Great for dogās with issues as...limping, joints, arthritis etc. and get them on turmeric n ginger!!!
https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/muscular-skeletal-care/Why-you-should-give-your-dog-a-massage
Canine Massage Therapy | Pawsitive Approach Pet Services
https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/muscular-skeletal-care/Why-you-should-give-your-dog-a-massage
Canine Massage Therapy | Pawsitive Approach Pet Services
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helsonwheels
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Hereās a link on fresh herbs you can give to your dogs. Instead of supplements you can feed them Fresh herbs.
Vitamin-Rich Herbs for Your Pets - Dogs Naturally Magazine
Vitamin-Rich Herbs for Your Pets - Dogs Naturally Magazine
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helsonwheels
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Sometimes Members ask me questions on natural products n I tell them the how n whats. Then it dawns on me....Go put the holistic links in here... like duhhhh me.... hereās one on turmeric.
Turmeric For Dogs
Turmeric For Dogs
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