| One of the most common types questions that we receive has to do with dogs that are itchy, scratching incessantly, chewing on their paws, or have stinky ears and what to do about them.
The symptoms can be perplexing and bothersome to deal with…not to mention the discomfort caused to Fido, unless you know what is causing the problem which in many cases is…
ALLERGIES
Allergies can come in many “sizes and shapes”, manifested in different ways. Some of the more common symptoms that may indicate the presence of allergies, according to one of our favorites vets, Dr. A. Jones include:
“Chronic scratching
Ear infections
Oily/smelly skin
Constant paw chewing
Anal licking
Hair loss
If you happen to have an allergic pet, it is very unpleasant for BOTH you and your dog or cat.
Conventional medicine gives you few options.
Like steroids- they rapidly stop the itching, but often bring a HOST of side effects.
Excessive drinking
Excessive urinating
Muscle wasting
Drug induced Cushings
Diabetes Mellitus
Immune Suppression
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BUT there are *other* options
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How to Incorporate Herbs in Treating Your Dog or Cat
Herbs are relatively safe and gentle medicines – most are very forgiving with fewer side effects compared to conventions medications. There is a synergy between the parts of the plants components, making herbal medicine safe, and effective.
The goal of using herbs is to enable your pet’s body to ultimately heal itself. To see how to incorporate herbal healing, let’s look at the example of a dog with chronic allergies.
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Chronic Allergies
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Allergies are caused by a variety of things – the most common are: food, atopy(environmental), and parasites. This produces the secondary signs of chronic itching, infected skin, red lesions, pustules, thickened black skin, ear infections, and chronic paw licking.
Antibiotic and steroid therapies may make the symptoms disappear, but the underlying cause will continue, and the disease may be pushed deeper into your pet’s body to result in a much more serious disorder over time.
All forms of chronic skin disease have two things in common:
-All are connected to diet
-All are less likely to occur in animals who have a healthy GI
tract with good waste elimination, and strong immune systems.
Tonic herbs are used to gently support your pet’s cleansing
systems
– it makes it easier for your pet to heal himself.
Tonics: A Basic Formula for Chronic Skin Problems
-2 parts Burdock root, 1 part Dandelion, 1 part Red Clover, 1 part
garlic powder.
-Tincture, tea, or the pressed juice of the fresh herb must be used.
-Flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, borage seed oil, fish oil, or a prepared multi-essential fatty acid supplement should be fed along with this formula.
Dose: 1 tablespoon per forty pounds of the animal’s body weight
daily.
This tonic will assist organ functions and help optimize the
absorption of needed nutrients. ” END Andrew Jones, DVM
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Allergies can make your best friend miserable and can make you miserable watching him suffer and trying to find a solution.
If you notice your dog suffering from symtopms describes above, you can take him to the veterinarian for testing and may decide to so.
Once identified the vet may prescribe a course of treatment that provides relief but keep in mind that many medication or steroid
based treatments “may” provide temporary relief accompanied by
“side effects” as discussed by Dr. Jones.
Keep a watchful eye on your dog for symptoms that may indicate the presence of allergies. If you do, you have options on how to |
