Question
Profile Image
Sarah | 11 years ago
Our German Shepherd, Butch, Has Always Been A Bit Itchy At Certain Times Of The…

Our german shepherd, Butch, has always been a bit itchy at certain times of the year- more in the spring than others. This summer though, he has really started digging at his underside and now licking constantly at his hind leg (where a human knee would sort of be.) Someone suggested it might be a hotspot. What is the treatment for that, or should I just bite the bullet and bring him into the office? I feel so silly doing that as he was just there not too long ago.

1 Response

Comments

  1. Christina Chambreau

    A hot spot is not a particular skin ailment, but rather an area that has been licked/chewed to the point where it develops a bacterial infection that causes the “spot” to be oozing a honey colored, gooey discharge, often with an odor. 

    I am a holistic veterinarian, so I can offer a number of possible solutions for you and also some coaching for general itching problems. 

    first, since he is worse this summer, I wonder if you have recently had  your old
    “analog” electric meter (it has 4 little discs that spin and a man stops
    monthly to read it) changed for a “smart meter” or “digital meter” – looks like a
    computer. These can cause severe health problems or worsen current ones. Opt
    out of getting one.
      http://www.stopsmartmeters.org  If you already have one, pay the money to replace it, and the monthly fee we are charged for protecting our children, animals and ourselves from the high EMFs. http://marylandsmartmeterawareness.org/ has info to educate you and help you. 

    Also, this summer has been much wetter, and some animals are more susceptible to that. Also, when were vaccines last given? they can cause skin problems. 

    Finally, has he been showing any lameness, even mild? Sometimes they will chew on a part of the body that is in pain. 

    the conventional treatment for itching is anti-itch medication, topically or orally and maybe an antibiotic. 

    Holistically there are some treatments for this episode, then work to maximize health by
    following the keys on my website,
     http://www.MyHealthyAnimals.com, especially the 7 keys to health. Healthy dogs just do not
    get hot spots. 
     

    Now, clip the hair around the spot if it is discharging, then use brown lye old fashioned soap followed by the black or green tea bags. Once it is dry, use aloe from your own plant or a drinkable organic aloe vera from the store, or plantain from your yard (if no chemicals there) made into a slurry or calendula to heal. If it is very itchy, SSStingSSSTop ( from the health store) may help. 

    Merely improving the diet (raw meaty bones and pureed vegetables) may help end the itchiness, or you may need to seek professional care (Bel Air, Hereford, White Marsh are probably the closest holistic veterinarians to you – http://www.ahvma.org for details, or the links page on my site). Mitomax is
    a super probiotic
    that
    can improve nutrient absorption, so helps with all problems. I have had many
    animals’ itchiness clear up while using this, though sometimes they need to
    stay on it. Unlike other probiotics, it is very stable and is ok at the low
    stomach pH.

     Rescue Remedy is an easily available (at any health food store and many regular stores) combination flower essence to “rescue” when needed. 10 drops in a cup of water and sponge on the itchy knee, or add to any other topical treatments you choose. Put one
    drop in a separate water bowl for him (and any of the others) to drink – change daily.  If the RR seems to help, you can give some orally (few drops from the bowl) as frequently as any of the family thinks of it.  

    Even if the licking is because of a knee issue, the Rescue Remedy may help, as will the self healing methods listed below. Of course, if symptoms worsen – time to visit a veterinarian, preferably an integrative one if you are interested in that approach. 

    For the future, learn Reiki (www.AnimalReikiAlliance.com is a local Baltimore source of classes, and any holistic store or practice nearer to you as Reiki is the same for human and animals), acupressure, TTouch, healing Touch for Animals (HTA),
    massage, acupressure (several good books) and take one of my homeopathy classes – August is a 6 days class. 
     

    There is a great store that will be a healing resource for all your animals – Baron’s country Store (N of Bel Air, so should be close enough for you). It is near Dave’s natural market, another great resource. 

    Ask more questions here if I was not clear. 

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 11 years ago
What To Give A Dog That Is Throwing Up?

What to give a dog that is throwing up?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Regina Reif

    I would strongly agree.

    Withholding food and water is usually the first thing I do for about 24 hours.  But that is very dependent on other signs that my pet may be showing.  If they are acting normally, I will withhold and then start with very small bland meals of rice and boiled chicken to see if they hold it down and resume access to water.  I usually also start them on famotidine, but i would check with your vet about that.

    If they are pale, shaky, weak, any other things that are strange… they need to go be seen by a veterinarian.  There really are no over the counter anti-nausea medications that are safe for pets, so I would never give any human medications unless your vet expressly directs you to.  It often makes the situation much worse.

    No food or water (NPO = nothing per os, nothing by mouth) is usually a good starting point.  

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 11 years ago
What To Do About A Dog Throwing Up?

What to do about a dog throwing up?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Jana

    How old is the dog? What breed? How long has it been happening? How often/how many times? Is he actually vomiting or just heaving? Is there heaving with the expelled content or does it just seem to come out? Is he vomiting food, bile or other? Does it smell bad? Does it look like coffee grounds? Is there blood in it? Does he seem in pain? Are there other signs, such as not eating, diarrhea, lethargy? Are the gums nice and pink? Is the stomach distended? Is the saliva thick, gums sticky and are there other signs of dehydration? Could he have gotten into something he shouldn’t, such as garbage or found something outside? Is he vomiting only in the morning/on empty stomach? Could he have eaten an object such as a piece of a toy or otherwise? …

    You see, there are many reasons a dog will vomit and various urgency to see a vet about it.

    Vomiting puppy needs to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

    Dry heaving – trying to vomit but nothing actually coming out is the most dangerous and can signify bloat. Total emergency that needs medical intervention immediately.

    Vomiting “coffee grounds” or blood requires medical attention right away. 

    Vomiting with diarrhea and lethargy or other worrisome signs requires medical attention as soon as possible.

    Vomiting with signs of pain and/or distended abdomen requires medical attention as soon as possible.

    Dry sticky gums, pale gums, skin that lacks elasticity requires medical attention as soon as possible.

    There are many things to consider, first of which is to determine whether your dog needs to see a vet right away.

    From your question I assume it happened more than twice, so you should see a vet anyway.

    Meanwhile, I would withhold food for 24 hours and give a little bit of water only if he holds that down.

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 11 years ago
Brandon Took A Few Pictures When We Were Having Our Initial Visit At JVC Last…

Brandon took a few pictures when we were having our initial visit at JVC last week. I don’t have any digital pics yet as she is very shy and scared. I’ll try to get some. So there is no danger to my other cats regarding Leukemia, FIV?

0 Responses
Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 11 years ago
Hi Dr. Magnifico, Recently A New Kitten Found Me. I Took Her To JVC Last Week…

Hi Dr. Magnifico,
Recently a new kitten found me. I took her to JVC last week. She was given a distemper shot. She had fleas. Per her fecal, she was parasite free. When may I introduce her to my other kitties? Thanks for your help!

0 Responses
Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 11 years ago
My Puppy (6 Month Lab/curr Mix) Is Terrified Of Strangers. She Barks And Growls Whenever…

My puppy (6 month lab/curr mix) is terrified of strangers. She barks and growls whenever she is exposed to people outside of my family. This behavior started at 3 months. With training and positive exposure, will she ever grow out of it?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Jana

    Did this happen in spite of proper socialization?

    Yes, positive training and socialization should get him at least indifferent. At this point, I’d recommend doing that with professional guidance, though, where situations can be fully controlled to keep things below his threshold.

Question
Profile Image
kathy welsh | 11 years ago
Should I Leave Our Puppy’s Dry Food Out All Day Or Just Twice A Day…

Should I leave our puppy’s dry food out all day or just twice a day with the recommended amt
for a certain amt of time. She is 8 wks old

1 Response

Comments

  1. Jana

    Unless you’re worried about not being able to feed your puppy frequently enough, I would not leave food out all day. There are many benefits to actually feeding your dog, rather than having the food out all the time.

    Actually feeding your dog

    – helps prevent the fats in the food going rancid and destruction of nutrients by prolonged exposure to air

    – helps you to better track how much your dog is eating

    – helps bonding, particularly when combined with a bit of training and/or handfeeding

    – helps your dog understand that you’re the provider of the food, not the floor

Question
Profile Image
kathy welsh | 11 years ago
We Have An 8 Wk Old Puppy That Loves To Chew Our Dining Rm Chairs…

We have an 8 wk old puppy that loves to chew our dining rm chairs. I have numerous chew toys for her. Is rawhide okay to give her? Is there any product I can apply to chairs?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Kelly Furgason

    Hi Kathy,

    There are a few things you can try. Offering other types of toys for her is one suggestion, there are toys that you can put small treats into, and the puppy can roll them along and a treat comes out. They keep them distracted from chewing. Also change up and rotate the toys you have so that they seem “new” and interesting.  

    They make commercial sprays you can apply on furniture for this purpose, I’ve also heard people having success with putting hot pepper spray on furniture to deter them. Bitter Apple spray seems to work the best in my opinion (they sell this at most pet supply stores) 

    I personally do not like rawhides, primarily because they are easy for a dog to choke on when they becomes slimy, soft and small. So unless you are supervising your puppy when they are using them at all times, I would avoid them.

    There are super hard bones (marrow bones) that you can get that most dogs LOVE. They even are some that are filled with peanut butter or other fillings to keep a dogs interest. Try also offering antlers-most dogs go crazy for them and they are sold at most pet supply stores. 

    Finally, make sure your puppy is getting lots and lots of exercise and walks outside. This alone will often lesson the problem.

    Enjoy your new pup!

    ~kelly

Question
Profile Image
Jana | 11 years ago
So What The Heck Makes A Dog’s Stomach Quite Upset For About 3hrs And Then…

So what the heck makes a dog’s stomach quite upset for about 3hrs and then all seems normal again without vomiting?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Jana Post author

    We played and did some training games etc and she was eager for her treats. Then she went to sleep. Later, when I’m making her breakfast she typically comes over for a treat. She didn’t. I brought one to her and she didn’t want it. I could see from her face and the way she was acting her stomach was upset. I just could tell. Some minimal lip licking, no drooling (Jasmine would always drool when her belly was upset). This was just the facial expression, the grimasse of the mouth, the way she was overall.

    At first I was worried the pancreatitis was coming back. Then I remembered that last time she was outside she appeared to had been chewing on something. But there was nothing in that area. I went to look. There was some digging and some disturbed roots. Wasn’t clear whether from the digging or whether she ate some.

    Worried I went online trying to figure out what plant could the roots be of. Found out that most likely from bittersweet nightshade. Was so worried that I ended up calling Poison Hotline. And then, couple hours later she looked fine again.

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 11 years ago
Is It Still Epilepsy If My Dog Only Had A Seizure At Age 5…

Is it still epilepsy if my dog only had a seizure at age 5 and then 9?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Jana

    Hi Elizabeth,

    from the way you’re asking I’m assuming that it was diagnosed as epilepsy the first time around? At the age of 5 it would be a likely diagnosis. How was it diagnosed and was it treated in any way?

    “The two most important factors in the diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy
    is the age at onset and the seizure pattern (type and frequency). If
    your dog has more than two seizures within the first week of onset, your
    veterinarian will probably consider a diagnosis other than idiopathic
    epilepsy”

    http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_dg_epilepsy_idiopathic_genetic

    Onset of seizures in a dog older than 5 years, it can be metabolic or neurological (a lesion like a brain tumor).

    So the question on my mind would be, is it the same thing as it was four years ago or is there something else going on? If it was me I would want to revisit this with my vet.

    http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.ca/2012/10/really-angry-vet-winstons-first-seizure.html