Reply To This Post Return to Posts Index VegSource Home
| From: | Callie (65.40.55.92)
|
| Subject: | I usually don't use mixed formulas like that |
|
Date: | May 20, 2008 at 7:48 pm PST |
In Reply to: thank you - and...... posted by Renee on May 19, 2008 at 8:08 am:
Particularly NOT dog ones. They tend not to be good quality, and I'm often not convinced they're anything more than marketing. Formulated for the 'normal' dog? What's that? An akita? rottie? chi? yorkie? golden? cocker?
There is no such thing as a 'normal' dog. So what might react one way with one breed can do the opposite with a different breed.
In total honesty, what you're talking about sounds more like a contact allergy -- something probably in the grass or outside, and likely the humans track it in on their feet as well.
Try this -- make up a gallon of 'sun tea' (just plain old regular black tea made pretty strong). Before you let the dog out, draw off a cup or so in a small dish like a margerine tub or small Glad bowl.
When the dog comes in, take a cotton wash cloth and dampen it with tea and wipe down the tummy well. Then swish each foot in the remaining tea mixture and pat try with the wash cloth. (don't use paper -- don't add 'paper dust' to the potential allergen)
It's a royal pain, but do that every time the dog goes outside to walk around in the grass.
See if it diminishes the problem at all -- if it's an atopic allergen then usually you're going to see either the ears get sore, or somewhere else on the skin OR maybe a whole lot of paw-licking. But soreness on the belly says to ME "contact".
Dogs can be allergic to all sorts of plant matter OR to stuff like fertilizer or yard pesticide. Anything from wandering jew (which you could have hanging in a planter in your house) to poison ivy, poison oak, night-blooming jasmine, all the way to St. Augustine sod and beyond.
If the tea helps -- you might want to think about shampooing your carpets thru-out with a good degreaser, or trying to make sure the dog lays on something benign like a folded sheet or sheet blanket. Something washed in something very very gentle like Ivory snow and no fabric softener.
It may help you reduce the problem.
Benedryl -- in most dogs it's never a problem as long as you stick with the 1 mg/lb dose. I've had dogs who have taken it their whole life.
It's not entirely "kind" on the kidneys -- but neither can you allow the skin to be inflamed all the time from allergies.
If you want, feel free to email me and I can teach you about homeopathics -- they can be a great addition to help the dog cope.
Reply To This Post Return to Posts Index VegSource Home
Follow Ups:
