Q.I have a 9-month-old ½ shar-pei, ½ shepherd mix puppy. About 4 months ago, she started displaying symptoms of demodectic mange. We cook organic chicken and rice. We have used cortisone only twice by injection and of course she heals up for about 2 weeks. About 2 weeks ago, we started Ivermectin orally as recommended. She was vaccinated finally and that really pushed her over the edge. Do you have any suggestions?

 

A.First, I would suggest counteracting the effects of the vaccine with the homeopathic remedy Thuja, either 30C or 1M.

Demodectic mange is an immune deficiency disease. The mites responsible become out of control when the dog’s immune system is suppressed. Part of the problem is that cortisone and Ivermectin, which are being used to control the mange, are also very immune suppressing, so the cycle is perpetuated. In treating this condition, it’s important to build up the immune system. You could consider high levels of intravenous vitamin C as well as Chinese herbs. Seven Forest Viola 12 and Astragalus 10+ are both indicated for this condition and can be ordered through your vet. Thymus extract is another immune enhancer you could use, as well as flax seed oil and a good multi-vitamin. I would also recommend a veterinary product called Acemannan, an aloe vera extract that your vet can inject under the skin or in the belly. I have seen it reverse life-threatening demodectic mange cases. Topically, you could try tea tree oil.

Q.I have a 5-1/2-year-old Bouvier who has itchy skin. She is mostly scratching around her tail and up her back and sides. She has had many skin infections as this has been going on since she was a baby. She had allergy testing which came back as allergic to fleas only, but there is never a flea in sight. She had another flare up right after the last bout of prednisone. She is now on a diet of whitefish and rice.

 

A.This is one of the most typical things we see. I would suggest homeopathic Thuja if you think it’s vaccine-related. You could also try Sulphur Heel (indicated for dermatosis), BHI Skin (indicated for eczema, blisters, rashes and hives) or BHI Allergy, (indicated for relief of skin rashes and hives). You could try Dr. Goodpet’s Flea Relief, Betathyme or Moducare, which are basically natural cortisones. For true skin infections, you can use Olive Leaf Extract, or the homeopathic remedy Hepar Sulph. Often with these types of cases, the dog needs to be detoxified. Remember that the skin is the “third kidney”.

Q.Annabelle is five years old and we have had her for eight months. She has adjusted well. We have some anxiety issues being treated with “rescue drops”. She has started filling up with mucus and sneezing all over the place when she gets agitated or sometimes just out of the blue. Prednisone stopped her chewing her legs raw and the sneezing for a while but I don’t want her on it again. That’s when I started “rescue” and have tried a program of vomica, hepar and engystol. Again this stopped the itchy skin but not the sneezing. She plugs up so bad at times she breathes with her mouth open. She also throws up white frothy, slimy vomit whenever she gets excited.

 

A.You need to first make sure this is not associated with a condition called autoimmune thyroiditis (many times related to vaccines). Your dog’s thyroglobulin autoantibodies should be tested. If this is the problem and it’s not addressed, it will be substantially more difficult getting her better. At our clinic, we would use Betathyme, the Chinese herbal Kai Yeung (Seven Forest)–which is good for severe itching, Skin-Aid (Professional Health Products), which contains homeopathic histamine and finally allergy formulas containing herbal echinacea and nettles.

Regarding diet, stay away from known allergens such as wheat, beef and yeast and try alternative protein sources such as fish and duck. Your veterinarian could consider doing allergy testing on blood through Spectrum Labs to determine known allergens. If you need relief from the symptoms of the itchy skin, I would recommend natural hydrocortisone over prednisone. As far as the anxiety goes, there are a number of flower essences on the market which are more precise than “rescue remedy”. If you can narrow it down to the specific essences your dog needs (or consult an expert in this field), it can make a real difference to issues surrounding anxiety.