Dog Wart on Ear

by Emily

Our dog Leon, an 11-month-old male Rhodesian Ridgeback, has has a wart on his right ear for about three months now. A friend of mine first noticed it in the park one day and I took one look and said, "Oh, that's nothing. It's just a bud or seed of some sort." At that point I reached to pluck it out of his ear and realized that it was attached. The wart was about the size of a small flower bud.

About a week later, I took him to the vet to get it checked out. She informed me that it was a wart, that it was nothing to worry about, and that it would fall off on its own in a couple months.

Well, since then, it has grown significantly in size. Actually, it's huge! I was trying to think of some fruit to compare it to, but there's not a good comparison, so i just measured...It's 1.5 inches long, 1 inch wide, and 1 inch deep.

It started off all skin color and then began to turn black on the edges.

It doesn't seem to bother him, but sometimes he scratches it and it bleeds. The area of skin around it is very red and irritated.

I can't tell if the base of it, the part that is attached to him, is getting smaller, or it's just getting bigger. Actually, it does seem to be getting bigger. Just today I noticed a few more skin-colored "tentacles" creeping up around the side.

I also noticed today that he seems to have another wart that has just begin to grow on his mouth. (You can see this in the picture as well.)

He is also losing hair in his front "led pits" and on his back legs. I'm pretty sure that the front leg hair loss is from the harness we use n him (which I've now wrapped in fleece so it doesn't irritate his skin so much), but I don't know what to make of the bag leg hair loss. Could it be related?

Anyway, my question is...do you think this wart in his ear (and the other) could be malignant? Do I need to take him to the vet again and possibly get it removed?

Thank you in advance for your time!

Sincerely,

Emily




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Dog Wart on Ear

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My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
From the photo you sent of Leon, and the description of the wart, and a new one coming up on the right side of his lip, hair loss on his front and back legs, he needs a dose of Thuya high potency 200c or 1 M. It is not malignant. But I would be very suspicious that this came up after his last vaccinations at 6 months of age.

For you to obtain a high potency of Thuya, you will need to contact a holistic veterinarian and they will take the case, including his whole history, personality, likes and dislikes, diet, what kind of environment he is in, and any other pets you may have. See our page on Homeopathy for Dog Care for more information.

They may find that Thuya is not the appropriate remedy, but it is a start, especially if this did appear after his vaccinations were given. If so, then I would be VERY cautious about giving him any more vaccinations in the future. You can work with a holistic veterinarian to get an exemption from a vaccine. Since the instructions inside the package for every vaccine, says, "To be administered to healthy animals only." And developing a large wart is NOT healthy!

In the meantime, you can:

1. Start providing Leon with a raw diet. See our page on 10 Best Dog Food Options to find more info.

2. Decrease any exposure to toxins, or chemicals on his skin, (such as for flea/tick prevention), and use a more natural product like Evolv from Wondercide. And check out our page on Natural dog flea medicine.

3. Boost his immune system with Immuplex from Standard Process. He would need one capsule in his food two times daily.

4. Having him checked for parasites in his stool and for dog heartworm symptoms would also be prudent to make sure he is healthy.

To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click here:
find a holistic veterinarian in your area

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.
Visit to Vet
by: Emily

Thank you for your response. I took Leon to the vet today and it turns out that his mange (which he had as a very young puppy) has come back and he has a "severe" bacterial infection as a result.

We are now giving him antibiotics and medicine for the demodex.

I am going to get the immune support product you suggested, as well as some vitamin E oil for the wart. I am also considering a raw dog food diet.

The vet says that the mange could have been brought on by allergies which would make it a "chronic" case. I hope she's wrong!

All for now,

Emily
My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily
Demodex mange is a HUGE indicator that Leon is immune suppressed. Having the mange come back now shows that he is further immuno-compromised. The allergies are secondary.

Continuing to treat him with "conventional" drugs (antibiotics and medicine for the Demodex) will further compromise and suppress his immune system. These will cause him to become sicker, more allergy-prone, and susceptible to other diseases on a 'deeper' level (such as liver, kidney or heart disease). Right now, he only has 'surface' problems, meaning that everything is localized to the skin, warts, allergies, and mites.

You are on the right track with some immune support, and starting a raw diet. But Leon needs some homeopathic remedies to 'cure' him, not conventional drugs, and definitely NO MORE vaccinations!

To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click here:
find a holistic veterinarian in your area

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.
Considering the Alternative
by: Emily

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond again!

I am seriously considering taking the approach you suggest (even though we just spent $300 at the vet yesterday!). I have given Leon the ivermectin for 2 days now, but the more I learn, the more I want to stop giving it to him immediately! I think I will try to boost his immune system and change his diet to raw to deprive the mites of the yeast they live on.

I'm about to pick up a book called, "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats" and another one called, "Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats."

I don't know what the options are for treating the bacterial infection. I've already given him two days worth of antibiotics. Should I stop giving them to him? I know for humans, they say not to stop once you have started until the dosage is complete.

Of course I want to do what's best for Leon, but I feel totally overwhelmed by the time and money it involves!

Thanks again for your help!

Emily
My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
Dr. Pitcairn was my teacher for homeopathy, and he continues to teach veterinarians and lecture at the annual conferences! His book, Natural Health for Dogs and Cats is an EXCELLENT reference!

For Leon, stop the antibiotics. You can follow the detailed instructions in Dr. Pitcairn's book for treatment of mange (see the section under Skin Parasites) and treatment of mange with bacterial infection. Use homeopathic Sulphur 6x potency, and give Leon one pellet by mouth one time daily.

You are NOT supposed to touch the pellets with your fingers, just pour one into the cap, then pull out Leon's lip and place the pellet into the 'side' pouch. Homeopathic remedies are available at health food stores, or at online homeopathic Pharmacies.

Externally, use purple cone flower (Echinachia) compresses on his skin. Dr. Pitcairn describes how to make these herbal compresses. Overall, it may take 3-6 months, and will also involve increasing the potency of the Sulphur, or changing remedies depending on Leon's response. Having a holistic veterinarian to guide you along the way would be best.

To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click here:
find a holistic veterinarian in your area

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.
Discouraging Holistic Vet Visit
by: Emily

Hi Dr. Tillman,

I just got back from taking Leon to a holistic vet to get a little more guidance. She was extremely discouraging!

She told me that because he is almost a year old, the mange came back after the first ivermectin treatment (when he was around 5 months), and the demodex is generalized, she doesn't feel optimistic that this is something that will go away even with extra immune support and says the ivermectin may need to be used. She suspects it could likely be a chronic condition.

I told her about my plan to put him on a raw diet and she strongly advised against it, reasoning that if he has a compromised immune system, there is a much greater chance that he could pick up something from the raw meat such as salmonella. She's all for home cooking, but not raw at this point. And she says she thinks Orijen Large Breed Puppy Kibble, which I've always given him, is a good food.

It turns out he also has infections in both ears. He's a mess!

So, I'm going to do what I can to boost his immune system and I will get the sulphur, but nutritionally, I'm not sure what to do anymore.

I really hope this isn't a chronic condition!

This visit was not helpful in any way! I'd try going to someone else, but I just don't have the money! I'll do my best on my own and hope that's enough.

Thanks for listening.

Emily
My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
I am so sorry to hear about your disappointing visit to a 'holistic' veterinarian. It sounds like she is being very conservative and cautious in her treatment of Leon, but he is still young, and that is in his favor!

At this point, all of his problems are still localized to the "surface", meaning his skin area. I would not categorize the ear inflammation/wax discharge as "ear infection" unless a culture and/or cytology has been done. Even then, any bacteria or yeast found are sometimes secondary residents due to the chronic inflammation, NOT the primary cause.

If you like, I can still act as a 'coach' from the sidelines and perhaps suggest an intermediate path for Leon's treatment.

1. Diet: Instead of raw, you could lightly cook the meat so it is rare. See if the Orijen Large Breed Puppy Kibble comes in a canned formula. He needs moisture in his diet, NO DRY FOOD.

2. Homeopathic Remedy- Start with Sulphur 200c, one dose given ONE time daily for THREE days. That's one pellet in his mouth, do not touch the pellets with your fingers. Pour one into the cap and from the cap pull out his cheek and place the pellet into the 'pouch' on the side of his mouth.

3.Ear treatment-Place one to two teaspoons of plain yogurt with culture into each ear, two times per week for three weeks. This will act as a poultice to cool the inflammation and improve the 'good' bacterial population in his ears. Clean off any residue that comes out onto the side of his face and clean the underside of his ear flaps. Do not dig into each ear as that will only create more irritation.

4. Boost his Immune system:
a. Start him on Standard Process Immuplex. Add one capsule to his food two times daily.
b. Start him on Mega C, OrthoMolecular Specialties, Mega C Powder, 8 oz size. Add 1/3 tsp to his food two times daily.

5. NO VACCINATIONS. At least not for 3 years, until he is completely healthy!

6. Consider one injection of Ivermectin every 2-3 weeks, if your veterinarian insists.

7. Bathe him weekly with an oatmeal shampoo to help with any itching/allergies, etc.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.
Diet and Supplements
by: Emily

I appreciate your help and support so much, Dr. Tillman! I trust you way more than any of the vets I have visited and I have never even met you!

I am waiting for a few items in the mail (sulphur, ester-C, vitamin E capsules, Animal Essentials plant enzymes and probiotics, and oyster mushrooms) and in the meantime I've been giving him the Orijen kibble with vegetables, OL-Immune drops from Animals' Apawthecaey, salmon oil, Dream Coat from Halo (soybean oil, wheatgerm oil, saflower oil, sunflower oil, garlic oil, cod liver oil, anise), zinc, vitamin C for dogs, L-lysine, and Immune One powder mixed in.

Why do you say no dry food? Is it because of yeast? If so, the Orijen ingredients don't include yeast.

I checked and Orijen doesn't make a wet food. I hear that Merrick is good. What do you think?

Please let me know if there is anything I need to do in order to continue to have your help.

Thanks,

Emily
PS: Raw?
by: Emily

Do you agree that giving him raw food with such a weak immune system is too risky? The "holistic" vet and her colleague both advised against it, but in all my research I see people suggesting a raw diet.
My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
Thank you for the vote of confidence! It certainly sounds like you are on the right track with the huge amount of dog dietary supplements you are adding to Leon's food.

I am against DRY food, because it is DRY. Leon has numerous skin problems, from the mites to allergies and a large wart. His skin must have adequate moisture to heal! Even though he may be drinking water, or you add some meat to his kibble, that is NOT enough. His entire meal must be moist.

Merrick's is a good food, and it is canned. I would suggest following my previous posting, and use the canned food initially, and if Leon is responding to the immune support, then add in a bit of raw meat.

You can eventually transition him to a completely raw diet, as he responds to the homeopathic remedy and immune support, and other supplements.

Here is a story I heard about the origin of dry pet food. Before World War II, there was no such thing as dry pet food. All pet foods were in cans. When the War started, they needed metal for the war. The government considered Pet food to be non-essential, so the pet food companies, realizing they needed to figure out an alternate packaging for the food, developed a way to bake the canned food, so they could store it in BAGS. This was only to be temporary until after the war was over, then they could go back to canned foods.

Well, when the war ended, the pet food industry discovered that people liked the convenience of DRY food. It was cheaper, it didn't smell, you could just pour it into a bowl and leave it out all day! Therefore, they did not re-call the dry food, they could make more money, offering BOTH canned food and dry food! Dry food did not come into existence because it was healthier for dogs, it is NOT healthier!! It is only a way make the pet food companies more money.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.
Update
by: Emily

Hi Dr. Tillman,

Thank you for taking the time to respond again!

I think we are making some progress. The wart is starting to itch and smell like a dead animal. It's disgusting. REALLY disgusting. We have to put Leon (and Edwarto, as we call the wart) outside in the backyard just so we can eat without our stomachs turning! Do you think the itch and smell mean that it's dying? I hope so! It is time for Edwarto to go!!

I'm continuing to give Leon everything I mentioned in my last message. I'm also giving him mostly canned Wellness food with a little bit of Orijen kibble. I'm not totally sure, but I think I see hair growing back on his legs and belly!

I did end up giving him the antibiotics because I just didn't have the time to treat the bacterial infection naturally.

In terms of his energy, he seems normal and is a very happy dog. He is clueless that he looks and smells terrible!

Well, that's all for now.

I'll keep you posted.

Best,

Emily

My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
Did you give Leon the Sulphur 200c? If he had a dose about 2-3 weeks ago and NOW the wart, aka Edwarto, is changing causing Leon to itch at it and it is smelling bad, it is probably 'dying' and attempting to slough off.

If he has not had a dose of the Sulphur, then I would be concerned that it may be a secondary bacterial infection. Hopefully, since everything else seems well with him, he has good energy, his hair is starting to grow back, he is on healthy supplements and canned food, (I would wean him off of all dry food)he should be able to handle this ok. In the meantime, perhaps you could use hydrogen peroxide to clean the wart daily, and decrease the surface bacteria. And give him a dose of the Sulphur 200c, if you have not already done so.

Send me another posting to let me know the date you gave the Sulphur remedy, and we can monitor Leon, (and Edwarto's), progress after that.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.




More on the Wart
by: Emily

Good evening!

I just got the sulphur in the mail a few days ago. All it says on the package in terms of potency is 30x. Is that the right strength? I've been giving him two a day about 12 hours apart.

I gave him the antibiotics for the bacterial infection he had on his skin from the mange. Wouldn't that take care of any bacterial infection he might have on the wart as well?

Could it be that his body is fighting it off and that is why it's starting to itch and smell? I have been giving him the immune boosting supplements for close to two weeks now.

Maybe a more thorough description would be helpful...

The head of the wart (about 2 inches in diameter) is now black. The area around the root of it used to be more pink, or alive, looking as well as a few areas closer to the head. Now the base of it looks gray. The only pink I see is in areas a little under the surface that have been exposed from scratching. He scratches it regularly now (and then licks the foot he scratches it with--ew!!). This causes it to bleed. Even though I cleaned it yesterday (with a towel dampened with diluted tea tree oil), when I looked at it again tonight, there was a large ring of dried blood on the underside of his ear--the part that lies against the wart.

It didn't seem to bother him before, but now I think it's uncomfortable. Sometimes he will scratch it a little too hard and will whimper. When I was cleaning the wart itself (not the underside of the ear) tonight with the diluted tea tree oil, he snapped at me. He has never done this before (although he does growl once in a while when we try to make him get up off the couch so that we can sit down).

I will get some hydrogen peroxide and clean it with that just in case.

Please let me know your thoughts. You've got me a little worried!

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Emily
PS:
by: Emily

I finished giving him the antibiotics three days ago and the wart started smelling over a week ago.
My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
It sounds like something else may be going on with this wart and/or his ear. Although, you are correct in thinking that if Leon had an antibiotic for the skin infection, it should also help with any infection in the wart and/or ear. But maybe not. Especially, if the wart tissue is so dense and thick, that the blood supply is compromised, then oral antibiotics being circulated in the blood stream would not be absorbed all the way into the wart, therefore, leaving a necrotic or 'gangrenous' center.

The Sulphur 30X is too low a potency. Even if you are repeating it 2-3 times daily, it is still too low to do much, especially in light of the changes occurring with the wart. X potency in homeopathic remedies is only diluted to the 10th. C potency is diluted to the 100th, and M potency is diluted to the 1,000. (like Roman numerals) I suggest you get a 200C potency Sulphur. (Actually a 30C would be much better than the 30X, but a 200C would be even stronger.)

Also, Tea Tree Oil can sometimes interfere with homeopathic remedies, so use the hydrogen peroxide instead. And clean above and under the wart, especially where it is bleeding. If this is too painful for Leon, then use a nylon muzzle, or tie a leather shoelace around his nose/mouth area to prevent him from biting you.

In the meantime, you may need to take him back to your 'regular' veterinarian just to have them recheck whatever is going on with "Edwarto"! I do not want any gangrene to spread. (And to make sure he is not developing something new inside his ear canal.)

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.






Possible Gangrene
by: Emily

Wow, I really hope it's not gangrene! He doesn't have any of the other symptoms like diarrhea, fever, or loss of appetite.

I put some hydrogen peroxide on it this morning. It was definitely not comfortable for him.

I'm leaving for Vermont this morning and will be back Sunday night. If it's still not showing an signs of improvement, I will take him to the vet on Tuesday. Do you think that's too long to wait?

I just ordered more Sulphur 200c. I'll continue to give him the low potency in the meantime.

I'm so worried!

Thank you for all of your help, Dr. Tillman.

Emily

My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
Will you take Leon with you on your trip? If not, then hopefully someone will be watching him, to notice if he does stop eating, become lethargic, or act sick. Then they should NOT wait until you get back, but take him to a veterinarian immediately.

In the meantime, you can continue the lower potency Sulphur 30X 3 times daily until you receive the Sulphur 200c. If you are able to put the hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and spray it onto the wart, maybe that would be less painful for Leon? You should still put a muzzle on his mouth, to make sure he can not bite you.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.




Trip to Vermont
by: Emily

Hi Dr. Tillman,

I brought Leon with me so that I can monitor him and continue to give him his special diet. He is very happy to be with my parent's dog, Mia (the love of his life), and he's getting some good exercise out among nature.

I will see if I can find a spray bottle for the hydrogen peroxide.

I'll keep you posted.

Hope you enjoy the weekend!

Emily
Update and Meeting Dr. Gil
by: Emily

Hi Dr. Tillman!

I hope all is well with you.

Just checking in to give you a little update and tell you that I met Dr. Alberto Gil today.

Well, I'm still waiting on the sulphur 200c. I will have it on Monday. I've been keeping everything up and feeding Leon only wet food (Wellness) and I think I'm seeing signs of improvement. There seems to be new hair growth and the wart looks as though it's getting smaller. It's definitely very raw looking and stinky as ever, but it's smaller. It hurts him now. He scratches it and shakes his head and each time he does he yelps out in pain. It's hard to hear. Ah, and the wart that was forming on his mouth is now gone!

I decided to start Leon on a raw diet since his immune system seems to be getting stronger. Today I went to Armellino's in Huntington Station, NY and the holistic vet that was there for consultation was your collegue/friend, Dr. Gil! When I mentioned that the best advice I'd gotten was from you, he told me that he knows you. Funny how the universe works sometimes!

He told me to continue to follow all of your advice, but to use calendula oil on the wart rather than hydrogen peroxide because he thinks it will be more soothing. He also said that if I feel I Leon needs it, he would be willing to work with you and be your "eyes."

For now, I'm going to keep up with what I'm doing, replacing the wet food with raw meat. I now have 50 lbs of ground lamb and chicken in my freezer! Funny for someone who hardly eats meat.

All for now.

: ) emily
My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
Wow, that is amazing that you found Dr. Alberto Gil! Yes, I think that would be marvelous if you were able to have Dr. Gil do an exam on Leon. That way he would be able to report to me what he sees. And also give you HIS opinion on what could be done in a holistic manner!

I think the calendula tincture is an excellent suggestion to try, since the hydrogen peroxide is so irritating and painful for Leon. It also sounds like you are prepared for the long haul on feeding him a raw meat diet!

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.




Possible Infection
by: Emily

Hi again,

I am considering whether or not I need to take Leon to the vet in my neighborhood tomorrow. The calendula oil (the tincture is apparently for internal use only)has helped with the smell and I think it has also helped to sooth the wart a bit, but the wart is now a greyish white color and around the entrance to the ear, there are a few bumps that he has scratched and that are bleeding.

I've been cleaning the blood off the ear with a warm damp cloth and trying to get the liquid out of the ear with a cotton ball.

I also noticed today that there is a short greyish line underneath the skin coming out from the base of the wart.

Dr. Gil said to just keep up what I'm doing and that it's not dangerous, but I'm very worried. However, I am also worried that if I do take him to the vet around here, they will tell me to give him antibiotics or tell me it needs to be removed then they will charge me all sorts of money. I don't want to do either of these things.

Do you think this could be dangerous?

If so, I suppose I will need to take him in.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Emily
My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
Can you take Leon to Dr. Gil, so he can look at him?

That would be ideal, as he would suggest something more holistic, or that would blend with homeopathy and not interfere with it.


Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.



Appointment with Dr. Gil
by: Emily

Good morning,

I made an appointment to take Leon to Dr. Gil this Friday at noon.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Best,

Emily
My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,

You wrote,
I made an appointment to take Leon to Dr. Gil this Friday at noon



Thanks, that sounds wonderful.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman
Visit with Dr. Gil
by: Emily

Hi Dr. Tillman!

I took Leon to see Dr. Gil today. He told me he'd get in touch with you.

Please let me know when he does and how you think we should proceed.

Thanks!

Emily
Next Step
by: Emily

Hi Dr. Tillman. I hope you enjoyed the 4th!

Did Dr. Gil get in touch with you?

Leon's wart is much better. It's very small now and doesn't smell anymore, but the mange is still a problem.

I'm giving him the sulphur 200c twice a day and he's on a totally raw diet now. There may be some new hair growth in some areas but it's hard to tall because there are other areas where he seems to be losing more hair. Also, I found a few doggie pimples on his back.

Is there anything else I should be doing?

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!

Emily

My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
Yes, Dr. Gil did contact me, and sent me a photo of the rapidly shrinking wart. I have been travelling out of town for the 4th of July, visiting family, and did not get a chance to respond right away.

The wart still appears to have some inflammation, and drainage, as the wart tissue 'dissolves' away. Keeping it as clean as possible will help keep Leon more comfortable and prevent any secondary infection.

He seems to be responding well to the Sulphur. But now that you have started the much higher potency of 200c, you do NOT need to give as frequently. In fact, you should STOP giving it, and not repeat it, until we evaluate Leon's status with the mange situation. He may not need another dose for maybe a week, or even a month or two.

You wrote,
"I'm giving him the Sulphur 200c twice a day and he's on a totally raw diet now. There may be some new hair growth in some areas but it's hard to tell because there are other areas where he seems to be losing more hair. Also, I found a few doggie pimples on his back.

Is there anything else I should be doing?"

Once you have stopped the Sulphur, I would expect to see more 'doggie pimples' appear. There may be more hair loss, in the next few weeks, but the new hair growth should slowly increase. Maintaining clean skin, with once or twice weekly baths, using a mild oatmeal or baby shampoo should be enough. His raw diet will provide nutrients (and Vitamin C) that will be essential for boosting his immune system. He may also need the Immuplex from Standard Process, (one capsule opened and sprinkled in his food 2 times daily) and the Mega C from Orthomolecular Specialties, (1/4 tsp in his food 2 times daily). I think that you are already adding in some of these supplements now.

Send me an update in one week with his progress. To decide if we should repeat the Sulphur 200c (one dose) or wait longer, especially if Leon is continuing to improve, then we would wait longer.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.






The Next Couple weeks
by: Emily

Thanks for getting back to me! I'm glad you had a chance to get away!

I have been giving him the Standard Process Immuplex as well as Ester-C and zinc. I also give him a little Immune One powder by Source One Naturals as well as Vitamin E and L-Lysine. I'll keep this up and report back in a couple weeks.

Until then,

Emily

My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
Sounds good!

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.




Update
by: Emily

Hi Dr. Tillman!

It's been a while since I last checked in! I hope you are well!

I can tell you that Leon is doing wonderfully on the raw diet and supplements. His hair has all grown back in and he has a nice healthy shine to him. The hair grew back in a deeper more red color. He looks great!

And the wart is now about the size of a pea. It's stubborn! But much much better. It no longer secretes liquid or odor and doesn't bother him at all.

One thing I have noticed though is that he tends to get a lot of wax in his ears. If I clean them, within a couple days he'll have a bunch more. And the wax does have a little odor. Is this normal?

I've continued to give him the following in each meal:
1 tablet Immunex (Standard Process)
2 400 IU Vitamin E gels
1/4 teaspoon Ester-C powder
1/4 teaspoon Plant Enzymes & Probiotics (Animal Essentials)
15 mg Zinc
a couple pumps of salmon oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

And then I add blended vegetables--usually a combination of kale, sweet potato, carrot, and garlic. Sometimes I'll substitute the kale for broccoli or green squash.

How do you think all this sounds? Is there anything that I should take out or add to his diet?

Please let me know your thoughts.

All the best,

Emily
My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
Leon sounds like he is healing and on the road to recovery. What you are feeding and his supplements are perfect. Please continue.

The ear drainage is going to continue, for awhile, and will be the last to clear up. And then hopefully, the wart will disappear completely.

I think that he may need ONE dose, (give ONE time only) of the Sulphur 200c. It has been about 4-6 weeks since it was last given to him.

Send me an update in one month, perhaps the week after Labor Day.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you've found this service or our web site helpful, please "Like" us by clicking the like button at the top of the left margin. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
- Dog Warts,
- Dog Skin Conditions,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Warts, Cysts and Strange Growths Section,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Hair Loss Section
On the Right Track
by: Emily

I'm so pleased to hear that you think we're on the right track! I will keep up what I'm doing, give him a dose of the sulphur, and then be in touch again after labor day.

Thanks for the response and take care!

: ) Emily
Moving Forward
by: Emily

Hi Dr. Tillman,

Leon is still doing great! His coat is looking beautiful and the wart is hardly visible. He LOVES his new diet. He get so excited each time I feed him. Nothing like when I was feeding him the kibble and he would show no interest until hunger took him over,

Do you think I should continue to give him a dose of sulphur once in a while?

Best,

Emily
My Online Vet Response for Dog Wart on Ear
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Emily,
You would only need to repeat the Sulphur if he was relapsing. That is, if the wart was increasing in size, or the Demodex was returning, etc.

Or repeat the remedy if he is NOT continuing to improve. For example, if the wart is continuing to stay the same size and not go away completely.

In some cases, it might be best to increase the potency of the remedy, instead of just repeating the same potency.

If in doubt, then it is best to contact a holistic veterinarian.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you've found this service or our web site helpful, please "Like" us
by clicking the like button at the top of the left
margin. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.




Well Worth the Wait
by: Emily

Thank you for sticking with us through this! You believed in me when the other two vets I saw didn't. And it worked! I feel very proud when I look at how much he has improved. It certainly took patience, but it was worth it!

All the best,

Emily
Twins? NEW
by: Nolan Bayliss

Hi - I came across your article while doing some research for my other dog RJ who has a small ear wart. We also have another pup called Skyler who is 1.5 years old and looks just like your dog (right down to the two warts on the right side). I'd love to see some pictures and understand a little more about how you came across him/her. My wife and I are located in St. Louis, MO. My email address is nbayliss@gmail.com.

Let me know and I can share some photos of Skyler with you.

Thanks.
Nolan
My Online Vet Response for: Dog Wart on Ear NEW
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Nolan,
Thanks for your question. I'm happy to help, but we only accept new questions from subscribers (the original question above was from a subscriber).
Please click here to sign up and submit your question and photos. I'll then get back to you right away at the bottom of your newly created web page.
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Click here to add your own comments

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