Diet, supplement questions and health issues incl. allergies & hard skin knots

I have had great outcome with Sojos it’s homemade dog food, all you have to do is add water. They use lean meat, fruit, and veggies so she is sure to loose the weight in no time. Whenever you find that she is hungry I suggest giving her lost of love and raw fruits and veggies such as carrots n apples.

Hi Tim,
You have provided a LOT of information. I am not sure I can cure Jasmine, but I will give it my best try!

You wrote that when you first adopted her she weighed 36lbs, and from the photo taken 2 years ago, she does not look underweight at 36 lbs. At her current weight of 54 lbs she could lose some weight, and might have more energy. If a weight of 35-40 lbs is ‘normal’ for her, she should eat about 200 calories per meal THREE times daily. (600 calories total per day)
This could be composed of:

1 and 1/2 cups of steamed green beans=30calories
1/2 cup of cooked carrots=10 calories
2 heaping TBSP of lean RAW ground chicken or turkey breast=150 calories
Add in 1/3 tsp of Mega C powder, which is a Vitamin/mineral supplement that provides the correct amount of calcium/phosphorus ratio for a dog.

Therefore for EACH meal she will be eating about 2 1/2 cups of food

(you could decrease the green beans by 1/2 cup and substitute 1/4 cup of steamed yams, for variety)

OrthoMolecular Specialties, Mega C Powder
http://www.belfield.com/megac226.php
—————————————-
More immune supplements:
Missing Link powder for dogs
http://www.missinglinkproducts.com/products/?catid=3
——————————————-
Immuplex by Standard Process available from amazon.com. Open and add 1 capsule to each meal TWO times daily.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART TWO

Hi Tim,
Here is the rest of my response.

She had ear infections, was infested with fleas and had internal parasites. I am curious if she still has ear infections, along with the skin fold problems, around her mouth and feet? This would indicate that she is still not healthy. And perhaps some of the immune supplements mentioned above might be more effective than the VEMMA product. The ingredients listed for Vemma show that it is made of Mangosteen and Aloe vera, with plant based minerals and anti-oxidant vitamins.
The Vitamin C is ascorbic acid, which can be TOO acid for dogs. But you are only giving her 1/4 oz (about 4 calories) which is only 40mg of vit C. which is NOT too acid for her stomach, but is also TOO low to be of much help for her immune system. The plant based minerals may also not be fully absorbed by her because she is a carnivore, and animal based fats/minerals, etc are better assimilated by carnivores.

So, while the Vemma product looks like a GREAT supplement for people, I am not sure how effective it is for dogs. (It is not going to hurt her if you continue it, but that may be expensive if it is not doing any good!)

As for the mixture of cottage cheese, flaxseed, honey, etc. No it will not cause pancreatitis if it is LOW or NON FAT cottage cheese. But again, flaxseed is from plants, and I think she would be better off getting Omega 3 fatty acids from fish, not plants. Dairy products are not that great for the immune system, especially if she has allergy problems. If she seems to do better with this mixture, make sure it is LOW or NON fat cottage cheese, and add a little Omega 3 fish oil to the flax seed/honey mixture.

Her skin fold problems, around her mouth, and feet may be caused by yeast, due to her poor immune system. Use apple cider vinegar, either straight or diluted 50-50 with water to dab on to the folds around her mouth, and use as a ‘foot’ bath for her feet/between her toes once or twice a day. Of course, you are on the right track finding out what is wrong with her INTERNALLY, too. A urinalysis that shows positive protein is NOT normal. I would be very concerned about the health of her kidneys. Therefore, if another urinalysis shows protein but nothing else, (no red blood cells, no white blood cells, no crystals, pH is <7, SpG=above 1.025) ask for a microalbuminuria test. This will indicate EARLY RENAL DISEASE. And she should be started on Azodyl and Renafood.

For her thyroid, was a ‘free’ T4 test done? This is more specific than a plain T4. And if it is BELOW normal, then she should be started on Thytrophin. (from Standard Process)

Testing for Cushings, was a resting Cortisol test done? If below normal, then she should be started on Canine Adrenal Support. (from Standard Process)

To be continued in PART THREE

Hi Tim,
This is the last part of my response.

In the meantime, NO MORE VACCINATIONS!!! She is NOT healthy, and her immune system should NOT be stressed with vaccine. A holistic veterinarian will be able to write an exemption form for you. Also, a holistic veterinarian, will be able to give more specific advice regarding some homeopathic remedies that might help. The photo of the ‘hard skin knot’ appears to be a wart. Warts are benign growths that seem to arise from the effects of too many vaccinations. A ‘syndrome’ in homeopathy known as ‘vaccinosis’ treatable with homeopathic remedies.

Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

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.

(Part 1)

I am Sorry for the LONG Email with all the questions but I am doing my BEST to get Jasmine Healthier then what she is. I THOUGHT she was pretty healthy, but things you are saying are REALLY WORRYING ME NOW! I have an Appointment with her Vet tomorrow and I was going to have her Blood panel and Urine tested again and I will Copy and Email you the Results when I get them. But to answer your questions and comment on your statements, you said that IF 35-40 pounds is her normal weight then she should be getting 200 calories per meal 3 times a day, 600 calories a day. You gave me a list of foods to put together for her but SHE HATES GREEN BEANS! LOL I have tried this for her and she will chew it up and spit it out. I has never tried Yams so I can try that, but WHAT ELSE could I use besides the Green Beans because I know she loves Butter Beans, could I use that or peas instead? I will put together what you said and start feeding her that. Is this recipe you listed just 1 serving and I would have to make this up 3 times a day? Could I also make up enough ALL TOGETHER for a few days at a time? She has been getting Cooked Carrots for A LONG TIME NOW with the Turkey Breast and Blue Buffalo but I want to get her COMPLETELY OFF OF Dog food but I want to make sure she is getting all the Vitamins and Minerals she needs. Last night I fixed her in a Crook pot, 3 potatos cut up, 2 larges carrots cut up, 2 celery sticks cut up, 1 cup of brown rice and 1.18 pounds of Stewed Beef browned with olive oil and 4 cuts of Chicken Broth because I was TRYING to fix something healthy for her and I found this online. HOW MUCH OF THIS SHOULD I FEED HER 3 TIMES A DAY BECAUSE I DONT KNOW HOW TO FIGURE OUT THE TOTAL CALORIE COUNT. Is there a website where I can figure this out? I gave her a Little less then a Cup this morning. The Mega C Powder, Can I get this at Petsmart?
About the Ear infections, YES, she is still getting them and I BELIEVE she has one now even though I have used what the Vet gave me called ZYMOX otic HC1.0% Enzymatic Solution for her ears and also to rub on her chin CHLORHEXIDINE 3% PS Pads even though I am NOT really wanting to use them, I am wanting to BOOST her Immune system instead. SHE HAS SKIN FOLDS AROUND HER CHIN, NOT AROUND HER FEET. She has JUST STARTED Biting at her paws EVERY MORNING after walking up and EVERY NIGHT while going to bed.

(Part 2)

The Paw biting has JUST STARTED about a month ago which is why I was worried about an Allergy. She has ALWAYS Scratched her chin ever since I have gotten her to the point of Crying.You said the Immune supplement you listed, THE MEGA C, is that the COMPLETE IMMUNE SUPPLEMENT you are referring to giving her instead of the Vemma? I will stop the Vemma. Let me know if this is ALL I NEED to boost her Immune system. As far as around her Chin also, I know the Doctor said one time before it was Yeast, but if you boost the Immune system, wont it FIGHT THIS and keep it from even happening. I will do what you said with the Apple Cider Vinegar. I am NOT CRAZY about her Vet, but he is about the best I can find where I live but he is NOTHING BUT CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE and I want ALL NATURAL. There ARE NO Holistic vets where I live, I have looks also. Again, her Paws have just started REALLY BOTHERING HER in the last month, she has NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, what could be causing this, food allergies or???? I will try the Viniger on the feet also. I am ALSO changing the Flaxseed oil to the Fish oil. IS THE FISH OIL, COTTAGE CHEESE AND HONEY GOOD FOR BOOSTING HER IMMUNE SYSTEM? And YES, it is LOW FAT cottage cheese.

Ok, I AM NOW MORE WORRIED about the part where you said a positive protein is NOT NORMAL and could be a sign of EARLY RENAL DISEASE. CAN EARLY RENAL DISEASE BE REVERSED WITH THE RIGHT SUPPLEMENTS AND IF SO HOW AND WHAT ARE THEY? I am getting her tested tomorrow, on Wed, but it takes a few days to come back and I am wanting to do something now as a PREVENTIVE MAINTANCE, WHAT CAN I DO ASIDE FROM WHAT YOU HAVE LISTED? Will the Fish oil, Cottage cheese and Honey help with this? I have started her on Honey also because I have read it was GOOD FOR BOOSTING the Immune system and for Allergies, is this true?

I forgot to mention, She also has problems around her Private area of getting SOME KIND OF BACTERIA, I try to keep her Dry along with her Chin but she still gets theses and has one now. Her Vet gave me something called ANIMAX CREAM to put around it and I used it last night cause she is itching so bad. What could I do for that?

About her Thyroid test, YES, A FREE T was done on 5/24/2011 and it shows on LINE ONE:
Re:8499 FREE T4 (ng/dl) 2.0 ng/dl 0.6-3.7 and on the Second line Re:84990 FREE T4 (pmol/L) 25.7 pmol/L 7.7- 47.6 I have ALL OF HER TEST RESULTS but they said it was ALL NORMAL. Her LAST BLOOD TEST about 2 months ago said that her Blood work was PERFECT aside from the Protein in her Urine. I am getting a copy of that tomorrow.

THE CUSHINGS TEST was a Resting Cortisol test,I am looking for the report but cant find it right now but I know they said she was fine and didnt have it. I remember them saying thats the test they were going to do cause I didnt want to do it. BUT I WAS DESPERATE IN FINDING OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING HER TO LOSE WEIGHT! I still am!

(Part 3)

You said NO MORE VACCINATIONS, I havent gotten her Vaccinations since 2010 aside from Rabies. I have read where Vaccinations weaken the Immune system and I told her vet I DIDNT WANT THEM and he said that was fine that she should be good for a few years. I have ALSO NOT GIVEN HER her monthly Heartworm preventive for the last 2 months because Sentinal stopped making it for awhile and I HATED THE THINGS I READ IN ALL THE OTHERS OUT THERE so I have LIMITED her exposure to being outside and I take her out during times, I TRY TOO ANYWAY, when the mosquitos are not bad. SHOULD I HAVE HER ON SOMETHING FOR HEARTWORMS? I know for 4 years before I got when she was abused THEY DIDNT HAVE HER ON ANYTHING so please let me know what I should do about this also, I AM SCARED TO GIVE HER ANYTHING TO WEAKEN HER IMMUNE SYSTEM ANYMORE. Like I said before, she has just started acting like she hasnt felt that good in the last week and not wanting to walk as far which has gotten me REALLY STARTING TO SEEK MORE ANSWERS.

Dr. Tillman, God Bless for all of your help and PLEASE LET ME KNOW what I owe you cause I know I have ask MORE THEN MY SHARE OF QUESTIONS and I am MORE THE WILLING TO PAY YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ADVICE! I am a Disabled Vet and I have been dealing with Severe Chronic Back pain for the last 13 years due to 4 serious back surgeries, never been married, no human kids and Jasmine is my baby girl, thats why I want to do all I can to help her and keep her as healthy as possible cause she is only 6 years old and I dont want to lose her anytime soon. I lost my Angel Marie back in 2010, she was an 8 year old cocker spaniel and she died of Phnewmonia because HER VET where I go now, different vet, MISSED IT WAS HER LUNGS EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM I THOUGHT/KNEW IT WAS HER LUNGS AND THEY TESTED HER HEART and she was in the ER for 3 days, I had to take her back and forth from the vet to the ER for 3 days. She died with me there and it broke my heart. 3 months and 24 days from April 1st 2010 when my Angel died I found and Rescued Lady Jasmine from on Craigslist, she Rescued me just as much, IF NOT MORE SO, then I rescued her. I am telling you this because she is my Company, she is my shadow and I dont want to lose her anytime soon. Anyway, I AM NOT READY TO LOSE MY JASMINE ANYTIME SOON so PLEASE HELP ME Boost her Immune system so she can FIGHT WHATEVER IT IS THATS GOING ON. What you listed, is this ALL I NEED TO DO THAT? You didnt say anything about Transfer Factor, I ORDERED THIS over the weekend and I will have it Tomorrow. I have read MANY STORIES saying how much it has helped their pets and Reversed Renal Diease so I was wondering if 4Life Transfer Factor PLUS Tri-factor formula by 4 life would be ALL I NEED to boost her Immune system? Do I need too or can I still give her the Fish oil, cottage cheese and honey with the Transfer factor also and along with the things you listed?

Hi Tim,
For Jasmine, the Transfer Factor is an EXCELLENT supplement. (Sorry I forgot to mention it in my long 3 part reply). Yes, that would be good to give her.

Regarding calorie counts for vegetables, check out this site: http://www.trulyhuge.com/vegetable-calories.html

Butter beans=180 cal/cup
Peas= 130 cal/cup

Green beans= 20 cal/cup

Zucchini= 22 cal/cup
Squash= 30 cal/cup
1 large carrot)= 7 calories

Broccoli= 40 cal/cup
Cauliflower= 30 cal/cup, although these last two vegetables may cause her to have gas.

Apparently, Jasmine’s tastebuds like foods that are HIGH in calories! I want to change her tastebuds so that she will LIKE low calorie foods, NOT butter beans and peas!

Try mixing a smaller amount of steamed green beans (1/8 cup) plus 1/2 cup of cooked baby carrots mashed up with chicken broth + 1/4 cup yams + 1/4 cup white or red potato + 1-2 TBSP RAW chicken or turkey breast. NO RICE NO GRAINS

Yes, you can make up a big batch and portion it out to feed over the next 2-3 days. Just add in the supplements, Transfer factor, Mega C at the time of the feeding.

The RAW meat contains Vitamin C. When you cook the meat you destroy the vitamin C. ALL animals except humans, monkeys, guinea pigs, and the Mediterranean fruit bat, make their own vitamin C. Therefore it is NOT added to dog or cat food, because dogs and cats produce their own. They do not need it in their diet. EXCEPT in cases like Jasmine, with a POOR immune system. Adding it as a supplement is ok, but if it comes from the food that is even better. You need to be very careful with ascorbic acid, (Vit C), citrus fruits, tomatoes, etc, because dogs have 10 times MORE HCl, (hydrochloric acid) in their stomach than people. BUT if it occurs naturally in RAW meat, that is how a dog would normally obtain it in the wild! The MEGA C product developed by a veterinarian contains the BUFFERED form of Vitamin C, it is NOT in the acid form, therefore it is SAFE for dogs and cats.
The huge meal you just made, (NOT low in calories), 1.18 lbs beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, and brown rice mixture has 1,600 calories total. It would make 8 meals for her at 200 calories per meal.
Divide it in half=800 calories
Divide it in half again= 400 calories
And then 1/2 again = 200 calories for one meal. I am not sure how many cups that would make.

To be continued in PART 4

Hi Tim,
Here is some of the rest of my response.

For a big meal I want her to have some LOW calorie vegetables, such as carrots, zucchini, squash, broccoli, green beans(?) (50%) added to (30%) yams or potatoes, added to (20%) meat. Count the calories so that one meal is only 200 calories. If she liked Green beans, you can see how the QUANTITY OF FOOD can be HUGE. Since green beans only have 20 calories in one cup. (she could have 10 cups for ONE meal!!) If she eats Butter beans, 180 calories in one cup, she can only have a little more than one cup for one meal!!!!

Mega C is available online, OrthoMolecular Specialties, Mega C Powder
http://www.belfield.com/megac226.php
Dr. Belfield is a veterinarian and he developed this vitamin/mineral combination for dogs and cats. It is especially useful for cats positive for feline leukemia or feline AIDS. It would be perfect for Jasmine. It comes in a powder form. Order the 8 oz size. She would need 1/3 tsp in food TWO times daily. And it will provide the adequate Calcium/phosphorus, and other vitamins and minerals she needs for a balanced diet.

FOR her EARS VULVAR area and FEET:
1. Use green tea to pour into each ear TWO times per week. NO more Zymox. Make up green tea 2 bags to one cup of boiling water. Let it cool to room temp. It will keep in fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure it is Room Temperature BEFORE you pour it into her ears, about 1-2 tsp in each ear. DO THIS OUTSIDE! Let her shake her head to get it all out.

2. Use the Apple Cider Vinegar for skin folds around her mouth, straight or diluted 50-50 with water.

3. She is licking her feet due to seasonal or inhaled allergies. And the more she licks her feet, making them moist, the more likely she will develop yeast in her feet area also. Wash her feet daily, with a baby shampoo, rinse well-then dip her feet into diluted Apple Cider Vinegar. Use 2-3 TBSP per 2-3 cups of water. Make sure you keep her foot in the foot bath for 5-10 minutes, and if possible massage around each toe and bottom of foot. (some clients even do this every time the dog comes in from outside!)

4. Apply the apple cider vinegar, diluted mixture to the area around her vulva also. She probably has some skin fold dermatitis, (yeast), there also. Once or twice a day.

Yes, you are correct. When her immune system is stronger she will NOT be susceptible to allergies or yeast problems. I am NOT sure if the Transfer Factor and Mega C are ALL that she will need to support and improve her immune system. She comes from a rough background. But it is a place to start now, as we work on her diet.

You may need to combine chicken broth or turkey broth over just a few green beans,(to start), combined with broccoli/zucchini/squash/carrots and a little bit of yams or potatoes with 1-2 TBSP of lean RAW chicken or turkey. Once she is NOT spitting out the green beans, then try to increase the amount of green beans in each meal.

To Be continued in PART 5

Hi Tim,
Here is the rest of my response:

I would skip the cottage cheese and honey, and just add the fish oil to each meal. If you DO give her the cottage cheese, (low fat), ADD the calories and decrease that part of her meal. Calories for cottage cheese should be on the container. I have heard that ‘local’ honey is supposed to help with seasonal allergies, (in humans). I have not found it helpful in my patients.Instead, I recommend Antronex, by Standard Process, available on amazon.com. She would need one tablet in her food 2-3 times daily, depending on the pollen count. It acts to support the liver to remove histamine from the skin. (So, it acts like an anti-histamine, but it is a liver supplement.)

Yes, early renal disease can be managed and slowed by giving Azodyl and Renafood. Wait to find out what her test results show before ordering these.

Heartworm Prevention
Ask your veterinarian to include a heartworm test in the blood panel. It would be best to have her on Heartguard, but only give her one dose every 45 days. Since she has a weak immune system, she is more susceptible to parasites. Heartgard is the least toxic, and at dosing her every 45 days, it will still work to protect her, without stressing her system too much.

Order EVOLV to protect her from fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Order it online from www.wondercide.com. It is NON-toxic made from cedar oil.

Tomorrow, ask your veterinarian to give Jasmine an injection of 1/3 cc (.3cc) Vitamin B-complex combined with 1 cc of Vitamin B-12. It may help to give her a ‘boost’.

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.