Dog Skin Infections & Allergies

July 5, 2014

Hi Rachel,

From the brief history of Storm that included severe allergies from the time she was 6 months of age, until now, (I take it she is now 6-8 years old or older?), you wrote,
"her vetpath reports, one from 2011 when the mast cell tumor grade 2 on her rear leg was removed and Dermatophytic furunculosis removed from her lower back and the other one in 2013 was the lymph node and tissue biopsies."

She has SEVERE weakness of her immune system. You do not mention if she has ever had prednisone or steroids, or cortisone. These are common drugs used by conventional veterinarians to treat allergies, and also to attempt to *control* mast cell tumors. In trying to manage allergies, just using anti-histamines and anti-biotics, to suppress her symptoms, this causes the *disease* or imbalance in her healthy system to be driven *deeper*, making it much more difficult to treat.

Here are some suggestions:
1. NO MORE VACCINATIONS. Seek the help of a holistic veterinarian to write an exemption for her.
Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

2. NO DRY Dog Food. See our page on 10 Best Dog Food Options, https://www.organic-pet-digest.com/10-best-dog-food-options.html, and consider a RAW diet for her. Keeping in mind whatever food allergies she has, and avoiding those foods. (Do not feed RAW PORK or RAW FISH). According to Dr Richard Pitcairn, in his book 'Natural Health for Dogs and Cats', "raw meat does not cause the same allergic reaction that cooked meat does".

His book also has recipes that you can follow for food allergy problems.

3. Vitamin C-- When given in high doses Vitamin C acts like a natural antihistamine. RAW meat contains Vitamin C. (But Storm may need more than what comes naturally in the meat.) Make sure you are giving the BUFFERED form of vitamin C, NOT ascorbic acid. This is TOO acidic for a dog's stomach.

Check out Mega C, http://www.belfield.com/megac226.php

This comes in a powdered form, and can be easily mixed into her food.

4. Bathing-Storm belongs to a breed with a lot of wrinkles, she needs to be kept CLEAN, especially those areas of skin folds, under her neck, armpits, groin, between toes, etc. These are areas that will accumulate bacteria from when she itches, and then yeast will also appear. Use a baby shampoo, (this will not dry out her skin, and can be used one to two times per week), followed by a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse. (Rinse off the shampoo, then a second rinse with the apple cider vinegar, concentrating on those areas of skin folds.)

You can use 'straight' apple cider vinegar as needed for the skin fold areas in between her baths.

5. T-Shirt-Having her wear a clean white cotton T-shirt may be necessary to prevent her from causing more trauma to her skin. Change T-shirts every 3 days.

6. Homeopathic Remedy for her Vital Force- She will need a homeopathic remedy for 'vaccinosis'. Thuya, Sulphur, Silicea, are a few remedies that may be helpful. A holistic veterinarian will be able to examine her to decide the best one to use.

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

When she starts the homeopathic remedy, then you will be able to decrease the 'conventional' medication, and then she will start on the path to healing.

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: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

July 8, 2014

Hi Rachel,
Thank you for posting the photos of Storm's skin, and feet. In addition to the suggestions that I have already given, now that I have seen what her skin looks like, you might try giving her the homeopathic remedy called Sulphur 6C or 12C potency.

Homeopathic remedies are available at health food stores, and online. They come packaged in a small vial, filled with tiny pellets. The dose would be one pellet by mouth or dissolved in Spring Water, three times daily for 3-5 days. If she shows improvement, then decrease her dose to TWO times daily, for two weeks. If she is continuing to improve then decrease her dose further to one time daily for another two weeks.

Send me an update in 2 weeks.

If you dissolve the remedy in Spring Water, use a 1-2 oz glass eye dropper bottle. 'Succuss' the remedy, (hit it against the palm of your hand 20 times before each dose.)

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

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DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hi yes she has had cortisone injection but only recently when she has had hives break out.

July 13, 2014

Hi Rachel,
You wrote,
" yes, she has had cortisone injection but only recently when she has had hives break out."

Good, then her immune system may not be too compromised, and she may have a faster response to the suggestions that I listed previously, including using some 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: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.