Dog Community

immune stystem-Alley update-Preventic-Zinc-demodex dogs

Posted : 4/29/2006 1:08:56 PM

Hey guys

Alley saw her holistic Vet yesterday....

We agree no more food trial as we got no results from that.... she is back to Duck and potato Natural Balance. I also buy whole ducks ...skin them and boil them and add that and squash and green beans to the food. I do the same for all my dogs.

She was amazed at how good I had Alleys skin looking again and since Alley has responded so well to what Iv been doing topically like with the "Tropiclean" Oxy- med conditioner she says it has done more than the 3 month food trial Iv had her on.

Okay my Holistic vet has been doing TONS of research on dogs with poor immune systems and she has found that these dogs respond well to high doses of Zinc. Now the reason she prefers human suppliments per dog suppliments is because more research goes into the product for humans. She has been reading on dogs with crusty skin and patches of hair loss have done great on higher doses of zinc.

I had the zinc choice and then I had another choice.. Preventic tick and flea collar. My gut told me to choose the flea collar instead of the zinc. She will wear this for 2 weeks. If no change we will try the zinc. But since Iv had no luck with suppliments in the past again my gut told me to do the collar and she agreed.

Reason being is Alleys feet don't look to good. The tops look like an old dog that has demodex is how she put it. Plus Alley has a bit of a bald spot on her side from a huge spot that I got under control quickly from 2 weeks ago.

Preventic has Amitraz that will kill Demodex mites and will travel as far back as the back feet.

Alley was a Demodex puppy really badly when I rescued her at 3 months of age. My Holistic Vet said that the Preventic has helped dogs with balding around the eyes and other area's from demodex.

So that is were we are right now. We did more accupunture to get the heat out of her skin. Even though her skin is clear its so warm to the touch and red.

So that is were we are right now... but I thought sharing the Zinc info might be helpful as well as what else I learned yesterday.

Also those that homecook she said how good Spinach is for cleansing the liver..... which gave Alley bad direaha...I told her Alley did better on green beans when we were doing the food trial.

hope this info helps someone else....

calliecritturs

Posted : 4/29/2006 1:16:24 PM

The Preventic collar will only last about 10 days tho -- they prevent fleas/ticks longer but don't repel the demodex mites.

Immune deficient almost always means zinc deficient and as long as the zinc is only used short term (or the vet keeps track so you don't wind up with toxic doses of zinc) that's usually always something I suggest (and you've got my article, right?? You've just changed your 'name' on here I think? I didn't realize it was 'you' til you mentioned Alley's name unless I have you confused with someone else with a dog named Alley!)

I NEVER use 'pet' vitamins/supplements/minerals for that very reason -- the human stuff is typically far better quality. Virtually the only 'dog' thing I use is Solid Gold flax oil because the human method of cold-processing uses a chemical dogs can't tolerate.

The Preventic collar might make Alley's skin sore so watch it carefully. It really won't kill demodex mites but it will repel new ones. The existing ones are deep in the hair follicles and oil pores. Were you not able to use the Benzoyl Peroxide shampoo/tea tree oil on her at all?

Kim White

Posted : 4/29/2006 7:22:40 PM

I copied your email and sent it on to my holistic vet as I want her comments what you have said.

Tea tree oil made her worse..
Black tea did nothing...
Home cooked diet did nothing

I use Benzyol Peroxide shampoo now and its fine and then I use Tropicleans conditoner Oxy-med and its help more than anything.

Your not confused on who I am... I changed my name when I was having so many problems getting signed on when the board switched over.

calliecritturs

Posted : 4/29/2006 9:31:12 PM

YOu are welcome to send her the whole article if you want to.

Gosh, I wish you'd email me again -- I have thot of you EVERY time we went to Scottish games this spring -- you'd die to see the cute little scottie stuffed dog my husband got me that has a 'coat' and tam of our clan tartan. But this one vendor that has been at both games we've gone to always has a TON of westie and scottie stuff. Every time I see it I tell David -- "Alley's mom would LOVE to see this stuff!"

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/30/2006 1:17:43 AM

The Preventic collar did not help Emma, at all. It made big holes in her hair, and horribly red spots. Made her very sore.

She and Alley seem different, though. Maybe it'll work for Alley. I'm glad the shampoos are helping her skin. Emma does great with Benzoyl Peroxide shampoo, too. She just had a "breakout" of demodex that was confined to one spot, and went away very quickly. It's growing hair, again, already.

Alley's had a rough time with supplements in the past, hasn't she? I wonder what foods are high in zinc? Maybe you could add naturally high zinc veggies to her kibble and duck?

Kim White

Posted : 4/30/2006 7:24:19 AM

So far the collar hasn't bothered her.... Iv checked and its been on since Friday and I will keep an eye on her....heck how can I not...seems Im always doing something with her...LOL

I will know in 2 weeks...if nothing happens.................... well that is yet another thing we tried and I will move on to the zinc and be just as careful and monitor that also. (very big sigh)

At least what Im doing bathing wise she isn't a mess with putsules or scabs or crusty stuff..... so thats a PLUS...

I will keep ya posted on yet another Alley skin adventure

jprinz99

Posted : 4/30/2006 8:41:04 AM

sending wishes for happy tail wags, no more itchies and beautiful coat! Good Luck, you area dedicated fur-mom!

jessies_mom

Posted : 4/30/2006 11:35:34 AM

sending wishes for happy tail wags, no more itchies and beautiful coat! Good Luck, you area dedicated fur-mom

I second that wish [

]

You may know this already, but tea tree oil is toxic when applied to cats and I've read that you should use it with caution on small dogs as it can affect them too. It is absorbed into their system through the skin. It can also sting if the skin is very irritated. Black tea is an astringent so whether or not it helps probably depends on the reason for the itching. I am so glad that you have found something that is helping Alley.

calliecritturs

Posted : 4/30/2006 2:06:24 PM

You always have to be *extremely* careful with cats and ANY essential oils -- not only do cats 'lick' but things go trans-dermal into the body more easily.

That you will often hear me caution against using straight tea tree oil on a dog's skin -- it's a very powerful oil -- so diluting it to a tiny amount to 2 gallons of water and then just pouring it over the skin by cupfulls allows the water weight to drag most of it back off the skin and it keeps the concentration very very low so it doesn't cause problems. Altho any animal CAN be sensitive to any 'thing' at all.

A small dog's skin won't be more 'porous' but it's easier with a small dog to use 'more' and then if they are able to lick it off 'less' will make them sick to their stomachs. The amount of essential oil that goes trans-dermal is very very small, however if they ingest it by licking it surely can make them sick. But when it comes to killing yeast/staph on the skin it's far more effective with less side-effects than most stuff. But just in case it wasn't clear I wanted to make it more so.

Kim White

Posted : 4/30/2006 6:22:28 PM

Thanks for the tip on the oil.... all I know is that Alleys skin went off the charts when I was using tea tree oil....it was the worst ever...

So I went back to my bathing routine and I use the Benzoyl peroxide shampoo and I alternate that with the Noval Pearls medicated with the green label that smells like tar.... and the most helpful has been the Topiclean Oxy med conditioner.

So far so good......she is honory than ever today.... we have been working in the yard planting Azalea bushes and she digs holes...grrrrrrrrr oh well then I rinse her off and she is too tired to lick or do anything when she comes in the house...she just goes right to sleep...LOL