Dog Community

Have we figured it out?????

Posted : 11/27/2006 9:11:52 AM

Well, after treating Charlie's mange, we got most of his skin problems taken care of; however, we were still left with a almost constant rash on his belly. The vet said it might be something that he would grow out of and let's treat with Benedryl and some skin cream. Neither was doing much but we were on a wait and see.

Well, two weeks ago I went home to the Detroit area with Charlie for 5 days. During this time I noticed his belly wasn't as red and the itching decreased. I know it wasn't detergents, cleaners, etc. since my mom uses the same stuff as me. The only thing I could come up with is the water he is drinking. We have excellent city water in Milwaukee too, also coming from the Great Lakes so I didn't even think this could be a factor. Well, after two weeks of Charlie drinking bottled water, his belly is so much better. He does still have a licking problem, but the constant redness is gone.

Could we have found the solution???

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 11/27/2006 11:16:48 AM

That's amazing. Who would have ever thought of something like water? Especially if you know you already have good water. Let's hope you've solved Charlie's problems. []

Joyce

cakana

Posted : 11/27/2006 11:29:19 AM

That is pretty interesting and something I'd considered in the past too. In one of my many readings, I'd found something that suggested using distilled water. It probably isn't a huge stretch to think that any or many of the additives that are put in our water could cause a reaction in our dogs. I'll be anxious to hear if things stay cleared up for Charlie.

mrstjohnson

Posted : 11/27/2006 11:43:50 AM

Yes, we were really surprised too. We are still keeping our fingers crossed though. I couldn't believe it since it is good, city water in both places. The only thing I can think of is the city of Milwaukee is adding something additional to the water causing a reaction.

I will definitely keep you posted!!

pointerspice

Posted : 11/27/2006 3:46:02 PM

That's so interesting! I would definitely share that with your vet, he probably wants to know!

jessies_mom

Posted : 11/27/2006 7:17:14 PM

That is really interesting; I hope you found the answer.

Norie Kany

Posted : 11/28/2006 11:55:14 AM

OK, I am ready to switch over now. My girl has always been itchy and although she is so much better now she does still scratch a little. I have changed foods and snacks but it sure would not hurt to try out the water. What a novel idea!!!!

mrstjohnson

Posted : 11/28/2006 12:42:16 PM

Keep in mind, we are not buying fancy bottled water. Just the 60 cent jugs at the grocery store. Charlie is going through about 1 1/2 a week which is such a small investment versus all of the creams, medications etc.

I don't know how or why it worked, and maybe it was just a coincidence, but I wish you luck!

jones

Posted : 11/28/2006 1:17:39 PM

I believe if you call and ask the water department they will let you know the makeup of the city water... might be interesting just to check it out.

mrstjohnson

Posted : 11/30/2006 4:16:50 PM

Just a quick update...

I looked at the water reports for both the City of Detroit (where my parents get their water) and Milwaukee. The only thing I can see is that Milwaukee has a lot more byproducts in their water - most of which are a result of the water treatment they use. I also found a report that listed Detroit as having the 4th best drinking water in the country - so that might be a big reason right there.

Specifically, I couldn't find one thing that could have been causing the rash since all levels are technically under required levels. It might just be a compliation of too many chemicals???

Oh well, as long as it stays gone we will keep up with the bottled water.

mrstjohnson

Posted : 12/13/2006 8:55:52 AM

I just wanted to give everyone an update.

For reference, he would literally wake us up in the middle of the night with the scratching and itching. He would itch so much that he was creating sores on his belly which was constantly red and extremely iritated. After being on bottled water for about a month, Charlie's scratching is completely gone and he no longer licks his paws at all!!!

I still can't believe it and the vet is also amazed. After everything we went through and put this little guy through I feel so awful that it was something so simple and easy!!

I hope this helps anyone out there with mystery scratching and itching!

jessies_mom

Posted : 12/13/2006 11:57:12 AM

I am really glad Charlie is doing so well and hope you have found the answer. However, this is so unusual there's a possibility the itching was related to something in the air ( grass, weed, or tree pollen or mold) that was in your area but not in Detroit, and wasn't in your area when you returned; was there a heavy frost or freeze while you were away? I hope the itching doesn't return but if it does you will have to consider an environmental allergy.

cakana

Posted : 12/13/2006 12:18:39 PM

I am thrilled to hear Charlie continues to do well. It sounds like quite a drastic difference. What kind of bottled water are you using? I wouldn't mind giving it a try but Sassy drinks a half gallon or more per day. I could swing it if I could use those big bottles you can fill up at the kiosks, but the little bottles of water that I drink would end up being pretty pricey.

mrstjohnson

Posted : 12/13/2006 1:55:50 PM

ORIGINAL: jessies_mom

I am really glad Charlie is doing so well and hope you have found the answer. However, this is so unusual there's a possibility the itching was related to something in the air ( grass, weed, or tree pollen or mold) that was in your area but not in Detroit, and wasn't in your area when you returned; was there a heavy frost or freeze while you were away? I hope the itching doesn't return but if it does you will have to consider an environmental allergy.

Well, Detroit and Milwaukee weather are pretty much the same. I thought back to the weekend we were home and the day we came back and the weather was equal in both (around 40's). I also thought back to when we took him to the kennel back in August for 5 days. The kennel had well water so we bought jugs of water from the store. When we picked him up they said he stopped itching but two days after we brought him home it started back up again so I just attributed it to a coincidence. Now, maybe it wasn't and we wasted three months messing around when we had the answer back then.

I hope this is it, but like you said, it could be just something environmental that went away.

mrstjohnson

Posted : 12/13/2006 1:58:08 PM

ORIGINAL: cakana

I am thrilled to hear Charlie continues to do well. It sounds like quite a drastic difference. What kind of bottled water are you using? I wouldn't mind giving it a try but Sassy drinks a half gallon or more per day. I could swing it if I could use those big bottles you can fill up at the kiosks, but the little bottles of water that I drink would end up being pretty pricey.

I just buy the gallon jugs at the grocery store (they are simply purified water - nothing fancy). The first jug is $0.60 and a refill is $0.39.