Challenge #3 -- More than just Billy's ears

• jennie_c_d Posted : 5/23/2006 11:45:04 PM HOORAY!!!! I'm so glad to hear that you're getting some good news from both vets. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• tacran Posted : 5/24/2006 12:56:38 PM Callie, I'm so glad to read this good news.  Once again, your careful attention to your dogs, as well as the excellent care you get from two cooperative vets have really pushed the scales in Billy's favor.  What a lucky boy, and SO very handsome with his long hair - I love it!  I also like his T-shirt.  Very similar to a favorite of my husband's that is nearly worn to shreds - holes, sleeves cut off, threadbare in places.  But he loves that Lion Rampant!   Give Billy a hug from me.  He's been a good boy through all this, and you and David deserve a hug, too! 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Pam Posted : 5/24/2006 3:23:31 PM Callie that is great news indeed!   How much milk thistle do you give?  Is it for humans? 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• calliecritturs Posted : 5/24/2006 7:13:26 PM Thanks folks -- I spoke with Dr B (regular vet) today on the phone and he likes the idea Dr D had that it might be the ear infection and that the antibiotic might be doing 'more' than anything else.  Of course if I can get him off pred sooner, I'll be happy.  Because pred depresses the immune system that means that the antibiotics won't work as well.  *sigh*  so we're on for at least another week of them. But we are gonna do the weekly 'mini' blood tests (just for CBC and packcell volume).  And since the holistic vet reminded me yesterday (*grin*) to make sure he gets "a probiotic -- like even yogurt would be great!" along with those antibiotics. I grinned and whispered to her that we were already doing that.  But to Billy I said "ROCKIN RASPBERRY!!" and he went ape-nuts.  A total 'spin' (not good when the dog is full of acupuncture needles but I really couldn't resist).  I thot she was gonna laff herself silly -- I told her that around here Stoneyfield's a super favorite and the dogs (gosh, this couldn't be because of ME could it??? *innocent look*) JUST LOVE the little mini cups of Rockin Raspberry and Strawberry Vanilla.  Yes, they eat off a spoon (plastic please) and 'share' a carton nicely.  But if I give the antibiotics at supper, then this 'bedtime treat' times it just about perfectly to do the most good, and it's a great thing for the tummy last thing at night. Probably a shame for mine that Mom doesn't like banana (that and asparagus -- I can NOT tolerate the smell of either of them).  *grin* Hollysmom -- milk thistle varies a great deal.  It is an herb.  And honestly, I NEVER use "dog stuff".  Most things formulated for dogs, are *in my opinion* typically inferior quality and just marketing hype.  so I use good qualtiy milk thistle -- it's an herb that is often given to humans and dogs and any animal, usually, that needs to detox the liver.  You might want to check out Dr. Randy Kidd's "Herbal Dog Care" book -- it is super!! If you just get the regular caps (and honestly I like to get a good quality herbal -- like Solaray, but even Wal-mart's herbs are suprisingly decent quality) then 2-3 a couple of times a day for a 30 pound dog is fine.  Milk Thistle has nearly NO taste -- so you can easily stir that one into food if you want.  Billy likes his in ricotta cheese (that's our current favorite LOL). Solaray has a 'one a day' that is quite a bit more expensive but you only need to give one (or two if your vet says to) a day.  Higher quality and more dense herb in a tiny capsule. Herbs are like vegetables.  How many tomatoes do you put in your spaghetti sauce???  That's a loaded question, right??  Depends on how much you want to make, how big they are (and what variety even) right??  Some folks like beefsteak toms and some prefer plum tomato for sauce - BIG difference in the number tho right?? Remember herbs ARE plants.  They vary in quality they vary in variety too -- so don't cheap out on it.   I *never* get herbals at a grocery store usually because they tend to carry 'cheap' inferior quality herbs.  You can wind up with NONE of that particular herb even in the capsule with a really cheap herb.  There are other good places to buy tho -- but BEWARE online unless it is a source you truly trust.  I have two places I use and if you want to email me I'd be glad to give you their URLs.  But if I Google a particular herb and get to a website instead, I NEVER buy there -- they usually aren't out to give me information -- they just want to sell their stuff.  Maybe I'm jaded but .... Hope that answers your question. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• willowchow Posted : 5/24/2006 7:50:47 PM Callie--Can you let me know where you are ordering from online?  Thanks! 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• calliecritturs Posted : 5/24/2006 9:45:37 PM I'm not trying to be mystical, but I'm always so ... um ... BLUNT about the fact that I don't use 'dog stuff' (vitamins, supplements, etc.) that I didn't want it to look like I was hawking stuff for someone either.  0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login