The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Posted by Christy (Fair Oaks, Ca) on 08/11/2011 ★★★★★
I just wanted to say that I have a shit-zu that I got when she was 1&1/2.she was surrenderd due to allergies. Thoughout the years I tried EVERYTHING... Every quality food and even things made with a novel protien source like kangaroo and bush baby. she would either have a reaction within a few hours or be ok for a couple days then really react bad. I have even made her food myself from things like goat. Like most others here docs always just said its allergies. So we do the whole protocal of meds. Allergies would always come back.
I think she has been doing the yougert/probiotic and Apple Cider Vinegar spray on her coat for a week now and shes a different dog. Shes ALWAYS had hot spots and flaky skin with sores on it. And her skin was always red like a tomato and hot, now it alsmost as pale as mine!!! No flakes, no sores. I have her on nonstarchy veggies & olive oil right now with calcium added and in another week I will try a high quality single source food and see how she does. Its such a relief to see her enjoy her life and not just itch/scratch and chew herself raw. I AM SO ANGRY THAT NO VET EVER KNEW ABOUT YEAST!!!
I am going to print out the info here and take her to see her vet to get groomed in a few weeks and show them how great she looks. She has almost died twice from alleregy meds like atopica and ketochenazole(spelled phoneticly) and to think it was all needless. I aslo soak her feet in epsom salts and baking soda mix every other day for 10 min. I thought id do this since her feet were always the worst. Then I spray the acv/h2o mixture on her and just rub it in. Aslo im bathing her in tea tree shampoo since its anti fungal(once a week bath).
Oh and that site the great dane lady has a homemade remedy for ear that sounds great and I will be using that soon. Just google great dane lady and you will find her. She has a whole protocal for the yeast thing and tells you what veggies and meats are ok to use and which ones arent. She also says the thyroid need to be tested since they cant get over the yeast if their thyriod messed up. I am sooo greatful for this site. My molly has suffered all her life-shes 14 now, and now she can have some itch free years. She seems perkier and more spunky too after staring this protocal.
Posted by Geri A. (Alberta, Canada) on 08/27/2017 ★★★★★
As soon as I see my scottie chewing and licking her paws excessively I know she's having an allergic reaction.
I use 3 tbsp. ACV mixed into 1 tbsp. water and wipe down the feet of my scottie when she has an allergy flare up. Twice a day for 3 days and she is over her problem. Then I root out which of my grandchildren is sneaking her a treat that she is reacting to. Also, when she is scratching or biting at herself, which is very seldom, I add half a cup of ACV in her rinse water after her bath. Stinky but effective.
Posted by Toni-Dog Groomer (Indianapolis) on 05/25/2015
I just wanted to add something that I have learned about Black Walnut Hull and Wormwood Tincture. It is a natural dewormer and also kills candida (yeast). If you read the reviews on this 7.00 product you can find on a major online shopping site, you will want to take it yourself!! I added a few drops to some wheat bread which was the only way all 3 of my dogs, big and small would gladly eat it. Clove bud kills eggs, and diatomaceous earth (FOOD GRADE ONLY!!! ) also works well at killing parasites and yeast. Along with ACV and VCO, these products are ones I swear by and highly recommend! Look up health benefits of Diatomacous Earth and SERIOUSLY check out the tincture! It kills heartworm and any parasite that is on your body. Other dewormers can actually send the parasites to the brain, eye, liver or lungs! I deworm myself twice a year. (1 out of 3 people have parasites! ) D.E. will get the crud out of your guts and help get residue from food or meds outta there! It is a must!! (D.E. is also good for hair, nails, and skin! ) I add it to my juice (tbsp) stir and drink. I add to dog water or food. It is a powder. BE SURE THAT IT IS FOOD GRADE! ) Research it! Lots of uses and benefits.
Posted by Deb (Harrisburg, Pa) on 08/19/2009 ★★★★★
ACV is wonderful! My Shih Tzu was suffering with his allgeries this year. He lost all the hair off his ears. It must be the new area I am living in. A new hot spot was breaking out everyday. Well, I gave him a bath, then used 1 cup of ACV to a gallon of water.
He slept peacefully that night. Since then I have applied a half and half mixture of water and ACV using a spray bottle on his hot spots and around his ears. The areas of his skin are almost healed. I could not beleive how fast it took after the bath.
I tried using the spray mixture a day or two befor the bath, that did not have the same affect. Be sure to bath the dog first using the ACV mix last then rinse it off.
I am still spraying him every day. He doesn't really like it especially. But all the redness has left.
I am recommending this site to all my friends!
I also tried another remedy that worked for dog coughs, 1 tbl honey, 3 drops of peroxide and 1 cup of water. the cough vanished.
Posted by Juliendbq (Dubuque, Ia) on 05/31/2017 ★★★★★
At my wits end, I googled "Aloe Vera", hoping to find an answer to our 9-year-old Boston Terrier's constant chewing on his feet and scratching. He was so distressed and it just ripped my heart out! I found some information that might have been of use, but next on my mind was to google "ACV" for his allergies. Wow, did I score! I immediately game him some canned pumpkin with 1/2 t. of ACV. Within 1/2 hour, there was very little chewing, in fact he fell asleep! All the gourmet, gluten-free dog foods we've tried didn't have the success that the ACV did! That was Monday night--by Tuesday morning his skin looked so much less irritated/inflamed. Thinking I was seeing what I wanted to see, I asked my husband who agreed that his skin looked soooo much better. Hopefully, his raw patches will heal so that I can spray his feet and armpits.
There is a great (old) book extolling the effects of ACV, honey, garlic, etc. and their benefits to us, and a wide variety of animals. I'm not sure if it can still be purchased, but it is so worth it! If anyone would like the title, I can check on it later today or tomorrow.
Incidentally, years ago I was part of a Cairn Terrier rescue group. Rather than giving itchy, dry skin dogs frequent baths, they recommended dusting them with Gold Bond powder and gently working that in. Also, it was suggested that itchy dogs and those that chew their skin be sprayed with equal parts of Listerine and water ... very soothing. ACV, being more natural, that the Listerine, would IMO be a better choice. (I don't have a bottle handy, but I would think Listerine has sugar as an ingredient.)
EC: We're guessing the book is DC Jarvis's book Folk Medicine!
I have a black lab that had horrible allergies, after trying every type of dog food and many steroid shots, I read something on the internet that said to give your dog 1 apple cider vinegar pill daily and feed your dog Eagle dog food ( I buy the natural lamb formula). I wrap the vinegar pill in a piece of bread and put it with her bowl of food. For the first couple of months I could not see much progress, but I hung in there and it worked great. She has not needed a steroid shot in five years and her skin is great!!!!! I still feed her the Eagle Brand dog food and now I will put an apple cider vinegar pill in her food every other day or so. She always had yeasty smelling ears too, and that is cleared up!! I think it has something to do with their pH level. It really works. She is now 15 years old.
Ok, so my poor pooch has terrible allergies, which we have been trying to solve for the last 3 years. With constant visits to the vet for allergy shots, steroids and anti bacterial tablets, nothing has worked. The steroids have made her lethargic and constantly hungry and thirsty, and I really don't want to continue with them as I see no improvement. I have recently found this site, so as a last resort, and from much research on the subject, I have decided to try an holistic approach, to help my poor girl.
I have changed her diet, to totally grain free, making my own dog food, with fresh meat and vegetables, small amounts of turmeric and garlic. I have read it can be quite common for dogs to have an allergy to chicken, so my plan is to try only beef for one week, then only lamb for one week and so on, to see if she improves on a certain diet and then stick to that one. I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on that?
I give her some yogart every day which she loves. Also a bath in ACV, and non scented baby bath, which seems to stop her itching her feet, which is a terrible problem, she bites them constantly, and they are very red and sore, most of the time. I have tried the ear wash of ACV, she hates it, but after a few minutes, she seems to calm down, and I have found it helps.
I really feel she is improving, but we still have a long way to go, to getting her 100 percent.
Posted by Michael (Timmins, Ontario, Canada) on 11/18/2015
Hi Lola. I have a shih tzu/schnauzer mix and went through the biting of feet and scratching and everything else. I tried using Selsun Blue dandruff shampoo that is a selenium sulfide solution that is found in the pharmacy. I would lather him up and leave on for a couple minutes before rinsing and after a few times it really made a difference. I would also lather up his feet more often and then rinse them off. I also changed his dog food to a single ingredient blend of duck and Bartlet pear and alternating after a month to lamb and apple. The blend available to us in Canada is made by Orijen and it is under their Acana label. I find when looking for dog food it is wise to look for one with the least ingredients and keep chicken or chicken by products and wheat and soy out of it as they can be allergy producers. Hope this helps. Mike
Posted by Eric The Healer (California) on 05/13/2016
Your dog has "Hot Spots" from eating wheat flour which is a type of candida yeast infection. Stop all wheat flour treats and bread type food with grains (they are bad for us too)! Most people have wheat gut (Candida) and don't know it. Pau d'Arco tea kills the fungus. Give probiotics and smell paws to notice that particular smell. I don't agree with vets giving dogs steroid shot and antibiotics for a month because you are destroying good bacteria in gut and only putting infection in a dormant state not ridding yourself of the problem.
It's pretty fresh onto the scene, and as we have been fighting allergies year round for years (with no success), we jumped on it immediately. (Curtis chews until everything is raw, bleeding, and limping. His face is red-he's just been hot mess.)
First, I will say it has been about 85% effective in suppressing his symptoms. My understanding is results vary. That being said, I said suppressing for a reason. It's scary stuff and opens the door for cancer and all kinds of other sickness, disease and issues. Since he's been on it he has developed a whole new round of hot mess issues to deal with.
Meanwhile, I stumbled onto info that wasn't available to the public before. I took him off of it immediately after reading, realizing the meds were the cause behind his new issues.
Here's an article about it~please read it before you give it to your dog. You at least need to know what it does to their bodies.
I know it's a very long time since your post, but this might help someone else.
I had a wooden, open slat, gate made which was then fitted right next to the outside of my front door. With a sign of please always shut the gate! It has a simple bolt on. So, when you open the door, the dog can't go anywhere, but they can see and smell, who is at the door. I've taught them what 'back' means and so, then the gate can be opened to allow the visitor to come into the house. (If I want them to)! I have 4 dogs and it works!! It's great for parcel delivery's as well!
Hi Marya, just read regarding your dog, my little shitzu has the same problem, I did the ACV wash and internally with no improvement, so I tried the plain yogurt.....literally thought in as imagining things...with in three hours less itching now four days hes almost not itching....he was itching so much he broke skin and lost three pounds...it was bad now almost gone. Hope this helps. Fiona.
Apple cider vinegar is helping myold cat with her scratching and digging - she was just raw from all this - I was at my wits end - had tried everything, including the steriod and antibiotic treatments to no avail.... she is healing! I am also putting some in the dogs water :) They are drinking it too - Red (the cat) also gets it dabbed on her raw spots - within two treatments I began to see a difference. She licked and chewed so much, she constantly threw up most of her food - she is now happier and so are we! Thanks
Have you tried Calcium Montmorillonite? I was about to put my 19 year old cat to sleep because his IBD was so bad. He had bloody diarrhea, allergies and used to walk like he was in pain from old age. First the vet tried B12 injections and at the same time I begun giving him 1/2 teaspoon of the clay twice a day and he better then before he got sick. he is full of energy, acts like a kitten. I forgot to mention that he was on steroids too for three days so if he can make a comeback so can yours.
I was reading your posts and I thought I wanted to share what my dog and I went through. I also had a lot of vet visits that didn't really help. She smelled badly, lots of skin stuff going on, itching, black spots, biting, licking and did I mention the horrible smell even when I bathed her twice a week. Well, I had read enough about how to bring back the balance in a humans body with yeast infections or candida. So, I took all the remedies and did them all. I shaved her down to get to the skin, sprayed her down with the apple cider vinegar mix and then let it sit. I then poured Kefir on her skin and let that sit (its pretty cold) after ten minutes I bathed her. This helped with the smell and the raw skin. I noticed she kept licking the black spots so I after each bath I did Ted's Borax solution. This helped immensely. She no longer smells, no longer scratches all that is left are her paws. I am continuing to do Ted's Borax solution on her paws and letting her stand in the mix. I hope that helps!
First of all, gratitude to EC for this wonderful site. My friends say I should write a book with my experience since I have rescued many cats and dogs for over thirty years. All on a shoe string, but the Lord helps. I think EC is a good way of passing on ones good results, as rescue people have little time to read books. Also, heartfelt thanks to all committed pet owners and rescuers. As in rescuing, one gets to know so called humans from the worst side. It can be very trying. I have also rescued a pig that fell from a truck. She was very grateful and intelligent. As I left the shelter where she found a home, she galloped and stopped by to thank us. She was by then a big girl.
I believe greatly in ACV, turmeric, especially for skin and upper resp., coconut oil, colloidal silver, vit C, nutritional yeast and no chemical meds. We have seen complete personality change and slide in health. Rescuers and groomers mostly blame chem. meds and vaccinations for ongoing problems.
When health is a business, let the buyer beware. Ordinary people cannot support the financial demands of the professional community. But a change will come in the near future. God bless EC and all of you wonderful guardians and care givers of God's creation. Love, Om
Posted by Rob (Myrtle Beach, Sc) on 08/25/2009 ★★★★★
i think this site is greattt. our 8 yr old schnauser has been scratching so much the people downstairs could hear the thumps he made under the bed. his (un)favorite passtime is scratching and chewing himself raw,anywhere and everywhere on his body. if you were to talk to him, he would tell you that he is notttt a dog. he thinks hes a human. he hasnt touched anything hangin around on the floor since he was a puppy---the house could have no floor space with junk all over it(which it doesnt) but if it did, he wouldnt touch it. he only plays with or chews his stuff. but when our son talked nasty to him., he ferreted out our sons favorite toy, chewed it up, walked over to our son, got his attention, dropped the chewed toy, gave our son a look that said take that!, and walked slowly away while our son screamed and cryed because his favorite toy was soo chewed up beyond recognition. i told my son how sorry i was but that titan was telling him too: respect me! do not yell at me. people say dogs dont have a revenge streak--i say bull! yes they do. needless to say our son hasnt yelled at titan in 4yrs. this is a dog who will find a pill on the floor and come get me to pick it up(he wont touch it). this lil schnauser never sniffs people except for their feet, but when he sniffs you, then you better get to the doctors right away. he kept sniffing my chest(and like i said he never sniffs people) and less than a week later, i had pertussis. he started sniffing my sons groin area, the next night my son complained of pain in that area---he had a bladder infection. titan started sniffing my husband, and my husband had a kidney stone attack a couple days later. he is a veryyyy intellegent dog. if the cat gets out of the house, he comes and tells us. when my daughter was a teenager and tryed to sneak out of her bedroom window in the middle of the night way down the hall he told us. anyway, you can see hes a special lil part of family. anywayyy i tryed everything for his itching. you name it , i tryed it. nothing worked., but this afternoon after reading your site. i gave him a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar with the mother--the good stuff. and lo and behold--- after about 15 minutes----hes quiet and relaxed sitting there like he owns the place--as usual lol buttt with noooo scratching. i have to say, i cant believe it, acv actually worked when all the vitamins,minerals, drugs ,cremes etc didnt. nowww if someone can pleaseee tell me how to get him from running out the door when we open it, i wont have any problems with him. he got a lil certificate from a training school yrs ago, but when he got home, it was like---im home now so i can do what i want. hes veryyy well trained, but racing out of the house when the door is open has become a real problem--any suggestions for a frustrated owner and a schnauser who thinks hes a human???? againnnn thank you!!!! for this site
EC: What an amazing dog! Thank for these great stories!
i would recommend the book "Pets at Risk" by Dr. Plechner. Licking the paws can be a sign of circulation/heart issues as paws can get a strange tingling sensation when circulation is not optimal. The book might guide you and others in the right direction. Kind regards
Posted by Beaubeau (Indianapolis, In) on 05/13/2010
Nadia,
You must use apple cider that hasn't been distilled with yeast. Some companies use yeast to make the cider ferment faster. You must use the correct type, otherwise your animal will get worse!
Only buy the organic Apple Cider Vinegar! Your local supermarket may have it in their health foods section. It is also sold on Amazon and at Whole Foods. Don't worry about yeast with a perfect product such as organic ACV.
You say you're feeding your cat raw lamb, but you also need to make sure you're feeding a high-quality raw diet. I personally don't know much about feeding raw, so YOU need to do your OWN research to make sure you're not adding to your cat's distress by feeding tainted food!
Posted by Lauren (Norridge, IL) on 04/22/2008 ★★★★★
I can't thank you enough for your remedy on your website. My Yorkie has been suffering on and off, mostly on, with smelly, itchy, swollen feet. I've tried everything....medicinal sprays, ointments, special shampoos, socks, washing with and hairdryer on low, antibiotic, and the list goes on.
In desperation, I searched various website, but (they are mostly selling something) and found yours. Your suggestion (simple and safe) I thought so I tried it. It was 2:30 in the morning when I found your remedy, and wouldn't sleep anyway for the licking, licking he was doing only making it worse and throwing up from all the medication he licked off when he pulled the socks off. I had some Acv in the pantry. I dissolved 1/4 cup in pint of water. I first washed and rinsed squeaky clean what was left on his feet from medication. I held his paws over the sink and poured the solution on his feet one-by-one. I could actually see the inflammation disappearing and the swelling going down. Could this be possible!? Am I seeing things I want to see and believe this will work! You bet it did!!!! I put some Acv dissolved in water in a spray bottle just in case he starts licking again.
He hasn't and slept through the night. Me, too.
I am very grateful and wish i found your site sooner. Needless to say, I'm happy and so is my Yorkie and I can't thank you enough!
Posted by Jill (Dania Beach, FL) on 02/07/2008 ★★★★★
After using ACV in a spray bottle only once so far, I have already seen results greater than the last 2 months of using Diphenhydramine for itching! Although not completely gone, I believe both dogs slept soundly last night whereas since this all began they'd be up biting and licking and scratching. They won't go anywhere near the Emergen-C, and I sneaked a capful on ACV in their drinking water but they're staying away from that too.
I am 2 days in to using raw apple cider vinegar for my french bulldog who has allergies (not food related) she is currently on 16mg of apoquel a day I have reduced her tablet to 8mg, and giving 1 teaspoon twice a day in her food as she does not drink much water. so far so good, she has practically stopped chewing her feet, can't believe it hope it continues. Her weight is 18.90 kg so she is on a diet as well, I have also made up some kefir which I will include in her food starting today.
I will keep her on 8mg of apoquel for a week and gradually start reducing it, say every other day to see what happens.
My Westie had lost all his fur a year ago, so I found a vet that would prescribe Apoquel (I knew the possible side effects, but it was that or permanent sleep). 16mg daily because his condition was chronic, according to the vet. A little over a year later, the Apoquel became ineffective, his eyes, face, ears, loaded with the yeast. Changed vets, new meds, his eyes are clear, fur growing back on his face, however as a result of the Apoquel, his immune system became compromised, so I am now going through all sorts of treatments trying to battle this infection. I have him on Acidophilus, Caprylic acid, antibiotics, anti-yeast medication, in an effort to restore his immune system. A long process, doesnt work overnight. I will now try the apple cider vinegar treatment and start bathing him in a tree oil based shampoo twice weekly. I will also start washing his feet everytime he goes out. I need to get him in fighting condition when the heat and humidity of summer hits this region around May, or I will lose him.
Hi Pauline, my 50+ pound mutt is on low dose Apoquel for the past two months. I cut a tablet into 4 pieces and use 1/4 morning and night. He seems to do well on the lower dose but I have heard that apoquel stops working after a time. However, it's done wonders in helping his skin issues. No more yeast smell or scratching.
Because I have read up on side effects on dog's immune systems when I started him on this, I give him 1 turkey tail (medicinal mushroom) capsule with every meal. Perhaps that will help build your dog's immune system. I was giving him a comprehensive mushroom support formula but it's very pricey. I think turkey tail is excellent and less expensive. These medicinal mushrooms seem very safe for dogs, no side effects... Good luck with your pooch. Sending prayers.
I also have a Lab that's been itching like crazy.... driving me nuts.... I'm trying the ACV spray but she hates it.... I ordered pills to try... Any idea how many to give a 12 y/o Lab at approx. 60-65 pounds?? I decided to try to heal from the inside....
I am wondering what breed your dog is if I may ask? We adopted a pooch that could be a littermate she looks so similar...but we got her from the Humane Scociety and they listed her as a 'lab mix', and didn't know much about her.
She's got itchy skin too, and we are trying to figure out how to help her. Just wondering if you knew what your girl's heritage is? I hope she is still itch free!
If anyone else on EC knows what breed Lola's pup is....please feel free to chime in as well! Thanks for any info.
Our 3 1/2 yr. old lab has allergies. She is on a shot once a week, cyclosporine 25mg. 3x a day and 100 mg. of ketconazole a day. After reading... we want to get her off of the ketoconazole, don't like what I read.
My dad is 91 and has been a faithful user of apple cider vinegar all his life, along with tons of garlic. I will check with my vet first, but do you think if we stop the "Keto" and started the vinegar, it would take it's place? We worry about liver damage and reading about the "Keto" it is not even fda approved for dogs.
The cyclosporine seems to be a litlkle more safer.
Thank you, Tina
P.S. She was tested and allergic to dust mite, weeds, and grass. and to top it off is an outside dog
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
I see you mentioned cyclosporine.Well that didn't help much and was expensive. Apaquil is new and helps however isnt a cure. It is the best so far tho and cheaper. It is fairly new and vets all love it. It leaves the body thru their kidneys.
Altho one of my dogs is on Apaquil I am going to try some of these ideas you all posted!
Posted by Janet (Manchester, Lancashire, England) on 08/28/2009
I am the proud owner of four adorable cats. I have found this site a life saver as one of my cats; Bobby had continuous UTI's and since adding ACV to his food as well as Cantharis tablets he has improved incredibly. One of my cats; Ginger also has a problem with his skin. He is constantly biting and pulling his fur out, his back has bald, red and itchy patches and approx every six months I need to take him to the vets to have a steroid injection to stop it. This can be very costly and as I have four cats and I am not very well off I wondered if there is anything anyone can suggest? I decided to mix a little ACV with warm water and rubbed this solution on his itchy areas in the hope it might stop. He is practically eating himself alive at times and it is very distressing for both him and me. Since rubbing him with this stuff he is sleeping right now and I will carry on doing this. Has anyone else experienced problems with this kind of condition?
Posted by Paula (Sedro Woolley, Wa, Usa) on 11/27/2009
To Janet in Manchester, my cat Baby had the same problem with going bald on his back, it was so bad that he stayed out in the rain to relieve the inflammation. He had multiple allergies to foods and the environment. $3000 dollars and two years later he is better because I changed his diet. Spend the money on organic cat food, it is people grade food without the fungicides and pesticides that they spray on regular pet food (scraping the slaughter house floor and selling it to pet owners in the guise of food.) It is more economical to buy the good pet food, my other cats also benefited from the changed diet. Their coats got glossy. I had raised Baby on canned cat food, a popular brand, it seems that that is what caused him the allergies. My other cats had been mousers and support from dry cat food. Many animals are allergic to corn and fleas.
Posted by Annie (Fort Walton Beach, Fl, Usa) on 07/12/2010
I would first like to express my gratitude for this website. I don't have much faith in the medical profession, these days, and being old-fashion anyways, I prefer home remedies over prescription drugs or cures any day. With that said, I was wondering if anyone could help me with a problem I seem to be having with my 8 yr old Border Collie/Husky mix. QT weighs approx. 100lb and is a very lovable companion. I will do anything possible to make her better, she deserves that. When she was young, the vet diagnosed her as being allergic to fleas, which I have found to be their answer for anything that they can't really pinpoint. So we did the Prednisone and the allergy meds, which worked at first, but not a cure. Also, I use Advantage once a month for flea control. So she has no fleas, but she constantly scratches and bites herself. I came across you website and I have been trying Ted's Mange cure for Sarcoptic mites, but still not seeing a change in her. Since she has really thick fur and I wasn't sure that I was getting her soaked to the skin, since she repels water like a duck, I shaved her and what I found under all that hair appalled me. I believe I will be switching to the ACV and BSM treatments next, because her skin is in a terrible state. The other issue I found I have not seen any post about on this website. She has some lumps. One major one where her tail joins her body and another smaller one on her right hip. I know the one at her tail joint bothers her, because she walks with her tail swooped to the opposite side. It, also, itches. She wants me to rub it all the time, but I don't, because I don't know if this will just aggravate it. I will keep you all posted if the ACV and BSM help, but I could use some feedback on the lumps. Don't know if something has embedded itself inside her skin, or if its just part of her skin condition. Thanks for letting me vent. Have a blessed day.
I had the same problem with our german shepherd, and it was yeast on the skin. Does your pet have dark spots on her legs, and inside of her ear flaps? This is a yeast problem. I have had my darling Dutchess to the vet. He gave her a bunch of anti yeast meds, and then also an anti yeast shampoo to do every week. I was told it couldnt really be attributed to the diet. I dont believe it at all. I am assuming she has a grain allergy, and also going to change her food. Yogurt is supposed to help with yeast and I am going to do a google search on how to get rid of yeast on the skin and in the body naturally. The vet visit cost me about three hundred dollars. . . But I am sure that now that I know what it is it would be less to just ask for the shampoo and pills. Blessings,
Posted by Annie (Fort Walton Beach, Fl, Usa) on 07/14/2010
Thank you, Racer, for your feedback. I, too, will start researching yeast infection. I have been trying some of the things here on the website. I tried the 1:1 ratio of the ACV and tried spraying her for the itching, but you would have thought I set her tail on fire, the way she went running through the house. Thank goodness it's a small house. I believe I will need to dilute this solution down a bit for her. I have, also, mixed up a concoction of 4T of ACV, 1/2 tsp of borax, 1 tsp of baking soda and 3T of honey in a gallon of water for her to drink. Only on day 2 of this regimen, will keep all updated. The newest thing I am trying is feeding her a raw diet. This, too, has only been going on for 2 days, so will keep all informed on the progress. Q is a finicky eater, so I have to hand feed her to get her to eat the concoction, but I'll do whatever it takes. At least, this way, I know what she is eating. EC, again, thanks for this wonderful website. Keep up the good work. It's nice to find and share info with people who truly love their animals.
Posted by Annie (Fort Walton Beach, Fl, Usa) on 07/14/2010
One thing I forgot to mention. Not just any yogurt will work. The best yogurt to get is the Greek plain yogurt. When you read the ingredients and if the package doesn't list all of the ingredients and the way it was processed, do not buy it. They are hiding things you don't want to feed your pet. Thanks.
Our RWIS had a large cyst at the junction of the tail and body. Our vet removed it and she was fine. No re-occurances. Using ACV on broken skin requires a large dilution, 2 tablespoons per quart of water. The main objective is to get the skin healed, so straight ACV can be used.
Posted by Sandy (Belmont, North Carolina) on 07/31/2009 ★★★★★
I've tried everything for my Yorkies, they scratch & bite all over all day, I've tried Tea tree oil with some help, but Now I Have Found the REMEDIE!!!! Give you dog a bath with a good shampoo, put it on washcloth, thats makes it great for washing, face, belly, butts, they will love it. Then rinse, condition if needed, rinse again with clean warm water, make sure to rinse, belly, feet, and botton well, don't leave standing dirty water in bath on feet.let water run out of tub.
Then take a CUP & 1/2 of apple cider vinegar in a gallon of clean warm water, it might take more than a gallon, mix correct, rinse all areas,don't forget feet, try not to get in eyes, this will stop RED SPOTS, SCRATCHING & BITING FEET. Plus will make coat soft & shiney. Plus mix a spray bottle,1/2 ACV & 1/2 Water, to spray if itching between baths!!!!
Posted by afghanhound911 (San Francisco, CA) on 06/25/2009 ★★★★★
We have had a horrible case of the itchy witchies this allergy season. Everyone of our guys has been itching, scratching and all have flakey skin and 2 have had chronic ear infections.
First I tried switching their diet to a high quality non grain food, no luck. I then found a site that recommended rinsing in a 50% water & 50% Raw Apple Cider Vinegar solution. I first bathed them with an Aloe and Tea Tree shampoo followed with the rinse (leaving on for approx 5 min) rinse well and apply an oatmeal conditioner (again, rinse well).
After the first bath we had some residual flaking but less itching. We repeated the proceedure 2 weeks later and I am happy to say that the flakiness is all gone and itching is minimal. In addition we are now feeding a white fish & sweet potatoe kibble supplemented with extra virgin olive oil.
For the first time in MONTHS, we are one big happy itch free family!
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