Dear Trudence (Full Version)

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subtee -> Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 8:59:10 AM)

I need help and advice for my beagle. Trudy is 7 and itching herself crazy. (Me too…crazy, I mean, she’s not itching me. Har.) Anyway, it seems to be an allergy or collection of allergies or it may be a systemic yeast problem. Or both. I’ve changed her food to one that does not have grains. I’ve given her daily oatmeal (Aveeno) baths. I’ve given her children’s Benadryl. I’m now giving her yogurt mixed with boiled hamburger. I’ve rubbed aloe gel on her. I’ve tried so many things and nothing seems to help the sweetiepups. She is a very sweet beagle and not dim like her half brother, Tucker. He has none of these problems!
 
Please don’t say take her to the vet. I’ve taken her over and over and over and spent so much money, all to no avail.
 
I’d be grateful for any and all ideas, and in particular, home remedies. Thank you!



Anarrus -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 9:21:23 AM)

Chances are you probably already educated yourself about this.
Here's a good site just in case you haven't.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1664&aid=143

Might not even be a food allergy or yeast problem and be a reaction to flea bites or other environmental factors.

What'd your vet say? Might be time to change vets?



subtee -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 9:28:23 AM)

Hi Anarrus, thank you for the web site, it looks like it has good info.

Yes, I've been learning as much as I can. The vet said it was probably allergies, but that the testing would be difficult for her, very expensive and quite likely inconclusive. What the vet typically does is put her on antibiotics and topical/ear/eye treatments. This helps short term, but her underlying problems return with exacerbated symptoms. Poor beagle baby.

I'll read the web site, thank you again.



MsFlutter -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 9:48:52 AM)

I googled 'itchy beagle' and found this..hope there's something you can use :)
 
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf534848.tip.html



subtee -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 9:54:29 AM)

Thank you for that! I think I've been to all of the beagle-specific sites to date. I also tried a very limited version of the BARF diet--bones and raw food. It's labor intensive and/or expensive; does anyone have any experience with BARF? (hahahahahahaha)



Vendaval -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 12:11:28 PM)

Hi subtee,
 
Is this a seasonal or year round condition?  Does she have bumps under her skin or "hot spots"?   Does it become worse depending whether she is inside or outside?

Have you thought of contacting Beagle breeders specifically?  They might have some good insights for you especially if the sensitivity is caused in part by inbreeding. 



LaTigresse -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 12:32:13 PM)

Trying to think of things I've tried.

Switching hand creams, laundry detergents, floor cleaners, anything that she may come in contact with. Keep her off carpets or rugs to see if there is something in that. If you've switched foods and dog treats, likely it is something external rather than internal. Have you tried filtered water instead of tap? Long shot but, what the heck.

I found that with my dog, it was something in tall grasses during a certain time of year. Given the time of year here, it shouldn't be that.



Vendaval -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 12:34:37 PM)

My slave's dog has skin allergies in part to agricultural spraying of pesticides and herbicides in the area.



Lockit -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 12:37:36 PM)

I was told by a vet not to bathe my dogs as often as I thought was good.  She said it dried their skin out and that their skin needed the oils/whatever that they naturally came by.  I wanted baths once a week and that was just too much according to her.

I hope you find the answers!  I didn't have time to look at the links, but I understand that crazy feeling over it all.  It is hard to watch your baby suffer.

I forgot... don't forget to consider emotional reasons.  Some dogs with scratch becasue they are nervous or bored.  You have checked things out with the vet... no signs of things to them... so another vet for a second opinion might not hurt or even take the dog to a super pet store and talk to people there.  They see all sorts of things and have answered many things for me... like when I had a freak dog that ate poop.  The vets answer was far more expensive and didn't work... the store employee hit it right off and it cost me a dollar to stop.

Has anything changed even on an emotional level or if it has happened before.. look at both times and see what might be a common factor.  You have to stop it or it could cause a secondary infection... thus I assume why the vet gave anti biotics.. but honestly... if that is all a vet did to try to solve the problem... besides expensive test... I would be going to a new vet.



MissAO -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 1:03:57 PM)

I have a border collie/shepherd mix who hadfthe same trouble. It was hell for both of us. He would scratch and chew until he was bald in spots. He still has no hair on his butt. We tried special foods and supliments, and all sorts of creams, antibiotics, and stuff. This a good product http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+12558+830&pcatid=830  They are a great company, terrific products, unbeatable customer service, and you get a $5 off coupon when you request a catalog.

Finally I went to this old vet in the neighborhood - I think he graduated from school in 1902! He said he doesn't go in for these new fangled doctors and their special foods and lotions and potions and stuff. He gave Tramp (my dog) a shot of human medicine - visteril, I think it was. That was the first time he slept soundly in years. We're guessing he was either allergic to fleas or cats. He said why bother putting him through all those tests when the treatment is the same no matter the cause. So my advice would be to find an old school doc like him.

Also, go to the health food store and ask for a homeopathic remedy for itching and hives. Homeopathy has always worked well for my whole family (human and the fury members) and it can't hurt.

Best of luck to you and Trudy.

~A




subtee -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 1:16:46 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Vendaval

Hi subtee,
 
Is this a seasonal or year round condition?  Does she have bumps under her skin or "hot spots"?   Does it become worse depending whether she is inside or outside?

Have you thought of contacting Beagle breeders specifically?  They might have some good insights for you especially if the sensitivity is caused in part by inbreeding. 


Hello! Trudy's problems seemed to begin seasonally, and we thought she was allergic to something in the grass. Pesticides and weed killers are certainly prevalent here, although I live in the city. Anyway, as time passed it too passed from seeming seasonal to year round. In fact, this winter has been the worst for her. She doesn't have bumps, but instead "hot spots"--places she has scratched bald, my little Trudith, my widdle Trudabega...
~cough~

...the breeder idea is brilliant~~one thing I haven't tried!



subtee -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 1:36:56 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LaTigresse

I found that with my dog, it was something in tall grasses during a certain time of year. Given the time of year here, it shouldn't be that.

Yes, given the fact that it keeps fracken SNOWING here! I shoveled about 6 inches off my driveway yesterday...@$%^*#!

I've done the washing everything dealio, although I should shampoodle the carpets again. Anyone make any "green" homemade carpet shampoo?

Thank you LeeAnn



subtee -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 1:44:18 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lockit

I was told by a vet not to bathe my dogs as often as I thought was good.  She said it dried their skin out and that their skin needed the oils/whatever that they naturally came by.  I wanted baths once a week and that was just too much according to her.

I hope you find the answers!  I didn't have time to look at the links, but I understand that crazy feeling over it all.  It is hard to watch your baby suffer.

I forgot... don't forget to consider emotional reasons.  Some dogs with scratch becasue they are nervous or bored.  You have checked things out with the vet... no signs of things to them... so another vet for a second opinion might not hurt or even take the dog to a super pet store and talk to people there.  They see all sorts of things and have answered many things for me... like when I had a freak dog that ate poop.  The vets answer was far more expensive and didn't work... the store employee hit it right off and it cost me a dollar to stop.

Has anything changed even on an emotional level or if it has happened before.. look at both times and see what might be a common factor.  You have to stop it or it could cause a secondary infection... thus I assume why the vet gave anti biotics.. but honestly... if that is all a vet did to try to solve the problem... besides expensive test... I would be going to a new vet.


Hi Lockit,

I worried about the bathing too often too. It's gotta be drying to her skin. I read someone put baby oil on their dog's dry skin...

I don't think it's emotional. If it was Tucker, I'd consider it. He's just a little crazy and really, really needy. Yesterday, while I was making food in the kitchen he plopped himself in the middle of the floor and cried, whined, moaned, etc. Then he went outside and barked at the trampoline...(it had snow on it). ~sigh.~

I read today about putting fatty acid oil or fish oil on her food. Has anyone tried that?

Thank you!



LaTigresse -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 2:39:38 PM)

A little bit of the fish oil would not hurt, not much or you would have more on your floor than a slighty wacko dog

I found this......

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400120/fish-oil-for-dogs.html



JstAnotherSub -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 2:49:25 PM)

i know you said you have been the vet route, but.....just in case...

i had a dog that had the same problems.  about every couple of years the vet would give him a bottle of steroid pills to take....pills were cheap as heck and it would clear him up and keep him clear for a long time.....occasionally he would need them more frequently, but it was a very good, cheap fix.....he lived to 14.....

i have to do the same thing sometimes for excema....just a thought.....



Lockit -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 2:51:05 PM)

I think I would be tempted to put some anti itch ointment on the worse spots.  Or maybe an anti bactrial with anti itch.  I know with my cats I have used fish oil... but never tried it with a dog.  I know we used to put egg in their food sometimes because it was said to help their coat.  But I would think that aloe... vit E or fish oil could even be used on their skin... quite a job I am sure... but who knows, it might help, as for feeding it to them I would ask a vet.

My daughter has one of the worst cases of exzemia and nothing seemed to work for her... but I learned little tricks that would help for a time before we had to switch.  We even used anti yeast creams for women, men or feet at different times.  We would try different parts of her body with different things and use what seemed to work the best.  At really bad times, there was nothing better than a couple days on steriods, in hopes of clearing it up because of secondary infections and risks of that nature.



subtee -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 2:52:52 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LaTigresse

A little bit of the fish oil would not hurt, not much or you would have more on your floor than a slighty wacko dog

I found this......

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400120/fish-oil-for-dogs.html

  This looks promising, I've seen many mentions on many sites of using fatty acid or fish oil. Plus I have some.

And the dude is portly with a white beard, so you know it's all true.

Thank you [;)]



TreasureKY -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 3:57:06 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JstAnotherSub

i know you said you have been the vet route, but.....just in case...

i had a dog that had the same problems.  about every couple of years the vet would give him a bottle of steroid pills to take....pills were cheap as heck and it would clear him up and keep him clear for a long time.....occasionally he would need them more frequently, but it was a very good, cheap fix.....he lived to 14.....

i have to do the same thing sometimes for excema....just a thought.....


I had a cat with the same problem.  The only thing that helped was a steroid shot.  She'd get one every year, though twice a year would have been perfect.  Unfortunately at her age, the vet didn't feel it would be good for her.  She looked just pathetic when she'd get nearly bald from scratching.  [&:]



Vendaval -> RE: Dear Trudence (3/30/2009 3:59:06 PM)

Hello again subtee,
 
The person who immediately comes to mind if you are looking for natural soap products of any kind would be hizgeorgiapeach (Rhi) on here.  If she does not make it herself she will know what and where to find it.
 
Also, I am wondering if the problem started out seasonal but became year round if your dog has been exposed to something in the environment that is now in her system all the time.  OK, I found an article quoted below explaining this concept better.
 
You should  be able to find out specifically what pesticides and herbicides are being used in your area by contacting the departments at the city and county level.  And if you have an agricultural and/or veterinary university nearby that could be helpful too.
 
"Modern Pesticides:
By the twentieth century, chemists began to develop organic pesticides that were designed to be less toxic to man and more specific toward the intended pests. Although this was initially believed to be a step in the right direction, man soon discovered that the organic pesticides also caused unexpected environmental effects. Some of these pesticides were fat soluble. This characteristic lead to a problem known as bioaccumulation.

As each organism feeds on one lower in the food chain, the fat soluble pesticide began to be concentrated in ever higher amounts as one moved toward the top of the food pyramid. Since every organism eats far more than its own body mass in food, the tiny amounts found in each organism in the lower levels of the food web began to accumulate in greater concentrations in species located at higher trophic levels.

One example of this problem is illustrated by the damage done to predatory birds as a result of bioaccumulation of DDT. As a result of this problem DDT has been banned from use in North America."

http://www.cdli.ca/courses/sci1206/unit01_org02_ilo05/b_activity.html



LaTigresse -> RE: Dear Trudence (4/2/2009 7:17:08 AM)

Tee, I saw this in the news this morning. Not sure if there is anything new or helpful in the article at all, but thought I would share it with you.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/26/pet.allergies/index.html?iref=newssearch

Also wanted to add, my little Sophie gave us a huge scare last night. I walked in the door to be greated by a 12# dog that looked like she went three rounds with a swarm of bumble bees and lost. To give you a visual, think solid red, miniature pinscher but with the huge errect ears of a papillion. BUT, covered in lumps, big brown eyes swollen to slits, face all lumpy and swollen.

I immediately searched the house to see what had caused it, only finding a chewed old paperback book. I then gave her 1/4 tablet of prednisone. Started a batch of oatmeal liquid and some black tea. After 45 minutes there was noticable improvement. Fed both dogs, then gave another 1/4 tablet.

After the concentrated tea, and oatmeal mess was cool, I strained the oatmeal and took both that liquid and the tea into the bathroom with the dog. She got smeared with the slimey oatmeal liquid left to sit, soaking and shivering, then rinsed with the tea concentrate. Dryed, shaking and shivering, she burrowed into her favourite blanket. I felt bad because the liquids had to be at least cooled to lukewarm, otherwise the heat could accerbate the condition.

This morning, all back to normal. The only thing I can figure is either there was something in the binding glue, or a residue of something on that old book. Little bitch scared the shit outta me!



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