[Kevin R]

I’m just going by the advice of my vet.

[Kevin R]

Hi Acroyali, I’m trying the fragaria vesca now. No noticeable results yet but it’s a little soon. I contacted ABC Homeopathy and they told me me that they could not help as far as any usage against tartar. I am currently using 3 pellets of the 6x. I let them sit in 1/4 cup of warm water for 5 minutes first and do it daily. Does this sound about what like you had in mind or how you’ve done it in the past? I got this dosage off another website; a pretty reputable site I believe. Thanks.

[Kevin R]

I know you can’t tell by looking and no I do not think supplements would be better than a specialist. My vet doesn’t think it’s a huge issue and I kind of think otherwise. I’m just trying to prevent a bigger problem. I will be getting another opinion. Again, I was just asking about any dental supplements that are beneficial.

[Kevin R]

Acroyali mentioned the fragaria vesca and I had heard of that before. Your comment after that was essentially against doing that. That’s why I said that. My dog’s teeth are certainly not as bad as picture I’ve seen; I’m just trying to prevent them from becoming that way. What I’m saying is that my vet has me a little worried about doing the cleaning altogether.

[Kevin R]

Ok, well not sure what to do then. Thanks to both of you.

[Kevin R]

Thanks. I currently have the Virbac CET enzymatic stuff. I don’t really have an opinion on it though. I’ll keep the Petrodex in mind. As far as pain, I don’t really think she is in any. I could be wrong, but don’t think so. The vet here has mentioned sending her to dental vet if need arose. Personally, I think my dog would be ok through a dental, but I’m not a vet.

Hi Acroyali, I’ve heard of that stuff you mentioned and couldn’t find it at one time. Do you have a suggestion on where to purchase it? I don’t want to get the wrong thing. I’ve saw something with the same name, but it says “6c” instead of “6x.” Also, do you know if this can damage the enamel any? Thanks for the replies everyone.

[Kevin R]

Yeah, the vets don’t want to do a cleaning right now due to current/past health issues. I was just looking for something to help with the tartar and mild redness of the gum line. I am currently brushing her teeth. Thanks.

[Kevin R]

Hi Anon. Yeah, I know and I’ve always leaned more towards her issues being environment related. However, she doesn’t really seem to change from one season to the next like some dogs. She has always had year round issues. I guess I’ve just been baffled by the these different issues she’s had recently, she’s never had the genital issue before and the anal glands haven’t been this bad. Yet, she isn’t very itchy. Her skin is constantly changing in redness though, from red to not red and in between. I’ll take a look at the link you provided. I’m looking to at least consult with a vet dermatologist or internal medicine specialist. There’s a couple places here locally. Maybe it will be helpful to discuss with her vet to determine the highest priority of what she needs as I’ll be going in a few days for blood work and talk to the doctor who will be removing these bumps. I’m afraid this procedure here will set me back a bit and delay the trip to vet dermatologist though. Thanks.

[Kevin R]

Thanks and sorry for the late response. I as well am trying to minimize anything in her environment that could cause a reaction. However, I do have carpet and she goes out in grassy areas whether it’s my yard or someone else’s yard when I’m walking her. The vaginitis appears to have cleared up, but I will keep an eye on it. Her problem now is her anal glands. She has always had to get them expressed either from the groomer or vet, but all of sudden I’ve had to get them expressed twice just this week. Typically, this has been needed every 2 – 4 weeks. I don’t know if this related to food, something environmental, or something else. It’s a ashame cause she is doing pretty good as far as her scratching. It doesn’t seem to be near as bad as it was before she went on Atopica and she has been off of that for about 5 months now. However, as a whole she seemed better when on the prescription diet and Atopica. No vaginitis, not as many anal gland issues, and as I’m writing this she acting like she’s about to throw up. Seems like it’s been a different or repeat ailment every week. I have been to the vet so many times its unreal. She has a couple of bumps on her skin as well, but I’ve had a couple of vets look at it them and they’re not highly concerned after looking at samples from a needle aspirate. One of them did however have a few cells that were “interesting.” I’m debating on going ahead and having them removed. With all this being said, I’m wondering if I should just go back to square one with the Rx diet and Atopica. I don’t want to cause the Atopica highly worries me, but I wonder about her quality of life as well. I am also looking into the tests everyone has mentioned because I am having a really tough time right now deciding on what to feed her. Thanks.

[Kevin R]

Hi Dori, thanks for the advice. I have a Westie. She’s not that close to the ground, but I wondered about this as well. Being a Westie, she has her share of allergies and it sounds like this could be the cause. I don’t know though. I may try the washcloth like you mentioned. I’ve been using the baby wipes, but like you say, they don’t appear to be as effective as one would like. Thanks again.

On another note, does anyone else have any other opinions on the intradermal allergy testing? Anyone currently doing immunotherapy and having success? Thanks.

[Kevin R]

It’s the Alkaline Phosphate enzyme that I’m referring to. I’ve looked into doing the allergy testing before; I might again.

[Kevin R]

Hello, they didn’t do any kind of testing, just prescribed antibiotics. She did have a complete blood count and urinalysis done about 3 weeks ago and everything was ok with the exception of the ALP being a little elevated. Of course, this was a little before I noticed the problem, but it was after she had the same problem the first time.

[Kevin R]

I tried immunotherapy a few years ago and she never responded favorably. The allery testing was a blood test so I don’t know that was even reliable results. I’m trying to avoid putting her back on the Atopica, but may have to.

[Kevin R]

It is. So can environmental allergies cause this issue? She used to be on Atopica and I’ve taken her off of it. So far, she’s been doing pretty good. Still a little itchy, but not near as bad as she was before going on Atopica.

[Kevin R]

Hi all, I just wanted to follow up on this. Currently, I am feeding my dog Acana Duck and Pear and the Omega 6 and Omega 3 ratio is 2:1. I am looking to add fish oil, (Nordic Naturals specifically) to her diet. However, won’t this throw the ratio off as it may already be a little skewed? Thanks.

[Kevin R]

Thanks. Any other suggestions for homemade cooked diets?

[Kevin R]

Hi all, I have another question regarding changing my dog’s food. I mentioned changing to a lower glycemic food due to yeast issues. The yeast issue is not major at this time, however, I figured this couldn’t hurt anything. Is there a typical carb percentage I should look for when choosing a food? I know it may vary from dog to dog, but just how low should the carb count be in order to maybe make a difference in this situation? Reason I ask is because I tried her on Orijen a few years ago, but it went right through her. I don’t know if it was the higher protein or the fat percentage, but I know I’ll probably need something a little less “rich.” I thought about Acana Grasslands since it’s a little lower protein, but the fat is about the same I believe. Feel to give any other food suggestions as well. Thanks for your time.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 8 months ago by Kevin R.

[Kevin R]

Hi all. I appreciate the suggestions and insight. As far as the Greenies, she hasn’t had any in several days and I don’t plan on giving her anymore. I did get a referral to dermatologist yesterday, so I may go ahead and do this so I can at least have a better idea on what she is allergic to. Her allergies seem to be year round, so I don’t know. To me, this seems like something she is eating or something in my house. But we’ll see. As far as her food, i would still like to switch it, but I would like to see what the dermatologist office says when I call. I guess it depends on how soon they can get me an appointment.

[Kevin R]

Thanks. I’m looking into having possibly having her tested again. When we did it before, we followed up with immunotherapy giving her injections, but she never responded positively so we eventually quit.

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