A Holistic ?

Grace is 1yr. old now and already showing signs of having health issues. Most likely a product of bad breeding. But I love her just the same.

It's been a constant battle with allergies and skin problems. She's already overweight for her age which could be a thyroid problem, but will eventually result in hip, leg, and back problems. She is not albino but has very pink albino type skin which is sensitive to grass, dirt, and sun. We have just discovered that she is allergic to beef, so she can't have any beef products at all. Beef makes her break out in hives.

She is constantly itchy. I've tried T-Touch, but all she wants me to do is scratch her back.

So I saw this article about acupuncture and how it's being used for allergies as well as arthritis and joint problems. It increases the endorphans in the body. My question: Has any of you ever taken you dog in for acupuncture or know anyone that has? What were the results?

I found someone here that does it, and it costs $50 a session. My Husband thinks I'm a little over the edge. :? Grace has her next check up in October, so I want to be prepared with some alternatives. Vets just want to shoot a dog up with steroids which I am dead set against.

As far as diet, she eating fish and chicken and a ton of suppliments and vitamins. So far it's working. She may develope problems with that later on.

I just want to build up and keep her immune system as strong as possible.

 

:m35: Im sorry! But I dont think I could be any help....
I hope she feels better~

XoX

Kassandra :y_the_best:

 

I recently started going to a holistic vet for Jake and I go to an accupunturist for me and they have a big newpaper article on it for dogs, As for using it for allergies I am not sure, I think it would work.

The vet said it takes time, dont expect miracle cures overnight. I think you need to give Grace a chance - a few months on her new diet before trying anything else sinceyou say it seems to be working.

I went thru the same thing with Jake, he has always been overweight, constantly tested for thyroid, but that was okay. I would put him on the low fat food and nothing, he would gain weight. I think it was lack of protein and too many carbs because he has lot 7# since going on raw. He ahas started scratchiong a lot so the vet now has me puting somehting called green mush in his food, full of the kelp, chloroform, and other stuff.

what supplements are you giving? Jakes list is long, I will write them down tonight for you to compare

honeybear

 

You could also try a homeopath, but they aren't all the same so don't just pick one at random! I can give you names if you'd like. Most do phone or e-mail consults. I know it sounds strange, but they generally don't even need to see the dog - your descriptions (and photos if you have them) are enough.

 

okay here is what Jake gets

his premade raw and veggies

green mush
link
http://www.healthforce.com/green_mush.htm

oxy drops and bak pack from www.nzymes.com
vit e
fish oil
glucosomine

wow, I hink I am spending $60 a month on him!!

so glad Wylie is a healthy mutt

honeybear

 

honeybears: Thanks for going to the trouble. Right now Grace is getting:

1. A multi vitamin

2. garlic and brewers yeast

3. chondroitin & glucosamine (joints)

4. sunflower oil (skin & coat)

5. flax seed oil (omega 3)

6. alfalfa a.k.a. chlorophyll (fiber)

7. Kelp (mineral)

8. omega 6 (nervous system, sight, and smell)

She's a walking vitamin pharmaceutical. She was on semi-raw until she had the reaction to beef. Now I'm wondering if a dog could be allergic to meat in general. That would make them a vegetarian :?: and do they have any food for this.

That's why I think I need to go to a Holistic specialist and think about Homeopathy remedies.

As long as I can keep the costs away from my Husband, I'm going to do whatever it takes. Anyway, he loves our little Gracie as much as I do, so he will get over the cost of keeping her well.

I don't want her life span to be only 6 to 8 yrs. I want my little girl around a long time.

 

You might try switching to a wild fish oil in place of the flax seed oil. Dogs process animal products better than plant products.

If you choose your own homepath, red flags to be aware of are: prescribing combination remedies or more than one remedy at a time, and repeating remedies on a mechanical basis - like, if they tell you to give a remedy twice a day for 2 weeks and then call them. A good, CLASSICAL homeopath should prescribe ONE remedy and check back with you after the first dose or two to see how the dog is doing before deciding on when or if to repeat the remedy.

 

Sharon, Grace could be allergic to nuts - the sunflower and flaxseed. I am sure that is what Jake is allergic to. I did an illimination diet and everytime I added food or a suplement that had flaxseed or sunflower, jake would immediately start a huge scratch fest.

i would try taking her off these and addad a fish oil in their place as Jimiya recommended.

honeybear

 

Thanks Honeybears and Jamiya. This has been really frustrating! I'm going to eliminate seed oils and go with fish oil. I know for sure beef is out. She had hives in her ears, around her eyes, everywhere. We all didn't get any sleep for a week. Two days after I quite giving it to her, it cleared up.

We're in the process of getting rid of all the grass in the back yard and putting down small granite. They'll still have their sand box and a small potty area. Then I won't have to worry about grass pollen and dirt.

 

Sharon, you need to feed vitamin E when you do a fish oil supplement, dont know why but they say dont feed fishoil without it

honeybear