Sadie
After the experience I had with Sadie, my sweet 5 year old black lab – I decided to share what I learned… not only for other humans, but for all of the doggies that will go through what she did.
She was itchy, losing her hair, had red sores on her (hot spots)- she was lethargic and obviously miserable.
I took her to the vet – and of course, she was prescribed antibiotics – even though I mentioned she’d been on them before, earlier in the year for a bladder infection. Little did I know, I was digging the hole deeper. The first round cost me plenty but the second round included antibiotics, steroids and a antihistamine – a bill of over $300 bucks.
Most ailments are blamed on allergies – esp. when displaying symptoms such as itching, hot spots, hair loss, diarrhea and more, but can be caused by an array of inner things. According to an expert on the subject, “Whole Dog Journal” veterinarian, Randy Kidd, DVM – “A holistic approach to allergies understands that external skin symptoms are merely an outer manifestation of something going wrong inside.”
The common diagnosis of allergies or health issues that appear external is that flea’s are the main cause. The other suspected culprits are airborne, food and contact allergens. Of course those little fleas should be eliminated immediately with the most effective flea medication available.
But, understanding that most dog ailments come from something happening within is your best defense. What has he or she been eating? Have they been exposed to new bedding, or carpet? What about infections, have they been on antibiotics more than once in the recent past?
Getting to the bottom of what is causing these horribly uncomfortable and painful symptoms can be as easy as looking toward a holistic approach to healing.
Dogs that have been on medication too long, such as antibiotics, can develop skin problems just from the reaction to the medication and the loss of immune system health. Antibiotics can create resistant bacteria causing even more health problems.
Dr. Kidd states: “In a nutshell, allergy is the result of an immune system that has, for one reason or another, turned against the self.”
The “Whole Dog Journal” veterinarian suggests treatments to follow antibiotic (or other medication) use, to restore some of the natural flora and bacteria to the stomach of your sweet pet.
According to Elaine Reinhardt, nutritional consultant at Reinhardt Ranch Holistic Nutrition Center for Pets – a natural treatment can remedy a big percentage of your dogs problems. In her experience, improvement in seriously health challenged canines can be attained within 15 minutes to 2 months.
Reinhardt’s suggestion for an all out assault on your dogs health issues can be accomplished! Here are her suggestions:
1. Seacure: A powder made from deep-sea fish that through predigestion, with no effort for your pet to assimilate (digest and distribute) can repair damaged tissue and speed healing.
2. Probiotics: Using a canine probiotic supplement is essential to their health according to canine nutrition experts. The suggested product is Jarrow Pet Dophilus Powder. Reinhardt has seen miraculous results with just this product alone.
3. Enzymes: There are many different kinds of products to help restore health to your pet through digestion; Reinhardt suggests PetLabs 360 DigestAbles tablets.
I must admit, after using these products, within a week Sadie stopped itching, stopped hair loss and the sores were clearing up. She is fit as she ever was a month later. Not a single sore, hair loss has grown back – she’s eating right, feeling great and not a pill in sight.
Just remember, just as doctors over prescribe antibiotics, so do vets. Do your homework before succumbing to their prescriptions!
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