teeth removed and antibiotic treatment that worked for about a year to stop the foul smelling saliva discharge.

QUESTION:

we are hoping for holistic or alternative treatment as nothing else is working. Could this be an immune disorder such as an allergy to her own saliva? sometimes the discharge almost looks like like puss…
thank you for time and help

ANSWER

Dear,

As first vet should found the source of this pathology. This sign may point to changes in the salivary glandes and their channels, or the pathology may be focused on other part of the mouth. Bad breathe can point on some degradation processes, and pus like saliva can point to some bacterial infection on the primary cause.
As a cause usually comes genetics of the teeth and gums, or the cause might be from sinuses, if removed teeth were on the maxilla.

As therapy you can start washing pets mouth with povidon iodine solution or some other oral hygienic solution twice a day. This can appear that is not sufficient therapy so might your pet should take antibiotic again.

Truly

Damjan

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For several years it was not treated seriously, but it is now identified as potentially causing allergies, bladder infections, and several other potentially serious conditions.

Yeasts that affect your pet are single cell organisms that are found on the surface of every living thing including your dog. There are two basic types of yeast infections that will attack your pet if not treated properly, Candida albicans which is yeast found in their digestive track and Malassezia, which is the yeast that attacks their skin and ears.

When your dogs immune system is fully functional it is able to control and destroy these organisms; however if it is weak in any fashion, this organism than becomes a voracious feeder that will grow and multiply in astonishing numbers and attack your dogs systems.

Types of Yeast Infections:

The Malassezia form of yeast infections causes a very severe itching. For several years it was thought to be a skin allergy and only recently burst on the scene as being a yeast infection.

If this form of infection is in the ears, it is thought to be a secondary pathogen, meaning it is not the actual agent that causes the infection or disease; however, it is now recognized as the primary agent in the skin.

It was also believed to be caused by allergies, but has now been identified as the cause of several types of skin allergies, a complete reversal. This type of the infection affects more than just the skin; as it can also attack the ears, anal sacs, the vagina and the rectum of your dog. It can and does attack dogs of any age, breed, or sex but is very uncommon in cats.

Large breed’s dogs such as German Shepherds and Shetland Sheepdogs are very susceptible, as well as West Highland Terriers. However, Chihuahuas and Poodles are also at a much higher risk.

This form of yeast infection is generally caused by hereditary infectious diseases that weaken the system. There is a cell in your dog’s body called the T lymphocyte cell that protects against bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that have already infected a cell and are growing inside of the cell.

However, when your dogs system is weak, these cells no longer protect your pet.

The second type of yeast organism, Candida albicans, lives in your dog’s digestive tract and survives by consuming sugars and fats in your pets system. It will usually pose no threat at all to your dog and lives in a balance within your pet. It is kept in balance by a substance called Lactobacillus bacteria found in the digestive tract that produces lactic acid.

But when that balance becomes uneven, this fungus than rapidly multiplies as well, and will travel to several part of your pet’s body through the bloodstream bypassing this acid. Once released, it is also able to multiply very rapidly.

Symptoms:

The first symptoms you will notice usually start to surface in the summer when the humidity is very high, and your dog’s skin begins to itch. Naturally, your dog will scratch this itching which will than start sores to surface. The symptoms could be either localized, or generalized, meaning that they cover a large portion of your pet’s body.

If it is localized, it will generally affect your dog’s ears, muzzle, toes, or their anal areas. If it attacks the toes you will see your pet constantly licking their feet. In the anal area they will try to scratch the best they can; and if on the muzzle, which is easier to reach, they may scratch so hard if develops sores, blackening skin, as well as hair loss.

If it is generalized, your pet will start to actually stink as the yeast is spreading and causing the hair coat to become greasy and oily. If severe, you will see both skin lesions and sores. Symptoms of the stomach yeast infection will center initially on the bladder, if severe it attacks the liver.

Treatments:

There are several ways to treat yeast infections in dogs, but there is growing evidence that yeast infections may be caused by grain based foods and a lack of certain minerals.

The conventional treatments will be based off what is believed to be the underlying cause such as bacterial infections or seborrhea. Medicated shampoos will be the most common treatments. Localized treatments of small areas will be treated by anti-bacterial cream. Antifungal shampoos will be used in very severe cases.

Home remedy treatments for yeast infections will include apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, and plain yogurt. Vinegar affects some dogs adversely, but yogurt appears to be extremely effective in the digestive form of infections.

However, as in most all types of treatments, the best method will be in the preventive stages with your dog.

There are two minerals, zinc and copper that will be a tremendous help in preventing this from occurring.

Zinc is required by your dog in the production of nucleic acids which are the building blocks of the body as they assist both RNA and DNA. They also assist with the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates which help to keep the stomach form of yeast in check.

But more importantly it binds protein and fat together which is exactly what this single cell organism waits to attack when the cells become weak and do not bind together. It also plays a huge role in your dog’s body in normalizing swelling and heat, the other growth area of yeast.

Copper is perhaps nature’s finest anti-fungal agent and in several tests have proven that a deficiency of copper causes yeast infections. Zinc is also known to deplete copper in the body, and as a result copper and zinc should always be taken together.

Summery:

Yeast infections in dogs are very common and can be both irritating as well as very dangerous to your pet. The proper preventive nutrients can help to stop it from ever occurring and can save your pet a lot of unnecessary pain.

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a “mutt” that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.

He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds.

After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.

After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.

Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.

I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.

Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website;

Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets
http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Will

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pet’s breed: Dachsund
pet’s age: six
pet’s sex: Female
previous treatment:

Treatment for bad discs in back in the past but better for the most part now.

QUESTION:

My Ex-Wife’s Dachshund has recently started screaming when she is picked up. She is keeping her front legs drawn up when laying down, her head is very hot to the touch, she is suddenly drooling and has no energy at times. she was walking backward the other day too, like she was just out of it. One vet thinks maybe Lyme disease and has given her predisone. She does not have swollen lymph nodes either. No ticks have been found on her at all, but ticks have been seen in the car. I told her to seek advice from another vet in her area, which she will do. Any other help will be wonderful.
Thanks,

ANSWER

Hello,

On one hand, it is surprising to hear that a vet made a possible diagnosis of Lyme disease in the absence of any obvious lameness nor lymphadenopathy. Even more surprising is the treatment which does not include antibiotics. I do not believe any of my colleagues would ignore that antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections (Borrelia is the bacteria causing Lyme disease). Therefore, I suspect a communication issue with your veterinarian.

On the other hand, prednisone (corticosteroids) could be the medical treatment of choice for intervertebral disc disease. In view of the past history of such disease and the clinical signs, this would be high on my list of possibilities and may be high on my colleague’s list too.

My recommendations would therefore be:
- if you are quite sure that your vet diagnosed lyme disease and did not prescribe any antibiotics, then seek a second opinion
- if there is a possibility of mis-understanding, it is worth contacting your vet and getting some additional explanations

I hope your dog gets better very soon.

Best wishes,

Julien

www.vetstoria.com

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sulfodene

QUESTION:

he has always had itchy dry skin and would itch till it bleed or made sores or both–usually on his back near his tail–this usually cleared up with sulfodene but after going away for a couple of days i came home to a mess-it is everywhere even in his ears it is not red like i read mange can be bit it is a scabby soar-it this something like a fungus should i give sulfodene a chance i currently really cant afford a big vet bill can you help

ANSWER:


Dear,

Unfortunately you must visit your vet again. He must check first the anal sacs which can be inflamated and full. He must do microscopic examination of the skin for mange (in the ears too). Protect your dog of fleas using some long lasting ectoparasitic, as Frontline. Flea bite can produce allergy reaction. If everything previous is ok, change the food to your pat with hypoallergenic one.

I hope this will help you

Truly

Damjan

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Ironically, the list of what could go wrong reads like a who’s who of cat health problems such as bladder stones, kidney stones, urinary tract blockage, and bacterial infections. This would likely account for the unsettling statistic that amongst pet owners, with pet insurance, the number one claim filed was that of urinary tract infections.

There is another consideration when discussing urinary tract health in pets and that is age. With age so many things can go wrong in this sensitive area which can lead to major quality of life issues both for your beloved animal and your family. Examples would include such things as urinary leakage, incontinence, increased risk of infection and bladder or kidney issues.

So ultimately our goal is to avoid infections and keep the urinary tract in tip top working order as long as possible. To do this we don’t need to pull out our slide rule, calculator, or dictionary, we simply need to implement a number of simple steps before we are faced with a problem that does require a calculator and/or a dictionary.

Water consumption: It is easy to overlook this simple step. After all we assume our pet is drinking enough water. But an under hydrated animal is a disaster looking for a place to happen. Water is vital in keeping the urinary tract free from infection by flushing bacteria before it has a chance to gain a foot hold. Water also is critical in eliminating crystals before they have a chance to bond and form urinary stones. Most veterinarians suggest slight over hydration as a vital tool for maintaining general health.

Avoid confinement: Sometimes we must leave our animals alone. This can be especially dangerous for those pets that have arthritic joints. They simply will not void as often due to the challenges involved with their painful joints. If possible ask a neighbor or friend to take your pet for a walk or check on them to make sure they are doing their business often enough.

Diet: This is a tricky one. While supplying your pet with proper nutrition is vital to good health some nutritional formulas actually increase the chances of bladder and kidney stones. The most common examples of this are pet food formulas high in calcium and magnesium. Check with your veterinarian he/she may have some excellent suggestions.

Additionally, supplementation for urinary tract health can prove to be a great addition to any prevention plan. While there are many excellent supplements for urinary tract health and pets perhaps the most high regarded is homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies contain natural tonics that are effective in strengthening, conditioning and maintaining a healthy urinary system. Also, there is a substantial amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting their effectiveness in fighting off bacterial infections. If you have been searching for a safe natural option homeopathy is an area worth considering.

R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural health products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about natural pet health visit Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_D_Hawkins

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Cephalexin 500mg 2 tablets 2 times a day.

QUESTION:

My dog has an infection in between his toes which is greatly swollen to the point of looking like a tumor of some sort. we took him to the vet and they gave him a shot and prescribed Cephalexin 500mg 2tabs twice a day. The problem was looking better, but as soon as the meds were gone the swelling has come back between his toes and now it is worse and looks like a rash between all of his pads! what could this be and what could be causing this? How can we treat this?

Answer

Dear,

When there is a swelling between toes localized only on one place it can be foreign body (weed, such fox tail etc.). Your vet must check for foreign body if the process repeats.
Rash between toes can be manifestation of contact dermatitis caused of some grass that appears in this time of the year, or something else in your living place. Apply ZnO ointment between toes frequently in the beginning and reduce it to once per day.
Apply some antibiotic ointment for 7 days in between period of applying ZnO ointment.

Truly,

Damjan

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antibiotics for UTI, Chlorhexidine Scrub, Neo-Predef Powder, Tri Z-Edta Aqueous Flush, Proin (PPA0 500mg, Cephalexin 500 mg, Prednisone 10mg- then 30mg, Tetracycline 500mg w/ Niacinamide 500mg and Silver Sulfadiazine 1%

QUESTION:

My dog is affected on her vulva. It appeared in July ‘08 and hasn’t cleared. It actually spread out a bit. After the recent Prednisone treatment that lasted one month was stopped, because it wasn’t working, she is now on the latter of the medicine listed. Her vulva area is swollen and red again.

ANSWER :

Dear,

The fact that changes disappear after treatment of corticosteroids, such Prednisone, and not responding of antibiotic treatment it indicates on some allergy state. Use some sensitive dog shampoo when you bath your dog, because shampoo can often be cause of allergic reaction.
Swelling is a sign of estral cyclus in bitches, have on mind hidden estrus.
If there is a discharge make microbiological testing for microorganisms, especially Trichimonas and Fungi.

With luck,

Damjan

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pet’s breed: Mini dachshund
pet’s age: 3 yrs old
pet’s sex: male
previous treatment:

all shots are current, and no health problems

QUESTION:

About 2 weeks ago my dog started sounding hoarse when he barks. Hes still very active, eating fine and shows no other symptoms but Im worried. how long should I wait to see a vet and what can it be?

ANSWER:

Dear Ruth,

Difficult to assess the severity of this and it may well be nothing at all. However such symptoms are compatible with kennel cough / infectious tracheitis.

I recommend that you seek veterinary attention now and get your dog treated asap. In case that is unnecessary, you will spend the £25 consultation fee for nothing. In case your dog suffers from a throat infection, early treatment will save you a lot of cash and trouble.

I hope this helps,

Best wishes,

Julien

www.vetstoria.com

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