Erny

Hope the Calendula Tea resolves the symptoms. I've managed to keep my dog clear of cortisone by using CT to control the symptoms. Just something as 'food for thought' (and no intended pun). We do tend to look 'outside' for the "cause" to problems that haven't presented before. But just because they haven't presented before, doesn't mean the problems wasn't just bubbling up inside. It could be that the system was dealing with the problem (eg. liver working to clear the system of toxins) but then, after a while, because the system is working so hard it becomes tired and isn't able to deal with it as well as it was. Ergo, the body looks for another route through which it can look after the body by ridding itself of those toxins, and this is commonly via the skin. Possible theory : My boy is super-sensitive to what he eats, more than I've ever experienced or known of through other dogs. In the early days, his system seemed to 'cope' with the food I fed him. Then it 'blew'. Altered diet and things would settle, then after a period of months (anywhere between 6-10 months), it would happen all over again. BARF was one of the diets I trialled - it didn't work either. For other dogs who perhaps aren't quite so sensitive, I raise the possibility that there still could be something bubbling, but because it isn't as sensitive, perhaps it can take longer before the system chucks it in a bit. So what I'm saying is, don't close your mind to the diet or some small part of the diet contributing in some way or another. Many people will spend hours/days/months or even years working to find what grasses, what external triggers can be associated with their dog's skin issues. I'm inclined to look inwards, and work to find out why the dog's system can't cope with these common allergens, and then strive to balance the system, to make it stronger. At least in the meanwhile, the use of the Calendula Tea can keep things at bay, sooth them, heal them, and help to thwart secondary skin infections that occur. But in itself, it is not a cure to the reason for the outbreak in the first place. Here's a picture of a portion of Mandela's body showing hive break-out. This particular hive break-out was the worst he had (this was back in 2010) - they covered pretty much his whole body - and was when I found and began using Calendula Tea. Before CT use, the hives would erupt and the scabs would have an 'oil' feel to them. After use of the CT, the hives reduced in size 50% and the scabs from the erupted hives were dry. The skin then began to heal and hair would re-grow. Over the years, we've had hive out-breaks since then but the hives are considerably smaller and tend to be only a few by comparison to the big out-break.

Yes - that's where I get my CT from these days. Cheaper, but also good quality. I always keep one packet ahead of myself, so it is constantly in the pantry ready for use when required. For anyone.

Could be hives? And this might be the system's way of ridding the body of toxins that the liver isn't dealing with. Which could possibly relate to some dietary (and ergo, digestive) issue? All surmise and only one of any possibilities. Go the Calendula Tea. And I'm more a fan of straight brewed tea, rather than the creams, for things such as you described. It helps the skin heal and dry up, rather than becoming 'clogged' with the cream base. Also doesn't attract nor hold dirt or scurf. I've used it very successfully with cases of hives outbreak (both severe and otherwise) with my boy. And see THIS THREAD for recent use and success. I like the KIS principal. :) ETA: I haven't tried Sea Salt Spray. But I am inclined to prefer Calendula Tea, where it will work. There's nothing particularly 'drying' about it. It's gentle to healthy skin, yet carries effective anti-fungal, anti-bacterial qualities.

Agree with Perse. Ace isn't great for the dog. Glad he's given you a more settled night since, though. Training - use his drive/s to work and centre his mind. Be it tug (with rules) or something towards treibball, as well as some basic agility work.

This one on 15th September. Yep, I'm still working on it, although the applications of Calendula Tea are down to a few a day. Notice the ear tip 'wound' improvement and also notice the hair beginning to regrow and the skin looking less 'infected' (by whatever). This is the latest photo I have. I'm still working on it as, whilst there is a fantastic improvement, I don't feel we're out of the woods or out of danger yet. But no wonder I'm such a "Calendula Tea" fan. Just had to bombard whatever it was that (I presume) was threatening to secondary skin infection and explosion to bigger and even more alarming issues.

When in doubt, get the Calendula Tea out. I've used this before, in earlier incidents of ear-tip flare up, but it didn't seem to do a lot. But this time, I gave it everything I could and hammered it with the Calendula Tea. Made a strong brew and applied, applied, applied, applied, applied ...... as many times through the day/night as I could. This one taken 31st August, 24 hours after the previous photo. Don't know if you can tell from the photo, but I can tell you that the swelling of the flap had reduced considerably, and the skin, whilst still holding heat, was not as burning hot as it was and the skin appeared 'cleaner' and didn't seem to me as though it was about to implode.

This one taken on 30th August. Noticed the whole of Mandela's ear flap (not just the tip) swollen, hot and painful. On closer inspection, saw how the skin on the inside was looking decidedly 'wrong'. Longer stretches of area along the side edges of the ear threatening to become a 'wound' (perhaps not visible in this photo) similar to that of the ear tip. Oh, oh ..... visions of possible ear-flap amputation running through my mind, but wondering where that would end up ending . Cortisone thought of as the first of 'un-natural' possible treatments though, even though my instincts rumble at the thought.

This one on 8th August. Still using Swedish Bitters. Desperately keeping fingers crossed and hoping, but not liking the way it was looking.

This one taken on 14th July. Still applying Swedish Bitters but was disappointed at the little further progress I thought we might have been making.

This one taken on 5th July, after a couple of days' application of Swedish Bitters. I was hopeful.

For your interest. A series of photos of Mandela's ear tip (eating itself). This one as at 2nd July. Standard treatment of Lugol's Solution - worked very well in the past, but just didn't seem to be beating it this time. Ignore the white stuff - it's just the sticky from the tape I used to provide protection to the ear (and to try to ease the spattering of blood which still adorns my walls and furniture). Hoping the sizing of my photo works ok.

Hi WS. It is a "friend of a friend's son", so I'm a bit removed. I haven't heard further (but did pass on summary version of most of the comments here - thank you, one and all - and I'm sorry for all of your own experiences you've had at the hands of this tragic disease) other than the last, which is essentially that they are watching and letting the dog tell them when life isn't sufficient "quality" any more. The link that was given to provide some objective view of "life-quality" was very helpful and very well received by them. My "friend's friend" has in the meantime had to endure some pretty major surgery and is only now recovering, so I haven't continued with asking after their dog, knowing they had investigated most available options, weighing up feasibilities (for the dog's sake) and just making the most of what time the dog has with them.

This ^^^^ . A chemical for a symptom, the cause for which is undiagnosed. Then a chemical to stop the symptoms of the chemical. And so on. It goes too far and often we weaken the dog's already troubled system in the meantime, so when all the chemicals stop, we're left with a tsunami of symptoms. Like Perse said .... don't panic, but do find another Vet. In the meantime, look at going at things more naturally. Natural feeding (or as close to natural as possible) is the first place to start. Look up "Augustine Approved" and read the base diet (which comprises of human grade roo mince and select pureed vegetables, plus coconut oil and "Superboost", which in itself is a collection of select powdered natural supplements such as turmeric, etc. Let their bodies settle down from the onslaught they've experienced and be nourished and nursed by a diet such as what I've just mentioned. You've wormed .... you shouldn't need to do this on a regular basis just for "regularity" sake. The thyroid is different - if it came in low, then it needs support and needs annual checking. Avoid other chemicals (i.e. be mindful of what you use with your dogs, including flea washes, spot-ons, etc). Also I'd think twice on regular vaccines. In other words, go back to basics and help to keep their systems as simple yet balanced as possible, to give their systems a chance to find a re-balance. Use Calendula Tea to assist with skin issues. Use it often during the day if the skin is in a real flare-up. Back down its use as the skin begins to settle.

Thank you, Dasha. Going by the symptoms, I'd hazard a good guess that this one has gone beyond that point. But whilst I'm really sorry that your dog had to suffer what she did, I'm thrilled to know that her surgery and your care has meant such a great period of quality life .... and that she's still going :D .

I have NEVER had a bad reaction to it. I don't use the Calendula Cream. Only purely the Calendula Tea wash, as that's all I've needed and it's been sufficient to cleanse and dry up the skin irritation and outbreaks. I can only relate to my own experiences with it, but on what you've said regarding smell, I can't help but suggest there's something going on that's coming from within and for that the first port of call would be to investigate diet, immune system (including thyroid) and a general blood screen work-up. Can't remember without going all the way through this thread what you might have said in relation to that. When my boy first broke-out in symptomatic skin eruptions (early days) they were really quite extreme. I used the Calendula Tea wash frequently through the day (spot-washes on affected areas after the first all-over bathe). The colour and temperature of the skin would ease and it would flare. The rashes were usually high inside the inner-thighs, sometimes his arm-pits. They shimmered (as though sweaty) but that was the skin weeping and threatening secondary skin infection. I bathed it each time it flared. Each time, the soothing elements of the Calendula Tea were always pretty immediately evident. I kept this up until the skin settled WHILST I investigated and worked on finding out possible contributing causes (in his case, meat protein sources he was sensitive to).

Thank you, Labadore, for your post, although I'm very sorry to hear that you, along with so many others, have had to experience this insidious disease through their dogs and I'm so sorry for all the loss the disease has and continues to cause, and for the fact of its very grim prognosis. I truly hope you don't have the experience again. I guess we never know, none of us ..... But thank you also for the link you provided. I have passed this link on to my friend's friend who has passed it on to his son. I can see that it would assist anyone in making assessment with reduced emotion that could otherwise cloud a judgement that might have us sometimes act too early and sometimes a bit late. It would be a rule of thumb measure and emotion would still play a little part in it, but it does make it a bit easier to see through our own cloud of emotion. My friend's friend wrote back and said : "... thank you very much for the information. It is very interesting and easy to follow. We can now watch out for things we did not even know to look out for before ... thank you very very much."

I'm so sorry, Scarlett Rose. I can imagine your devastation and feeling of loss. The only good thing, I guess, is that your girl lived happily almost right up until the last, without distress and by the sounds, minimum discomfort, as well as with her family -- and that is a blessing ..... if a disease should have to befall them at all. Thank you for sharing your story. RIP, Golden CS, and run free as you have until only recently. But this time, for always. Hug your heart, SR. It is raw but full, and that is where your girl will always have a place.

I didn't see the show, so basing what I say on the OP's description of its content. By the sounds of it, the small dog was an already reactive dog. For whatever reason and for the purpose of what I'm saying, that's irrelevant. It was reactive and threatening. It suffered the consequences of its reactions. (I'm not saying that's a good thing for the little dog - either for its physical state or its emotional state.) Disagree here. It is not good for any dog to engage in any act of aggression, be it offensive or defensive. Aggression is not an appetitive emotion. And learning aggression is what we good dog-owners want our dogs to completely avoid. BUT, it is excusable for a dog to act out in defence of a threat. To not accept that is to suggest that any animal (including humans) who aggresses in the act of self-defence is guilty. Having said that, I agree that dogs .... and probably even more over, humans, for that matter, should be raised to learn a good degree of tolerance. True. And I can tell you first hand that some bigger dogs suffer from fear aggression because of past frightening experiences from little dogs. So really, discussion really shouldn't contain reference to big or small, but merely to "dogs". They all have dog-brains. They should all be treated and regarded as the same, with no reference to size as bearing any difference.

Good on you Dave73 and good luck with your girl - with fingers crossed for a long, happy life with good health. The owners of the dog I have referred to have had 3 x opinions all culminating to the same diagnosis. After a round-table meeting with their folks they have decided to keep their dog as comfortable as he can be in the time he still has some quality life and to let him 'go' when that's not there.

Thanks FHRP - will pass on info regarding ultra sound. It's affordable and at least a 'step' they could take. Steve - don't mind you asking but in truth, I don't know. Have sent a message with FHRP's info re ultra sound and have also asked regarding breed lineage.

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I've passed them on in summary form to the owner's father, who will relate them to his son. In essence, I feel the steps I'd take would be to get a second opinion from Dr Anne Neville and depending on her diagnosis and prognosis, treat without invasive procedures (assuming the dog is not currently in excessive discomfort and/or that there is a reasonable chance of the discomfort being reduced to a 'quality life' level .... or consider helping the dog by letting him go. This is all without me seeing the dog so I'm not going to push one way or the other - it has to be their call, but expense aside, they are already against the invasive approach particularly that research indicates it doesn't necessarily buy all that much time.

Although I wasn't convinced myself, I like to leave no stone unturned where I can, and explored the "idea" of possible Canine Cough on a "just in case" basis. (Eg. What if the dog had Hamangiosarcoma AND Canine Cough, but the symptoms of CC were wrongly attributed to the Hamangiosarcoma.) But I've asked further questions since then and I doubt that Canine Cough has anything to do with it. Rather, having covered this very slight possibility, I believe the lethargy, throat and cough are a part of the Hamangiosarcoma and that the disease is in very late stages. It was almost a *hope* that perhaps the cancer wasn't as quite advanced as it seems. But the dog's blood results show anemia which indicates a rupture somewhere, and given the other signs, it doesn't sound good.

Hi. Querying and doing a bit of research for a friend's friend's son. 10 Year Old dog just been diagnosed with Hamangiosarcoma. By the sounds of it, it is considerably advanced and from what I've read, personally I don't hold much hope nor believe this dog has much time left. Tumour evident on paw and possible activity at throat. Suddenly lethargic and has gone off his food and losing weight and coughing. Owners can't afford the $3-4000.00 for investigatory scans and don't really want to stress their dog out by all of that, preferring to do the best they can for their dog for his comfort. Yes - pts is not being ignored but they just wanted to check in case there is anything else they can do to make him feel better and have whatever time he'd like to have if he could feel that bit better. Anyone here with experience in this who could give some tips/advice? Amongst a couple of other ideas, I've already given Dr Anne Neville's details to them and recommended her advice be sought as one option, but any other thoughts and tips would be appreciated. The father of the son who owns this beautiful and loyal dog thanks you in advance for any ideas and advice you might have, as do I. ETA: I'm playing a bit of devils advocate and exploring through questions whether this dog is also affected by Canine Cough and not only the cancer. Have sent questions to owner as to whether this was considered by the Vet they've just recently seen. Waiting for response.

This ^. A titre might at least put your mind at rest, although if a titre comes back negative it doesn't mean no immunity either - could mean the antibodies have retreated to cell memory. Dr Bob Cavey at Ultimate Vet Clinic in Narre Warren South, Vic, will run titres.

Slight glitch since eating lamb bone. Don't know if the lamb bone was or is the culprit though (that's the hard part in all of this - deducing as to what did what, as effects/affects are not immediate) but Mandela has seemed to be a bit more uncomfortable (paying attention to his feet); he did become a bit more 'tucked' than I'd have liked; and he's carrying thin. Weight loss, or at least the appearance of weight loss, is not unusual per se. So, I'm not convinced that he's ok eating a lamb bone. Serve myself right for celebrating by posting good news. Never ceases to jinx me when I do that :laugh: . BUT, in the past, eating a lamb bone would have thrown him into a bust out of hives all over his body and his poop would have gone soft and mucous-y, amongst other more obvious and more severe symptoms than he's revealing at the moment. So there's definitely an improvement. I won't be feeding a lamb bone again for a while. Let things re-settle and see how we go. I'd love to be able to chuck my dog anything to eat and not have to worry and hover with eagle eyes to watch for signs of discomfort (and then treat them). Think my next dog will be a lab, lol. But hey .... things are not as bad as they used to be :D .... for that I'm happy.