What The Flick Is This ? Update On Treatment Results P4, 51

[Erny]

I don't know of any Plane Trees that are around. Unless they were huge/mature, I don't think I'd recognise them (and only now understand what they are from a picture). So to my knowledge, no. But I'll bear that in mind. Thank you.

None of his hives or related skin issues have been through a food or contact allergy.

Edited March 3, 2010 by Erny

[schnauzer]

I don't know of any Plane Trees that are around. Unless they were huge/mature, I don't think I'd recognise them (and only now understand what they are from a picture). So to my knowledge, no. But I'll bear that in mind. Thank you.

None of his hives or related skin issues have been through a food or contact allergy.

I hope I am quoting the correct tree. They drop brown baubly things that have dusty stuff inside them. I have taken my girl near them twice at the dog training club, and both times she has come up in hives.

[Kirislin]

How's his poor bottie now?

[Erny]

I hope I am quoting the correct tree. They drop brown baubly things that have dusty stuff inside them. I have taken my girl near them twice at the dog training club, and both times she has come up in hives.

I know the one's you mean and yes, the ones I looked up have those brown baubly things. Thanks Schnauzer for pointing them out. I will keep my eyes peeled for them, just in case there are some that are around, but where we normally go for runs/walks there aren't any to my knowledge.

How's his poor bottie now?

His "bottie" (LOL) seems to be completely fine *touch wood*.

Biggest (but not only) issue at the moment are these 'boil' things next to his toes/in between his paw pads. I've started bathing 2 x daily with Calendula and I think the lumps have reduced in size.

Thanks for asking Kirislin. I feel better that his bottom has cleared up. *touch wood*

[Erny]

I raised this thread up to save running a new one.

Could anyone tell me what spray brand/name would a "gentamicin/betamethasone spray" be? Is it Vet prescribed only, or is it over the counter stuff?

[anniek]

I raised this thread up to save running a new one.

Could anyone tell me what spray brand/name would a "gentamicin/betamethasone spray" be? Is it Vet prescribed only, or is it over the counter stuff?

I think Otomax ointment contains gentamicin betamethasone and clotrimazole - it is a vet product as far as I know.

[Everythings Shiny]

It is a veterinary product.

[Erny]

Thank you - I'll arrange to get some from our GP Vet.

Cheers for that

[zayda_asher]

Betagen topical spray: http://www.drugs.com/vet/betagen-topical-spray.html

You do know that's an antibiotic and steroid combo yeah? Its quite potent, depending on what other treatments you are using, Cortavance is a much milder steroid spray and doesn't have the antibiotic (which may not be needed depending on what is being taken orally etc.).

[Erny]

Thanks ZA. Gosh these drugs are scarey.

This spray was suggested to me in an informal over-the-phone discussion by another Vet/acquaitence that I know. It is for the "interdigital cysts" (which from what I read are not 'true' cysts) he has. I've been using Aloe Vera Gel on them at least once if not twice or three times a day (depending on how they are looking). It's been slow, but for the most part this seems to have been helping although it is also very possible and quite likely that any reduction in size is merely due to what these cysts do even without treatment. The aloe vera gel has help to sooth them though. In one foot in particular, the cysts are quite stubborn - although slightly improved over the last couple of weeks in that they aren't anywhere near as angry as they first appeared.

I've been working really hard to stay away from antibiotics and cortisone related drugs due to everything else that's going on and my work has been focusing on supporting his system naturally in the endeavour to allow his system to find its own way to proper function. I'd hate to upset that by use of this type of spray on his feet. Not only that it can be systemic (if I've understood the information you linked to, properly) but also for the fact that he might lick the substance and thereby ingest it.

Appreciate the information ZA.

My full-time occupation is looking after and treating my dog.

I train dogs and help with behavour modification as a side line.

At least, at the moment, that's what it feels like.

But hey .... it's amazing what determination can do .

[Erny]

A short/summarised update for anyone who might be interested.

Have worked through :

Hives

Butt blisters

Interdigital Cysts

Ear issues (still keeping an eye on this)

Sloppy poop and irregular bowel motions

Have been clear of hives for quite some time. A small outbreak (only about 4 or 5 hives at his flank) about a month ago but they disappeared on their own without intervention, within a few days.

Interdigital cysts have subsided/disappeared.

Ear issues - as above, I still keep an eye out on this. Where the initial ear drop treatment (natural based) was a twice a day occurrence, I now treat one ear once a week. Otherwise it's just a matter of keeping them clean.

The sloppy poop has been occurring since late March. Part of the problem has been that he went off most if not all raw foods and the only thing he'd eat was cooked Chicken. But the sloppy poop did start back when he was still eating raw chicken. Went off vegies and only sometimes will eat a chicken carcass; chicken wing; or any other type of bone (which of course, has to be raw). So it was hard to provide him with fibre or any sort of roughage. Managed a bit of cooked pumpkin every now and again, but that didn't make much if any difference.

Been on natural meds via the naturopath for the sloppy poop. Pulled him off all other holistic meds/powders except for his vitamin supplement, which he continues to receive daily. Obviously continuous sloppy poop is a big concern for all sorts of reasons.

Just recently found he didn't mind red kidney beans. Have been adding these and also lentils (which is yet another experimental addition) to his cooked chicken. For the past 3 days we have had regular stools that one can now identify on the lawn (instead of it seeping in amongst the blades of grass :D), and are a much better (less sinister) looking colour.

I'm pleased for my dog.

I'm also pleased for me - poop pick-up is so much easier and I'm not left with blackish marks on the lawn where I've had to scrape poop up, rather than pick-up! Also, where before he was eating 2kgs of chicken leg fillet per day, I notice that he's not wanting as much now. I'm feeding him 1.5kgs chicken per day at the moment and watching his weight doesn't drop away, as he is of lean frame. I don't think it has (I don't get to weigh him frequently and go much on what I see - although sometimes that is hard when you look at your dog so much, so often) but I'll keep an eye out. I have also been wanting to have a worm burden count done, but his poop was hardly pick-up-able until recently. Now can get that done.

Yay for us.

Hope it lasts and that we can continue avoiding any necessity for chemically based drug administration.

Edited June 6, 2010 by Erny