Healthier~Safer~Better~Effective~ Natural Remedies .. - Page 1

Hello,

I have been doing some research on using safe and natural health remedies for Prince~and me~~ rather than potentially harmful chemicals for treating and preventing certain/all types of health concerns.  

I have been searching the Internet, this forum, and talking to everyone and anyone that has a opinion on the subject. I know its a controversial subject with many benefits and risks to both regimes, but I find it especially interesting.

I have grown to despise the over use of harmful chemicals in animal and human products. I am convinced that there are better more safe and effective ways of treating ourselves and our pets other than using the traditional vaccination and pill,,,

I know that this subject has been discussed here before, but I love fresh threads,,However, if anyone can provide a link to an old thread, a website, or anything else interesting on the topic I would appreciate reading it. I don't mind hearing an opposing view from those that do not support the "natural" remedies..

I will also post interesting information I have found as well....

* I have been dealing with fleas, allergies, and yeast infection with Prince ...These ailments have been my focus as of late,,I have never had a problem with fleas before, and do not use preventive flea products presently..I have been absolutely anal about cleaning~~even more then usually and I am a clean freak!~~I have applied Diatomaceous Earth/food grade to the carpet and have been flea combing daily. Vacuuming daily and washing all bedding daily.. Also, bathing with TeaTree shampoo every few days,,,It's working!!,,Lots of work, but it's working,,

The problem now is Prince has an allergy to the flea bites!!~~of course~..I have started him back on his probiotic Purina Fortiflora again and have been applying hydrocortisone cream 1.0% to hot spots. I bought an anti-itch shampoo called Epi Soothe. I have been applying Zymox to his ears. I did buy Lotrimin antifungal powder spray, but have not used it yet,,I am very careful about using products not specifically designed for animals...

I know if I go the vet it will be a shot and flea pills,,I am not going that route``not now anyway,,I want to try and manage it in a more safe and healthy way if I can..

 ***For whatever it's worth let me assure everyone that this is not about money..I am not concerned about the cost of a vet appointment or prescriptions medication. I have money enough for all of that thankfully,,I just feel convinced of the danger of using some of the commonly prescribed  products over and over...I am convinced that there are other 'better" ways of treating and preventing health issues in our pets,~~and us too...:)

thanks for your input,,All opinion welcome..:)

Good topic,
About three years ago I was working a pipeline in Oregon. Long hours getting about 5 or 6 hours of sleep. I had a 1 1/2 hrs drive each way. I started to loose track of where I was at even though I knew the area well. I pulled over and was real confussed. Finally I made it home. When I walked into my house I blacked out and fell into the wall and hit the floor.
  The next day I was at the dr. and he checked for a stroke, EKG, and several other tests. Nothing could be found but he said he thought a light stroke. I had gone back to work, but my memory had really taken a change. Since I was a GF on the job I had quite afew hands working for me, I could not remember their names, or even carry on a conversation with people. I talked to the superintendant as he knew what was going on during this time and I quit the job to try to find the problem.
   It got to where I could not remember my kids or grand kids names. I could not remember my dogs names even though I knew who they were. I went for more test and they said my colesterol and triglycerides (SP) were real high. After taking meds for it I started having cranial hemorages (SP). Nothing changed. My memory was getting worse,I would get exhausted and just fall asleep.
  My wife told a nurse about it and she advised her to take me to get a full blood analysis. My dr. there was a Philippino from the phillipines. I told her I was tired of taking meds and they were not working. She asked if I was willing to try a natural treatment they use in the phillipines and I told her yes. She put me on high doses of Vit D, Mediteranian diet, no meat other than fish, fish oil. Within 6 months I improved a lot. I would pass the memory tests etc. She didn't want to keep me on high doses of vit D.
  A friend .a nurse sent me info about  Prevagen (apoaequaorin) that comes from pacific jelly fish. I have gained almost all my memory back, and have not blacked out since. and it's all natural stuff. Just don't taste as good

Hank

What are you feeding again? Diet plays a HUGE role in yeast overgrowth and much can be controlled this way.

Barb

To start, I would focus on the allergy part, since it indicates an immune system not functioning properly. I don't know what he is allergic to and what you are feeding him, but generally speaking, supporting the immune system would be the way to approach this. Depending on which part of his immune system is affected, there are different herbal remedies that could be useful. You have to look at the whole picture, even things that might not seem related at first. When did the allergy start, is it getting worse, are there more allergens he is reacting to...I know hot spots and itching can be a nightmare, but think of it this way...the skin is the largest organ in the body. Something is obviously off, so what is your plan? Are you curing it with cortisone or are you suppressing the symptoms?

Chaos, who was diagnosed with Lyme in October and couldn't tolerate the doxy, is on the Buhner lyme protocol. The conventional treatment is focused on eliminating the spirochete, even though there is enough scientific evidence that it is not that easy or simple. Stephen Buhner looks at treating Lyme beyond getting rid of the bacteria, but more as to repairing the damage that has already being caused, whether joint, neurological and so on, strenghtening the immune system so it can do its job and then using anti-spirochetals to control infection.

My personal preference for probiotic would be homemade kefir, since it has a variety of probiotics and yeast (scoby). The probiotic that you mentioned has only one bacteria, and bunch of other things I wouldn't necessarily give and could be seen as allergen.
Animal digest, Enterococcus faecium, L-ascorbyl- 2-polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, beta-Carotene, salt, manganese proteinate, ferrous sulfate, copper proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite.

If you want to give probiotics, Duraflora has bacillus coagulans and Natural Factors, Multi Acidophilus with FOS has a bunch of other bacteria, incl E. faecium. Depending on what you are feeding him, fish oil ( anchovy/mackerel only, no vit E or rosemary or anything else) or coconut oil might also be helpful.

Oh, and btw, I don't think anyone who has used natural remedies/holistic vets would say that you are trying to save. My latest cost compare for Lyme was Doxy, 30 days supply - $ 11 @ costco. Buhner protocol $300+ and counting. My mainstream vet - $65. My holistic vet, $235/hr and 80 miles round trip. Worth every penny, IMO.

Hope this helps.

Hank,,That is quite a story to tell!..How long has it been since you started taking the Prevagen?...

Bhaugh, I feed Acana Wild Prairie..I was feeding Orijien, but on the advice of the holistic vet I changed. Princes stools where a little pasty and his anal area was constantly dirty and we were dealing with anal fistulas. Things are much better since making the switch. Also, he does get about a table spoon or two of coconut oil daily. No other treats or table food. Cheese only on an occasion for treats..

Botanic, Thanks for your post..Prince has not had any skin allergy in the past except one occasion with pustules on his paws. Vet did a scrape and not much came of it I think it was yeast....She said if it continued we could do allergy testing..We never had another problem...He has only received his first puppy shots and a booster nothing else and he is 3 years old. He does have his rabies up to date,, I do not use flea, heartworm or tick preparations...I  was using a pure geranium essential oil/ water spray and keeping him indoors during mosquito hours,,I feed Acana, give a probiotic called Probiolac daily, and give about two tables spoons coconut oil daily. I had run out of my other probiotic and picked up the Purina probiotic at the local vet it is not my first choice. 

Before the fleas, Princes skin and coat were beautiful!..Coat still looks great, but the allergy to the bites has caused what I believe is a yeast infection..I decided yesterday to use the Lotrimin dry spray (in the armpit area) and it has helped with redness and itching ...

I will Google those probiotic you mention above..I was considering a brand called Garden of Life ..Have you used this brand?..
 
Thanks for your input!!

Deanna,,:)..

I have been on prevagen for a year. My wife could tell a big difference in about 30 days. I might add the memory lose would not be continual but would be intermitant, lasting about two hrs at a time. All though about 1/2 of memory was lost all the time. I feel pretty good now

Hank

Just remember that natural remedies are chemicals too. They may or may not be safer--they may or may not work. There's often a lot less testing done on them, too. Tea-tree oil is toxic and may cause reactions in itself.

I would recommend adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar daily to his food and shampoo him with a mild shampoo and rinse with diluted white or apple cider vinegar--it works really well and leaves the coat shiny and clean and the hair soft like you applied conditioner. Rinse him *really* well.

I used to use Buhach powder as a natural flea and ant killer -- not to put on the dog, but to put on the ground/flooring before vacuuming. It's made from crushed chrysanthemums, I believe--so basically, it's pyrethrum powder. I have a cannister that is at least 10 years old and it's still effective at killing the ants that try to get at my dog food. http://www.buhach.com/

If you want to avoid topical insecticides for your dog, then the vacuuming and the baths and laundry are your best bet. You might try the Comfortis pills for your dog to reduce or eliminate the flea population for a while.

I think using the anti-fungals topically might work, but I would probably use ketoconazale pills if the ACV in his food doesn't work. I suspect the spray might be toxic if he licks himself after you apply it--you might want to check on that.

Christine

Blackhorn, you are correct about being careful with natural remedies. ..I re-read my thread title and it could read the wrong way,,I was not suggesting that natural remedies are always safer. effective, and better. Actually what I intended for it to say was; there are safe, effective, and better ways to treat some health issues rather then the more commonly prescribed methods. ..
 
My horticultural mentor new I hated to use poisonous chemicals around the garden. I would always say, "Isn't there something natural I can use" and he would say arsenic is natural..lol...I understood his point well..

I have been very wary of using essential oils. From what I have read on the topic they can be just as toxic as over the counter preparations; more-so in some cases. I have only used teatree oil shampoo purchased from the pet store at this point. I have read online about buying the essential oils and mixing your own. I have not been comfortable with that yet. I have used the geranium oil as a bug repellent and it does not bother him at all. It's a 1 cup water to 10 drops geranium oil mixture. I used it for me and kids too. Much cheaper and safer then the alternative and it did appear to work.

My vet did give me a brochure for Comfortis, I have meant to do some asking around about it. Yes, the Lortisone spray is toxic if he licks it especially before it has time to absorbed into the skin. I have not used it in areas that he can reach only under the armpits at this time. I am going to Google the ketoconazale pills and Buhach.I have a heard good things about the vinegar rinse for yeast too.  We have a mare that we show and our new trainer told us to wash her tail in white vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes. Her tail never looked so beautiful and pure white!!..I have spent more money on fancy shampoos and conditioners .Nothing worked that well...Thanks so much for the input..:)

One of my gsds is having allergy and yeast problems right now.   Took him to the vet because he was miserable.  We feed Nutrisca which is grain and potato free (yeast thrive off of carbs) so the vet said the food is not a factor.  He also gets a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil a day.  We think his problems may  have to do with all of the rain that we have had in our area which may have caused an increase in mold spores outside.    

Check out Dr. Becker's talk on yeast --

http://youtu.be/gl_X1I1GJ1Q

Christine