Skin Care & Allergies
Dear PetSage,
My dog has been treated for
ear infections several times now. Just when we seem to be
getting it under control, they flare up again. Is there
a natural ear care product that I can use?
Dear Flare Up,
Chronic ear problems are one of the
most prevalent complaints we get calls and emails about.
What many pet owners do not realize is that on-going ear
problems may actually be a result of allergies, especially
food allergies. Does your dog by any chance chew its paws?
Chronic ear problems and paw chewing are often warning signs
we use as keys to seek and treat the underlying problem
of allergies, not the symptoms. Other food allergy or intolerance
symptoms can be behavior, digestive or urinary tract problems
or a combination.
So, what if a food allergy is suspected?
When we work with a customer or a veterinarian sends a patient
to us, we spend time evaluating the diet. What is the food
the dog has been on: protein source, type of grains, dry
or canned, treats, etc. Experience shows us that many dogs
develop allergies with foods containing beef, corn, wheat,
soy, by-products, or synthetic preservatives. Animals often
become sensitive to the foods they most often eat. It's
not uncommon for us to hear the dog has been on the food
since puppyhood. In addition, pet owners do not realize
the pet food manufacturers can change the ingredients with
a grace period of changing the label.
We recommend a bland diet, using a different
protein and grain source when possible, either homemade
or choosing from some of the new super, premium foods now
available. We restrict the number of ingredients in the
diets, in addition to treats and supplements. What we do
add is a detoxifying herbal formula to help cleanse the
body and reduce inflammation. Once the dog has been on this
diet for a period of time, we may introduce an essential
fatty acid supplement, especially if there are skin lesions
or itching along with the ear problems.
If you do not see improvements immediately,
don't be discouraged. A food related allergy may take months
to resolve, if at all. On many occasions, what we learn
is management with a goal of minimal use of pharmaceuticals
if any.
For more information, check out Allergies
in the categories above and consider some of the recommend
diet and nutrition books. For descriptions of our ear products,
see the PetSage Store Ears, Eyes, Nose & Mouth section.
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