- Joined
- Apr 10, 2022
- Messages
- 4
Hello, I’m new to holistic pet care and looking for support and wisdom. As others have probably experienced, I’m feeling quite overwhelmed with all the new information and also wishing I would have embraced this form of care much sooner - but here I am now and have a heart for learning healthier ways! We have a well loved 4yr old German Shepherd female named Daisy. She is neutered and weighs approx 65lbs. She is generally happy, energetic and gentle with our family although she seems to be more irritable since increased itch discomfort and less consistent appetite(even dumped her food bowl on the ground a couple of times this past week). She had all vaccinations up to a little over a year ago except never for kennel cough. She has been consistently on HeartGuard and NexGuard per the vet recommendation. She is currently struggling with black itchy skin on her belly with bright red spots(pictured below but hard to get a clear image), itchy/black/raw areas on her front elbows (pictured below) and sometimes licks/bites her foot. We have treated itchy/raw areas topically with Briotech pet spray and this seems to sooth and heal a bit. We have not been to a vet because we have not found a holistic option near us.
Food - She has been eating Orijen Six Fish kibble for about three years without issues until maybe a month or so ago she started developing the itchy/blackened skin. I understand it would likely be good to switch to fresh food. Due to current life circumstances I need to start with premade food. I’m considering Small Batch and The Honest Kitchen (the convenience of ordering this online would be helpful if it's considered a good option for her?). It looks like Small Batch is a quality option but also costly and not as easily accessible. Would it be a good idea to just stick with one or the other brand initially or is it ok to do one meal a day of Small Batch and one meal of Honest Kitchen? Should I stick with the same protein source initially or change it up? Should I shift her diet gradually from Orijen Six Fish to fresh food or do this right away?
Supplements- I’m thinking a probiotic would be helpful for Daisy and saw a video about a powder probiotic from Mercola Pet that has 14 strains in it and over 58billlion CFUs. Any thoughts on this one or another quality option?
I understand vitC may be helpful for restoring her immune system. If so, any suggestion for a whole food option for dogs?
Daisy has been on Apoquel for about three years(vet prescribed this when she started having hair loss/itchy back feet). I’m thinking this needs to stop. Will diet change be enough to support her ‘allergies’ or do I need to use something in place of this medication?
Should we give her anything for detox support as we move toward healthier gut?
Water - for our family we use reverse osmosis and add mineral drops. We previously used Berkey for several years but switched after new filters started to repeatedly fail. What would be the best water for our dog? RO with mineral drops added? Jugs of spring or distilled water?
Any suggestions for wound care for when the black skin areas get raw? What about other topical relief for itchy skin while we work on the process of getting her gut healthier?
My family dearly thanks you for taking the time to support us as we strive toward better care for our sweet Daisy Mae!
Food - She has been eating Orijen Six Fish kibble for about three years without issues until maybe a month or so ago she started developing the itchy/blackened skin. I understand it would likely be good to switch to fresh food. Due to current life circumstances I need to start with premade food. I’m considering Small Batch and The Honest Kitchen (the convenience of ordering this online would be helpful if it's considered a good option for her?). It looks like Small Batch is a quality option but also costly and not as easily accessible. Would it be a good idea to just stick with one or the other brand initially or is it ok to do one meal a day of Small Batch and one meal of Honest Kitchen? Should I stick with the same protein source initially or change it up? Should I shift her diet gradually from Orijen Six Fish to fresh food or do this right away?
Supplements- I’m thinking a probiotic would be helpful for Daisy and saw a video about a powder probiotic from Mercola Pet that has 14 strains in it and over 58billlion CFUs. Any thoughts on this one or another quality option?
I understand vitC may be helpful for restoring her immune system. If so, any suggestion for a whole food option for dogs?
Daisy has been on Apoquel for about three years(vet prescribed this when she started having hair loss/itchy back feet). I’m thinking this needs to stop. Will diet change be enough to support her ‘allergies’ or do I need to use something in place of this medication?
Should we give her anything for detox support as we move toward healthier gut?
Water - for our family we use reverse osmosis and add mineral drops. We previously used Berkey for several years but switched after new filters started to repeatedly fail. What would be the best water for our dog? RO with mineral drops added? Jugs of spring or distilled water?
Any suggestions for wound care for when the black skin areas get raw? What about other topical relief for itchy skin while we work on the process of getting her gut healthier?
My family dearly thanks you for taking the time to support us as we strive toward better care for our sweet Daisy Mae!
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