My Lovely Angel Luna

I looked that product up when Sas first mentioned it and started to caution you both but changed my mind since I figured you had already seen the links I have posted about EOs. I couldn't use this product myself because of all the EOs in it. The biggest concern are those EOs that are made from citrus plants and contain the constituent d-limoene. However, all EOs are the most toxic part of the plant. I use EOs but very, very sparingly as a preservative in my herbal salves. The salves are never used on animals. The only time I use EOs with my dogs is on their very last day in a Spiritual manner, never as a treatment. I can't use Colloidal Silver either. ;)

I agree that EO's can be harmfull if not used correctly. There are people buying, let's say, a bottle of teatreeoil and will put some drops of it directly on a dog's or cat's skin, for example. That is a big no-no...of course :) It's too concentrated to use it in that manner and there might possibly be other contra indications. (I am by no means an expert on the subject)

But the way the EO's are used in the spot-on's or other topical treatments, prescribed by my veterinary dermatologist specialist, in my personal opinion, is safe. I do know, that they help Quincy enormously. Till this day, her kidney- and liverlevels are perfect so they haven't caused any changes there yet.

I went back to look at the links you have provided and even there it is mentioned that "For dogs, essential oils can be used in a variety of ways, from bathing to calming the nerves through diffusion.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/022909_pe...#ixzz3i2ZjXOPz

Anyway, we all have our own believes and reasons why we do, or don't do certain things and that's the way it should be, right? :) We are all our own persons and do the best we can to take care of those we love...

I do have a factsheet of what ingredient does what in canine shampoo's and such, just don't know how to post it here :confused:

Sas :)

:D Many feel EOs are safe; I do not. Nor do I consider Natural News a reliable source of info. ;) But neither am I an expert. Lots of folks I know use them and say they are beneficial. All I can do is share what little I know and let everyone make their own decisions concerning what they feel comfortable using on their babies. I have made my decision and will not use them on mine. :)

Ladies, thanks to you both for your thoughts and comments. I'll keep on doing a bit of researching on my own, too. For the moment, the Allerderm spot-on sounds most appealing to me, anyway, and I probably want to stick to only one new add-on at a time so as to better judge any adverse affects. The vet may not want me to add anything at all quite yet, since we're not yet very far removed from active infectious lesions cropping up. We may just stick with the oral antibiotic/Omegas and bathing for a couple more weeks, in addition to the new food. I'm fixing to put a call in later today.

Just a thought you were probably already considered....

You have been going through a drastic food change with Luna due to possible allergic components. Adding anything else new at this point, even topical preparations can make it very difficult to pinpoint a possible allergen and it's hard anyway. Please discuss anything topical with your vet before adding it to the mix.

Yes, good point, Kathy. I totally agree that it's best not to change more than one thing at once.

OK, talked with the vet and we are both on the same page. He thinks it's a good idea to extend the Simplicef for two more weeks. We will continue with the medicated shampoo, although we can stretch the bathing to once a week rather than twice-weekly if we we want.

He is actually very familiar with Allerderm, Sas, and says that they were stocking it their at the clinic for a period of time. Research does support its use. However, their own impression was that they were not seeing observable improvement in the patients who were using it, so they stopped routinely recommending it. However, he is absolutely fine with me giving it to Luna if I would like to do so. Since it has only been a few days since we saw a new active lesion, we think it will be better to hold off on adding any topical for a little while longer. But if Luna remains lesion-free for the next couple of weeks, then I very well may add the Allerderm at the time we discontinue the antibiotic.

So that's where we are. He agreed I can add in a probiotic over the weekend to help offset the lengthy antibiotic course. I wanted to do that earlier, but not in the midst of the food change. She seems to have adjusted to the new food with no problem, though, so I feel better about now adding the probiotic, too.

So nice when you and your vet are on the same page, makes sometimes difficult situations less stressful :) Will be curious to see if the additional 2 weeks of Simplicef will be helpful, I soooo hope it will :)

With things like Allerderm spot-on, it is not curing anything, we know that. It cannot replace anti biotics, Prednison, Cyclosporine or whatever else is needed, it's merely supportive. I take Quincy to a specalised dermatology clinic, the department of allergies. (within the clinic they have seperate departments that specialise in different skinconditions) It's from my dermatoligist that I have learned that the focus has shifted a lot more to the skin...in allergies. But also, that it takes a dilligent owner, keeping up with a strict regime applying spot-ons, to do the bathing according to the schedule, to go the extra mile by washing the dogs feet everytime after a walk, to even vacuum the fur after walks (to get rid of the allergens), to wash everything at 60 degrees C and stuff that can't be washed that hot, needs to go, to watch the skin like a hawk and start applying betadine as soon as you notice a spot, no matter how tiny... etc. I am used to doing all these things by now, have established a routine by now and of course, Quincy isn't that big and that makes it a lot easier :D What I mean to say is, it is never one thing ( for example a spot-on) but a whole range of different things :) And the succes of the treatment is in the hands of the owner and how well he/she keeps up with everything :) So adding "only" a spot-on, could more then likely not give a significant improvement...it's everything combined and all these measures need each other in order to have the best result possible. It's the spot-on, the essential fatty acids (by the way, I use the Allerderm for that as well), the baths, the keeping the environment "clean" (as less provoking allergens as possible), etc. So I would even go as far as saying that "routinely" prescribing a spot-on (and nothing else) and expecting it to cause improvements would be nonsense indeed :D

Anyway, keep up the good work with Luna and we will be keeping our fingers crossed that in two more weeks, she will even be better and hopefully she will be cured :)

Sas :)

It's been another week so it's time to update us on the girls. Do not forget to add Nurse Peg into the mix.;)

Luna should still be on another week of Simplicef. Did you go ahead and start the probiotic to help replace some of the good bacteria lost? Has her skin settled down? Have you noticed any new lesions? How is she doing with her change in diet? What novel protein did you change her to? Did you change Peg's diet also, or leave her be because of her weakness for pancreatitis flareups?

Now for Peg....How is her mobility? Did the cyst on her paw finally heal? Generally how is she doing otherwise? I realize I should be asking on Peg's thread, but I'm too lazy to go there, so I'm doing it together. I'm bad!:D

So many questions.:confused:

That should be enough to keep you busy for now.;)

Thanks so much for checking in on us again, Kathy! I will add a genuine update later on in the week, but you are right -- we are completing the final week of Simplicef. Everything is stable with both girls right now, and as I say, I'll write more in a couple of days when I have a better idea as to where we go next in terms of treatment/monitoring.

And thanks for your additional thoughts, Sas -- I'll comment on them, as well. ;)

OK, I’m finally back with the overdue update! First, a quick note re: Peg – she is definitely continuing to slow down and is overdue for her monitoring bloodwork. She’s been really hobbling again lately after slipping and falling on the kitchen floor when she rushed to greet her dad Monday evening, so I’ve given her a couple days worth of Previcox. But I hope she'll soon straighten out again and on most mornings, she is still eager for our leisurely short stroll through the neighborhood and the opportunity to meet and greet her friends along the way. Overall, I think life is still mostly good for her, even though ever so much more sedate. I’ll add a better update to her own thread after I get her in for her labwork within the next couple of weeks

Turning to Luna, I’m relieved to report that it’s now been around a month since her last active lesion. Sas, thanks so much for the info re: the Douxo shampoos and also the Allerderm. I am now using the Duoxo chlorhexidine shampoo for Luna, and their seborrhea shampoo for Peg. These really seem to be quality products with uniformly good reviews, so I understand why the brand was recommended to you and I am grateful for the info you’ve passed on. I also have a bottle of their chlorhexidine spray to use in between Luna’s weekly shampoos or if a suspicious spot pops up.

I managed to order in a box of Allerderm pipettes that were made in France. I have discovered there's an issue here with the FDA: they are now declaring one of the ingredients a “drug,” so to be legally made/sold in the U.S., the product would have to go through the whole FDA approval process. So it is taking a bit of creative energy, but I was able to get my first box imported for Luna and hope that I can still get more in the future. I totally understand that the Allerderm is just one piece of the overall treatment, but it looks to be a good and useful product so I want to give it a try. I am applying it weekly now, after Luna’s coat has dried from her bath.

She seems to be tolerating her new food with no problem (palatability is NEVER an issue with the girls, but she also seems to be fine GI-wise). So I am crossing my fingers that we will be able to keep this skin condition under control using the diet change, oral omega capsules, and the topical products. Also, my 20-year-old vacuum cleaner just broke, so I’ve had to buy a new one that is a lot more efficient, so that’s probably also a good thing for us all! ;) :)

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