Itching,arthritis,thryoid

Question
Our 9 year old Terrier snauzer mix has been taking thyroid medication soloxine for about 3 months.  She weighs 30 pounds has lost 6 lbs since on thyroid medication.  She appeared to have a UTI and last week we went to the vet and she was put on an anti-biotic 500 mg 2 times a day.  I gave it to her for 2 days twice a day and then reduced it to once a day,  plan to give for 7 days.  
When the UTI occurred her Arthritis increased and she was given Dermamax,  I gave her 2 doses of a whole pill for 2 days then 1/2 pill daily.  
She is receiving Canine Caviler food approximately.  less than 1/2 cup AM&PM.  For treats she receives carrots, green beans and celery.  One time a day at lunch after going out side she receives a healthy bone made by Omega Paws.
At dinner she receives fat free yogurt with a fish oil and Vitamin B and Syn-flex glueclosime less than 1/2 teaspoon and a teaspoon of Pumpkin.  She receives Herbsmith Chinese herbs for joints 2 Am and 1 1/2 PM.
Do you have any other suggestions that I can do do decrease the itching and relieve some of her joint pain.  She is the sweetest Dog and she beings us great joy.  Any wisdom will be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Gail,  I would change a number of things you are doing:
You can try the following ---- See what you think?  I have had great luck with the following suggestions for a dog in your situation:

Yes, continue with the Antibiotic Therapy and Thyroid Medication.

Start home-cooking for your baby:
This will help to reduced kidney problems and the Itchies.
**Drop the Canine Caviler food for now and homecook only.
YOU can cook in advance every 4 days and place the food in zip lock freezer baggies

Good quality recipes and a few supplements will do the trick:

Try the following:  

Please let me know if you use the recipes... I love updates????
Also, let me know if the supplements help, too...

**here are the recipes and a supplement:  Works very well with many of my clients...


Beef and Rice Diet  for Kidney health
( Helps to reduce "UTI" & reduces crystal formulation)
(GREAT for Itchy Allergy dogs, too)


1/3 pound very lean beef (raw weight), ~~cook Please  ( 80 to 85 % lean beef) or ground:
1 egg, large, hard-boiled
1 3/4 cups brown rice, long-grain, cooked
1/4 cup of Green Beans - NO added salt if they are from the can
1 1/2  bonemeal tablets (10-grain or equivalent)

You can Buy bonemeal here:  
http://www.naturalcanine.com/html/bone_meal.html

1/4 teaspoon salt substitute (potassium chloride)
1 vitamin-mineral ( NuVET Waffer ) see below: to order:
MOST of my clients use NuVET because it is More than just a vitamin, it aides in the reduction of inflammation and helps to heal.  ( helps to get rid of Itchy skin)

Not sold in stores:  SEE bottom of this post for NuVET info:***  (comes in powder or wafer)


Cook in skillet with a dash of olive oil and dash of garlic powder ( pinch)

Provides 730 kilocalories, 40.7 grams protein, 19.7 grams fat.

( This is enough for  "1 day" worth of feeding your 30 POUND dog )
BREAK up into 2 meals per day.
YOU can add some x-tra green beans if needed.
(also, add a little more meat if you feel your dog is hungry):


For Treats - I will list one below that is very good :


****************************************************

Tuna and Rice Diet

5-6 ounces tuna, canned in water, without added salt
1 egg, large, hard-boiled  ***( 1 large egg or 2 small eggs)
1 1/2  cups white or brown rice, long-grain, cooked
2 teaspoons vegetable (canola)
1 1/2  bonemeal tables (10-grain or equivalent)
1/4 teaspoon salt substitute (potassium chloride)
1 multiple vitamin-mineral ( NuVET Plus )

( MOST OF MY CLIENTS USE NUVET   -  http://www.nuvet.com/81098

This is enough for 1 day for your 30 pound dog.
( It he seems hungry, give a little more of the tuna)****
Don't Feed tuna more than 3 x per week.   (always rinse well)

Provides 760 kilocalories, 47.3 grams protein, 21.1 grams fat.
YOU can add some 2% cottage cheese - 2 teaspoons on top of the am meal.

BREAK up the above recipe into 2 meals.



NuVET Plus supplements :

Great for your little one:
Use each day 1 wafer per day ( depends on pet's weight)

Please tell them Marie Peppers sent you from Ask the Pet Nurse:
19.99 for the 30 count bottle   ( Please ask them for a NuVET powder sample)
39.00 for the 60 count bottle of Wafer treats
55.00 for the 90 count bottle of Wafer treats

http://www.nuvet.com/81098

Use Order code 81098 and ASK HOW you can get the 15% OFF every order.
Ask about the 15% off Program.
MOST of my clients take advantage of the Lower cost items with 15% OFF...
No risk - 60 day  money back guarantee and TASTE guarantee, too


TREATS ---

TREATs for Kidney Health:

TREATS -  We sure do sell a bunch of this one from Life's Abundance :

Delivered right to your door -
EXCELLENT / Holistic / Natural and not sold in any pet store- so please go here:
The Bars would be great - Give 1-2 per day for your dog.  - it's antioxidiants in every bite and Cranberry too, for a healthy bladder.  

Baked Bars for a healthy pet ( helps bladder/kidney)

http://www.lifesabundance.com/Pets/Treats/BakedTreats.aspx?realname=20066428



You can continue with the carrots. ( Daily )

Continue with  LOW FAT ( Not Fat Free) yogurt  3-4 x per week ...  The  fish oil and Vitamin B and Syn-flex glueclosime is fine in the 1 teaspoon of pumpkin.

DROP the Herbsmith Chinese herbs for now --- At least a few months.  
The Omega Paws is ok to continue.


HOPE this helps.
With the NuVET - you may want to give 1 1/2 Wafers per day for 30 days and then just 1 per day long term.
Try this feeding for 30 days on Beef...AFTER 30 days you can do Ground Lamb for 30 days.
Then, rotate back to the beef again.


Let me know how you do?
I am here to help:
mtnmom@gci.net

Marie Peppers LPN MA
Ask the Pet Nurse
Visit My Pet Health and Wellness Blog:
http://bulldogvitamins.blogspot.com/