Scratching chewing - NuVET ;

Question
QUESTION: My 6yr old maltese has had a lot of trouble with recurring ear infections (had one pretty much all summer - lots of scratching and shaking her head.)  Lately she also has begun chewing on her feet frequently.  We feed her Iams for small breeds.  Her exercise is limited due to our schedules and I know she could use more.  I've read about alergies and boredom and was wondering what to try first?

ANSWER: Hi Jen, I would love to help you and your Maltese.  We will need to change the food from Iam to a grain-free food.  I can suggest a few great foods and supplements...
I am sure this baby has some Environmental and Food allergies.....

Are you giving any supplements now?  What kind of treats do you feed?
Any table foods at all?

Let me know and I will suggest some good tips for you.

Marie Peppers LPN MA

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: She's on no supplements and gets no table food other than what she can snitch from my 4 yr old (so little to none).  We give her milk-bone treats once a day when we leave for work each morning.  I don't know if this is relevant, but we've also used Angel Eyes in the past which did wonders for her tear stains.  She's been off this for about 6-8 weeks now simply because I've not gotten a refill.  Do you have any opinion on this product also?  Thanks again!

ANSWER: Hi-  I would make just a few changes.  For treats, how about grain free only?  
I would go with a grain-free dog food and grain-free treats.
Here are a few that I have great luck with:
Innova Evo, Wellness Core, or Merrick Before-Grain, and Canidae.
Let me know if you can't find the brands I mentioned.
( Iams has too many fillers in the ingredients)
When you make a food change go slowly - do a 50:50 mix for 2-3 weeks of the old food and the new food.
Treats- only do a grain-free / no more milk bones...ok?

As for Angel eyes- it is an ok product but I have better luck with other things for tear stains.
Angel eyes is a low grade Antibiotic.

I would put your baby onto the NuVET wafer supplement:  NuVET  helps with Tear stains and is an allergy blaster and fights to keep away the EAR infections.
Just 1 wafer per day - will do much more than the Angel Eyes can do for your Maltese.
NuVET wafers are skin and coat healers...
Ask the NuVET folks to send you the "Hot spot TEA TREE" oil shampoo, use it 1 x per every 7-10 days. ( long term - very healing shampoo)

SEE here:  http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html


Keep me posted - We can add a few more things to the program to help with the itchies and ear infections.
I bet you are dealing with two kinds of allergies, Environmental & Food Allergens

HOPE we can help...
Marie Peppers LPN MA
Ask the Pet Nurse
mtnmom@gci.net










---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the info.  I've put her on the NuVet wafers and started with Innova food.  We'll see how it helps.  How long before I should notice a difference or try something additional?  Also, at 6 years old, should she be on Senior food or regular food?  Thanks again.

Answer
NuVet Plus;  How are you doing with the NuVET and the Innova dog food?
Any results to report???  I am here at this e-mail:
mtnmom@gci.net
Keep me posted!
Marie Peppers / Ask the Pet Nurse

Wonderful Innova and NuVET!!!  The Innova is fine but the next bag you may want the Innova Evo reduced fat formula.
As for the NuVET - great!
I would also give her 1/2 of a 6 ounce cup of "Activia" Yogurt evey day for 10 days.
MUST be the active cultures like in Activia Brand.
It will help to balance out any excess yeast she may have.
You could do the yogurt up to 20 days if needed.  Yeast bacteria overgrowth is a side effect of allergies.
It can take a few months before you see major changes.
YOU should see less chewing and itching in 3-4 weeks.


Keep me posted

Marie Peppers / Ask the Pet Nurse
My personal e-mail:
mtnmom@gci.net