Shih tzu suffering from allergies; home cooking for dogs; Atopica drug;

Question
I am so excited to have found you!  After reading so many of the other questions I see I am not alone.  My 3 year old female shih tzu has suffered from allergies all her life.  She has been allergy tested and is highly allergic to many weeds and dust mites.  I have treated the whole house for dust mites and rarely take her out because of the severe reaction she has to weeds.  She has been on allergy shots, benadryl, Temaril P, plain steroids, antibiotics for ear infections all to no avail.  Also have tried every medicated shampoo. I have always cooked for her and included brown rice or barley in her food, until I read that grain might be a culprit with the constant yeast infections.  So now I am feeding her EVO mixed with a small amount of ground chicken and pork. I would be interested in what you cook for your dogs as well as any help to stop her misery.

I should also mention she is on Atopica and has been for about 4 months, it has only helped a little, but a little has been better than nothing.  Her ears smell terrible even though I can't see any sign of infection (redness) and she chews her front legs and paws bald.  

I purchased some Acidophilus today but it doesn't say 1 billion cfu's anywhere on it, it just says 10 mg/millions of organisms guaranteed.  Is this the right acidophilus?

Thank you in advance for your help.
Shawna

Answer
Atopica medication for itchy dog; NuVET Plus for your itchy shih tzu;
I am so happy you contacted me - looking forward to helping your and your dog...
Keep me posted on how my suggestons help.
Thanks
Marie Peppers LPN MA /  Ask the Pet Nurse
mtnmom@gci.net

Hi Ladies,  First off, Yes, I would love to help you gals.  The new drug Atopica is very very expensive and I sure hope it helps.  I have another client that started taking it, per his vet, not many good results as of yet.  The are paying 80.00 per month for a shih tzu size dosage of the drug!

I would love to see you continue with Innova EVO and add 2-3 teaspoons per day of only lamb- cooked, for now.  No pork and lay off the chicken for about 3 weeks.  AFTER 3-4 weeks you can add back a rotation of chicken or lamb -
Don't do any pork at all.

Treats - only Wellness Core treats or Innova Evo treats ( all are grain-free)

As for the Acidophilus - can you write to my private e-mail and tell me everything the bottle says for ingredients.????  Or even send me a link the the product.
I am unsure about what you purchased.  I always refer to 1 billion CFUs of plain Acidophilus only.
My e-mail:   mtnmom@gci.net


Last - Please get this baby onto the NuVET Wafer program - I would like to see her on 1 1/2 per day for 30 days and then go Down to just 1 NuVET wafer per day - long term.
NuVET will help to re-build this kid's immune system and Fight Off the allergies.

NuVET will help stop all the SMELL and ear infections!  Give it a good 30 days - They company will give you a 60 Day money back guarantee.
I am sure the NuVET can make her life much better.
NUVET is natural and can be given with all the other products you vet has ordered for your baby.
So - no worries / start it right away:
Call 1-800-474-7044   ( not sold in stores - Holistic)
Tell them Pet Nurse Marie has sent you for 1 1/2 wafers per day....
Use my order code 81098 and ask for the 15% off Discount Program.

http://www.nuvet.com/81098

the bottles run 20.00; 39.00; and 55.00  DEPENDS on the size of the bottle - And then GET the 15% off on every bottle.

As for baths - I would give her a Baking Soda bath every 10 days -
Fill the tub with warm water ( just 1/4 of the way) and then add 1/8 cup of Pure baking soda to the tub.  Drop cups of this mixture over her back for 5 minutes - Then rinse with clear warm water.
VERY soothing ......!
Can can use a little Johnson and Johnson Baby shampoo after the Baking Soda bath - YOU know the kind made for human babies.... Just a small amount of the J&J baby shampoo and a good rinse again.
No more medicated shampoos.  HER skin is shot from all the chemicals.


HOPE this all Helps - WE can do a few other things down the road....
I would be very Glad to work with you gals.
KEEP me posted


Marie Peppers LPN MA
ASK the PET Nurse
mtnmom@gci.net