Question by Dog Rescuer: Sweet 7 year old Aussie/Shepherd Mix possible arthritis?
Any Aussie or German Shpherd owners out there?? Our sweet Aussie just started having trouble getting up in the Morning ..

Any NON-drug ideas on how to help her?? Massage?? Glucosamine Chodroitan etc…Only sincere answers please..

.I am in search of a NON drug solution…Vitamins yes drugs no…I have been massaging her with remarkable success..any special kinds of massage someone knows would be greatly appreciated…..

PS Thanks to all the dog owners for their suggestions on the ear in fection!!! Its totally gone!!!! It was food allergies…God Bless every one of your wonderful suggestions!!!!

Best answer:

Answer by Wolf
I have a 10 year old Siberian Husky and I started feeding her the Advanced Protection Science Diet food for Seniors. Within 2 weeks she became NOTICEABLY peppy and is much happier!! I still made ’steps’ for her to get on the bed (she’ spoiled – but just can’t make the jump anymore). I really believe that Science Diet dog food may have prolonged her life (and made her happy too)!!

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Question by Youre worthless so eat a bullet: What are some alternative treatments for doggy ocd?
I already asked this but people aren’t listening. My dog has OCD, I know she has OCD, I know it is NOT A FOOD ALLERGY NOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGY. I have a 4 year old American Red Nose, she was previously abused before she was given to me and it took me a long time to get her issues in check. The one issue that she has problems with is her OCD licking and chewing on her front pads, mostly the right, and licking at her crotch area. My dog is already on a special diet for her skin and coat because she is a pit and they have dry skin recommended by her vet, so it is not her food. She is a very healthy in door dog, I have a large fenced in back yard which is hers and sprayed with an animal safe bug spray just for her, we go on walks, and she gets to play at the doggy park across the street from my house. I know my dog has OCD I am not looking for what other alternative issues she could have, I am only asking if anyone knows any alternative treatments for this condition besides medications which can change her temperament. She is completely and excellently trained using sound mixed with my native american language, I trained her personally. She is the best dog that I have ever owned it’s just for some reason she cant get past this OCD. Please if anyone has had to deal with doggy OCD could you please share how you got your dog to stop the behavior. Thank you

Best answer:

Answer by L
Spray her in the face with a squirt bottle or get her lots of toys that she can chew or lick (put peanut butter on them) or just stimulate her brain by walking her A LOT

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Question by darkangel154: can I give benadryl to my dog for her allergies?
My basset hound suffers from seasonal allergies; is it okay to give her a benadryl capsule in her food?

Best answer:

Answer by Anna L
Yes, but talk to a vet about the correct dosage.

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Question by dragonflyspit: Any Veterinarians Here? Using Otomax with a Perforated Ear Drum?
I have a dog with a perforated ear drum (essentially missing all together). There is no infection and never has been. He’s on a food trial to see if the inflammation is a food allergy, and I clean the ear twice a week at home with a prescription ear wash, and take him every 2-3 weeks for a deep ear cleaning at the vet.

Yesterday his vet decided to put him on Otomax twice a week. I questioned him because I already knew you weren’t supposed to use Otomax with a perforated ear drum, but the vet said it was okay. Call me a skeptic, but I did the research, and I can’t find a single thing that says it’s okay, under any circumstances, to use this drug with a perforated ear drum.

Owen has already proven to be sensitive to some medications, and my experience with this vet has proven that he’s a little trigger happy with the heavy guns, often disregarding the possible adverse effects. In fact, two of my dogs have suffered from his heavy-handedness with the medications.

I think I’ve already convinced myself that I’m not going to chance using this medication on my dog’s ruptured ear drum, but I’d like to hear from a veterinarian if there is a good reason for me to change my mind.

Keep in mind there is inflammation only, with discharge, but no infection. The drum has failed to heal after several months. Cause is unknown. My dog has had adverse reactions to several other medications for various things in the past.
1st, most veterinarian won’t 2nd guess another vet’s treatment over the phone.

Cody, you don’t make a very convincing DVM. I would think the betamethasone would counteract any irritation. The greater issue is the gantamicin. A vet would have addressed that issue.

Best answer:

Answer by Ava Girl *eats Christmas trees*
Why don’t you call your’s on the phone?
There are no Vets here. Or at least, no guarantee that anyone who says they are one really is one.

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Question by Pit Bull Passion: People feeding Natural Balance Synergy & order online..?
I have 2 American Pit Bull Terriers (Kohl and Cahlie) a APBT mix and a Doberman.

Cahlie is a rescue, I have had her for about 8 months — since she was 15 weeks old. She started developing some skin issues under her neck and on her chest and after numerous vet visits and scrapings (ruled out mange), antibiotics and allergy shots, vets concluded “some type of allergy” and can’t determine what. We don’t believe its a food allergy because she does not lick her paws, but Kohl does have a food allergy and he is on Natural balance Sweet Potato and Fish.

I am new at feeding Natural Balance and after about an hour and a half of talking with the staff at the pet store, we concluded on the same formula that Kohl is on. At the last minute I saw 1 bag of Natural Balance Synergy. I asked them about it and they told me the majority of people that own APBTs feed this to their dogs. They said it was the best I could get so I said I wanted it.

Here is my question:
They told me that Natural Balance Synergy, if Cahlie was not very active, would make her fat in a heartbeat. Cahlie is not overly active like most APBTs but she is active to a degree — when she feels like it she could run for miles, other times, she is just chilled. I wanted to know if Synergy was a good idea? Or should I stick with the Fish and Sweet Potato?

Another Question:
They told me that the store was no longer selling in a big bag, only 13 pound bags now. Buying 13 pound bags does not appeal to the larger breed owner..lol.. Was wondering about buying online? I have never purchased food online? What in your opinion is the best website to buy from?

**Price makes no difference**

Thank You
I didnt rule food allergy out, I just said we didnt think it was that because Kohl licked his paws. We kept it in mind, that is why we are trying the grain free. I just wanted to know if they were right about Synergy, or if The other formula was better.
Sammy — Yea, I didnt either, but hey..I guess if they bought grocery store food, they wouldnt be in there. I think she was refering to the majority that come in there and own the APBT purchase that brand.
Sammy — Asked the vet what they recomended, they said Science Diet…I said “NO”
*ATTENTION* I did not ask the Pet Store people which formula they thought would work. I went in there wanting to try the Natural Balance formula. I didnt know about Synergy until I saw it sitting on the shelf. I asked them about it, and they said what I told you they said (it makes then fat if they are not active). I asked the vet and they recommended science diet. I said no. I told them after all the anitbiotics and sprays failed, I wanted to try switching food. They didnt tell me what was wrong with her, they answered my questions about the formula for Natural Balance. Thats it.
EDIT:: If this makes any difference, Cahlie is the one in my profile pic. She is a rescue and not the typical active and lean APBT. She is a little shorter and a little stockier. That pic is a recent one so she is really short, but she is wide and its all muscle. Since she is already almost a year and she is that wide, I am assuming she will get wider in her 2nd year of growing. This is why I was so concerned with NBS making her gain weight. She is about 54 pounds and barely stands knee high.

Best answer:

Answer by Sammy Gabbie GO VEGAN!
Not all food allergies result in licking of paws. My Toy Poodle is allergice to processed dog food, so we went with raw. Her allergies resulted in a lot of gastric distress.

I recommend everyone research raw diets for dogs. They are as cheap as grocery store kibble on a monthly basis. http://healthydogforlife.com/ http://rawmeatybones.com/ http://thenaturallyhealthydog.com/

I know this doesn’t answer your question, but it won’t hurt to research.

Edit: I don’t believe the majority of people who own Pit Bulls feed expensive dog foods, as most Pit Bulls are poorly bred and purchased by the clueless. They probably feed grocery store dog food. To be honest, a homeopathic vet that’s studied nutrition and such would be a much better person to talk to about food allergies vs the 18 year old college student making $ 8-$ 10 an hour at Petsmart, Petco, etc.

Edit: Ok, I would feel more comfortable if you talked to a homeopathic vet about the food allergy issues. My guess is the people you talked to pretty much agreed with everything you said just to keep you happy and coming back.

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