KobiSiberian Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Morning All Just stopped by to say hello, Kobi has been with us for almost 3 years now and we love him to bits. We have recently been up against some health issues and I wanted to ask you guys if you had any experience with the following please? - Firstly Kobi started to show signs of an itchy ear and progressively over some weeks it became obviously worse to the point we could see a dark brown build up, no amount of ear cleaner, cotton wool would seemingly shift it and with Kobis continued scratching became obvious we needed a vet visit. - Since Kobi was 'treated' for a microbial infection in the ear , it hasn't really got a great deal better, the dark brown waxy substance has subsided and his left ear is certainly no way near as inflamed and irritated as was before. The vet said he had cleared a lot of gunk from the inner ear and said the ear drum was in tact. - It looks as though this may have gone to his right ear, although we cannot see the same dark substance, Kobi is beginning to scratch at that ear. Sadly he also is scratching his bottom lips too, this is causing them to become scratched and raw also. - In addition to this we have also noticed Kobi wanting to scratch, lick, bite, clean his anus very vigourously, to the point where if left he would bite and bite. Now I want avoid too much detail but had to explain best I could. I imagine it very irritating if itchy bottom. We thought worms but is wormed regularly, tablets from the vet. On inspection I can't see anything obvious, other than after he has been at it it's very clean. - Kobi has also taken to licking things, a lot, the sofa for instance, he will constantly lick the sofa as if trying to clean something from it or clean his tongue?? To the point where if not stopped the sofa is sodden at that spot. The sofa isn't it, he will lick the tiled floor, or the wooden floor boards - I have also noticed Kobi has had a drippy nose... So all in all doesn't make great reading. Kobi is our everything, our little boy we couldn't have and now we are at our wits end as to what to do. As said we had been to the vets and Kobi is that anxious he can't have a muzzle on so last time had to go under for his ear exam and as the vet put down an existing condition cannot claim through our insurers. Kobi eats a kibble diet and water, we occasionally make chicken with plain rice as his stools were a little loose, I thought after a bout of diahorrea I assumed a sore bottom, hence the cleaning, but this is going on some. Not sure what detail I could add, any advice, help, experience shared or given at this stage would be most appreciated. With best regards Kobi & family Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Hi Leigh, Welcome to the forum and I wish it was on happier times. As you have been to the vets I will give you my initial thoughts - To me this sounds like a compromised immune system from which the other problems stem. I would be looking at diet and trying to build from there. I am not sure which kibble Kobi is on, but there could well be something in it that he has grown intolerant to. Have you considered moving him on to a raw diet? If this is no good, then perhaps a kibble that is grain free and fish based. I would also start him on probiotics straight away. Get a good multi-strain version. I am not up with what is available in the UK, but multi-strain is what is best. I would also be adding half a teaspoon of turmeric powder to his food per day. Calendula tea is great for relieving itchiness and can be applied as much as you like. I won't go into further info on this as yet as people seem to have trouble in getting this very common herb. Above all, it might be worth looking into a holistic vet as they usually specialise in immunity issues and this would be the best bet for addressing all of the issues. I wish you all the best and hope Kobi improves soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 also, I have been hearing good things about colloidal silver recently. I used it on Ronin after a clean with Calendula tea for some eye discharge he must have picked up at the park. Was gone in 2 days. Apparently it is good for ear infections as well as a host of other conditions http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/colloidal-silver-diy-treatment-for-dogs.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robke Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 to hope the info that Jason has given you will help you...let us know how your furkid is doing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KobiSiberian Posted October 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Hi Jase Many thanks for your swift response, I had thought of the kibble as we had switched him to it within the last year so very possible he has grown some intolerance. However below is what he is currently eating and it purports o have 0% grain. EDEN ORIGINAL 80/20/0 MULTIMEAT AND FISH 80% Chicken, Salmon, Herring, Duck, White Fish and Whole Egg 20% Fruit, Vegetables, Vitamins and Herbs 0% Grain (No Wheat, Maize, Rice, Corn or Beet Pulp) The anti biotics prescribed seemed to clear the main issue in the ear and prior to these the vet had prescribed APOQUEL® (oclacitinib tablet) to Control Itch and Inflammation in Allergic Dogs, which seemed to work very well, but not ideal for us, one because it is ANOther tablet/medication as well as the cost per tablet! Interesting the turmeric powder, what's behind this? Vet had also advised us the pro bionics so we will organise this asap also. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBELHOWLUC49 Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Firstly I am really sorry to hear poor Kobi is poorly... And Welcome to the Forum You say his ear left ear was infected and then his right showed the same problem and then the other problems have occurred one after the other without a break ?... Now having been through a few vets visits myself and having to claim of the insurance, if the condition is related and is happening without breaks... for example Noah had cancer he was operated on then 2 weeks later his stiches split so back in for emergency surgery. now they had this down as existing but continuous care and we were able to put both claims in. Now Noah has been clear for a while but if he has a lump on his back again within 2 years we will not be able to claim as it will be treated as an existing condition but not continuous.. Any way what I am trying to say is if it is condition that is on going and related then I would call you insurance company if you have not all ready done so and double check about claiming.... and also speak to your vets again.... My vets are really understanding and try to help as much as they can. Other than this all I can do is send my best wishes that Kobi gets better soon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Hi Leigh, He could be allergic to Chicken, but it is hard to say without first going down the path of eliminating it from the diet. It is not uncommon for dogs to be allergic to it. Turmeric powder is a powerful antioxidant and will help clean the blood and is known to help with alleges and itchiness. It is a difficult one as some medications can have a rebound effect where they will become useless over time and also reduce the natural ability to fight off certain conditions. This is one of the reasons that I think a holistic vet can be of great help as they will be able to look at the whole scenario and treat with traditional vet medications but also focus heavily on getting to the root cause rather than just treating symptoms. Please note that I am not for a second suggesting that you stop seeing your current vet or taking the medications. I would definitely try and get hold of the Calendula tea as this will give instant relief to itchy areas while you try to get to the source of the problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazz Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 We have had issues with Zoya's ears, as you have described. In her case, the vet did a test on the gunk and determined it was a yeast infection brought on by allergies. She is allergic to wheat, corn, and grass. So we feed her grain-free plus she gets four Benadryl twice a day. Grass pollen also aggravates her situation. Huskies in the Heartland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Hello there and welcome to the forum. i've not got anything to add really, I hope things get better for him soon. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KobiSiberian Posted October 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 We have had issues with Zoya's ears, as you have described. In her case, the vet did a test on the gunk and determined it was a yeast infection brought on by allergies. She is allergic to wheat, corn, and grass. So we feed her grain-free plus she gets four Benadryl twice a day. Grass pollen also aggravates her situation. Huskies in the Heartland Hi Mazz, thanks, yes the vet believed a yeast infection and allergies however didn't have any specific allergy tests as have heard they aren't the greatest in humans or animals, but weren't even offered, how did you determine Zoyas allergies to wheat, corn and grass as such? Kobi is already on a holistic grain free kibble, however we are going to try and cut chicken from diet for the moment and strip back the diet, however we will also try some of the itch remedies above also. The grass/pollen would make sense as we run through grass mainly! Also do you give Zoya Benadryl over the counter anti histamine, i.e the ones we take are they suitable for Kobi/Zoya too? Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Hiya welcome to the pack Sorry to hear about Kobi hope the above helps, i've not got anything more to add though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KobiSiberian Posted October 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 @Sarah, thanks for the welcome and to everyone else, so far very helpful thanks, we have a few options to try that will keep us away from medicines and vets for now so fingers crossed and will let everyone know how we get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazz Posted October 21, 2014 Report Share Posted October 21, 2014 Hi Mazz, thanks, yes the vet believed a yeast infection and allergies however didn't have any specific allergy tests as have heard they aren't the greatest in humans or animals, but weren't even offered, how did you determine Zoyas allergies to wheat, corn and grass as such? Kobi is already on a holistic grain free kibble, however we are going to try and cut chicken from diet for the moment and strip back the diet, however we will also try some of the itch remedies above also. The grass/pollen would make sense as we run through grass mainly! Also do you give Zoya Benadryl over the counter anti histamine, i.e the ones we take are they suitable for Kobi/Zoya too? Thanks again The vet made a judgement call based on the time of diagnosis, grass pollen was elevated. No tests were done. Huskies in the Heartland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.