First: The information below is not intended to take the place of vet care or common sense.  It assumes that the pet is otherwise healthy, this information is to be used in conjunction with conventional veterinary care.


Many dogs who have been diagnosed with allergies, can also be suffering from systemic yeast overgrowth.  The typical conventional treatment of antibiotics and steroids only address symptoms not the underlying cause.


Kramer suffered from allergies, but our other dog Auggie tends to be susceptible to yeast overgrowth.


A gut that is affected by yeast overgrowth tends to also develop chronic illness like bladder and ear infections (this also happens with people as well.)  Malassezia pachydermatis is a yeast commonly found in the ears and on the skin of dogs, a healthy immune system, 80% of which is in the gut, keeps them in check.  But once that balance is disrupted the cycle of itching, hot spots, vet visits begin.


So how in the world does this happened and what can be done about it?


This process usually starts with antibiotics -  


Antibiotics are necessary and life saving so I am not saying to ignore veterinary care, but many do not understand the need to rebuild the gut flora after use.  


About two weeks after antibiotic use we start to see ear infections with its smelly discharge (which leads to more antibiotics) itching, hair loss, endless scratching.....blacken skin...sores, hot spots, and a very distinctive stinky smell.  Which leads to more trips to the vet, vague diagnosis of allergies, and or fleas - and expensive vet bought food (with by products ) that the dog will not eat.  

Kramer would eat anything (he once stole tofu) but would never touch the foul smelling expensive prescription diets.


This is the protocol I have found that works for the dogs in my life..

• Get a blood panel done at the vet, make sure the thyroid is working well.   Other illness like Cushing's can also create symptoms like these.
  

• Ideally work with a holistic vet  American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association www.ahvma.org/
  

• On a healthy dog, do a gentle liver detox.  Many holistic vets will do a one time consult over the phone.
  

• Switch to high quality grain free food, it may be necessary to switch to a home made diet for a few weeks (consult a vet for recipes if you chose this path do not Google,)  raw or wet/can as many dry grain free foods still use sweet potato which can still produce sugar.  I personally had great success with Wysong, Dogswell, and Wellness can foods initially.   Its very important to remove sugar (in the form of carbs) from the diet as yeast live off sugar.  Also important is to remove by products, Gluten, Corn, and Soy.
  

• Begin to add high quality (made for people) Lactobacillus acidophilus with meals to replenish gut flora.
  

1. Use a topical like Kramer’s Salve to treat any open skin eruptions and reduce the possibility of infection.
   

• Clean stinky ears daily with a gentle tea tree oil based cleaner for the first two weeks or so after beginning treatment.  And bathe with a tea tree oil or anti fungi shampoo weekly during this period.  I do not recommend the use of Oatmeal shampoos during this time as its a grain.
  

• Be patient - this process works but requires time.  
  

Kramer, I need some help here. I have one itchy pup. Vet suspects seasonal allergies. The itchiest area on Mattie is her belly. Will you salve help keep her from itching, especially at night when she should be sleeping?


Kramer's Salve:  Hello Janice, yes Kramer's Salve can help with itching and preventing any hot spot from becoming infected. Simply clean the itchy area with a gentle shampoo and apply twice daily,...See More
23 hours ago · Like · 1

Janice:  Both Mattie's regular vet and the vet nutritionist do not think it is food as Mattie doesn't have any symptoms that go along with the food allergy (vomiting, diarrhea, etc). They ...See More
22 hours ago · Like

Kramer's Salve:  you are welcome, from my experience food allergy does not necessarily include vomiting or diarrhea but your vet will know your pet best. Also bathing as often as possible can cause dry skin and itchiness (think of when our skin is dry how it feels.)
20 hours ago · Like

Janice: The shampoo that I'm using is sold only at the vet's office and has oatmeal in it which is supposed to be good for the skin. I agree that food could still play a roll, but Mattie ...See More
20 hours ago · Like

Kramer's Salve: look for ingredients like by products, wheat, corn and soy - they typically case the most problems. also the probiotics in organic yogurt can replenish Mattie's stomach flora whic...See More
41 minutes ago · Like

Janice: Should it be plain yogurt? I'll have to look for some and see if Mattie likes it. How much would you give to a pup? Have any particular brand that your pal likes?
9 minutes ago · Like

Kramer's Salve: Kramer use to eat anything, pickles, tofu, and some other stuff he shouldn't have. So all I had to do was feed it to him directly. But anything flavored (and taste like "ice cream") usually worked. Also they really need one or two teaspoons per day, for about 7/14 days- anything else is a bonus. But My brood is partial to Stonyfield Farms vanilla and strawberry and ate it as a treat at least once a week. If you want to really have Mattie make a mess, you can freeze it as well :) Quite a few quality dog foods will also have probiotics in them as well. They are usually listed in the ingredients as "Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product"
about a minute ago · Like