Turning over a new leaf
Hello to anyone who happens to click on this thread! I need help and advice. My family and I love and care for an all white bully named Miklo (male). He's about 5 years old now. I've grown up with bullterriers and have an undying love for them. My parents have always cared for them like taking them to the vet and giving them their meds, etc.. I've only done the other half which is hugging them and playing when they get in their hyper moments and run all over the place.
Anyway, I'm writing here today in search of help. Miklo is currently prescribed about two pills (cephalexin, an antibiotic)(chlorpheniramine, for allergies) to take twice a day and one every other day (prednisolone? 5mg, for severe allergies). He's been taking these for a little over two months for breakouts on his skin. The vet we are currently visiting has been the same vet for our other bully, Mona (female), who had passed away at age 8 due to kidney problems (which I feel is because of the long term use of the pills prescribed by the vet). Mona was also on similar medication for her breakouts and she was on them for quite a while. The breakouts have been a problem for both bullies as it comes and goes. We've tried almost everything and basically left everything in the hands of the vet. For me, I lost a bit of trust in this vet because of her lack in diagnosing our bullies and simply giving them pills to swallow to mask the symptoms. Because of this, I want to take over and do my complete research and get Miklo off those pills into a better more healthy diet and lifestyle.
I've done my research and have seen a few discussions on this wonderful site. For his diet we've got him on Nature's Domain salmon meal & potato (wheat-free). He's been wheat free and chicken-free for a while now. We've also switch to un scented detergent for everything we wash, including our clothes, and un scented floor cleaners, we use natural vinegar, and we try not to use any type of febreeze except for the restrooms which he's never in unless for a shower. Speaking of, we shower him about every other week with Animal Pharmaceuticals shampoo, a soap free anti-itch shampoo complemented with oatmeal and Omega-6 fatty acids and occasionally with Malaseb antimocrobial shampoo for when his breakouts are a little sensitive. His breakouts have been less severe with only a few, I guess I'll call them pimples on his skin. He's had a yeast infection but it has receded due to the pills he's being prescribed (I'm guessing). His coat isn't as healthy as it should be and his nails are brown-yellow looking. I plan to get the NuVet supplements for starters as well as introduce him to ACV rubs or put some in his food which I've read helps the users on this site.
I appreciate any help and advice I get. This is my first post and I hope to expand my knowledge and form friendships with fellow bullie lovers on this site. Thank you and have a great day! c:
Anyway, I'm writing here today in search of help. Miklo is currently prescribed about two pills (cephalexin, an antibiotic)(chlorpheniramine, for allergies) to take twice a day and one every other day (prednisolone? 5mg, for severe allergies). He's been taking these for a little over two months for breakouts on his skin. The vet we are currently visiting has been the same vet for our other bully, Mona (female), who had passed away at age 8 due to kidney problems (which I feel is because of the long term use of the pills prescribed by the vet). Mona was also on similar medication for her breakouts and she was on them for quite a while. The breakouts have been a problem for both bullies as it comes and goes. We've tried almost everything and basically left everything in the hands of the vet. For me, I lost a bit of trust in this vet because of her lack in diagnosing our bullies and simply giving them pills to swallow to mask the symptoms. Because of this, I want to take over and do my complete research and get Miklo off those pills into a better more healthy diet and lifestyle.
I've done my research and have seen a few discussions on this wonderful site. For his diet we've got him on Nature's Domain salmon meal & potato (wheat-free). He's been wheat free and chicken-free for a while now. We've also switch to un scented detergent for everything we wash, including our clothes, and un scented floor cleaners, we use natural vinegar, and we try not to use any type of febreeze except for the restrooms which he's never in unless for a shower. Speaking of, we shower him about every other week with Animal Pharmaceuticals shampoo, a soap free anti-itch shampoo complemented with oatmeal and Omega-6 fatty acids and occasionally with Malaseb antimocrobial shampoo for when his breakouts are a little sensitive. His breakouts have been less severe with only a few, I guess I'll call them pimples on his skin. He's had a yeast infection but it has receded due to the pills he's being prescribed (I'm guessing). His coat isn't as healthy as it should be and his nails are brown-yellow looking. I plan to get the NuVet supplements for starters as well as introduce him to ACV rubs or put some in his food which I've read helps the users on this site.
I appreciate any help and advice I get. This is my first post and I hope to expand my knowledge and form friendships with fellow bullie lovers on this site. Thank you and have a great day! c:
Comments
Once you have the results of the test you'll know right away what foods to avoid and can adjust his food accordingly. By the way, the food you are currently providing him is not considered a high end dog food. It's actually a 3.5 star food. There are plenty of better choices available. Here is the nutritional analysis on the food you are using - https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/natures-domain-dog-food/
The meds your Bullie is on with most certainly have a negative effect on the long term health of your dog. Those are meds are proven to cause kidney disease.
The NuVet is an awesome supplement which will boost the immune system which is key to the health of any dog. - http://bulliesofnc.com/online-store/supplements-vitamins/
Again, my advice to you would be to take Miklo to a specialist where they can perform sophisticated allergy tests which will get to the root of the problem causing the reactions. Your regular Vet will be very happy to continue prescribing meds for you but this is not the answer.
At least for now get Miklo on a better diet and order the NuVet supplement. I guarantee it will do more for him than all the prescription drugs he's on.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
As for the tests, I know the vet has done some tests using his blood and sending it somewhere but it was only a test for airborne allergies. The vet has mentioned a food trial allergy test where he only eats one certain food for a month or so. I think I'll locate a specialist instead like you said.