Bambi's ears

Mavis · Jul 13, 2015

Hi all. Bambi has been having a terrible time with her ears, especially the right one, despite my cleaning them three times a week. I don't know if it is mites or allergies but possibly both because she is going at her feet, too. She has scratched her ears raw and I am a mess. I don't want to put a halo on her because she can't go up or down the stairs, in her house, or sleep comfortably. She has an appointment at the vet on Weds. morning and I can't wait to take her to bring her some relief. I have been giving her half a benedryl 2 to 3 times a day but I hate to do that because it makes her sleepy and she is so little, I worry about even half a pill. Watched a video from a vet on youtube and he mentioned using a good food with fish and sweet potatoes. Have tried most of the grain free Fromm flavors but not any with fish. Right now we are on beef and something. We do give her people food (little treats), but not a lot. It's so hard not to treat her to what we are eating because it feels like "food is love." I am going to have to pour over the sections on this site about allergies and feeding raw, which I have resisted because it is intimidating to me and a big commitment. I guess it's all in getting used to until it becomes second nature. I will keep you posted.

davidh · Jul 13, 2015

Change her food to a good quality grain free food. Usually when they have allergies that affect their ears and they are biting their feet, it's food related allergies.

eeturk · Jul 13, 2015

Hudson had ear and feet issues when he was eating chicken. I'm with [MENTION=4]davidh[/MENTION], it's likely a food related issue.

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MaplesMommy · Jul 13, 2015

Do the ears have an odor to them? Is the space between the toes of rusty colour?

If so,it could be yeast.

You can switch to a food thats lower in carbohydrates/sugar.
Or best,cut out all starches by feeding raw, but thats something you need to decide for yourself

You can make an AVC( 1/2 cup) + brewed green tea (1/2 cup) + 1 cup of water spray and also clean the ears with it. It will kill off the yeast from the outside but you need to treat it from the inside out. Probiotics /Kefir help to kill it of from the inside,but only cutting out all starch will help 100%.

blushy · Jul 14, 2015

My Isabelle did HORRIBLE on the Beef a la veg FROMM. Switched to Game Bird, voila no more itchy ears.

You could try one of the grain free Fish FROMM foods, see if that eases it up!

Also a whole tab should be fine. Just put it in her food, and she won't get as sleepy, I know my Isabelle doesn't.
Our vet also prescribed an allergy pill for her for bad days to have on hand here at home. They're $1.50 a pill though, not cheap but good for itchy days!

2bullymama · Jul 14, 2015

agree -- this is most likely a food issue.... we are feeding Fromm Pork and Peas or Game Bird... those two work best for my guys so far

MickieBlue · Jul 14, 2015

Probiotics help with yeast, too!

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Mavis · Jul 15, 2015

Thanks, all. I usually switch out the proteins with each bag of Fromm. I have done the Pork & Peas and the Gamebird. Thinking back, it does seems that she has done the worst on the Beef and Veg. I am going to start using a probiotic. My friend and I at work just talked about it at length this afternoon. She told me where she got hers and that it has helped their bull terrier a lot. Will also research raw and reducing starch.

Mavis · Jul 15, 2015

MaplesMommy said:
Do the ears have an odor to them? Is the space between the toes of rusty colour?

If so,it could be yeast.

You can switch to a food thats lower in carbohydrates/sugar.
Or best,cut out all starches by feeding raw, but thats something you need to decide for yourself

You can make an AVC( 1/2 cup) + brewed green tea (1/2 cup) + 1 cup of water spray and also clean the ears with it. It will kill off the yeast from the outside but you need to treat it from the inside out. Probiotics /Kefir help to kill it of from the inside,but only cutting out all starch will help 100%.

Her ears do not have an odor. Her feet are rusty in between her toes. We do a foot bath with vinegar, peroxide and water and then dry them really well. She had her vet appointment today and he did a culture - no ear mites. Gave her a shot of antibiotic and steroid because her ears were really inflamed, and some salve and ear wash. Have tried all of the Fromm grain frees except for the fish. Seems like every food has starch. I remember you saying that they use that as a binder.

She seems much better from this morning. She has not been going at her ears at all so far. I just want her to have relief.

Cbrugs · Jul 15, 2015

I stay away from potatoes with Jax as I have heard they can cause yeast problems.

Chiana · Jul 16, 2015

Did the vet say it was food related allergies?

I have been struggling with similar issues with Moses...again trying to reach our vet...itchy paws and some blisters appeared again after reducing cortisone meds

Starting to wonder that this may also be food related instead of furunculosis. Mo has always been on grain free, but makes me wonder. Problems started pretty close to when we transitioned him from Ziwipeak/Orijen to Canagan...

Cbrugs · Jul 16, 2015

Chiana said:
Did the vet say it was food related allergies?

I have been struggling with similar issues with Moses...again trying to reach our vet...itchy paws and some blisters appeared again after reducing cortisone meds
Starting to wonder that this may also be food related instead of furunculosis. Mo has always been on grain free, but makes me wonder. Problems started pretty close to when we transitioned him from Ziwipeak/Orijen to Canagan...

When I tried giving Jax turkey, he broke out in sores all over his chest and legs and was itching like crazy. Someone once told me that sores are usually food related allergies. Once I stopped the turkey and it got out of his system, the sores went away. Moses could be having a reaction to whatever protein you are giving him.

MaplesMommy · Jul 16, 2015

Mavis said:
Her ears do not have an odor. Her feet are rusty in between her toes. We do a foot bath with vinegar, peroxide and water and then dry them really well. She had her vet appointment today and he did a culture - no ear mites. Gave her a shot of antibiotic and steroid because her ears were really inflamed, and some salve and ear wash. Have tried all of the Fromm grain frees except for the fish. Seems like every food has starch. I remember you saying that they use that as a binder.

She seems much better from this morning. She has not been going at her ears at all so far. I just want her to have relief.

If its yeast (which sounds like it), antibiotics wont do anything,because its a fungus, not bacteria.
Steroids supress the immune system. And thats one of the big problems of steroids. The immune system
Isnt working properly anymore,so your dog becomes vulnerable to other infections and illnesses. Also,it acts as a major 'band aid', the symptoms will be gone,but the problem will persist and since it cant 'act out' anymore, it will linger inside the body an then cause other issues,which sooner or later will be worse than itchiness.

Unfortunately you are right: kibble needs starch in order to stick together. Some companies use more,some less. But all contain it.

Mavis · Jul 17, 2015

MaplesMommy said:
If its yeast (which sounds like it), antibiotics wont do anything,because its a fungus, not bacteria.
Steroids supress the immune system. And thats one of the big problems of steroids. The immune system
Isnt working properly anymore,so your dog becomes vulnerable to other infections and illnesses. Also,it acts as a major 'band aid', the symptoms will be gone,but the problem will persist and since it cant 'act out' anymore, it will linger inside the body an then cause other issues,which sooner or later will be worse than itchiness.

Unfortunately you are right: kibble needs starch in order to stick together. Some companies use more,some less. But all contain it.

Shoot. Is your food regimen on this site?

MaplesMommy · Jul 17, 2015

You can find some info on a raw diet here : http://frenchbulldognews.com/dog-fo...g/2286-raw-feeding-questions-myths-truth.html

I feed fresh & species appropriate, meaning no carbs/sugars and nothing processed whatsoever.
I feed local, grass fed,ethicially raised meat (beef,goat,lamb,chicken, Tripe) & sardines, then I add some veggies (pureed), coconut Kefir, coconut oil, Turmeric, Spirulina, Wheat Grass, whatever I have on hand and 'feel like it'

i recently started adding bone broth (grass fed) to Maples diet as well, because our jogs have gotten longer and more intense,so the glucosamine & chondroitin is really good for her joints.

If I had to feed kibble, Id be feeding Orijen.

MickieBlue · Jul 18, 2015

Just a thought...but have you tried a probiotic? Helps with yeast.

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Mavis · Jul 18, 2015

MaplesMommy said:
You can find some info on a raw diet here : http://frenchbulldognews.com/dog-fo...g/2286-raw-feeding-questions-myths-truth.html

I feed fresh & species appropriate, meaning no carbs/sugars and nothing processed whatsoever.
I feed local, grass fed,ethicially raised meat (beef,goat,lamb,chicken, Tripe) & sardines, then I add some veggies (pureed), coconut Kefir, coconut oil, Turmeric, Spirulina, Wheat Grass, whatever I have on hand and 'feel like it' i recently started adding bone broth (grass fed) to Maples diet as well, because our jogs have gotten longer and more intense,so the glucosamine & chondroitin is really good for her joints.

If I had to feed kibble, Id be feeding Orijen.

Wow; thanks, Lisa. Do you feed all of them that or just Maple?

Mavis · Jul 18, 2015

MickieBlue said:
Just a thought...but have you tried a probiotic? Helps with yeast.

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No, but I am going to start - and a little ACV.

MaplesMommy · Jul 18, 2015

Mavis said:
Wow; thanks, Lisa. Do you feed all of them that or just Maple?

They all get it

Maple & the two cats. The cats get less vegetables though,since they are obligate carnivores.

I often joke,that they eat healthier than us

Mavis · Jul 18, 2015

MaplesMommy said:
They all get it Maple & the two cats. The cats get less vegetables though,since they are obligate carnivores.

I often joke,that they eat healthier than us

Wow, that's a lot of food. Do they eat less of it? Do you make all their food on one day, like once a week? :cooking: Do you freeze any of it?