Natural Remedies

[lilm48]

I wanted to start a thread where we all could share with each other natural remedies/items we use for our pups. As I become more and more aware of the chemicals that are in human—and dog—products, I have been looking into more natural remedies-- for me and my pup.

So, to start, I read in a book if you wipe your pup's ear out with some vinegar on a cotton ball, it helps to keep the odor and infections at bay. I also read that baking soda will do the same but I think I’ll stick with vinegar.

Please share! I hope others are as interested in this topic as I am!

[AceLuby]

My vet told me to use 3 parts alcohol one part vinegar and squirt it into the ears to clean them. It has worked really well so far.

[lilm48]

Originally Posted by AceLuby

My vet told me to use 3 parts alcohol one part vinegar and squirt it into the ears to clean them. It has worked really well so far.

Good idea! When you say alcohol, are you talking about rubbing alcohol?

[AceLuby]

Originally Posted by lilm48

Good idea! When you say alcohol, are you talking about rubbing alcohol?

Nope... Straight Vodka

Just kidding. Yeah, plain 'ol rubbing alcohol. Squirt it in and let 'em shake it out and whammo! Clean ears!

[QuietDaze]

Originally Posted by AceLuby

Nope... Straight Vodka

Just kidding. Yeah, plain 'ol rubbing alcohol. Squirt it in and let 'em shake it out and whammo! Clean ears!

Actually I read somewhere or saw on some show that vodka does kill bacteria...so it would probably work. Vodka is more natural than rubbing alcohol so that may be the way to go.

I have always given my dog one or two garlic pills with his food and have never had a flea problem.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by AceLuby

My vet told me to use 3 parts alcohol one part vinegar and squirt it into the ears to clean them. It has worked really well so far.

That's overkill for routine cleaning. For a yeast problem where NO lesions or open sores are present, that recipe can help, but for normal maintenance, a mix of 3/4 water, 1/4 apple cider vinegar will do just fine without messing with the normal PH balance in the ear.

If ears are badly infected, I would not put any alcohol in the ears (as one can imagine if you've ever experienced alcohol in an open sore)...rather, I'd take the dog to a vet.

[luvmybts]

diatomaceous earth used for internal parasite wormings, and can be rubbed/sprayed onto animals coats for flea/tick/fly control.

Diatomaceous Earth - Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Health Benefits

[Ayoka]

There was a great hot spot remedy posted here a while back that I have used, substituting the cream with aloe gel.

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/nut...ie-balm-o.html

[lilm48]

Originally Posted by Ayoka

There was a great hot spot remedy posted here a while back that I have used, substituting the cream with aloe gel.

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/nut...ie-balm-o.html

Thanks! I am going to try this on my pup since she has created herself a nice little hotspot on her paw. Did the aloe gel do the job?

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by lilm48

Thanks! I am going to try this on my pup since she has created herself a nice little hotspot on her paw. Did the aloe gel do the job?

We used the aloe in the mix instead of the glaxol and it did nicely...we also shaved around the spot and soaked with epsom salts 2-3 times a day to help dry things out. It took longer for the fur to grow back than it did for the spot to heal.

[bliss7373]

I'm always one to post the caveat that we should not treat our dogs for anything medical without getting an expert's advice. That being said, I use:

- canned pumpkin (not pie filling) for diarrhea
- a spray made from essential oils, black walnut tincture, and distilled water as a flea/tick repellent. I got the recipe from the Animal Wellness magazine, which occasionally has useful tidbits. I don't live in a high-flea area and my dogs aren't flea-prone, though. Also, remember never to use essential oils on cats.
- I have used melatonin for a very sound-sensitive foster who freaked out during storms, rather than medicating him. This was with the vet's approval.
- I have a dog who is prone to environmental allergies. He's low to the ground, so his belly tends to get pink and itchy. Calendula gel really seems to help.

[mjfish]

Originally Posted by Ayoka

There was a great hot spot remedy posted here a while back that I have used, substituting the cream with aloe gel.

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/nut...ie-balm-o.html

I too have used this but substitued the Glaxol cream with Vaseline. I asked all the local pharmacists for Glaxol and they looked at me like I had 3 eyes or something. Walgreens did say they could order me like a 1lb jug of it for around $30...didn't want to spend that much and not have it be the correct stuff. Vaseline was the only thing I could find that did not have Lanolin in it. Anyway, it works like a charm!! Relieves the itch almost immediately and clears the spots up in a couple of days (I didn't even shave around them).

[Beryl]

I've been using Elderberry & Nettle Extract to try and improve pigment. I've also used Scullcap & Valerian tablets for Epilepsy for one of my dogs I rescued who had been abused. I used these tablets in conjunction with Phenobarb. What I did was to reduce the Phenobarb (with my vet's knowledge) I don't think we are always told what damage this drug can do to the kidneys or liver. It's best to consult your own vet, though.
I buy these natural products from Dorwest Herbs Ltd - Herbal Medicines and Dietary Supplements Since 1948 I would recommend anybody to have a look. I like their products because the ingredients they use are not subjected to any form of unethical animal testing procedures.
I'd like to hear about more natural remedies, interesting thread!!

[lilm48]

I'm so glad I decided to start this thread! There are some great ideas on here!! I am absolutely going to have to try the remedy for hotspots. I have had my pup's foot bandaged for the last 36hrs or so (to prevent her from further licking) and would like to take it off so the wound can get some air. I'll have to go to my local health store to pick up some lavender oil.....and I'll have to pick up some vaseline while I'm at it-- I need some before I die my hair with henna. It'll be a two-fer-- for the dog and myself. lol. I'll also have to try the Epsom soak to speed up the healing/drying process.

[alessadry]

Boiled rice with a bit of boiled skinless boneless chicken for diarrhea. The rice must be the bulky part of the meal. Feed until stools are better formed, 3-4 times a day in small amounts. Then gradualy reintroduce the regular diet. We always recommended this one at the vet hospital for diarrhea!

Pumpkin works well both for constipation or diarrhea

Recently my male was bit by fire ants, ouch! he was in doscomfort licking like crazy so I applied a paste of -cold from the refrigerator- baking soda and water and he was able to rest peacefully after a few minutes.

For the ears I have heard of the vinegar and water mix, I like apple cider vinegar the best.

For painful paw pads after running on the asphalt, vaseline to sooth and soften.

Flour packed on nail bed should the nail be cut too short and bleeding


I have alwayd heard of people giving garlic to their dogs against fleas, but i knew that garlic can be bad for dogs, as a matter of fact when we recommended baby food for dogs that were reluctant to eat at the vet's office we used to say make sure there was no onion or garlic in the ingredients.