Expert: Herbs, NuVet Plus Supplements, Dog/Cat Food Recipes; ( Marie) - 3/30/2009

Question
Good day! I have 2 boxers in my home, Bogey and Birdie- they are my fur babies!- and my eldest, Bogey, is 5, with terrible skin allergies. Since he was 2, we have had him on a wheat/beef free diet as recommended by our vet, as well as Prednisone, Thyrocin, and Benadryl to help with the constant itching and bleeding. Nothing seems to work on my poor little guy, and we are at our wits end. Bogey's skin has become so irritated and broken that he now has a black skin rash fastly spreading all over his body. I would love to know what I can do to help out my little man so that he stops itching and and go back to his normal, playful self. We currently have them eating Lamb and Rice Purina One, and are willing to do whatever we can to help out Bogey. What do you suggest?

Answer
Follow up - How is Bogey doing?  Did you change over to a better food?  Also, did you try the new supplements for his skin and coat?
Get back to me and keep me posted...
I like to keep in contact with all my clients....
Marie Peppers LPN MA
mtnmom@gci.net

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Oh Kristen, I feel so bad for your Bogey!  How awful for this boxer boy!!! Wow, your vet has tried many meds ....Let's go the SAFE and Natural Route right now... Don't go off the Prednisone unless your vet helps reduce the dosages....slowly.

Ok, the Lamb and Rice Purina ONE
Here is a mini review :  From Me:  ( Marie Peppers LPN MA)
A VERY POOR food for any dog...SORRY TO SAY THIS....NO OTHER WAY TO SAY IT - THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE WORST FOODS FOR YOUR BROGEY.
I AM SO SORRY YOUR VET DID NOT ADDRESS THIS FOOD ISSUE ; MANY VET DON'T KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT FOODS.
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How to look at this food:  Purina ONE:

The first 5 ingredients play a significant role in the overall nutritional make-up of a pet food.Protein is essential and we believe the primary source should come from quality animal protein, not vegetable protein or grain.

Foods that list 2 or more grains in the first 5 ingredients may have more vegetable protein than animal protein. In addition, grains; such as, soy, corn, corn gluten and wheat gluten can be difficult to digest.
*** Purina One Chicken & Rice  **** list 3 grains in the first 5 ingredients including brewers rice, whole grain corn and corn gluten meal. You may see by-products in the first 5 ingredients; however, some manufacturers consider them inferior sources of protein and, depending on the source, they can be difficult to digest. Low digestibility means less nutrition and more clean up. Purina One Chicken & Rice lists poultry by-product meal in the first 5 ingredients.
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OK, Let's get started with this boy -
So, I guess you know I am going to tell you to get off the Purina ONE ASAP;  ( I want you to mix the old food and the NEW food just for 7 days - and then go 100% to the new food)

YOU want the best so:.... How about some home cooking -
there is a food that you just add Fresh meat- lightly cooked meat.
Here is the one I would get - Grain free - Wonderful and tastes great:
You can order this and it will come to your door / Shipping is free to the USA...  This is the BEST / You must pick a meat ( chicken, lamb, turkey..... and mix in the SoJo mix.

http://www.sojos.com/index.aspx?affiliate=petnurse

Make sure you order the "Grain free" one:  For allergy dogs)
Both dogs can be on this : EXCELLENT and Quality:

*** The grain-free alternative to kibble, Sojos Grain-Free Dog Food Mix (formerly known as Sojos Europa) is a wholesome pre-mix that you combine with meat and water to create a fresh, homemade dog food. Sojos Grain-Free works great for dogs with sensitivities to grains.

If you decide to not go with SoJo - I can refer you to Wellness Core - that is a great grain-free food that can be found at some pet stores:

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Next - A must for your Boy - NuVET Plus WAFERS ( 2) per day:

here are the ingredients:

NuVet Plus™ for Canines and Felines Ingredient List:

To order NuVET Call 1-800-474-7044 ( give my name Marie Peppers as your pet professional - referral code 81098 )  /
ASK about the 15 % off with the referral code....

Or - secure on-line site: ( you are looking for the NuVET Wafers-
A 60 count bottle is 39.00
A 90 count bottle is 55.00  ( They make Larger bottles, too)

You may want to call in the first order and set up the 15% off Auto ship program...

http://www.nuvet.com/81098

Alfalfa (Canine formula only)
Alpha Amylase
Amino Acids

Beta Carotene
Blue Green Algae
Brewer's Yeast
Cat's Claw
Chicken Liver

Copper

Evening Primrose Oil
Iron
L Methionine
Magnesium
Manganese

Oyster Shell
Papain
Phosphorus

Pine Bark

Potassium

Selenium (Yeast)
Shark Cartilage
Taurine (Feline formula only)
Vitamin A
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B12

Vitamin C (Ester C™)

Vitamin E
Whey Protein (Feline formula only)
Zinc

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To help fight off the Allergens that are hitting your boy - NUVET is the answer.  Also, this is an immune system booster and Healer.
The Prednisone weakens the body and the immune system.
Both you kids can benefit from NuVET Plus -

I would start the Allergy Boy on 2 per day - Keep him on 2 per day long term... YOU may be able to stop all the other drugs OVER time.
( along with your vet's approval)
YOUR other Boxer kid can have 1 or 1 1/2 per day - the wafer break easy in 1/2s  

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Last - I would love to see them both take some Salmon oil - MUST be pure salmon oil / Alaskan Salmon OIL is sold at many pet stores all over the USA-  or on-line
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Oh, ONE more suggestion for TEA TREE oil******

When you call :  ask for some NuVet Tea Tree oil shampoo /
** Wonderful stuff and will help the skin so much!
About 10.00 for an 8 oz  bottle of HOT spot TEA tree oil shampoo...
YOU can call NuVET at the 1-800 number ...
1-800-474-7044 ext 265  ( for Joan)...
She can help you with the first order...


PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED-
I sure hope a better food, supplement, oil and shampoo help.
I am 99.9 % sure that this will all work wonders!!!

Many of my clients see results in 2 weeks.

BEST wishes

Marie Peppers LPN MA

ask the pet nurse...........
mtnmom@gci.net