Expert: Herbs, NuVet Plus Supplements, Dog/Cat Food Recipes; ( Marie) - 1/16/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
So glad to find your site.  I have a 6 yo F. spayed Chi., 6.2lbs.  I got her 4 years ago as a rescue, she was mostly bald and miserable.  She was treated for sarcoptic mange and put on temeril p. I tried over the years to wean her off Temeril P, but she was miserably itchy every time. Benedryl didn't work. Went to a doggie dermatolagist (a LOT of $$), did food trials and we decided that the best food for her is Wysong canned rabbit and kibble is kangaroo. No other testing was done. I had to stop going there b/c it was prohibitively expensive. My vet started her on Atopica 3 months ago and I've finally been able to wean her off of the temeril p. She still has some itchiness but not nearly as much.  She's been off the Temeril P for a week and I've noticed some changes. She's never really had eye 'boogers' in the mornings, now she does have some.  Her appetite was low but is getting better. Her energy is low. Her poop is different; lighter in color and thicker.  Mostly I notice that she is trembling when she is resting and under the covers.  She is warm to the touch so I don't think she's cold. She usually has on a shirt to keep her warm and to protect her skin from her own scratching and chewing.  I wonder what kind of discomfort she might be experiencing from coming off the Temeril P.  I've never known for sure what she's allergic to, and at the moment I can't pay a lot of money to find out.  
What can you tell me about the effects of coming off the temeril p?
Thank you,
Liz

ANSWER: Hi - Yes, I am glad you found your way to the allexperts site!  The temeril P does have some side effects if she was taken off too quick.
All the cautions applicable to cortisone and to phenothiazine derivatives apply also to
TEMARIL-P®.
Prolonged treatment with TEMARIL-P® must be withdrawn gradually.
Did you withdaw slowly ?

I can give you a few suggestions for the soft stools.
Also, we can talk about the feeding options?


Marie Peppers LPN MA


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Marie,
Yes, I weaned her off the Temeril P very slowly; she was on only 1/4 tab. 2x day so I got her to 1/4 a day for a week, then 1/4 a day every other day for a week, then 1/4 every three days for a week then off completely. I only cut it back when she showed no signs of itchiness.
Her stool isn't soft, it's just a different color.
I realized today that another thing that she's doing is not seeking warmth when she's cold.  She'll lay on top of the covers shivering instead of burrowing under like she normally does.  I cover her up and rub her until she stops shivering but it seems like she goes from warm to cold back to warm without any internal control.  Could this be a result of being off the temeril p?  She just doesn't seem like her normal happy self, she's acting like she feels 'yucky'.
When I took her shirt off today she goes to work biting and chewing on two distinct areas; her belly and her elbow - to the point of bleeding if I don't stop her.  
What kind of food suggestions do you have?
Should I be giving her some immunity boosting supplement?  Ever heard of anyone doing acupuncture on their pets to help this kind of thing out?
Thanks Again for your help.
Liz  

Answer
Temerel P does have some steroid in the ingredients.  All steroids will do damage to the body's systems.  Her hypothalmus may have some trouble regulating her temperature.  It is hard for me to say that is was the Temerel P that caused this problem.

Yes, she needs a few supplements to strengthen her immune system.  I would also like to see you put her on a grain-free food - You will need to add your own cooked meats to this mix:
The food is called sojo and the green bag is the grain-free...
SoJo does free shipping in the USA - see here:
They has some nice grain free treats, too.
http://www.sojos.com/index.aspx?affiliate=petnurse


Next, Please place her on 1 NuVET wafer per day for 20 days and then go down to just 1/2 wafer per day - they also make a powder - the wafer is like a treat.
NuVET will help to strengthen the immune system and reduces inflammation and itching.
Holistic and Not sold in any pet stores:  see here:
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html
or order here:  secure site:
http://www.nuvet.com/81098

Also, give her 1/2 cup of Activia yogurt per day - for about 15 days.
The brand has some great Probiotics to help with excess Yeast bacteria.
It is helpful and good for her.


Keep me posted.... I hope this helps.
OUR clinic has great luck with the NuVET supplements.


Marie Peppers LPN MA
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mtnmom@gci.net