Expert: Dr. Christina Chambreau - 10/27/2011

Question
Hello,
I have a itchy westie who is almost 8 years old. We adopted her last year from a breeder. We are at the point that she might have to be put on medication and I'm between Atopica and Temaril P.
Since we got her she has been itchy. She itches her legs mostly and paws. We have tried lots of different foods and she is now on a raw diet of elk, peas, yams and cooked grain free, corn free, pasture raised pork. Even with the raw food, she is still itchy.

We have gone to a holistic vet and have tried acupuncture, nettles, and other remedies but to no avail. We are reluctant to put her on medication but she is not getting any better, she seems to be getting worse in some situations. We didn't want to use flea medication, but she has gotten fleas a few times and then has gotten a skin infection after. So now, although also reluctant, we are using Advantage on her since she has flea bite dermititis after with scabs. She has since been getting red areas on her skin (under her tail, on her chest) and she itches and chews on her paws until the skin is broken. she did have hot spots as well and has to continually be on anti biotics on and off. We bathe her 1-2 times a week with fatty acid shampoo and nizoral/pyoben if her skin seems infected.

Our vet has suggested a lymdyp to try for the next step which we will do (even though she is white). If this doesn't work we are between Atopica and Temaril P. I really don't want to put her on medication but she is so uncomfortable and we've tried so many remedies. I'm concerned of the long term use of steroids (and short term) and was leaning towards Atopica. I know this is a newer medication though and don't know the long term side effects of this. Our holistic vet is leaning towards Temaril P. What would you suggest?
Thank you, your help is appreciated.

Answer
Good for you for working with the holistic approach. Now it is definitely time to try a different holistic approach. Maybe homeopathy would work better. some times you can get some quick relief. Have you learned Reiki? It can help a lot. Also the anxiety wrap (Telling Touch teaches this using an ace bandage) for some temporary relief. there are a number of veterinarians who are good with homeopathy in BC, but I do not think they can work by phone, so if none are near enough, work with a US one. www.theAVH.org. Also there is a school for veterinary homeopathy in BC - google sue Armstrong dvm homeopathy school canada. my computer is in the shop so I do not have my whole list of recommendations. Please look on this list for someone who asked about skin issues. That will give you some more web sites, etc. Rescue Remedy topically and internally can help.

I am not that familiar with Atopica. Temaril P has been around for many decades and I have not seen a lot of suppression with it, so I would lean that way. learn Reiki or find a friend who does it. Do Reiki on the Temaril P and it may not cause as much harm.

Email me at healthyAnimals@aol.com if you have any more questions or need a specific veterinarian's referral.

Be glad for keeping the vibrational imbalance on the skin, even though you are are a bit miserable. do not worry about the flea prev - some dogs are not bothered by the drugs. Remember each of us is sensitive to different things.