Q.
I have a nine-year-old black Lab who has been having
problems with hair loss and itching for over a year. Some of the hair loss was attributed to a thyroid condition and she is on medication for that. However, it has been touch and go; the hair loss is now back and the itching has been fairly constant. I have been to two vets (three if you count the thyroid doctor). Nobody seems to be able to get to the bottom of this problem. The groomer swears it is mange, but none of my other dogs have it, and she has been scraped at least two times and undergone two treatments with Mitoban.
She has undergone allergy testing and is receiving shots for known allergens. She is currently on skin vitamins and herbs as recommended by the holistic vet.

When I read about selenium sulfide prescription lotion in your response to a previous letter about a similar case (Oct-Nov 2005), I felt a ray of hope. My vets have not heard of it – where can I get it and are there any side effects? I feel my dog’s immune system is compromised either from the on-going problem or the treatments meant to cure it. She gets ear infections and skin infections and just finished more antibiotics. The doctor wants to give her cortisone shots which I resist because she seems so medicated.

A.
The mange that responds to selenium sulfide does cause itching, and is contagious but not typically localized. The mange that typically causes hair loss around the eyes, demodex, usually does not cause itching (unless it is secondary), is not contagious and does not respond to this lotion. Selenium sulfide is easily obtainable by prescription through most pharmacies. The only rare side effect I’ve seen is for it to be slightly irritating and to temporarily turn white fur pinkish orange. My guess is that your dog has allergies.

Q.
Rain, our two-year old cat, was neutered approximately one year ago. He came out of the surgery completely blind, something to do with his liver and the anesthesia (or anybody’s guess). As of six months ago, he supposedly could “see” shadows. Is there anything I can treat him with to “reverse” the damage, or don’t you think there is any hope for him to ever regain his sight?

A.
Our viewpoint is that there is hope for almost every case we work with. This is not a false hope, but from what we have seen over the last three decades, more of a positive attitude infused with hope. In Oriental philosophy and medicine, there is a strong correlation between the liver and the eyes. Supporting the liver as well as the eyes would be beneficial. I would recommend any of the many liver glandular supplements on the market, a vitamin A supplement (like fish liver oil), and milk thistle. For the eye, I suggest Visioplex by Progressive Labs (which contains vitamin A), and Oculotrophin by Standard Process Labs.

Q.
We have an Australian shepherd – six years old with blue eyes – who has been diagnosed with scleritis. She is under the care of a veterinary ophthalmologist. He feels we are losing the battle and that she will eventually go blind. Is there any food you could recommend which would help her keep her eyesight longer?

A.
I wouldn’t suggest a specific food as much as nutraceuticals and remedies. Although there are, I’m sure, many on the market, the ones I have used are Visioplex by Progressive Labs and Oculotrophin by Standard Process Labs. Homeopathically, I have used BHI’s (Heel) combination of Eye and Inflammation remedies. For herbal support, the Visioplex does contain some in its formulation. Otherwise, I would recommend doing either a bit of research or consulting a veterinarian experienced in this field. Similasan #1 homeopathic drops used topically might provide some more support..

Q.
My one-year-old Maltese has chronic crying eyes. He constantly wipes at his eyes with his paw and has stained his white face a rusty color. His former family was feeding him Pedigree and Science Diet kibble combination. When I got him just over two weeks ago, I switched his food to Innova Evo kibble with Merrick wet food combination. He no longer chews at his paws, just licks them now and again. However, the eye tearing has not diminished. Should I continue on the path I’m taking and just wait it out for better results? Or is there an alternative in diet and supplements that would make him more comfortable during this transition?

A.
You are on the right path and it may be only a matter of time for your Maltese’s condition to improve or even remedy. Adding digestive enzymes and a good multivitamin/mineral supplement could help. Topically, Similasan #1 eye drops may help if there is any local inflammation. Sometimes, this condition can be associated with blocked tear ducts. This would have to be diagnosed and treated by an experienced veterinarian.

Other questions answered in this issue:

Q.
After much research and seeing four veterinarians, my three-year-old Australian shepherd female has been diagnosed with Mouth Chewer’s Syndrome, and is re-injuring her frenulum. She is scheduled to have surgery by a very qualified veterinary dentist (in MI). In the meantime, she has been on two courses of antibiotics to try and remedy the wounds in her mouth. After the first episode, she got stubborn yeast infections in both ears and now her vulva-vaginal area. The new vet dentist gave us Animax for the ears, mineral oil, and what human ladies use for yeast infections (he mixes this up himself). He reswabbed her ears and they are sterile.

She still has the yeast infection down below, and he wants to reswab her when she comes in for surgery. My question is (keeping in mind she is going to have laser surgery on her frenulum, and probably will be put back on antibiotics) what probiotics do you recommend that I add to her diet? Can one give something vaginally as well? I would also like to add vitamin C to her diet. Should we use ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, or the esterfied vitamin C?

Q.
I provide foster care for a couple of local feline rescue groups. I trapped a foster kitten of about nine weeks of age. We tested him for FIP and he was positive. Needless to say it was shortly after that we had to make the difficult decision to put him down as he got very sick very fast. He had been with us for about six months.

What are the chances that he would have passed FIP onto my cats? They were not exposed to each other a lot but there was some sharing of food dishes and litter boxes and some playing together. My cats seem to e normal and healthy. Should I test them for FIP now or is it better to wait a certain amount of time?

Q.
I have a seven-year-old spayed German shepherd with terrible hips. She eats Blue senior food. I add Missing link, Prozyme and salmon oil to her food. I also give her glucosamine and condroitin tablets. Glucosamine and chondroitin seem to be everywhere, in food, treats, etc. How much is enough? Can they be toxic in any way? What else can I do to make her comfortable? My vet wants her on Rimadyl but I refused.

Q.
Ziggy, my 13-year-old Tibetan terrier, recovered from coonhound paralysis two years ago. Since that time he has had various ailments including arthritis and diarrhea. He also has a history of skin allergies, gagging cough and fatty tumors. Blood work has indicated an increased white blood cell count. After a bone marrow test it was determined that he has elevated lymphocytes, but normal bone marrow and no sign of cancer. X-rays have revealed an enlarged spleen. He is also on thyroid medication. I give him glucosamine for his arthritis and geriatric vitamins for general health. Recently a friend mentioned that she gave colostrum to her dog, who was diagnosed with cancer and sent home to die. She saw immediate improvement and two years later her dog is cancer-free. I’ve read reports that colostrum is an immune booster and was wondering if it would be indicated for treating Ziggy.

Q.
My cat Lucky is suffering terribly from allergies. She is three years old but looks as frail and tiny as a three-month-old. She’s scratched most of her face into permanent, oozing ridges, and has pulled out most of her fur. She continually scratches until she screams in pain, and then rubs and pulls compulsively and feverishly. Her eyes are usually closed and her ears are continually filled with black stuff. My husband and I have tried everything. We’ve taken her to every vet and “specialist” in the Long Island and NYC area, tried allergy tests, different diets, medications, steroids, pills, even Prozac. Nothing has helped. She is constantly giving herself eye infections and getting ear infections from rubbing and spreading the bacteria. In addition, because we have to constantly give her eye and ear ointments, drops and pills, she has become terrified of medication. We are at a loss.