We could so make some bread rn…

Blogger’s note: Yeah, yeah. I’ve neglected the blog. Full-time law practice has a tendency to consume too much of what I’d like to claim as free time. Here’s to hoping for a stronger 2017 in the blogosphere. #resolutions

So, back in August, when Evelyn had surgery to remove a second MCT that popped up on her elbow, Dr. Battistella commented that she smelled “yeast-y”. I don’t know what that smells like, but I took her word for it.

When we got home, I dug around in my go-to resources: Dr. Karen Becker’s blog, the Whole Dog Journal, and Dogs Naturally Magazine for some guidance. I found this extremely helpful article:

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/itchy-dog-yeast-infection/

We have been following a regimen (for all 3 dogs) that includes:

• Raw diet (of course)
• Probiotics (natural through fermented goats milk, and supplemented)
• Prebiotics (dandelion greens)
• Coconut oil (1/2 tsp/ day internally and externally on the skin as needed)
• Oregano oil (1 drop/ meal)
• Garlic (1 fresh clove/day)
• Grapefruit Seed Extract (3 drops/meal)
• Dandelion Tincture (1/4 dropper /meal)
• Milk Thistle Seed (on rotation — on a week; off for 2)
• ACV topically (small squeeze bottle filled 1/2 ACV, 1/2 H2O for direct application to itchy spots on the skin as needed)
• Regular baths in anti-fungal shampoo

Yeast is a beast to get rid of, to be sure. But we’ve been doing this for MONTHS, and I’m not seeing much improvement — at least not in Truman. Evelyn seems some better. Pearl had a setback because I decided she was allergic to the GSE. It has been frustrating to say the least.

I know if I take them to my regular vet, they’ll be put on antibiotics because that’s always been the standard protocol for skin infections.

What to do?

We’ve got an appointment with Dr. B in a couple of weeks, and I’m sure she’ll set us on the right path.

But it has also finally occurred to me that I could be feeding the problem. For months and months, their breakfast has consisted of a raw egg and raw, fermented goats milk. When we learned last year that Evelyn was allergic to chicken, I switched to duck eggs, and occasionally quail eggs. Although most everything I’ve read praises the completeness of the nutritional value of raw eggs for dogs, I’m wondering if they’re at the root of the problem. Could Truman have developed an allergy to duck eggs?

Earlier this week, I stopped with the morning egg routine. I’ll let you know if that has any effect on the sitch, and we’ll see what Dr. B has us do.

pugs & kisses —