Several weeks ago, Lucy woke up with a bright pink nose. The next morning, it was more like a fuschia color and looked like it had blisters all over it. So, Lucy went to the vet. Our vet did a culture and decided it was an allergic reaction to something. Lucy came home with a long coarse of antibiotics and a steroid.A week after both were gone, Lucy was still bright pink and I came home one night and she looked like someone had attacked her muzzle... (Duke was the likely culprit- but there was no way of proving that one!). Needless to say, I was frustrated!
As many of you might remember, we've had a lot of issues with Lucy and ear infections. Back in September, Lucy had a bad one and I started doing a ton of research online looking for a preventative measure for the infections. I came away feeling strongly that her ear infections were likely a result of an allergy, maybe to grain (which is a common boxer allergy) or to something else in the food that I was feeding. I immediately switched both Lucy and Duke to a grain-free diet. They've been eating Taste of The Wild for almost 3 months now, and Lucy hasn't had an ear infection!
While eliminating the grain from their diet was a possible long term preventative measure, what to do about the existing ear infection? One of my friends on the boxer mailing list suggested "APPLE CIDER VINEGAR". He told me to clean her ears as many times a day with it as I possibly could. There is something about vinegar that restores normal PH levels. Well, I chased Lucy around the house 3 times a day for a couple of weeks to clean her ears out with the vinegar. I got tons of exercise, and Lucy got her healthy ears back.
...And, the vinegar ended up being a great solution to the issue with her muzzle. She's still not back to normal, but after a week of dousing her muzzle with apple vinegar twice a day, she's definitely looking much better. Did I mention how much my totally silly little boxer loves the taste of vinegar? Well, she does! The other night, she actually drank it out of the bowl...ICK!
Notice the mess around Lucy. She got into a little bit of trouble this morning! Should have known it was way too quiet in this house!
Lucy, Duke and I want to send a special thank you to our friends Ron and Sophie for sharing with us how to get a great header just like theirs! It was easy and a lot of fun, and now our blog header looks just as great as theirs does! Thanks a bundle!
Hi Ho...yes the collage is a spectacular arrangement Sophie wanted you to know. Heads up...we use plain ol' white vinegar for Sophie's dirty ears and that works well...we were using this Apple Green smelling stuff(from the vet) but at $30 a bottle ouch...But this apple cider vinegar sounds like a good change...I've heard so much about it's cleansing and health properties over the years...they say us humans only need 1 tbsp a day to keep super healthy...I think I will start!
ReplyDeleteOnce again thanks for the mention and you'll notice there are all sorts of things to do with Picasa...enjoy! Ron
Lucy Lou,
ReplyDeleteYou look so sad in da first foto, so happy you is better now.
Guess what?? Max and me eats Taste of da Wild too! Max was on it when he gots here so mom switched me over cuz her wanted me on a grain free diet.
Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae
My girl has allergies, too, and takes a steroid every other day. On the off days, I give her children's benadryl as needed (the chewable kind - she loves them!). A year or so ago, we put her on a lamb and rice food, but she still has occasional allergy flare-ups. I think I'll try the food you mentioned. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteWe have also tried the apple cider vinegar on a few minor itches and it worked. Our moms know us best. Glad the pink nose is clearing up
ReplyDeleteBenny & Lily
Glad you're better! Uh oh, what did you get into this time BOL?
ReplyDeleteDachshund Nola
Hi Y'all,
ReplyDeleteI have allergies too. You may have read the series on my blog about my road to recovery. Unfortunately one of the things I'm allergic to is GRASS! It breaks my legs and belly out until they look like Lucy's nose.
Lucy, girl, you have my deepest sympathy.
Y'all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
We always forget about the vinegar....even though we're read about it many time. Looks like it might become a staple in the cupboard for various occasions.
ReplyDeleteXXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
Hi Lucy and Duke-
ReplyDeleteThat is a handy tip about the vinegar, we will file that away for such an emergency. I wonder how it works for itchy spots?
Lucy, Maybe you are allergic to chewed-up foam, Haha!
Wyatt