DIARRHEA IN DOGS, PUPPIES, CATS, KITTENS - CAUSES, TREATMENT, CURES

 

Diarrhea is a common ailment in dogs and cats. Just as with humans, healthy dogs and cats suffer from an ‘upset’ stomach on occasion, which then results in a loose stool or diarrhea - this is a fairly normal occurrence and is called ‘Acute Diarrhea’. Acute diarrhea is one of the body’s natural ways of removing substances that are not welcome in the body. The most common cause of this type of diarrhea is ingestion of a food stuff that the dog should not have consumed. Although diarrhea is a natural process, it is important to monitor Acute Diarrhea and you may need to provide some healing interventions. The symptoms usually disappear within a 72 hour time period. 

 

 

The other type of Diarrhea is called ‘Chronic Diarrhea’. The underlying cause of this type of diarrhea is typically rooted in an ongoing condition in which the body is repeatedly exposed to an irritant or the diarrhea is a symptom of a medical condition.

 

Common Causes of Diarrhea

 

As noted above the most common cause of acute diarrhea is ingestion of food or other substances that the dog should not be eating, such as poisonous/toxicplants.

 It really is very important to make sure that your dog cannot gain access to garbage - inside the home, in your garage, yard, on walks and when on off-leash excursions. Although many foods that are consumed by humans are fine for dogs, there are many foods that a dog should never eat - at best these foods will irritate a dog’s GI tract and at worst make a dog seriously ill. Eating rotting food can also trigger diarrhea. 

 

The following are common causes of acute diarrhea:

 

• Anxiety and stress;

• Ingesting indigestible substances;

• Ingesting too much fat in diet or the wrong type of fat;

• Poisons/toxins - by absorbing, ingesting and/or inhaling;

• Sudden change in food or addition of new types of food to the diet;

• Side affect / reaction to medicine;

• Virus (i.e. Distemper, Parvo). 

   

The following are common causes of chronic diarrhea:

 

• Allergyto food…ingredients in many commercial kibble can be a source of allergic reactions;

• Compromised immune system;

• Diseases such as colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, liver and kidney disease, stomach cancer, etc.

• Parasites (i.e. infestation of worms or parasites such as Giardia);

• Poisons/toxins - by absorbing, ingesting and/or inhaling;

• Poor quality food;

• Poorly functioning GI tract;

• Too much fat in diet and /or the wrong type of fat;

• Medications such as heart worm preventatives can cause diarrhea;

• Over-feeding;

• Over-vaccination.

 

Typical Signs that Indicate Your Animal Has Diarrhea

 

 

Your dog is either standing at the door anxiously, or anxiously trying to get your attention to let them outdoors at a time when they would normally not be asking. Your dog starts to ask to go out multiple times (to eliminate) within the space of an hour or several hours. In either case let your dog out and watch what they do, if they eliminate take a quick look to see if their stool is normal (firm, brown) or loose.

 

Your dog is straining to eliminate - although this may be a result of constipation, it is often also a result of repeated bouts of diarrhea. Diarrhea causes disruption of normal muscle contractions in the GI tract…thereby giving the sensation that elimination is required even when there is nothing left on the tract to eliminate; 

 

Other symptoms include bloating, dehydration, lack of appetite, listlessness, fever.

 

 

When You Do and Do Not Need to Intervene;

 

• If your dog or cat seems normal after a bout of diarrhea (he/she is behaving normally, has normal energy) - just keep an eye on him / her.

• Make sure that your dog/cat has access to fresh drinking water; watch to see if they are drinking. If they are not follow the instructions provided below under ‘Dehydration’.

• If the diarrhea occurs just once you can continue to feed your animal as you normally would. If the diarrhea is repeatedly occurring within the space of an hour or several hours withhold food for 12 hours and then proceed to feed your dog/cat as per the instructions provided below under ‘What To Feed Your Dog/Cat’. 

 

 

You should get your dog/cat to a veterinarian right away if…

 

• Severe diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours;

• Diarrhea continues to occur for more that 3 days;

• You see blood in the animal’s stool;

• You observe any of the following…sluggishness, weakness, a fever, if your foster feels warm to the touch, if his/her behaviour changes or you see any other sign of dehabilitation.

 

At Greatest Risk

 

Young (puppies and kittens) and the old or those whose health is already compromised are most vulnerable to suffering complications from diarrhea. Dehydration as a result of diarrhea can occur very quickly in these high-risk animals, putting them in immediate and serious risk.

 

Dehydration

 

 

In order to avoid dehydration make sure that your animal has access to fresh drinking water and gently encourage them to drink. Do not, however urge them from an anxious state of mind or you will further compromise their well-being.

 

If you see you animal is not drinking, to entice them to drink you can offer them a clear broth. Don’t give the animal a commercially made broth as it can include a lot of sodium (salt) which will cause further dehydration, it may also contain additives such as food colouring, spices such as pepper, and other dangerous food stuffs such as onions. Instead make a broth by cooking some vegetables such as carrot, celery and parsnip with a piece of chicken or turkey breast meat and some rice in a pot of water. Bring the broth to a boil then turn the temperature down and let it simmer for an hour. Then take the broth off of the heat to cool, strain the fluid to remove all food and particles. Once the clear broth has reached room temperature you can put some in a bowl and encourage your dog or cat to drink it. Offer this broth to the animal at least 3 or 4 times a day if the animal is not drinking water on its own.

 

To check to see if your foster is suffering from dehydration…

1. Pull up gently on the skin at the back of the neck;

2. If, when released the skin bounces back quickly, the animals hydration level is fine.

3. If the skin does not does not go back in-place or goes back slowly, your animal is dehydrated and needs medical attention right away - don’t waste time trying to hydrate the animal yourself - get the animal to a veterinarian who will probably give them a fluid injection shot right away and may put them on a saline drip. Severe dehydration is very dangerous and can lead to organ shut down and death. 

 

What You Should Not Feed Your Dog or Cat if They Have Diarrhea

 

• Do not feed them their normal food.

• Do Not Feed them rice and ground beef. Many veterinarians will recommend that you feed your animal plain rice and lean cooked ground beef.

• Rice can ferment in their GI tract, creating gas and making the diarrhea worse;

• Also, rice moves through the digestive system quickly, and is very difficult to digest - it will only add to the next bout of diarrhea);

• Even lean ground beef has enough fat to cause more/ worse diarrhea.

• Do not give you dog or cat Pepto Bismal as it contains salicylates - a compound found naturally in foods and manufactured synthetically for use as a pain killer - i.e. salicylates are an active ingredient in aspirin. This will make the animals condition worse.

 

What to Feed Your Dog or Cat if They Have Diarrhea

 

Once you have waited-out the 12 hour no-feed period you can start to introduce a small amount of the pumpkin/poultry food (recipe below). This food should be feed to the animal 3 to 6 times a day in small amounts for up to 3 days (72 hours), by which time the diarrhea should subside. If the animal still has diarrhea after 72 hours it is time to take him/her to the veterinarian.

 

Pumpkin/Sweet Potato and Turkey/Chicken Recipe

 

You maybe surprised when you first see the words 'pumpkin and sweet potato', you might ask  why would you give a dog that has diarrehea a high fibre root vegetable or squash? Well, because both are high in soluble fibre! Soluble fibers attract water and form a gel, which slows down digestion.  High quality soluble fibre (that is not prone to fermenting as rice is), prevents and relieves both diarrehea and constipation. Pumpkin and sweet potato are also rich in nutrients while being easy to digest. 

Turkey and/or chicken breast meat is rich in protein and nutrients and low in fat. The combination of these ingredients are the best and only food that you should feed your animal while he/she has diarrhea.

 

What you will need…

 

Pumpkin - 100% pure, plain, cooked pumpkin, or 100% pure, plain, canned pumpkin. Do not use pumpkin pie filling as it will make your animals condition worse. Pumpkin pie filling has sugar, spices and other ingredients besides pumpkin.

 

 

 

or

 

Sweet Potato - you can substitute pumpkin for 100% pure, plain canned sweet potato or 100% pure, plain, freshly cooked and mashed sweet potato. 

 

and

 

Plain, cooked turkey breast meat or plain, cooked chicken breast meat. Don’t use processed chicken or turkey meat - use real whole breast meat cooked and cut in small pieces or cooked ground-up breast meat. If you are using whole breast meet rather than ground - make sure you trim all fat prior to cooking. After cooking drain the meat to remove any remaining  fat. 

 

Using a ratio of 50:50 mix the pumpkin or sweet potato with the chicken or turkey and feed small portions to your animal 3 to 6 times a day in small amounts for up to 3 days (72 hours), by which time the diarrhea should subside.

 

Additional Food Supplement

 

 

The herb ‘slippery elm’ is the best natural anti-diarrhea remedy. It is safe for puppies and dogs of all ages and does not create any complications when used in combination with other medications (i.e. a dog is on medicine for another condition not linked to the diarrhea).

 

Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries. It is used in healing salves to treat: boils, burns, skin inflammation and ulcers. It is also used as an oral mendicant to relieve coughs, sore throats, diarrhea, and stomach problems.

 

Slippery Elm contains mucilage. Mucilage is a substance that when mixed with water, turns into a lubricating gel. It works to coat and sooth the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. It also contains antioxidants that help relieve inflammation. In addition, Slippery Elm triggers reflux stimulation of nerve endings in the GI tract, thereby promoting increased mucus secretion. This helps protect the GI Tract against excess acidity and ulcers.

 

Slippery Elm powder is available at most health food stores and through on-line herbal suppliers. 

 

There are two simple ways that you can administer the slippery elm to your dog or cat…

 

One - Mix it With the Pumpkin/Poultry Food

 

The dosage is ½ tsp of slippery elm bark powder for every 10lbs of body weight - just mix the slippery elm powder with the dog’s pumpkin/poultry food.

 

Two - Make a Liquid Infusion 

 

If you want to make a liquid infusion to administer to your cat or dog via a dropper or syringe…

• Combine one teaspoon of slippery elm powder with one cup of cold water;

• Bring the mixture to a boil and stir;

• Turn the heat down and let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes;

• Remove from heat;

• Allow the liquid to cool to room temperature;

   

Administer the Slippery Elm infusion to your dog or cat 4 times per day using the following dosage for each treatment:

 

• Small dogs - 1 teaspoon, four times a day

• Medium dogs - 1 to 2 tablespoons four times a day

• Large dogs - 3 to 4 tablespoons four times a day

 

Proactive Maintenance

 

 

Once your dog is on the mend you can look at adding some healthy immune boosting food stuffs to his/her diet. Just make sure that you only add on item at a time - this way if your dog has any sensitivity to the item it is easy to identify which new food item is causing the sensitivity.

 

Adding a good quality plain yogurt is a great way to help your dog maintain a healthy flora of good bacteria in its GI tract. Just drop a spoon full of the yogurt on top of the dog’s food.

 

• Small dogs - 1 teaspoon a day

• Medium dogs - 1 to 2 tablespoons a day

• Large dogs - 3 to 4 tablespoons a day

 

You can add some herbs to your dog’s daily diet to boost their immune system and build their defence against bad bacteria. 

 

 

Calendula Flowers

 

The antiseptic quality of the herb helps prevent bacterial growth, which is good news for your dog and bad news for the bacteria.

 

 

Goldenseal

 

This herb is a powerful antibiotic that prevents the bacteria from latching onto the cell walls. It is particularly useful for treating stomach and bowel ailments.

 

 

Echinacea

 

Echinacea has anti-biotic, anti-viral and immune system stimulating properties - it is very useful for preventing bad bacteria from flourishing.

The table below provides a general guideline for herbs/spices based on your dog’s weight. The information provided in the table is an extract from Dr. Kidd’s Guide to Herbal Dogs Care.

 

Daily Amounts Based on Dog’s Weight.

 

 

Dog’s Weight	Sprinkles (on dog's food once/day)	Teas	Capsules/Tablets	Tinctures
1-10 lbs	a small pinch	less than 1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2 capsule, 1-3 times/day	1-3 drops, 2-3 times/day
10-20 lbs	a bigger pinch about	1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2-1 capsule/tablet, 1-3 times/day	3-5 drops, 2-3 times/day
20-50 lbs	2 pinches-1 teaspoon	1/4-1/2 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 2-3 times/day	5-10 drops, 2-3 times/day
50-100 lbs	2 pinches-2 teaspoons	1/2-1 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 3-4 times/day	20 drops, 2-3 times/day
Over 100 lbs,	up to 1 tablespoon	up to 1 cup 3 times/day	adult human dose	adult human dose

 

Caution:While certain herbs and spices do not create a hazard by themselves they can interfere with the conventional medicines. If your dog is on any of conventional medicines please make sure you consult your veterinarian before you introduce herbs or spices to your dog’s diet. The following provides a list of some of the medicines that some herbs may interfere with...

 

Anti-inflammatories (e.g. Rimadyl)

Aspirin

Antibiotics

Cardiac drugs

Central Nervous System drugs (e.g. phenobarbital)

Chemotherapy agents

Diabetic/hypoglycemic drugs (e.g. Insulin)

Diuretics (e.g. Furosemide, Diazide)

Hormones (e.g. thyroxine)

Steroids

 

 

SYMPTOMS OF DOG POISONING AND TREATMENTS

 Pet Poison Help Line 24/7 (800-213-6680)

Dogs can suffer from poisoning for many reasons - some foods are toxic to dogs, if you do not know what foods can harm your dog you may end-up accidentally poisoning your dog. Some times dogs are accidentally exposed to chemicals (i.e. household cleaning products), or toxins such as anti-freeze. Dogs can suffer poisoning from snake bites, ingesting poisonous plants or rodent poison, eating grass that fertilizer, herbicides or pesticides have been applied to, ingesting and/or surface contact with road salt (de-icer), etc. Some dogs are intentionally poisoned by unhappy neighbors. 

Dogs can inhale or ingest a poisonous substance. For example a dog may absorb poison by inhaling tiny air-borne particles. Toxins may enter there blood stream via surface contact with  the pads of their paws. They may directly ingest a toxic substance or may inadvertently ingest it by brushing against/walking or lying on a toxic substance and then licking/grooming themselves.

It is always better to be pro-active, accidents happen, and so too, intentional cruelty by others - by familiarizing yourself with the symptoms and treatments of poisoning you can save your dog’s life.

Symptoms of Poisoning

Absorbed, ingested and/or absorbed poisonous/toxic substances can cause a wide range of reactions such as…

• Breathing difficulty;
• Bleeding disorders;
• Bleeding from various parts of the body;
• Chemical burns;
• Coma;
• Death;
• Diarrhea;
• Drooling;
• Elevated temperature;
• Hallucination resulting in over-reaction to sound or light;
• Heart and organ failure;
• Kidney or liver problems;
• Loss of appetite;
• Loss of balance - staggering;
• Lethargy;
• Mouth irritation;
• Muscle tremor and rigidity;
• Seizure;
• Skin rash;
• Swelling of the tongue;
• Vomiting;
• Weakness;

Some toxic substances result in immediate signs of poisoning, typically signs of poisoning are apparent within 3 days after contact with the substance. However, some poisons/toxins can be insidious - toxic load may take weeks, months or years to build-up before symptoms surface.

The earlier you notice symptoms and the quicker your dog receives treatment the lesser the chance of permanent damage or death. But there are some poisons for which there is no cure.

Treatments to Mitigate the Affects of Poisoning

The following provides a list of some of the interventions that your veterinarian may ask you to do, they may also request that you bring your dog in ASAP.

To induce vomiting, give your pet 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (1 tablespoon per 15 pounds of the dog’s body weight) with an eye dropper, syringe, or turkey baster by dribbling the liquid onto the back of his tongue or into his cheek pocket until swallowed. Collect any vomit and take it, along with the poison container or other substance that you think you dog may have ingested and take it to the veterinarian

To dilute caustic poisons such as pine oils, detergents, bleaches, and swimming pool chemicals, feed your dog large quantities of water, milk, or egg whites. Activated charcoal (or even burned toast) may be recommended to absorb insect repellents like DEET.

To remove absorbed poisons...absorbed poisons are substances that get on your pet’s paws and coat and are absorbed through the skin. Road salt is one of the most common of such substances and can cause serious and lethal damage over time. Remember your dog walks, on lies on and licks the floor - don't use chemical based cleaners to clean floors, other horizontal or vertical surfaces that your dog comes into contact with. Absorbed poisoning can happen through ingestion when the animal grooms himself. For oil-based toxins (petroleum products) use a gentle dish washing liquid like 'Dawn'. Dust or vacuum powdery poisons away because water can activate certain toxins. If the poison is in your dog’s eye, carefully flush the eye with water or a sterile saline solution. To remove toxins from a dog's paws you can use the following Foot Soak Recipe...

Warm Water and Iodine - Foot Soak Recipe, To Remove Toxins

Iodine is non-toxic for dogs (but should not be ingested, just used topically) and is anti-fugal and anti-viral. To remove toxins (road salt, herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides) from the surface of your dog’s paws - this soak can also be used to reduce itchy, inflamed, and other wise irritated paws…

• Fill the container you are using with warm water;
• Add enough iodine to make the water turn the colour of ice tea;
• Have your dog stand in or otherwise keep their paw in the the water/iodine solution for 30 seconds
• Then pat your dog’s paws dry.

‘Inhaled poisons’ include aerosol sprays, carbon monoxide, gases, and other fumes inhaled by your pet that you may not consider poison to dogs because you use them safely on a regular basis. Quickly get your dog into fresh air and administer Rescue Breathing if necessary.

For snakebites, carry your dog if at all possible, to prevent increased circulation of venom throughout his body via walking. Get him to an animal emergency centre ASAP.

For insect bites, administer 1 mg of Diphenhydramine (i.e. Benadryl), an antihistamine, per pound of your dog’s body weight—but do check with your veterinarian first. Applying a cold pack to the bite can alleviate swelling, but immediately seek professional medical help if you detect breathing problems. You can also wipe or spray the bite with Apple Cider Vinegar.

If You Think Your Dog Is Suffering From Poisoning

(food, chemicals, insect/snake bites)

If you think your dog is suffering from symptoms related to poisoning from food, plants or chemicals call your veterinarian or contact a pet poison control centre right away.

Pet Poison Help Line 24/7 (800-213-6680)

Idiocracy

Coming soon to a pet store in YOUR neighborhood!

The LA City council is entertaining a ban on sales of pets in pet stores. The proposal was presented by a committee headed by City Councilmember and animal rights activist Paul Koretz. This follows on the heels of similar bans or proposed bans in other California cities, including Glendale, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Chula Vista, Laguna Beach, and West Hollywood.

Never mind that the number of pet-selling stores in all these cities combined could be counted on one hand.

No pet sales in pet stores, unless, of course, "rescue" groups are the ones selling them. And just who is initiating such proposals? Why, of course, it's these very  same "rescue" groups. Best Friends Animal Society is leading the charge. 

How gullible can we be? Apparently, very.

We seem blind to the fact that "rescue" groups import dogs into LA for the pet market….from commercial breeding establishments in other states, and from the streets overseas, and from foreign "puppy mills".

Yet these groups, "Best Friends" and others, have the nerve to criticize retail pet stores? Best Friends Animal Society's "Pup My Ride" program plucks animals free of charge from commercial breeders in the Midwest and then trucks them into other states (including California), to sell at "adoption" events; and now, to sell in pet stores.

Nothing quite as sweet as eliminating the competition, is there? Make no mistake about it, these groups are just as mercenary a group of pet purveyors as the Hunte Corporation or any so-called "puppy mill" out there.

Pets purchased from regulated sources like pet stores come with legal protections for the buyer. These protections, provided under California's Lockyer-Polanco act, include monetary compensation when facing veterinary bills due to a pet's illness or infirmity. What sort of rules and regulations do "rescue" groups have regarding their sales? Slim to none. Just pay your money.

What recourse will consumers have when they purchase a rescued pet with poor health or when their rescued animal bites their child? They will have NO recourse. The provisions of the Lockyer-Polanco act DO NOT apply to animals obtained from shelters or rescue.

In 2004, the first case of canine rabies in over 30 years in Los Angeles happened when an infected dog was imported from Mexico. But hey, that's so much better than having dogs raised in the US under regulated conditions.

Consumers should not be robbed of their right to choice in the marketplace. The foundation of our country is the free marketplace where competition is the most effective motivator for quality.

The Los Angeles proposal does not limit the sales ban to puppies, but also includes a ban on the sales of cats and even rabbits.

Yeah, I've heard about those horrible rabbit mills. A big problem. What's next, hamsters, turtles, or maybe even goldfish? Oops, sorry, San Francisco is already way ahead of us there.

But wait; there's more.

  

The proposal that Koretz presented to the city proposes to study the shelter stats for the next few years after the ban, to evaluate the effect of the ban. So, now the city is going to presume that there is a relationship between pet shop sales and shelter numbers? What sort of faulty logic is this? Wouldn't they first need to do a study regarding where the pets entering shelters and rescues originate? Because, there was a study done by a shelter in Nevada called "Heaven Can Wait." They discovered that fewer than 5% of shelter animals originated from pet stores, and only about 1-2% came from "professional breeders". So where is that presumed link between pet stores and shelter numbers? It's imaginary. Another one of those facts that "everybody knows" to be true.

The committee also proposes to crack down on "illegal breeding operators." And what do "illegal breeding operators" have to do with pet store sales? Illegal breeders don't sell to pet shops. Does this crackdown relate to shelter numbers in any way? And how do we determine how (or even IF) pet stores, illegal breeders and shelters are interrelated?

Of course, all these new rules and regulations will require enforcement from the police state. That is costly. No problem, Koretz and his committee state that the increased regulations will result in...ready for this one?....more license revenues!

And how the devil do they think that they will increase revenues from dog licensing when they are prohibiting sales? So they plan to enforce their new rules with money that they won't be getting. Makes perfect sense to me.

Well, politicians are rarely known for their skills of logic; or, for that matter, for their intelligence.

 

Seen the movie "Idiocracy"?. Heck, we are already there. And our new president? The most likely candidate is the animal rights lackey LA City Councilman who brings us such great ideas, Paul Koretz.

Betcha the portly Koretz's next proposal will be to force us all to make our pets drink Brawndo instead of water.

President Koretz

NATURAL, HERBAL, HOMEOPATHIC EAR INFECTION TREATMENTS, REMEDIES FOR DOGS AND CATS

Introduction

 

The most commonly administered treatment for ear infections is antibiotics. And while antibiotics can be very useful they are one of the most over-prescribed medications used today. When a dog / cat is frequently prescribed antibiotics - just like with humans, dogs / cats can become immune to the antibiotics. This can create a critical situation if a dog or cat requires antibiotics to save its life.

Antibiotics can also be counter-productive to solving the problem of ear infections. Antibiotics suppress the immune system. If an ear infection is a result of a yeast infection (Candida) or an otherwise suppressed immune system the administration of antibiotics can actually make the condition worse.

For these reasons it is important that antibiotics only be used when absolutely necessary.

Herb and fruit extracts offer a readily available, all-natural and affective alternative  to treating ear irritations and infections with antibiotics. While some herbs should never be taken internally when a dog or cat is on certain conventional medications, using herb as a topical application is safe.

Dogs with floppy ears may be particularly prone to ear infections as air circulation inside the ear is limited, fur on the inside surface of the ear can become overgrown and dirt and particulate can become trapped. It is important to check your dog’s and cat’s ears on a weekly basis to ensure ears are clean.

 

What Causes Ear Infections?

 

Well there are many conditions that can lead to ear infections; the following provides some examples…

One - Acute Ear Infections 

This type of infection may be caused by:

1. Bacteria;
2. A scratch or cut inside or near the ear canal.

Two - Chronic (ongoing) Ear Infections

This type of infection may be caused by:

1. Allergies;
2. Candida (yeast infection);
3. Chronic Bacterial infection;
4. Hormonal unbalance;
5. Stress;
6. Suppressed immune system.

Three - An Infestation of Ear Mites

Ear mites are tiny spider-like insects that like to infest the ears of dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals. Although they prefer the ear canals they can also live elsewhere on the animal’s body. The mites thrive in the moist warmth of the ear canal. They burrow into the ear, casing irritation and inflammation - the animal’s body responds to the attack by producing excess ear-wax. The ear mites feed on epidermal debris and ear wax.

 

Four - Other Foreign Material

Such as…particulate blowing about in the wind can impact and lodge into the ear canal (i.e. dogs that stick their heads out of vehicles);

Running through or rolling-in certain grasses that have hard seed-bearing seed heads. These seed heads have sharp points and microscopic barbs that can become lodged in a dog’s ears as they run through, play or roll-about in the grass. These barbs can easily work there way into flesh - the barbs then prevent the seed head from working its way back out. Hard seed bearing grasses are often referred to as ‘Fox Tails’. The following are typical examples of ‘fox tail’ grasses: 

Cheat grass’ (Bromus tectorum);

Foxtail also called wild barley, squirreltail barley,
skunktail (Hordeum murinum), 

Red Brome (Bromus madritensis);

Rip-gut grass’ (Bromus diandrus).

 

Symptoms of an Ear Infection

 

Typical symptoms of an ear infection include:

• Build-up of ear wax; when you clean the wax it redevelops quickly, i.e. within the next day or two);
• Ear sensitivity/pain - your dog may turn its head away if you try to touch its ears or may cry in pain at your touch;
• Dizziness and/or vomiting;
• Holding of the head to one side;
• Scratching at the ear (repeatedly, excessively, persistently);
• Shaking of the head (repeatedly);
• Strong odour;
• Swelling, redness;

Persistent scratching and/or head-shaking can also lead to Aural Hemotoma - the constant irritation can break blood vessels resulting in an accumulation of blood between the layers of skin. This condition creates a large blister-like pocket that must be drained safely by a veterinarian. The best procedure to treat this condition is surgery in which the skin is cut and the blister completely drained. Less intrusive procedures such as draining the blister with a needle or small tube are less desirable measures as the blister will usually refill with blood in a matter of hours or days.

An Aural Hemotoma

 

Natural Options to Clean Ears, Reduce Irritation and Treat Ear Infections

 

Please note -when administering any of the below treatments:

• Make sure that the liquid solution being dropped into or applied to your dog’s / cat’s ear is at room temperature;
•  If the liquid is too cold you can cause additional discomfort, if the liquid is to hot you can cause discomfort and damage;
• If you need to warm the solution up to room temperature simply take the solution, place it in a vial, dropper, small glass or bowl (dropper with the open end up) and sit the vial, dropper, glass or bowl in a larger vessel (glass or bowl) that contains a little warm water -  this will warm the solution up quickly.
• If you want to dry your dog's / cat's ear once the application of the treatment has been completed use a cotton ball to gently pat the ear dry;

• Gently rub/massage the ear in a circular motion, then remove your hand and let your dog/cat shake its head. 

• You can use a cotton ball to gently wipe any excess oil off the inside of the ear flap;
• If you need to use a cotton swab to clean more precisely - never put the cotton swab past the portions of the ear that you can readily see...do not put the swab into the ear canal - you can very easily damage the ear drum either temporarily or permanently!

• Do not use any of these treatments if your animal's ear drums are perforated/punctured.

The number of drops suggested for each flush is a typical dosage - however if your dog / cat is very small, i.e. 4 lbs, use less drops, if your dog is 150 - 200 lbs you will need to use more drops.

 

Some of the following Ear Flush Recipes call for tinctures. Tinctures are  readily available at most health food stores and on-line. If you wish you can also make the tinctures yourself. 

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) & Distilled Water Ear Flush - to keep ears clean, treat ear infections and reduce irritation

This is my personal favorite - particularly for treating yeast infections (candida) of the ear. I use the ACV undiluted - but you can also dilute it with water as indicated below.

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties (primarily from the acetic acid and malic acid in ACV).

This herbal flush is good for treating ear infections. Use it once or twice daily if the dog has a dirty, irritated or infected ear.

While you could choose to substitute the organic ACV for non-organic - I do not recommend going with non-organic, at least not in North America. Most of the non-organic ACV produced in North America is derived from apples imported from China, where the amount of toxic pesticides and herbicides used on apples is not only more voluminous than what is applied in NA, but also poorly if not completely unregulated in many regions.

1. Combine equal parts of ACV and distilled water, mix the solution;
2. With a syringe or dropper, gently drop about 10 drops of the liquid into your dog’s /cat's ear - make sure that the syringe is located at the entrance to the ear canal - the syringe should never be placed inside of the ear canal.
3. Gently rub/massage the ear in a circular motion, then remove your hand and let your dog/cat shake its head.

If you would like to know more about the many beneficial uses of ACV for your dog you can read more here.

Calendula Ear Flush - to keep ears clean and reduce irritation

Use this flush once or twice daily. Calendula has anti-fungal properties. It is also very effective in promoting the healing of wounds. Cut this recipe in half for smaller animals.

Combine the following in a glass:

1. 1 cup warm distilled or filtered water;
2. 1 teaspoon calendula tincture;
3. 1/2 teaspoon sea salt;

With a syringe or dropper, gently drop about 10 drops of the liquid into your dog’s /cat's ear - make sure that the syringe is located at the entrance to the ear canal - the syringe should never be placed inside of the ear canal.

Gently rub/massage the ear in a circular motion, then remove your hand and let your dog/cat shake its head.

This ear flush may also be expanded to include a small amount of Meadow Anemone (Pulsatilla nigricans) tincture.

Garlic Oil Ear Flush - keep ears clean, treat ear infections, ear mites

Garlic is a powerful, natural broad-spectrum antibiotic. The active antibiotic agent in garlic is allicin (a sulfur compound). Allicin is produced when garlic is chopped, chewed or bruised. Garlic is also an antioxidant, anti-allergen, and anti-carcinogen - garlic contains germanium, an anti-cancer agent.

Garlic oil can be used to:

• Keep ears clean;
• Treat bacterial of fungal infections of the ear;
• Treatment for ear mites;
• Treat inner ear fluid and inner ear swelling;

To prepare Garlic Oil you will need:

• A small, clean wide-mouth glass jar;
• Cheesecloth or other breathable clean cloth;
• Elastic band or string;
• Amber, brown or blue storage bottle;
• Garlic cloves;
•  Virgin, or extra virgin olive oil (cold-pressed olive oil).

Preparation:

• Remove the outer skin (also called 'paper') from the garlic cloves;
• Cut the garlic cloves into thin slices;
• Put the sliced garlic in the jar, leave a little space at the top of the jar empty;
• Pour the olive oil into the jar, making sure to add enough oil to completely cover the garlic - make sure that you leave some empty space at the top of the jar;
• Cover the top of the jar with a few layers of cheesecloth:
• Stretch the cheesecloth so it lays flat on top of the lid - if the cloth touches the oil it will absorb the oil and make a mess;
• Secure the cloth with string or an elastic band;
• Let the garlic/oil filled jar sit top cure, in a warm location for 10 to 14 days;
• Once the curing period is over, separate the garlic from the oil by straining the oil into an amber, brown or blue storage bottle;
• Store the Garlic Oil in the refrigerator.

Administering

• For infection and mites: twice daily, until the infection/infestation is resolved;
• For maintenance and cleaning: once a week to once a month as required to keep ears clean...

Make sure the oil is warmed up to room temperature. With a syringe or dropper, gently drop several drops of the oil into your dog’s /cat's ear - make sure that the syringe is located at the entrance to the ear canal - the syringe should never be placed inside of the ear canal.

Gently rub/massage the ear in a circular motion, then remove your hand and let your dog/cat shake its head. You can use a cotton ball to gently swab any excess oil off the inside of the ear flap.

Garlic & Mullein Ear Flush - to keep ears clean, reduce irritation and treat ear infections

Mullein is anti-microbial and anti-viral properties. Garlic is a natural anti-biotic.This herbal flush is good for treating ear infections. Use it once or twice daily.

Combine the following in a glass:

1. Equal parts of mullein oil and garlic oil;
2. Combine the two oils;
3. Add 10 to 20 drops of olive oil or vitamin E for every one ounce of garlic/mullein oil mixture.

With a syringe or dropper, gently drop about 10 drops of the liquid into your dog’s /cat's ear - make sure that the syringe is located at the entrance to the ear canal - the syringe should never be placed inside of the ear canal.

Gently rub/massage the ear in a circular motion, then remove your hand and let your dog/cat shake its head.

Green Tea Flush - to reduce irritation and keep ears clean

Add two tea bags (or two teaspoons of green tea) to 8 ounces of boiling water. Allow the tea to steep and cool. Apply ½ of a dropper (about 10 drops) twice daily to irritated ear. Make sure that the dropper or syringe is located at the entrance to the ear canal - the syringe should never be placed inside of the ear canal.  Gently rub/massage the ear in a circular motion, then remove your hand and let your dog/cat shake its head.

Oregon Grape Ear Flush - to keep ears clean, reduce irritation, treat ear infections and /or kill ear mites

 

Oregon Grape has strong antibiotic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Apply 1 to 10 drops (depending on the size of your dog/cat) of Oregon Grape tincture to the ear twice daily until the infection is eradicated.

Yellow Dock Tea Flush- to reduce irritation and keep ears clean

Add one tablespoon of dry yellow dock to ½ cup boiling water. Allow the tea to steep and cool. Once the tea is cool, strain it so that the fluid is clear and free of particulate. Apply ½ of a dropper (about 10 drops) twice daily to irritated ear. Make sure that the dropper or syringe is located at the entrance to the ear canal - the syringe should never be placed inside of the ear canal.  Gently rub/massage the ear in a circular motion, then remove your hand and let your dog/cat shake its head.

 

Eradicating Ear Mites

 

Garlic Oil Ear Flush - keep ears clean, treat ear infections, ear mites

Garlic is a powerful, natural broad-spectrum antibiotic. The active antibiotic agent in garlic is allicin (a sulfur compound). Allicin is produced when garlic is chopped, chewed or bruised. Garlic is also an antioxidant, anti-allergen, and anti-carcinogen - garlic contains germanium, an anti-cancer agent. See recipe and instructions above.

Yellow Dock Ear Flush

 

Yellow dock has many medicinal properties. It astringent, anti-inflammatory, and purification properties kill the ear mites while soothing inflammation and itchiness. If your dog/cat is prone to ear mites you can use this recipe to shampoo your pet’s head, ears and tail once a week.

Combine...

3 drops of yellow dock tincture;

1 tbs of distilled water.

Apply ½ of a dropper (about 10 drops) once daily to irritated ear. Make sure that the dropper or syringe is located at the entrance to the ear canal - the syringe should never be placed inside of the ear canal.  Gently rub/massage the ear in a circular motion, then remove your hand and let your dog/cat shake its head. Repeat the treatment once every three days for up to three weeks.

 

Options for Pro-Active Maintenance / Prevention

 

If your dog is prone to ear infections - you can also add an herb to your dog’s daily diet to help avoid infections and flush your dog’s ears occasionally.

 

Ear Flushes

Lemon Flush for Dogs Who Swim Frequently/Daily

You can use this flush once a week during swimming season or more often if your pet swims on a daily basis

Combine...

The fresh squeezed juice of ½ a lemon;

1 cup of warm distilled water;

Strain the resulting liquid to remove lemon pulp and seeds. Apply ½ of a dropper (about 10 drops) once daily to irritated ear. Make sure that the dropper or syringe is located at the entrance to the ear canal - the syringe should never be placed inside of the ear canal.  Gently rub/massage the ear in a circular motion, then remove your hand and let your dog/cat shake its head.

Lemon offers many other health benefits and uses - you can read more here.

 

Apple Cider Vinegar and Water Flush

The ACV/Water flush recipe provided above can be used once or twice a month to keep your dog’s ears clean and free of bugs.

Adding Oils and Herbs to Your dog’s Diet

 

Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral. It also boosts the immune system and provides many additional health benefits. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of giving your dog or cat coconut oil and the recommended dosages you can read this article.

 

Echinacea (Purple Cone Flower)

Dogs that have frequent ear infections can benefit from taking Echinacea which has anti-biotic, anti-viral and immune system stimulating properties. Dry herb of Echinacea is available in health food stores

 

Mullein Weed

Dogs that have frequent ear infections can benefit from taking Mullein Weed which has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties. Dry herb of mullein is available in health food stores.

 

Dosages for Adding Herbs to Your Dog's Diet

The table below provides a general guideline for herbs/spices based on your dog’s weight. The information provided in the table is an extract from Dr. Kidd’s Guide to Herbal Dogs Care.

Daily Amounts Based on Dog’s Weight.

 

Dog’s Weight	Sprinkles (on dog's food once/day)	Teas	Capsules/Tablets	Tinctures
1-10 lbs	a small pinch	less than 1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2 capsule, 1-3 times/day	1-3 drops, 2-3 times/day
10-20 lbs	a bigger pinch about	1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2-1 capsule/tablet, 1-3 times/day	3-5 drops, 2-3 times/day
20-50 lbs	2 pinches-1 teaspoon	1/4-1/2 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 2-3 times/day	5-10 drops, 2-3 times/day
50-100 lbs 10-	2 pinches-2 teaspoons	1/2-1 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 3-4 times/day	20 drops, 2-3 times/day
Over 100 lbs,	up to 1 tablespoon	up to 1 cup 3 times/day	adult human dose	adult human dose

Please note certain herbs and spices do not create a hazard by themselves however they can interfere with conventional Western medicines. If you are using one of the topical flushes provided above to clean your dog’s/cat’s ear you do not need to be concerned about conflict. But if your dog is on any of the conventional medicines please make sure you consult your veterinarian before you introduce herbs to your dog’s diet. 

Anti-inflammatory (i.e. Rimadyl)

Aspirin

Antibiotics

Cardiac drugs

Central Nervous System drugs

Chemotherapy drugs

Diabetic / Hypoglycemic drugs (i.e. Insulin)

Diuretics (i.e. Furosemide, Diazide)

Hormones (i.e. Thyroxine)

Steroids

If you would like to learn about boosting your dog's immune system to help him/her better stave off ear infections and mites you can read these articles...

Herbs and spices that you can add to your dog’s diet to boost their immune system;
 
Probiotics that you can add to your dog's diet to boost their immune system;

Fresh Whole Foods that you can add to your dog's diet to boost their immune system;

Coconut Oil to boost your Dog's immune system.