Is alternative or 'new age' medicine Hokum?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Ok, long story but I'm going to try to make it short. Basically there's this man who brings his dog to the dog park who has recently been trying to give me (unsolicited) advice about Winston's allergies. I usually try to change the subject because he's one of these new age spiritual types, the kind I used to worship back when I was younger but have since become far more skeptical of. Talk of balancing energy fields through positive vibrations and what not usually makes me uncomfortable.

 

He says he's cured allergies and 'hot spots' and other such conditions in other dogs using his quantum rejuvination techniques. He did cure his own dog's hot spot as I saw the transition. He said he cured four different cancers in himself, and that this is the same science that Lance Armstrong used to cure his cancer (I googled around for Lance A. and alternative or new age medicine and didn't find much). From what I hear from the rumour mill this guy has a background in science and medicine and is also filthy rich. He has a website that I checked out and it seems rather bizarre, but if you're curious send me a message I'll give the address to you.

 

Anyway, after asking me a few times for a hair sample from Winston so that he can analyse it using his special technology or something, I finally gave in to morbid curiosity and said ok. I figure, what do I have to lose at this point since nothing else seems to work.

 

So he called me with the results of his analysis last night, and below are the notes I took on my computer as we were talking (keeping in mind that I was writing the notes down I was distracted by a pulsating pain in my head cause by a vicious cupboard door attack) - colour comment is mine.

----------------------------------------------------

Worms – get deworming powder at the pet store - this will help with itchy butt. (hhhmmmmm... Winston had a negative fecal done very recently)

Grains &  Gluten intolerance (good thing Winston is now on grain free food)

Sprain or muscle spasms (his back leg has seemed quite stiff...)

Depression, rejection and some anxiety (no kidding)

Meridian system is over inflated (WTD???)

Spinal issues-compressed nerves (not sure about this but possible)

Dermatitis from allergies (I already knew this...)

Weak thyroid – medicine creating a dependency.  inconsistently give it to him. Break the cycle by stopping, then give it to him inconsistently so his body doesn’t get dependant on it. (I have a hard time understanding how stopping his thryroid pills will help him... but it is interesting that he noted the condition and he didn't know he was already diagnosed with it)

 

Allergies:(some of these foods are in his current kibble (orijen adult) or were in his past kibble (nutro lamb and rice and I have been giving him cookies that have some the ingrediants, like wheat, in them)

 

Acute:                                  

Bakers Yeast

Vegetables - only give him steamed as it is easier on his system (no wonder he doesn't eat his broccoli)

Chicken (this is the base protein of his kibble)

Wasps and mosquitoes

Tomatoes

Wheat

Grass

Chicken

Nuts

Broccoli

rapeseed (canola oil)

lamb

 

Chronic:

Shellfish

Whey (in a lot of dog food)

Bakers yeast

Mold

Animal hair such as cats - (Oh no! Penelope!!)

MSG (who isn't allergice to MSG and why would anyone give this to their dog anyway?)

Sweet Potatoes (interesting because he rejects these)

Aduki beans (funny, I had these for dinner the other night and had never heard of them before then)

Fish – particularly trout and cod (he did not do well on six fish orijen)

Coconut

Salmon

Egg whites (he rejects boiled eggs)

Peas that are raw

 

Iodine deficiency - feed him kelp or seaweed as it will help build the thyroid. (I should look into this, if this is true it couldn't hurt right?)

For his itchy Paws, use betadine (a diluted iodine). 2 minutes per paw. Half a capful of betadine in water. Dogs sweat through paws so betadine will absorb in his system – doing this on a daily basis will help. (I asked pharmacist about this and she thought it was nuts but admitted there could be something she doesn't know about it as she's not a dog expert)

 

Rhustox. 2 or 3 pellets – don’t touch, crush with spoon. Have Winston lick them. Sugar tablet. Stops itching. (this is some sort of a homeopathic substance)

--------------------------------

Ok, recognizing this guy might be completely out to lunch, I'm pretty skeptical. However, I'm wondering how much harm there is in testing some of his theories out given that nothing else I've tried works, including several different types of antihistimines, including the steroids and seasonal allergies are no longer the problem now that the weather is cold. He still knaws on his paws, and his leg-pits, as well as scratches his chin obssessively (I actually found scabs from where he must have broke the skin). I would never mess with his thyroid meds but is there any harm in trying out the homeopathic stuff and trying the de-worming powder and maybe making some dietary changes and trying out some sort of beef based diet?

 

On the other hand, I could make the two hour drive to Montreal and fork out the $300 to get a full blood work up for allergies as my vet had suggested as an option, which would be followed by $100 shots every 10 days which have only proved successful in about a quarter to half of her clients who have done this. I am not rich so I'm not sure this is an option right now...

 

So basically, Complete and total HOKUM, or is it worth a shot? I'm leaning towards Hokum, I'd bet my doodles that Karen and F will think so, but I thought this would make for an interesting discussion...

[F, Calla & Luca]

I pretty much buy nothing from mine either.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sherri, I may be in the minority here but I think, particularly as winter is setting in and the pollen is down, you may be bathing him too often and drying out his skin, which can lead to itching. Then again, I'm one of the hardly ever bathe the dogs club members.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was too, F, but when JD flares, the frequent baths really do help him. Of course, that's not in winter.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, that makes sense.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I think the baths are soothing, even if he hates being in the tub. and really I sometimes slip. I think it's been 10 days now...quite honestly, he also gets a bit smelly if I don't bathe him at least every 10 days so he's due.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

 

We belong to the "hardly ever bathe dog club" also.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, PPS: No booties, the air needs to get to the feet.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

It sounds like this woman gave you some good advice.  Very bad that your Vet clinic weren't truthful and shame on them.  I had a look at the spray and I can't see what the % of cortisone is in the can.  I think as a stop gap solution it may well do the job though long term use of cortisone is not, IMO a good idea.  I can't tell you anything about the food advise or the Vit C  but as you already know we have the best advise on that subject right here on DK.  I wish you the very best of luck on getting the right diagnosis on Winston's allergies and the best treatment for him as soon as possible.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Not exactly related but I thought this was very funny. A friend sent me an email with it. And it is somewhat related.

http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/xdtalk-chatter-box/186728-good-news-ki...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can appreciate that!

[Rhonda, Marabelle & Jeriki]

When my kids had chicken pocks, I gave them oatmeal baths, and I remember being told by my doctor to rince really well cause the oatmeal can actually cause secondary issues or infections. Does that sound right F could it do the same in dogs,just curious. Also I have bad exzema and I know when I get itchy spots on my head a mint shampoo really helps and is quite soothing. I think la pooch makes a mint one not totally sure, but maybe you could find a less expensive version. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Rhonda and Marabelle.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't know why oatmeal should cause secondary infections but I guess you could get fungal overgrowth or something if oatmeal was left behind. Rinsing well sounds like a good idea anyway.