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Linda Arndt ~ Canine Nutritional Consultant
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Blackwatch Feed Program for Dog Allergies


A word about allergies......

Skin issues & reoccurring ear infections are the most common health problem for pets today. They are far too often diagnosed as allergies, when in fact they are systemic yeast infections. I have found most veterinarians, unless holistically trained do not know the difference, so it may be up to you to make that determination. That is why there are never ending trips to the vet for steroids and antibiotic, neither of which do anything but provide minimal, short termed comfort and no permanent relief for your dog.

The expensive allergy tests will often produce a false positive results making it look like your pet has sensitivities to multiple sources, when really they don't and it's because the pet's immune system is severely compromised. If you want to do an allergy test that works and is truthful and affordable you can do the Nutrasca Saliva test on your own. You can order it from www.hemopet.com and they will analyze it for you.


My Yeast Removal Programs apperared in articles in the Whole Dog Journal February 2007 and Pet Product News August 2007, and I was astonished at the number of people reporting what they thought was allergies.

I think it is important to understand the difference between food allergies and food intolerance. A food intolerance will often cause a digestive 'upset' of some sort. A food allergy, on the other hand, causes an immune reaction when the offending substance is introduced. Thyroid problems are often part of the equation, so I always recommend a thyroid test for any skin problems and if the results comes back "low" normal - it is best to use thyroid medication. For an accurage thyroid test you MUST do a 5 Panel Thyroid test and many vets do not do this, so in order to get it done right, go to the www.hemopet website and fill out the forms for a 5 Panel Thyroid take it to your vet and they can draw the blood for you and send it off to Dr. Jean Dodds for an accurate assessment. You will be sent the results and it is written so you understand it and then you can work with your vet or a compounding pharmacy to make the right decision on medicine needed.

Randy Wysong DVM writes: "Allergy is a breakdown in the immune system as a result of years of improper feeding and care. Anyone who is feeding singular diets day in and day out is inviting allergic disaster. Animals naturally crave and need variety just as humans do. Food allergy may in fact be a mechanism in the body to attempt to force us to eat different foods. Variety is not only the spice of life - it is fundamental to health."

Albert Townshend DVM writes: "Food allergy is rare; other causes of GI and/or dematologic sign are more common and some may also respond (for nonallergeric reasons) to dietary manipulation. There are two types of unpleasant reactions to food. The first is an immunologic reaction (a true food allergy). The second is a nonimmunologic reaction (what is termed a food intolerance). Food intolerance are much more common. Allergic reactions do occur to corn, however, depending on the research cited, corn is not thought to be a very common allergen. At least not as high on the list as soybeans, beef, wheat, eggs or dairy products. Even rice has been found to cause allergic reactions in a rare few animals."

As stated research shows food allergies are actually very rare in dogs/cats, but skin problems are far too common and due to poor quality, grain based diets (NOT grain per say , but grain based diets) , nutritional deficiencies, over use of antibiotics, lack of dietary enzymes & beneficial bacteria in a diet. I have found the vast majority of skin problems and reoccurring ear infections are actually caused by by Malazzeia or Candida yeast overgrowth in the body.

In the past 35 years we have worked with thousands of cases of systemic yeast in pets and had great success with a change in diet and appropriate supplements to support the immune function.

I have found that in true allergy cases if we switch diets to one that is suitable for allergies (see my list), and one of the CORE 4 Kits to boost immune function, you will see a difference in two weeks. Then if it does not clear up, we know it is a systemic yeast overgrowth and you have saved yourself a great deal of expense, plus your dog will still be better off on a holistic program.

Also do not forget to take a look at the issue of CONTACT ALLERGIES where your dog/cat has come in contact with something in the environment.


What If It's Systemic Yeast?

Dealing with systemic yeast has a 3 pronged approach. You will need to start with:

1). A 5 panel Thyroid test drawn by your vet using the instructions from Dr. Jean Dodd's at www.hemopet.com

2). Find a better brand of food,

3). Get the .Healthy Skin Kit#30 to get the yeast/fungus overgrowth down to normal again. The kit comes step by step instructions to guide you along the way. Plus they will be there for you if you need help.

If, after you read this information about systemic yeast and you do not think it applies to your pet's situation, then proceed with the allergy program below.


Allergy Program

This program is a comprehensive program developed to detoxify the body of free radicals and toxins and then to boost immune function. In order to do this I have made food recommendations below, and then add to it the Allergy Support Kit#15.

Below are the components in the Allergy Support Kit starting with Filling N The Wholes, Nzymes, DMG and OxEDrops. I have given the optional suggestion of a joint supplement if you have an older dog and the Option of what is acceptable to use for adding other foods to the diet for variety. Note, the food does not come with the kit, it must be ordered or purchased separately.

1. Dog Food - Natural/holistic dog food
 
2. Filling N The Wholes - a whole food vitamin/mineral supplement that offers several whole food immune boosting benefits including probiotics/digestive enzymes, heart, skin and joint support.
 
3. Nzymes - Dietary enzymes which detoxify the body and they are missing in all commercial foods - antioxidants
 
4. DMG - to boost immune function
 
5.OxEDrops - to help keep a proper pH levels in the digestive tract
 
6. Optional: Liquid Health Level 5000 - joint support supplement
 
For Variety - canned meats - raw options - fruits and vegetable

Where To Purchase Food

1) For this feed program I recommend using something from the Precise Line of foods. Precise Sensicare Lamb Rice which is ideal for use as an elimination diet when you think it might be an allergy. OR

Precise Holistic Complete Grain Free Diets - there are two of them
Lamb/Turkey and Grabonzo Bean (chickpeas) and spring yellow peas.
Pork and Garbanzo Bean (chickpeas) and spring yellow peas. For a distributor in your area contact www.precisepet.com or it can be ordered on line at dogfooddirect.com

FOR VARIETY ADD - fruits & veggies & Precise canned meats and for a safe, balanced raw option use Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw - info below.

To purchase any products mentioned in this article or have questions answere contact:www.firstchoicenaturals.com or call 765-284-8288


DO NOT SOAK KIBBLE AND LET SET, OR USE HOT WATER ON YOUR KIBBLE IT WILL DESTROY THE INTEGRITY OF THE NUTRIENTS AND PROBIOTICS - YOGURT LIKE CULTURES ON THE FOOD.

What Do The Supplements In The Kit Do For My Dog?


Filling N The Wholes - a whole food vitamin/mineral supplement to fill in what has been missing in the allergic dog's diet. It has immune, heart, joint, skin and digestive support with probiotics and digestive enzymes included. It also has trace minerals so often missing in commercial diets.


Dietary Enzymes - they come in pet treats or granular form and these are necessary to detoxify the dog from the toxins making the dog suffer from allergies. It also boost immune function and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. The Nzymes product put the "living component" back into a cooked, processed, stored dog food. Enzymes are heat sensitive and lost in processing/cooking of all commercial foods or making home cooked diets. As owners we must put dietary enzymes back into the diet, in order to maintain proper wellness and not deplete the body of this important resource. This can be done by the addition to your diet with a product called Nzymes, a chewable pet treat, or granular form which can be sprinkled on the food to replace what is lost. In other words, Nzymes provide the body with the right nutrients to allow the body to make the chemicals necessary to detoxify (clean out) the body and repair itself.

Nzymes helps with the following:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Natural anti-inflammatory ~ so you can avoid risky medicines like Rimadyl
  • Arthritis
  • Orthopedic problems ~ HOD, OCO, Pano, Wobblers, Hip Dysplasia, ACL
  • Epilepsy and Seizures - due to vaccine reactions
  • Vaccine reaction prevention
  • Cleanses residual toxins from medicines, flea and parasite preparations.
  • Boosting the immune system
  • Reduces shedding
  • Itchy ears
  • Yeast infections
  • Bladder infections
  • Hotspots
  • Reduces healing time from injury, surgery (cropping/bloat/c-sections)
  • Reduces recovery time from anesthesia.

Nzymes are from sprouts (food) so they do not conflict with diet or any medications. I have used the Nzymes for 30 years for my animals and I take the human product and have seen remarkable changes our health. By incorporating Nzymes into the diet, you are putting back the "living component" into the modern processed and cooked diets. This gives the body the tools it needs for repair and good health.


Ox-E-Drops

Ox-E-Drops is clear a safe liquid that will kill pathogens: bacteria, fungus and virus. When feeding raw meat it is particularly important to use Ox-E-Drops to help prevent problems with the pathogens in raw foods. An added benefit is that Ox-E-Drops Drops does not kill the good bacteria of the gut and helps to encourage the growth of friendly bacteria. I believe Ox-E-Drops is very important component to a diet in the possible prevention of bloat and systemic fungus infections, toxic and leaky gut syndrome, because if it's ability to help keep the proper pH balance in the gut which is important in breeds that have a tendency to bloat.

Ox-E-Drops can be use diluted (1 cup of distilled water + 1 teaspoon of Oxy-Drops) for a solution to clean out ears, eyes, to spray on skin or use as a colonic. It is very beneficial for systemic yeast infections and other ear, eye and skin infections as well.

Dosage - 1 drop per 20 lbs of body weight. Use daily on food, mix with a little water and your canned Eagle meat and use as a gravy. During times of illness - double this dosage.


For Variety - Meats - Fruits - Vegetables

MEATS: I use Precise canned dog foods for variety - I mix a couple of tablespoons of canned meat with tepid temperature water and make a gravy.

FRUITS &VEGETABLES:

I think it is important to incorporate some real foods into you dogs diet on a daily basis. Not only is this done for nutritional purposes, but because the dog gets bored eating the same thing day in, day out!! This is a list of recommended foods to use in moderation:

yogurt, buttermilk berries melons, apples, banana, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, oranges, squash, sweet potato, green beans, zucchini - minced/diced/raw/cooked - they love frozen berries and melon balls!! Pulverized fresh veggies are best for digestion.

NO raw onions, grapes or raisins, macadamia nuts.

Linda's Very Veggie Soup - 2 large cans of chicken or beef broth - (low sodium for heart or elderly dogs- or homemade). Add LOTS of veggies - carrots, green beans, wax beans, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and couple cloves of garlic. The idea is to use this as the filler so you want it to be hearty and filling.

OR

Variety - A Safe Balanced Raw Meat & Fruit/Veggie - OPTION

If you want to introduce some raw meat, fruits and veggies to your dogs diet, the is is the best way to do it is with one of the Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw diets. They are balanced in it's calcium and phosphorus ratios and free from pathogenic bacteria and parasites.

They are a freeze-dried dehydrated raw meat diest, all you have to do is reconstitute with water, let sit a few minutes and serve. Do not get lazy and simply sprinkle this on the top of their food, make sure you use it reconstituted with water first -so it does not draw all the water out of the dog's gut, causing the dog to want to drink water in excess. The food dehydration process takes place so the ingredient are still considered raw yet done at a temperature to kill any pathogenic bacteria. Enzymatic activity in dehydrated foods is simply suspended until the food is rehydrated with liquid.

The dehydrated raw dog food is available in several formulas:

FORCE (21% protein - 14% fat) - Chicken, Flaxseed, Potatoes, Celery, Cabbage, Sweet Potatoes, Zucchini, Green Beans, Apples, Honey, Alfalfa, Kelp,Yogurt, Bananas, Papayas, Basil and Rosemary.

PERFORMANCE - this is new and itis only fruits and veggies so it is meant to be added with a raw meat component to make it balanced before adding to the kibble

EMBARK 29% protein - 16% fat - Turkey, Flaxseed, Potatoes, Celery, Spinach, Carrots, Coconut, Apples, Kelp, Eggs, Sesame Seeds, Bananas, Cranberries, Rosemary.

And there are other Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Raw available.

Note: Since you are using this to top dress your dog's food for variety and not as the whole diet, you can use either one of these formulas even for large/giant or Great Dane puppies. Just use in reasonable amounts so you are not adding too many calories during growth stages.

Honest Kitchen Amounts for Puppies:

  • 8-10 weeks - 1 Tablespoon
  • 11-16 weeks 3-4-Tablespoons
  • 4 - 6 mo 1/4 cup
  • 7 - 8 mo 1/2
  • 9 mo - adult 1/2 - 1 cup daily

HOW I MIX MY DOG FOOD

  • Put kibble in a bowl and divide the supplements between morning and evening feeding..say the Filling N The Wholes and DMG in AM and the rest at night..it really does not matter what ever fits your schedule.

I add my supplements in the AM just because it is easier to do it all at once. I make gravy of tepid temp water and canned meat and add the OxEDropsto this mixture.Top dress with a little fruit or veggie or the Honest Kitchen mixture at least with one meal a day. I tend to use my evening meal for the Honest Kitchen- just for variety.

WATER ON KIBBLE - Puppies 8-10 weeks use 1/8 - 1/4 cup water + 1-2 tablespoons canned meat. You want the food moist but not floating and sloppy. For older puppies and adults I will use 1/2 cup of water per meal along with my canned meat. If the stools are loose back off on the water the next meal and see if that tightens them up before you take them off to the vet. Only do this for 2 meals..if it has not tightened up there are parasites or coccidia or giardia, or perhaps something else so do not wait to get them check out.

 

 

Water On Food:
Commercial foods need to be fed with moisture so dogs don't over consume water after a meal, and so the kibble does not pull moisture from the dogs system in order to break down properly. Use "tepid" temperature water never hot or warm and never soak your food as it breaks down and destroys nutrients. Mix up and feed immediately. I use approximately 1/2 cups of water for adults per each meal.

Drinking Water:
It is very important to NEVER withhold water from your dog. This can lead to over consumption and bladder infections. Use common sense, do not let them drink excessively after exercise or dinner. Like a horse, let them cool down and then drink. I have found if I have water available in several places, they never overdo it since they know it is available to them when they need it. That way they drink less amounts of water, but more frequently.

Withholding water for fear of bloat is a myth. Stress is the cause and bloat/torsion is the response. It is much more complicated that simply saying water is the cause of bloat.

(See my article on Bloat and Torsion for details) (See On My Soapbox)


 

 

Section C - Support Information - Required Reading

Read this: Does My Vet Understand Nutrition?

Vaccines

There are several articles and photos of vaccine reactions at this website. You need to know how to prevent vaccine reactions, because vaccine reactions in some breeds will kill your dog in a slow agonizing death known as Immune Mediated Response, which is always misdiagnosed as HOD. So, here is info:

Prevention of Vaccine Reactions

The AAHA recommended schedule for vaccination

Dr. Jean Dodd's Vaccine Protocols

Vaccine Reaction Photographs


Special Alert - Antibiotic Reactions in Great Danes and Other Breeds.

Sulfonamide Antibiotics
Based on information gained from the National Bone Survey, I do not recommend using Sulfonamide* antibiotics to my puppy buyers because these drugs can cause serious side-effects like sloughing of skin and internal bleeding and HOD-like symptoms including;fever, aching joints, swollen joints, lack of mobility, depression and anorexia. The following antibiotics are sulfonamides.

  • Ditrim
  • Primor
  • Tribrissin
  • Bactrim
  • TMZ
  • TMP/SDZ

Another commonly used, potentially troublesome antibiotics is Cephalexin (Keflex, Cefa-Tabs). This can also produces the same symptoms as HOD (fever,swollen/hot joints, immobility, anorexia) even in adult dogs. I will use Chephalexin, but with a watchful eye and if the dog starts acting lethargic and achy, we stop the antibiotic, since they are sensitive to it. Call the vet for an alternative antibiotic and make sure you are using a good Probiotic product to keep the digestive tract functioning properly.

I will not use Sulfonamides drugs on my dogs. A reaction can happen from 24 hours - 2 weeks of being on an antibiotic. If there is a reaction, my vet recommends Dexamethsone/Azium and discontinue use or antibiotic.

* Research references on Sulfonamides


Special Alert - Other Breeds:

For Collie/Sheltie/Aussie and Sighthound Owners (could effect some Great Danes)

For those people who own Collies, Shelties, Sighthounds, Aussies, Border Collies, any breeds with Collie background or mixed breeds with any of these dogs in them, it is critical that you know there are certain medications your dogs CAN'T take. Do not leave it up to your vet to know this..YOU must print this out and know it - it is a matter of life or death.

These dogs have a sensitivity to Ivermectin (Heartguard Heartworm medication. Only use Interceptor heart worm preventative. Other related drugs you can not use on these breeds or there will be neurological damage.
Other related drugs you can NOT use:

Metronidazole (which is used for diarrhea and giardia)
Flagyl
Torbutol
Butorphanol
Morphine
Acepromazine
Ivermectin - Heart Guard

There are many different types of drugs that have been reported to cause problems in Collies, ranging from over-the-counter antidiarrheal agents like Imodium® to antiparasitic and chemotherapy agents. It is likely this list will grow to include more drugs as our research progresses.

Drugs that have been documented, or are strongly suspected to cause problems in dogs with the MDR1 mutation:

Ivermectin (antiparasitic agent)
Loperamide (Imodium®; over-the-counter antidiarrheal agent)
Doxorubicin (anticancer agent)
Vincristine (anticancer agent)
Vinblastine (anticancer agent)
Cyclosporin (immunosuppressive agent)
Digoxin (heart drug)
Acepromazine (tranquilizer)
Butorphanol (pain control)
Potential Problem Drugs

The following drugs may potentially cause problems when given to dogs that have the mutation. Biochemical studies have shown that this gene has the potential to act on over 50 different drugs.

Ondansetron
Domperidone
Paclitaxel
Mitoxantrone
Etoposide
Rifampicin
Quinidine

Morphine

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory
PO Box 2280
Pullman, WA 99165-2280
(Phone/FAX 509-335-3745)
VCPL@vetmed.wsu.edu

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/


Additional Support For The Adult Dog:

 

Go here for Spay and Neuter information
Go here for leaky bladder information
Go here for anal gland problems

 

Go here: For other articles that pertain to Adult Dog Care

 

I hope that you find this program helpful. This is a life long program and one that is used by the top breeders in this country with many years of success. This program is not to be use instead of veterinarian care, diagnosis or treatment.


 

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