Need natural remedy for dog - his mouth is constantly on some part of his body?

Question

He is almost always biting, licking, scratching at some part of himself. He gets the Hartz 4-in-1 flea/tick drops for prevention. He's been on antibiotics multiple times for bacteria in his ear - now he's deaf. They also thought he was depressed (we were in a rural area at the time and he's a city dog.) We got him from a shelter 6 years ago, and he was licking himself (like ocd) while he was there. He's part shepherd so he's more prone to ear infections. His ears stink tremendously. Do we need to take him to a homeopathic vet, or: Isn't there some natural remedy to help him and us?!! Thanks in advance.

Forgot to add a few things - all hardwood floors here, he goes to the dogpark/walks daily, we did move back to a city (but not nyc, which is where he's from. he was bored like crazy in the country). He does seem balanced/happy to others and is social. He does get his ears cleaned (we use diluted tea tree) and gets baths with dr bronner's lavender (all natural).

Thanks SO MUCH for all your answers!! I will look into nixing the Hartz right away, and we'll decide on a homeopathic vet. I really want to check into the food allergy possibility, as well as the all-over skin issue.

Answer 1

First off, Hartz isn't very effective at fighting off fleas and has been linked to some serious problems in dogs and cats. I recommend front line and advantage (I only use them when I actually see a flea or tick on my girls). Treat your yards and his bedding with diamectous earth (spelling is probaly horrid) as that helps keep fleas away. Also either feed him a food with some garlic already in it, or add a half a clove (under 15 lbs) to a clove (over 15 pounds) of garlic to his food every day (this amount is safe according to Dr. Robert Goldsteins book - Dr. Goldstein is a very respected holistic veterinarian).

Look at his food. Try to find one that doesn't use any form of corn, wheat, or soy (not even gluten). Start off with one that is a single protein source and prefer single grain. This way you can start to figure out if he's allergic to something. Also, make sure the food has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. I like Natural Balance and Blue Buffalo foods. If you begin to think grains are the source of his problem, try a food like EVO that is grain free.

I do strongly recommend using a integrative vet. They combine holistic and conventional treatments to take care of pets.

A playmate may help him as well. Especially if he's a little older (another middle aged to older dog may help lift his spirits). It really helped my old girl, Lady. Vet gave her 6 months to live because of severe heartworm disease. We got her a companion and she lived another 3. She died at the ripe old age of 14 (40 lb lab mix that lived in the back yard most of her life).

I personally like Buddy Wash shampoos and conditioners by cloud star. They are coconut based shampoos and they add things like mint extracts or tea tree oil to the formula and I think it really feels good to my girls when I use it on them. I get it at Petco, but you may find them at whole food stores.

Answer 2

First of all, stop with the Hartz 4 in one. Many of the OTC flea/tick remedies are extremely irritating to the skin. Second: Have you have skin scrapes/ dermatological testing done on his skin? Many dogs with chronic ear infections actually have a chronic skin infection that also attacks the ears. If he has an underlying infection (such as staph or yeast) typical antibiotics may not treat it. A combined therapy of oral meds, injectable meds, baths, and sprays may be necessary to cure an issue. Another source of chronic skin/ear issues are food allergies...these can take a while to sort out. Seasonal allergies also affect dogs too...and the symptoms are not like those in humans, but in skin/ ear issues. Don't blame the breed for the ears- I had a part shepherd dog for almost 20 years and he never had an ear infection. If your vet is not skilled in dermatology, try a specialist. Many vets are becoming more specialized (like human doctors) and there may be a specialty practice or vet school in your area. This may require MUCH dedication and hard work...skin issues take a long time to figure out and a long time to get under control....the results will be worth it in the end!

Answer 3

How about before turning to a homeopathic vet you try a normal vet first? This does sound like a fairly standard problem - it's most likely fleas. Hartz does not work AT ALL, as you now know, so before worrying about trying specialised thingys, try some Frontline first!!

Check to see if he's still got fleas - comb him with a flea comb, look for flea dirts (poos) - black specks - on him.

Why must it be a homepathic vet, just out of interest? There's no getting around it; fleas need CHEMICALS, not natural remedies, because they're tough little b*stards. Also FYO, NO store-bought flea treatment works, it's not just Hartz. Though Hartz is the most infamous one, in America anyway.

Chalice

Answer 4

WHEW - it sounds like "ALLERGIES". Our golden retriever has had ear infections, hot spots, and chewing/biting a lot. We changed his dry food (don't feed him any canned foods) to Natural Choice, Lamb and Rice. That helps tremendously. He has such horrible hot spots that I didn't see underneath on his belly that were red and raw about a year ago. I used Gold Bond powder on them and it help so much to rid of it.

Your poor baby sounds like he has another (or both ears) ear infection. If the ears stink, they are probably infected. It seem almost frustrating to find answers to the problems, huh?

All I can say is this **thank God he got you rather than someone else that wouldn't care one bit about his problems**. My husband told me this when we lost our mommy golden retriever and her son, less than one year of each other. He said, "I can't help but think that there is a golden retriever out there that really NEEDS US". We got Pilot 2 years ago, and it's been a blessing! He still has allergies, but not nearly as bad.

His biting, licking, scratching may be due to environment. We had the same thing. We removed our rugs from our whole downstairs, and he hasn't had a hot spot since!! It could be grass, it could be pollen, it could be insecticide. There are different allergy alerts in the summer compared to the winter. I highly recommend you stop with the present treatment you are using. I hear it is not a good choice. You might want to look into that comment. See about using another that might be less irritating.

I hope you continue to aid your baby without ever giving up. He is so blessed to have you. I also hope you find some answers and relief for him. Never give up. =)

Answer 5

He might be allergic to something. Have your vet check him for an allergy. Has he had his ears cleaned? It is possible that there may a foreign object in his ear. Also, if there is any water/fluid in his ears, then that would cause a less than pleasant smell. Perhaps you should change the flea/tick treatment and see if another brand might help. Maybe use a treatment that controls mites and lice as well. As for a natural remedy, I'm not sure of any.
I hope this is of some use to you.

Answer 6

d/c the Hartz, not the best choice. OTC flea and tick prevention can be more irritating and actually can cause serious illness in pets. I would also try to bath regularly in and oatmeal and aloe shampoo. He can also take benedryl up to three times daily, 1mg for every pound he weighs. Many dogs can be allergic to their enviironment or food and require a natural diet or injections daily to control allergies. I would attempt to have your dog allergy tested.

Answer 7

as for his ears, when a dogs ears smell it's sure sign of infection. and if you have a homeopathic vet near you than you should take advantage of that! For the chewing and licking he could be allergic to something that's causing dermatitis, try "Veterinarian's Best .. Hot Spot Itch Relief" it comes in a spray and foam .. but is not a permanent solution just a quick fix until you get to a vet to give him some relief .. hope it helps

Answer 8

Your dog is probably allergic to his food. Alot of dogs are allergic to corn. Black dogs are particularly prone to skin problems. You need to change his food. If he was getting enough exercise (or had a playmate to play with and exercise with) he wouldn't be depressed. Do you take him on walks? Even if you live in a rural area and own alot of land that doesn't mean he's getting enough exercise, if a dog just lays around it doesn't matter whether he has a small hard or acres - you need to walk him. He probably is depressed if he itches constantly and has no companion. Please check the ingredients of his food for corn. Try feeding him boiled chicken and rice for a week - than start him on a good holistic food - or just continue the chicken and rice with a good multi-vitamin.

Answer 9

You should find a new vet. You should not be using any of the Hartz products, they are killing pets. You should go to a good vet and get the problems with your dog cleared up.
You need to make sure you are feeding a good quality dog food and giving your dog plenty of clean fresh water.

Answer 10

Get some cortisone tablets for him, it will stop the itching.