Animal cider vinegar with "mother" for itchy dog?

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
My sweet little chishi (chihuahua shitzu mix) has superficial pyoderma and is always itchy, even taking antibiotics and getting a medicated bath several times a week. He has one bad red spot now and I read that mixing apple cider vinegar with water and bathing him in it helps the itching. I also heard putting it on the red spot could soothe it. Anyone know if there is truth to this? He's such a good little baby. I hate to see him so itchy so much of the time. We are going to test him for allergies soon.
 

10yrsL8tr

New Member
Hi Midwest Mom. Allergies was the first thing I thought of. Did the vet say anything about baths several times a week? I would be worried about eliminating the natural oils in the dogs skin and hair with so many medicated baths.
I think vinegar is wonderful for so many things, and you must think so too. But, you can also give dogs Dyphenhydramine. (Benedryl)
If it were me, I would give her that, and bathe her a lot less. (jmo)
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
We have medicated shampoo 3 times a week. We do use allergy pills when we have to. And he is due for a complete test for allergies. Thanks...maybe I'll cut back his baths to two times a week.
 

donna723

Well-Known Member
What kind of food is he eating? A whole lot of skin problems in dogs are due to food allergies and sensitivities. One thing you can do right now is to eliminate the more common allergens from his diet and see if that helps. A lot of dogs are allergic to corn and corn in some form is in just about every grocery store brand of dry and canned foods and treats. Wheat is another very common allergen. You can find good high quality grain free foods and treats in specialty pet shops and in Tractor Supply stores. They might be a little more expensive but they're cheaper than vet bills! Mine get Taste of the Wild grain free dry food and do wonderfully well on it. There are other good grain free brands out there too but you won't find them in the grocery store or Walmart. If you can't find any of these, try one made with lamb and rice, but it's not really a high quality food. Many dogs are very sensitive to grass too, especially little dogs who are closer to the ground. I have one who will break out in welts on her feet, legs and belly from walking through the grass, especially right after it's been cut, and will bite and scratch till she bleeds. This same dog is so allergic to fleas that if she gets even one on her she will be up all night scratching and crying.
 

10yrsL8tr

New Member
Omega 3 fatty acids, like fish/fish oil has in it is very good for the skin and coat. Dog experts suggest adding a little at a time to their food to get them used to it.
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
He has actually seen my vet and a vet who was filling in for him who sometimes sees his pets patients when he is on vacation. Both called it the same thing. Must be obvious. He did have bloodwork to look for any diseases (negative) and he is due to have allergy testing. Since the test is $200, which is on the cheap side for a vet, and he lets me pay it out, I will have it done soon, but right now, this month we just moved and are down to nothing in the monetary department so we're waiting for a few months. But both vets immediately said it was superficial pyoderma. He has a borderline hypothyroid, is one thyroid medications, and to see if he has allergies...well, we have to wait for the blood test. He seems better today and I put a Packers jersey on him :) and he can't scratch his tummy today and maybe, if his allergies are environmental, less stuff rubbed his tummy on his walks today. It's a very frustrating problem.
 

amelia d

Hope outweighs experience
I have a Lab (much bigger then your itty bitty baby) who has had a host of skin issues. We have spent thousands of dollars(no lie) on testing, treating and taking her to specialists. I stopped giving her shots about a year ago (wasn't helping and very pricey) and switched her to a high quality salmon dog food(lots of good fat and no grains). I have added coconut oil as a treat (Labs eat anything) and it can be used topically. I have tried benedryl, neosporin, you name it. The food change helped the most. I use the apple cider vinegar with mother to topical areas that irritate her..it does give temporary relief. There is also a mixture that I use of peroxide, borax and water for yeast breakouts that seems pretty helpful. One site is www.earthclinic.com which offers some great home remedies that are MUCH cheaper then the allergy testing route. Good luck..it can be a frustrating process to find the right answer.
 

witzend

Well-Known Member
We spent a ton of money on Bubba for allergies, as well. Much of what they're allergic to has to do with pollens and dirts that he got into when he was outside rolling in the dirt because he was itchy. A vicious cycle of itching, rolling in what he was allergic to which made him itch, etc.

Rinsing the dust off the skin without a soap can be good enough in that case.
 

DammitJanet

Well-Known Member
I was going to suggest baking soda instead of vinegar myself. I recently had a horrible rash that was painful in some areas and itchy in others and I tried both vinegar and baking soda and the baking soda won. I used it as a paste. They also say oatmeal is good. You could try baby oatmeal and make a mix of that in water and just rinse him with that.

My big baby dog is a sensitive soul. She cant eat garbage dog food from the store or her tummy acts up and she scratches. I buy her food at Tractor Supply too.
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
Thank you, all. I am writing down all the remedies to try them. I also have his doggy shirt on (a Packers jersey...lol) and he isn't scratching as much. Maybe the shirt will protect his skin when he goes outside. I have not taken him in tall grass yesterday or today after reading t he advice. Also, he has now been on his medications for four days. In his case, his allergies cause skin infections so he does need antibiotics.

I'm going to pay careful attention to see if he gets better in the cold weather when there is less allergy stuff on the ground and in the air. My husband thinks he itches less in the cold weather. I guess this is one little doggy who is lucky to live in Wisconsin! We get plenty of cold weather :)

My doggy eats very high quality food. If he were a bigger dog, I could never afford to feed him this food, but it lasts a few months even with two small dogs. After he is allergy tested, if he is allergic to anything food-wise I will adjust his food accordingly. Right now he is eating a Salmon kibble that is just about the highest quality food at our feed store. When we add canned food, we give him Evangers Salmon, which is also very high quality. We are sort of stabbing in the dark with food until he is tested. He gets NO table food because of his problem. None. Hubby used to sneak him stuff, but he understands that he can't do this right now.
 

DammitJanet

Well-Known Member
You are probably doing well as far as the food goes. If you want to give him treats you could probably make him some yourself using canned salmon, a gluten free "flour", pumpkin, and I would add some omega oils even though salmon has them in it. Oh...thinking of that...maybe get some jojoba oil or even vitamin E oil and spritz him down.

You can make a shampoo with coconut oil and Dr Bonner's soap. You can find Dr Bonner's soap in a bar form and shred it down to make the liquid or use Kirk's Castile soap. You want to use a castile soap because it doesnt have all the icky detergent stuff in it. You can buy tea tree oil at walmart but look online to make sure its safe for dogs. I think it is. I know lemon is and I use that to keep flies and fleas away.
 

donna723

Well-Known Member
If this a very small dog, you might be able to find baby onesies that would fit for him to wear outside. Or little kids' size t-shirts. I know a lady who actually makes little t-shirts for her dog to wear outside so they're long enough to cover her belly. They need to be changed frequently and washed often because of all the pollen and grass cooties they pick up.
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
thanks, Donna. He actually has a lot of shirts. He's not THAT little...16 lbs., but he can fit into baby shirts. I tend to buy him cute dog shirts. I'm a little strange when it comes to my dogs. That's why I have a shirt that says "Crazy Dog Lady" on it :)
 
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