Dear Jim,

I hear you! Our two dogs have been battling incessant scratching since the fall. It's a very common problem here in the South. The vet thinks it's environmental allergies, which can only be managed with soothing baths every few days. I've been experimenting with various foods, both raw and high end one ingredient kibble, with limited success. Baths have certainly helped.

Our wonderful dog sitter recently recommended feeding ONLY Raw Rabbit (Nature's Variety) for the scratching. We're on day 3 of this and I think the dogs are indeed scratching less. She thinks the scratching and chewing is caused by food allergies, not environmental allergies. She has cured her own dogs of severe allergies/scratching after a few weeks on the raw rabbit. Raw venison is another one to try. It's supposed to take 30 days before you see results. Pricey though...

Don't give anything else to the dogs other than the rabbit or the venison if you try it.

I'll let you know how this worked out for our dogs! Fingers crossed. Good luck!

Hello Jim,

A dog's body chemistry is in constant flux and yeast will exploit a niche when the chance presents itself. While your earlier efforts may have addressed a systemic yeast issue in your dog, life happens - and things like vaccinations, a food or treat that isn't compatible with your dog's energy field, an emotionally traumatic experience - all can create a niche and an opportunity for yeast to over grow and create a problem. Yeast is not a one time thing; like the weather it is an ever changing constant. Dealing with a systemic yeast infection is like peeling an onion; you must address it in layers, removing each layer of yeast to restore health and balance to your dog. And what worked last time may not work this time - as what worked last time addressed only that layer of yeast and now another layer presents which requires different treatment. These layers - that respond to various remedies - are why it is necessary to switch up your probiotics and acidophillus supplements as too much of any one bacteria can create an imbalance [niche] for the yeast to exploit.

I like to treat yeast first with top notch groceries; I switch up brands of dog food every couple of bags when the dogs are doing well and every other day when the dogs are having issues. Forget brand loyalty - it gets you nowhere because feeding the same thing over time will fail to address the ever changing body chemistry of your dog and give the yeast the niche they need.

I next alkalize my dogs drinking water with baking soda. This alone can work wonders. I typically do baking soda water over a period of several weeks, starting out with a small dose and increasing to a working dose and then back down again.

I then may do Ted's Borax Protocol for dogs - this particularly if I am seeing yeasty ears.

I treat the exterior of my dogs with either Ted's Mange remedy, or his topical solution for yeast/staph, or a concoction of my own based on Ted's recommendations over many years. Treating the skin topically - and I typically do the entire dog vs spot treating trouble areas - helps to eliminate surface yeast and will provide about 24 hours of relief. Repeat applications may dry skin so coconut oil infused with essential oil of lavender and calendula can be used if skin gets dry; the addition of evening primrose oil to the chow am and pm can also help if skin gets dry.

Now you did mention treating the house and yard with flea treatment; this same treatment may also cause your dog to itch like the Dickens, so bathing is for sure indicated. You might try setting out a few lamp tramps at night to see if you do catch any fleas in the house or dog area. I cannot stress enough that applying any sort of flea treatment to the dog itself or the areas where your dog's skin can encounter these chemicals may cause a drop in your dog's immune response/allow a niche for yeast.

And about probiotics - it is critical to rotate them, and for sure use human grade from the refrigerated section at the health food store. Rotate between what is available. It may help to start with DDS/wFOS, PB8, or Primadophillus, but again variety is key here, so when you finish one bottle buy a different brand and so on.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/11/22/cheaper-safer-therapy-for-heartworm.aspx

Deirdre, thanks for your comment. Last year when it call cleared up I switched her to Primal, gave her turmeric, probiotics, coconut oil and she had bi-weekly baths with apple cider vinegar rinses. She cleared up and stayed clear for five months or so, then last month all the scratching came back. I changed nothing except stopped the baths, so I have started them again. I'll look into the rabbit and venison! Thanks!

Theresa...THANK YOU so much for your detailed answer. I will look into all this and I know Chloe thanks you! :) Can I send you a financial offering for your guidance?

Aww, Jim - you are a sweetheart! A financial offering is not necessary, but if you insist I prefer any compensation be directed to Ted of EC who is an inspiration to me:

https://www.earthclinic.com/donations.html

Thanks, and please keep us posted!