Allergies/Yeast/Skin/Ears/Bacterial Infections

in Pets

By Cat Donnelly, Pet Nutritional Consultant, AlternativePets.com

When we refer to allergies, most of the time, we are actually talking about a systemic yeast infection. If we address the yeast issue, we can either greatly lessen, or perhaps entirely eradicate the allergy problem. Yeast infection causes many other health problems as well, so an anti-yeast regimen can be a positive thing to do for the body.

Yeasts are single cell organisms primarily found on the internal and external moist and mucal linings of all living things, along with billions of friendly germs. This is why you find yeast in the digestive tract and other moist areas like the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, anus, etc. Yeasts are also known to live along creases of the body, like armpits, and in noserolls and other wrinkly areas of some breeds of dog. Candida albicans is in your pet's saliva, possibly causing oral hygiene problems as well.

In an anti-yeast regimen, we seek to push yeast out of the body rather than suppressing the symptoms caused by it. Pets with arthritis, especially diabetics, may also have yeast in their joints, causing inflammation and pain.

One troublesome family of yeasts called Candida albicans live in your pet's body, and primarily thrive on blood glucose resulting mostly from digested carbohydrates. Yeast toxins affect your pet's immune, nervous, and endocrine systems. Since these systems are all connected, yeast toxins play a major role in causing ear, vaginal, bladder and other infections, as well as allergies and many other health problems. Things that greatly promote yeast overgrowth are poor diet, as well as the use of steroids or anti-biotics.

Pets with systemic yeast infections have become an increasingly more common problem. Many owners have visited several veterinarians and spent as much as thousands of dollars on treatments over time, without positive results. Traditional treatment may involve repeated rounds of suppressive anti-biotics and/or steroids, many times only to have the problem return at the end of the treatments because these therapies can actually cause yeast overgrowth. In most of the cases, the vet had ruled out a yeast infection or had not checked for one, but, if the owner began a holistic anti-yeast regimen, the pet showed improvement.

When your pet's immune system is weak, the yeast can colonize, causing toxins that further disable the immune system and prevent it from functioning properly. When the immune system cannot control the yeast, the body develops a state of dis-ease, causing a host of health problems like the ones below.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF SYSTEMIC YEAST INFECTION (note: your pet may not have all or even many of these symptoms because yeast can affect each animal a little differently):

ALLERGIES: Nearly Every Type of Allergic Reaction, including food allergies/sensitivities, environmental sensitivities/ Asthma, severe itching or skin rashes, hives or other skin eruptions, Rectal Itching, Clogged Sinuses/runny nose/ Persistent Cough

DIGESTIVE Disturbances: Bloating/ Flatulence/Constipation/ Diarrhea/ Irritable Bowel Syndrome Hypoglycemia Reaction/Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, Mucus in the Stool

EARS: Chronic Ear Mites/Ear Infections/ Scratching at the Ears/Reddened area inside the Ears

Depression/ Insomnia/Fatigue/ Dizziness
Muscle and Joint Pain (Stiff Joints/Arthritis)
White-Coated Tongue
Brittle Nails
Chronic Infections of any sort from ears to vaginitis
Infertility
Greasy Skin, Foul Odor from the Body or Ears
Cloudy eyes or discharge from the Eyes, Ears or Nose
Cancer
Immune Disorders
Demodectic Mange/Demodex
Oral Hygiene problems such as plaque, tarter and gingivitis

The symptoms listed above could be caused by other things, therefore, we recommend that you have your pet checked by a Veterinarian to rule out anemia and other diseases. If these problems are ruled out, your pet may be suffering from a systemic yeast infection. Some experts believe that yeast can exist and be a contributing factor in some diseases, so it can sometimes be advisable to do a yeast detox anyway. When in doubt, seek the advice of a good holistic veterinarian like the ones listed at AltVetMed.com

Treating A Yeast Infection Naturally -- How To Get Started

The program outlined below are general guidelines to follow. Each pet is an individual and has it's own particular needs. Therefore, I highly recommend a nutritional consultation before beginning the program.

1. Diet -- Change The Diet To An Anti-Yeast Diet.

An anti-yeast diet will help starve the yeast and aid in the healing process, however, in most cases diet alone will not cure the problem. Once your pet's health improves you may be able to expand on what you feed him. For yeasty pets, I strongly recommend looking into the grainless BARF diet. See Kymythy Schultze's book for information on feeding raw foods.

Good Anti-Yeast (low-glycemic) Foods:

Vegetables: asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, celery, collard greens, cucumbers, eggplant, kale, parsley, romaine lettuce, summer squash, spinach.
Meats: Beef, duck, chicken, fish, rabbit, turkey, deer, Cornish hen, lamb.

Beverages: water, kefir in moderation

Foods to AVOID that can promote yeast overgrowth:

Anything sweet -- sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup, corn syrup, dextrose, Sorbital
Dairy: Buttermilk, Cheeses, Cottage cheese
Root Veggies: Carrots (cooked), Sweet Potatoes, turnips, beets, potatoes and yams
Packaged & processed foods and treats /Packaged cereal
Crackers, bread, Pretzels
Flour enriched with vitamins from yeast
Mushrooms
Peanuts
Vitamin/minerals from yeast source
Yeast breads
Cured meats: sausage, ham, Lunch meats, bacon, Corn beef, Smoked turkey
Sauces, gravies

Especially Avoid Dry Dog/Cat foods or treats containing:
Any by-product or by-product meal (i.e., Poultry by-product meal)
Corn syrup, Sugar or other sweeteners
Caramel coloring, artificial coloring

GRAINS: Rice flour or rice gluten, Wheat or wheat gluten, corn or Corn gluten, or any grains like barley, oats, white rice, brown rice, etc. Refined flours are the worst, wheat is also a favorite of yeast.
Supplemental yeast

COOKED DIET:

Below is a simple crockpot recipe for those who do not embrace feeding a raw diet:

Meat n' Veggies

1. 1 family pack of chicken thighs (Remove chicken skin on half of the pieces and discard.), or about 1 ½ lbs. Of another meat
2. 2 bouillon cubes
3. 2 cloves garlic
4. 2 cups water
5. 1 bag fresh or frozen vegetable (use one vegetable at a time, and rotate what is used)

In crockpot place meat, garlic and water. Cook on LOW until the chicken is completely cooked (if also feeding to your family--can be undercooked if it's only for the dogs). Add vegetables. Stir and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes. Cool, remove the bones. At mealtime, add your choice of supplementation before serving.

Refrigerate for no more than 6 days -- then discard.

Many pet owners do not have the time to prepare meals for their pet. You can feed some select, high quality dry foods and still get the problem under control, however, it will take longer. If you are feeding a kibble, one food that I have found works better than most in combating a yeast infection is Flint River Ranch's Lamb Millet and Rice kibble. This can be ordered by calling (909) 682-5048 and telling them you were referred by distributor AK 53 (Cat Donnelly). If you have a hard time getting through, I would be glad to place your order for you.

In my opinion, it is extremely important to feed your pet several small meals a day. When you feed a pet once a day you may make your pet feel irritable and dizzy due to dangerous highs and lows in blood glucose, which can cause health problems. Pets need to eat as we do -- breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a light snack before bedtime. If pet owners did this, I believe we would see a substantial decline in many diet related health problems. I will outline an ideal feeding schedule, however, you need to work this out with your schedule and your convenience.

7:00 a.m. or when you get up: Dry food or homemade diet.
11:00 a.m. Light snack: Fruit, *vegetable or **yogurt.
3:00 p.m. Light snack: Fruit, vegetable or yogurt.
7:00 p.m. Dinner: Dry food or homemade diet.
Before bed: Light snack: Fruit, vegetable or yogurt.

*Do not feed fruits and vegetables together in one meal.

**I highly recommend Brown Cow or Stoneyfield Farm yogurt (www.stoneyfield.com), or other yogurt not loaded with sweeteners like Dannon is. Most health food stores have excellent yogurts to choose from if you have one in your area.

2. Supplementing is a Must in Treating Yeast/Bacterial/Fungi/Mites/Ear infections:

When you give your pet antibiotics, it can wipe out most of the friendly germs in their body which allows yeasts to multiply. Since yeast are not harmed by these antibiotics, they take this opportunity to colonize and thrive in moist, dark, warm places, such as the mouth, intestines, ears, anus, and nose. When yeasts multiply, they produce a toxin which circulates through your pet's body, drains them of energy and makes them sick.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Supplements that help eradicate yeast overgrowth:

Yeast & Fungal Detox

Most anti-yeast regimens need this natural anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-yeast liquid. It helps the body eliminate Candida overgrowth, vaginal infection, fungal infections and ringworm. This tincture would be diluted and given 3-4 times a day. 1 drop is used per 5 lbs. of body weight. LG breed dogs should buy at least 2 bottles to start the regimen.

Ingredients: Fresh Spilanthes Leaf & Root, Grape Root, Juniper Berry, Usnea Lichen and Myrrh Gum.

Mega Pet Daily capsules, or Nupro Liver Flavored Powder, or K&R Ultra Tabs, Yeast Free

Yeast-free vitamin supplements containing vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It aids in supporting the immune system during the yeast process. NOTE: The vitamin used MUST be Yeast Free for this anti-yeast regimen (Nutritional Yeast and Brewer's Yeast).

Vita E

A new study published in the Lancet journal reports that an increased intake of vitamin E reduced levels of an allergy-related antibody. For allergy sufferers, additional Vit E may be wise.

Probiotics:

Since most pets fighting systemic yeast do need pro-biotics, we recommend the addition of supplemental lactobacillus/acidophilus. Since dairy (because lactose turns into a sugar in the body) is not good in an anti-yeast diet, the use of kefir and yogurt should be kept in moderation, and lactobacillus/acidophilus supplementation is recommended. Many folks see substantial improvement with the addition of bovine colostrum which repairs the lower digestive tract.

MaxiDerm Essential Fatty Acids

Studies show that the addition of essential fatty acids may be helpful when combating allergies. Since we equate most allergies with systemic yeast, we surmise that essential fatty acids may be helpful in fighting yeast. At the very least, it is good for repairing the skin and coat and may help fortify some of the internal organs.

Oxyfresh Oral Hygiene Solution

Pets battling chronic oral hygiene problems may see a benefit in using this product. You add some to your pet's water daily, and can also spritz it directly on teeth and gums. To order, go to oxyfreshww.com, and note the referring distributor # 180606370.

Nature's Finest Herbal Wormer or Holistic Animal Care's Herbal Wormer

Worms can thrive in a yeast-ridden body and cause an infestation. We therefore recommend a herbal dewormer to clear the body of excess worms.

TOPICAL TREATMENTS TO RELIEVE ITCHINESS:

Ear Relief Wash and Dry kit

Yeast infection often causes ear infections and discharge. If this is a problem, I recommend Ear Relief Wash and Dry. This product provides fast relief for pet's ears that itch, smell or look raw, red, sore or greasy. Also helps prevent swimmers ear and wax buildup.

Dermaplex Shampoo

This shampoo is a natural anti-bacterial agent specifically made for pets suffering from yeast and bacterial infections. It exfoliates dead skin, promotes formation of new skin cells, and also helps control itching.

Ingredients Include: Salicylic Acid, Vitamin A, Pennyroyal, Aloe Vera (and is Tar and Sulfur FREE).
Rejuva Spray and Rejuva Gel
These items can be used as spot treatments for severely affected areas of your pet's body.

HEALING CRISIS:

As mentioned in numerous holistic health books, your pet may go through what is called a "healing crisis." This involved the sometimes increase in not only the symptomology but also severity of already existing symptoms for a short amount of time, like 24 - 48 hours. This is the body's way to drive the dis-ease outward, and is usually a very good sign. The pet would usually emerge dramatically better at it's conclusion. If, however, symptoms are acute or prolonged, you should see your veterinarian right away.

CONCLUSION:

Pets may show a response to treatment within a month, some take several months, even up to a year or longer. The length of the treatment program seems proportional to the dedication of the owner, and is also dependent on how long the pet has been sick, and how badly they were affected. If the owner gives the remedies sporadically or less than recommended, gives antibiotics or steroids during the treatment program, or feeds low quality treats and pet foods, the problem hangs on and longer treatment is needed. Treatment can be very effective if the owner remains persistent with the required regimen.

A yeast infection can be very frustrating and an ailment that can take a lot of commitment on the part of the owner. However, when the program is complete and the yeast under control, owners report a healthier, happier lifestyle for the pet and family.

If you need further help, I offer a free consultation. A consultation will include a personalized diet and holistic program suggestions, all custom-tailored to your pet's personal needs. This is particularly imperative in pets with complicated health issues, or if you've done a lot of outside reading and have conflicting information. Please feel free to contact me about your pet anytime.

The preceeding program is a healthful recommendation and not a substitute for good veterinary care. Please feel free to contact Cat Donnelly with any questions you may have.

Cat Donnelly
Pet Nutritional Consultant, Alternative Pets
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Where Your Pet's Health is Naturally Our Primary Concern
Email: naturalpetfoods@aol.com
Phone: 479-643-3026
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