For all you dog lovers out there.

Hey guys. 

Just thought I could share this little thing I've learnt, experienced and etc, during my work at Animal Recovery Veterinary Centre (Balestier) . 

***Please note that all these are based on MY own judgement of daily works, experience and understanding. ARVC is not held liable or responsible for this blog entry***

So just last night, I met my ex colleague - Keong. [ Ok, her name is Pei En, but that's her surname, which I have always shouted across the consult rooms and down the stairways in the morning greeting her in my loudest and most annoying voice ever. She is single, and bloody awesome.]

We were at nex, purchasing dog food for my dogs and I noticed something that irritated the shit out of me. 

You see, having worked at a Clinic, where I was constantly answering enquiries and dispensing drugs to clients whose pets have skin allergies, skin problems - flaky, itchy, red, you name it they get it. They come back time and time again, to get hormone pills, anti itch pills, medicated shampoo for their dogs over and over again. Sometimes I see those dogs balding, patches of fur here and there, so poor thing. You imagine, they step out of the house, walking on the street and see other shiny coated furs, and they feel...

The reason is simple. - YOU ARE THE CAUSE TO THE ITCHINESS OF YOUR PUPPIES/DOGS. 

(ok, I give you benefit of doubt, except for SOME cases, but majority of the itchiness is caused by you!)

Guilty as charged, before I started working at the clinic, I was like everybody else, introducing treats - chocolate (dog) - biscuits, milk products, bread (lots of breads), grapes, raisin, chicken (killer), rice (tons of it) and etc etc. I  was considered as the worse owners of all time (I believe), when I was working at the clinic. 

DOG FACTS

Skin allergies can take up through many forms. 

1. It could be due to allergic reaction to a certain type of protein.

Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to several protein. Some can't take eggs, some can't take chicken and etc. Can you imagine yourself to be itching and scratching all the time? If you don't like it, so does your dog!

If you ever step into ANY pet clinic, they would tell you that CHICKEN is the killer to all dog's skin. Why? Our chickens are no longer growing in nice big farms where they can "pok pok pok" around. They now live in a A4 Size Cage, injected with hormones pills to make them grow faster and fatter, to cater to the living population across the world. Don't believe me? Go read up on the articles. [ If I didn't recall wrongly, I ever saw a video on Oprah! about their living condition, 6 chicken, 1 a4 size cage]

http://student.calumet.purdue.edu/~bennetam/2200%20webtext_files/image051.jpg

Ok, that aside, coming back to the Chicken part, because of those injected hormones, they actually would mess up our natural hormones, it may not change immediately, but it would definitely create a certain "mess" after prolonged consumption - e.g eating it EVERYDAY.

2. New product that you have recently changed

This is another reason why some of your dogs are chewing their paws, or scratching their backs more often. Sometimes, the sudden itch/ excessive licking that your pets are experiencing could be because of the new floor detergent that you're using. Some dogs' skin are just more sensitive than us humans. 

For example, last time, some stupid person, told me that it is good to bathe the dog with Dettol.

I did try that out, I mixed one cap with about 2L of water to bathe my dog's feet and the inflamed areas

listen to me peeps -- DETTOL IS FOR THE FLOOR, FOR HUMANS. NOT PETS. [ tried and tested]

There are of course other floor cleansing agents out there, which you have recently used for your household. So if after a week or two, and you start to notice your dog itching. Then you better stop using that bottle of detergent.

3. It could be a hereditary problem!

Yes that can happen too. Like some of us, our hair turn grey faster than our peers. Same for our woofies. They may have just inherited or have unbalanced hormones that causes skin irritation. This one, definitely would have to consult the doctor. But all I can say is, you can always find out what are the cause or the things that makes the allergy worse!

4. The food that your dog is taking (refer to point 1)

These are the must avoid food that you should abide! 

• CHICKEN (skin itchiness)
• Grapes, Onions, Garlic, Chocolate ( Liver Failure)
• Commercialised Canned Food (preservatives & weird weird chemical content, harmful to the liver and kidney)
• Oranges, Durian, Mango (heaty and phlegm)
• Do not mix different proteins together. STICK TO ONE.
• No treats, No diary products! (some dogs can be diary intolerant)
• Skip processed food as much as you can.

The doctors would usually recommend their prescription diet. But I tell you, only one - which I will reveal if you ask me. 

This is what you can do, to ease your dog from the itchiness!

• Always choose to cook instead of feeding through the packaging. 
• A simple meal can include boiled carrots, potatoes, pork/beef/mutton and a slice of papaya.
• Give baby carrot, or celery sticks as a form of treats. Apples also can (but wash the skin k, a lot of pesticide on it)

If you have yet to know, papaya are high in anti-cancer properties. And probably the cheapest at the market. Easily found and purchasable.

nom nom nom

we love our fruits!!

Always give fruits fruits fruits and more fruits! No fruits are harmful, except those that I have stated above. But excessive amount of vitamins would be flushed away by the body naturally. Unless your dog has diabetes, then of course, fruits would be harmful. Please input some common sense here. 

5. Change that shampoo you're using right now!

Always buy shampoo that claims that it has OATS in it, it is suppose to make their fur smoother and to reduce the irritation caused by their allergies and etc. Seriously, best if you can find non-parfum ones, so it is better and less sensitive for their skin. Otherwise, you can drop by at the clinic to pick up the milder version of the medicated shampoo. It is always ok to just bathe your dog with plain water. Unless your dog has scabies or any other major skin problem, then use those medicated shampoo. Use when necessary.

Never use commercialise perfumes for your dogs. They won't be stinky if you maintain good hygiene for them. If you want shiny coats, buy them Flax Oil (which has lots of omega-3).

Remember to always dry your pet after he/she has showered.

6. Always keep their areas clean!

That's right, clean hygienic places are the right way to go. You wouldn't want to be sleeping in a place full of dirts and grime right? Make sure they are not moisty or damp, cause thats where bacterial LOVES to breathe.

Alrights, so these are my 2 cents advice thus far. Hope it helps you and your pup! (:

xx

VLV