Treat HOT SPOTS Naturally!

I’ve had a lot of people asking me what to do about their dogs’ hot spots lately…

First… what is a hot spot?
According to PetMD it is “anything that irritates the skin and causes a dog to scratch or lick himself can start a hot spot. Hot spots can be caused by allergic reactions, insect, mite or flea bites, poor grooming, underlying ear or skin infections and constant licking and chewing prompted by stress or boredom.”

Did you know they can even get them from the toxic chemicals we use in our homes? (Laundry detergent, especially dryer sheets, all-purpose cleaner, air fresheners, etc.)

Ace gets mild ones on his stomach from some unknown allergy and Lemongrass products have worked great to clear them up!

Here’s what I do…

1. Clean the area (I love our Citrus & Tea Tree Prebiotic Soap for this)

2. Spray with Prebiotic Facial Mist to improve and restore skin and create an environment where the good bacteria eliminate the bad, disease producing, bacteria

3. Apply Organic Skin & Nail Balm. This stuff is very soothing and will help protect as the skin heals. It’s scent free so they’re not as likely to lick it off and it’s chemical free so it won’t harm them if they do!

All of these products are available through the links, on my website at www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/8604, or just contact me, I can have them shipped to your door!

Lemongrass Spa products are made for humans but have too many uses to count. Since there are no chemicals they’re safe for dogs too!

Give the natural approach a try for your dog’s health!

BTW… the picture below is Ace’s latest hot spot healing (day 3) with this treatment! He doesn’t get them nearly as frequently now and I don’t have to give him Benadryl!

 

Dogs Have Arthritis Too

Fall is here, and with it comes cooler weather and plenty of rain (especially if you’re in Columbia, SC where we are)! This can be a great time of year, perfect for outdoor walks and hikes with your canine companions. It’s also the time of year that many of us start having problems with arthritis. Your pups share in this pain too!

Canine arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, doesn’t just affect senior dogs. Take it from me, my Ace has suffered from it since he was less than a year old. Canine arthritis most commonly occurs from overuse, genetic issues, or age. Think about how active our pups are. They run, jump, swim, and play… hard!!! All of this activity can cause the cartilage in the joints to wear down, eventually exposing bone and causing pain and inflammation.

How will you know if your dog is suffering from conditions such as arthritis?

With Ace I first noticed that he sat very slowly during training. This got progressively worse. For a while I thought he was just being a stubborn pittie, then I noticed an occasional small limp. I wondered if it hurt him to sit so I started watching closer. He began to develop a funny walk (or gait). I was afraid that he may have been developing hip dysplasia. He couldn’t get up on my bed like he used to. It got so bad that he fell trying to make it up the three stairs to my back door. I had to lift his back end to help him in. That’s when I panicked and got him in to the vet! His hips are fine but his knees are in bad shape.

I recommend taking your dog to the vet if you see signs such as stiffness, swelling, lack of energy or willingness to play, trouble jumping or climbing stairs, and more. They can do X-rays and other tests to rule out other health issues and properly diagnose the problems.

What can you do to help? 

You’ll want to carefully manage your dog’s weight and nutritional intake. Follow your vet’s advice on the amount of exercise that’s appropriate. In severe cases they may need some rest and then gradually work back in regular walks. And of course, there are plenty of expensive pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs that you can give your dog.

Personally, I don’t want my pup on long term pain meds. I know how harmful they can be. Instead, I take the natural approach with Ace. Regular massage, acupressure, and supplements can help manage your pup’s pain. At Well-Pup, we’ll work together with you, the owner, and even your vet to design a treatment plan to meet your dog’s individual needs.  Canine massage treatments are often cheaper and more effective than pain meds alone.

Take it from Ace… Canine Massage Therapy treatments from Well-Pup can get your dog moving and loving life again!

Contact us today to book your appointment!

Check out our website for more info… www.wellpup.com.

Your feedback is appreciated!!!

Since this blog is new I’d like to find out what you want to read.