DOGGIE EAR GUNK – DETOXING

By Thursday, November 2, 2017 13 No tags Permalink

With the massive amount of doggie ear gunk we’ve been dealing with recently, I thought it was only appropriate to share an earful (#punintended) on our detoxing progress…

DOGGIE EAR GUNK - DETOXING

It was mid/late September when a major life-style change was implemented.

I transitioned the Boys to a more species appropriate diet – an air dried alternative to feeding raw.

The Boys adjusted instantly, no stomach or bowel issues at all. I like the ingredients, the process, AND the benefits.

Due to the toxins which have accumulated in their system over the years, the body is now ridding itself from them all.

DETOXIFY –

means to rid of poisons or the effects of poison. Poison is defined as any substance that has an inherent tendency to destroy life or impair health. Pesticides, chemicals, devitalized food and vaccinations all set up toxic situations in the system. The body must rid itself of these poisons. We see symptoms of detoxification with vomiting, diarrhea, bad breath, itchy skin, draining eyes and ears, and cysts and tumors, to name a few. After your animals start eating fresh foods, their bodies will detoxify because they now have the nutrients to build healthy systems and no longer will have the need to suppress disease. You will notice it more with some animals than with others. Detoxification can start immediately or it may take days, weeks or months before the animal’s body is healthy enough to detoxify. Source: Sirius Dog

If you remember, this all began because we were loosing the environmental allergen battle once we relocated to SC. My happy place was making my dog miserable.

While Harley was my main focus in finding a natural “alternative” way to beat this beast, Jaxson’s allergy symptoms were mild in comparison.

Ear infections – Jaxson’s only nemesis. They reoccurred regularly until we switched to ZIWI Peak. Those first two weeks I found myself cleaning his ears daily using an all natural ear wipe. Then the waxy build-up stopped and his ears have been great ever since. Every once in a while he’ll scratch behind his ears, but when I check there’s nothing there. #doodleful

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART –

Harley on the other hand is a totally different Doodle.

DOGGIE EAR GUNK - DETOXING

His allergies started as soon as we unpacked the last box. At first we thought – temporary, then we tried to convince ourselves – seasonal – LOL

There really isn’t but one season here in Charleston #lovelyweather

Pawhaps this is why it’s taking him longer to “get-right.”

We haven’t had to deal with vomiting, diarrhea or bad breath #thankthedoodle But what we’ve  NOT had to deal with, we’ve made up for it in other ways.

Like – body odor! #sweetbabyJesus

We’re bathing like a human now. I’m lathering him up in natural, homeopathic, medicated shampoo and leave in conditioner all the time! Yet a few hours later the “funkadoodle” returns.

This Dood can clear an entire room! –

Usually the body will detoxify through areas that are already diseased. For instance, dogs who have skin problems will detoxify through the skin. The itching and body odors sometimes get worse at first because the system initially heals internally and releases the toxins or poisons through the skin. Source: Sirius Dog

Giving him a bath seems to relieve the discomfort. Bacteria builds up on the skin and causes the itchiness (like when we’re hot and sweaty). Even though it can be time consuming, I’m on board with constant bathing. This won’t can’t last forever.

TEXT BOOK CASE –

The good in all of this, is that he’s a text book case of what TO expect from a dog that is actually detoxing. #blessed

But the bad in all of this is that he’s a text book case. #cursed

It’s important (to me) to share the good the bad and the very ugly when I write, especially when we’re talking about the health of our pups. Someone may read this and help me, or not feel so alone. Or maybe it’s cheaper than me seeing a therapist 🙂

Whatever the reason, here are three recent photos of Harley’s ear…

Just last Friday he had a bath and his ears were cleaned. These photos were taken Tuesday, Wednesday morning, and then Wednesday evening of THIS week.

Thursday morning when I checked them, they were looking better, still a little waxy but clear of the “ear gunk” you see in these photos.

Thursday evening –

the gunk was back in town #thecircleoflifegunk

LOOKING FOR THE LIGHT –

They say there’s a light at the end of every tunnel. Since we’re in week seven, I’m squinting as I search for a glimpse of said light.

However, both Boys are active as ever, happy, and affectionate as always. I have no regrets. I trust my research, my vet, my Raw Feeding Guru and my instincts.

This weekend I’m headed to the store for more grape seed oil to clean and lubricate ears. #adoodlemomsworld

There’s nothing I won’t do for…

#youfeelme?

Dogs ask for so little – but deserve so much ❤️

 

13 Comments
  • Peggy
    November 3, 2017

    Just one thought. Harley doesn’t have any problem with beef, does he? We had a Nutrascan done on our big guy and pretty much the only meats he can eat are lamb and beef. I find, though, hamburger is great, but steak and roast not. I have no idea why. I was feeding the Ziwi Peak lamb mixed in with the their Zignature, and by the time I got to the third bag, it wasn’t working so well for our male. Tummy ache every morning. No eat breakfast. I gave up after a couple weeks. I get the not eating breakfast, but normal is about once a week, not every day. I’m thinking that because the food is raw, it may be a problem similiar to the steak and roast compared to the hamburger. That is a guess!! So a 2# bag went in the trash and the 5# is still here while I think. The two 1# bags caused no problem. Just figures. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      November 3, 2017

      Thanks Peggy – Beef has not been a problem in the past. It’s poultry that I’ve been concerned about. I believe the worst is behind us – still monitoring closely. He’s not showing any signs of illness so we will continue. It’s hard, but I’m on it! Take care, and thanks so much for stopping by.

  • Emma
    November 3, 2017

    Wow, you do have a lot of trust as 7 weeks is quite a long time. How long do you expect this to last? Hope it does go as planned and they eventually get back to “normal” feeling without the issues of allergies and detox.

    • Cathy Bennett
      November 3, 2017

      So far Emma, he’s been pretty text book (just on the extreme side unfortunately). He’s doing better. We’ll keep you posted.

  • Ana @ HappyJackRussell
    November 3, 2017

    I’m no veterinarian but these, no matter what you’ve read, aren’t normal symptoms of detox. The article to which you linked is very suspect and you should ask for opinions from different expert veterinarians and pet nutritionists. It may well be that your darlings react to any part of their new diet or cosmetics that you started to apply.

    • Cathy Bennett
      November 3, 2017

      Hey Ana – I have done all of the above. Harley’s symptoms are unfortunately common. He’s been struggling with allergies and medication for two years. I anticipate improvement – but I am monitoring closely. The ears are greasy and waxy, but clean up easily. His body is attempting to push all those wastes and toxins outwards. I do believe the worst is behind us! Thanks so much for stopping by – I’ll keep you posted!

  • Monika & Sam
    November 3, 2017

    Yikes, that is a lot of detoxification. Fingers and paws crossed the light is just around the ear, er bend.

    • Cathy Bennett
      November 3, 2017

      I think we’re coming down the mountain now Monika – Seeing a holistic vet also.

  • Lindsay
    November 3, 2017

    Yowzers. Hopefully soon enough this will all be behind you.

    xoxoxo

  • Shadow and Ducky's Mom
    November 4, 2017

    Goodness, poor Harley has been through – and put you and the Doodledad through – a lot with his ears! Bless him! I hope this is the end of the end and not the end of the beginning! I remember when poor Callie was suffering from ear infections by the dozens. We gradually changed her food as well as constantly cleaned out and medicated her ears and it worked. By the time she was 10, she had been infection-free for about 5 years. Thankfully, neither Shadow nor Ducky have had ear infections. Shadow’s ears get a little dirty now and then, but a quick, gentle wipe cleans them nicely.

    • Cathy Bennett
      November 12, 2017

      Two days after I posted this – his ears cleared up. Now he just stinks like a goat LOL – but he’s happy, eating well, playing and sleeping hard. We’re determined to continue until all the toxins are gone. Jaxson is doing well, minimal symptoms in comparison. That’s wonderful news about Callie – gives me additional hope! Thanks for sharing. This is how we learn more about taking care of our pets. Take care girlfriend.

  • Kimberly Gauthier
    November 8, 2017

    I’m lucky. Our dogs didn’t have any of the detox symptoms – that I noticed – but I have heard from many other people who have changed (aka improved) their dogs’ diet and had a hell of a detox as the body rid itself of years of medication and other things used to treat the dog in the past.

    Although I switched Rodrigo and Sydney to raw in April 2013, it wasn’t until fall of 2014 that I saw a light at the end of the tunnel to Rodrigo’s gut issues. And it wasn’t until earlier this year that I learned that he needed a pancreas supplement and not just a regular digestive supplement.

    It’s all trial and error.

    I too went to several vets and a couple of nutritionists to learn more about my dog’s health and what I could do to help him.

    Sydney is the one who had ear issues and they come up once a year, usually in the spring (environmental allergies) but they’re easy to resolve. Not like your pup at all. I mist her ear and canal really well with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water (50/50), allow it to sit for 5 minutes. She shakes her head and then I wipe her ears out with a soft tissue. I then massage the ear with a mixture of coconut oil and this product called Animal Scents by Young Living that I get from her veterinarian. Just a little bit goes a long way.

    If Harley’s ears continue to be a problem here and there, after the detox, maybe this method will help.

    Of course, I’m also not a nutritionist or veterinarian 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      November 12, 2017

      It is a process. I’m noticing that one or two days there’s gunk in the ears. Then one or two days the goat smell comes back. I’m learning how to deal with it. Overall, he’s bouncy, full of energy for an almost 9 year old (where did the time go?) and so I persevere! As you stated there’s years of toxin’s and poisons in his system, so I can’t expect it to cleanse overnight. Jaxson’s teeth look A-mazing and his ears are picture perfect – so I know he’s doing well. I’ve had Harley’s hair cut short over the weekend. This way his skin can breathe a little better, but most importantly, I can place him in the tub daily if necessary rinse him off good and apply his natural ice relief leave in conditioner that always gives him relief. With the short hair – he dries quickly and goes about his business. Takes me about 15 minutes. He appreciates it and he’s worth it. we will get through this – and probably throw a party LOL