[tanala]

Hello everybody!

I am new to this forum and a first time dog owner. I am so glad that I found this forum, because I have a couple of questions that I want to share with you. Perhaps someone has had similar problems and or tips for me.

First of all: I have adopted a one year old female maltese poodle mix from a friend. The dog wasn't treated well at all. She was fed from the table (no proper dog food) and wasn't walked on the leash at all.
After adopting the dog, we have now trained her to walk on the leash, which wasn't a problem at all, and she is now also eating her dog food.

After 6 weeks now, the vet has diagnosed that our maltipoo has a yeast infection in both ears. He gave us Otomax to treat the infection.

My question: I have researched, that besides the medication of course, an ear infection can also be healed by simple food changes.

Has anyone heard about that before, and if yes, what food changes can you recommend?

I am currently feeding her the dog food Candidae. Yet, I would like to mix it up and make it a bit more interesting for my dog. I do, once in a while, mix a little bit of tuna or scrambled eggs (without salt etc.) in the food.
Are there any suggestions for further food variation in general, and in particular according to the yeast infection in her ear?

Thank you all so much in advance!

[Chewpiesmom]

Hi there!
First of all, congrats on adopting your little girl! I too adopted a female maltese that was in pretty bad condition - its amazing how fast they can turn around and be happy and healthy again!
Unless there are other problems that your dog is experiencing like "paw dining" or chewing on their paws, excessive itching of ears or tummy, I don't think you need to be concerned about allergies. I would definitely keep an eye on her in case she starts to really itch. Another sign of allergies are inflamed eyes.
I'm surprised that your vet didn't prescribe oral antibiotics - it might be something to look into. Its usually a once a day tablet that your dog would take for 7-10 days - it really kicks the yeast infection's butt!
As far as "mixing it up" for your dog, is your dog eating normally? If so, then I would refer you to the old saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."Dog food has the nutrients and such that your dog needs, so its not necessary to add to their diet. (refer to your vet if you are concerned that they are not getting vitamins/nutrients) Introducing new foods to your dog can cause diarrhea and upset stomach, so stick with the dog food unless you notice her not eating at all. That would be when you might want to look into using another food or consult with your vet!
Good luck!

[Spencer&Wesley]

Congratulations on your new love!

It's so wonderful that you want to do the absolute best for her.

I use Malacetic Otic Solution. It's wonderful for the ears and can also be used on the skin. It's anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. I order it from EntirelyPets.com - Discount Pet Meds Pet Supplies Plus Pet Medicine Pet Medications. I clean ears once a week.

Canidae is an excellent food, but in order to prevent ear infections and an overrun of yeast in the body, you must not feed yeast. That includes brewer's yeast, vinegar, and sugars from fruits and vegetables. Some plant foods also contribute to yeast.

Many people believe that all starches should be avoided. That includes rice, potatoes, yams, peas, and sugar-producing veges like carrots. When feeding a commercial diet, you just can't make kibble without a binding starch. The safest is brown rice. Look into California Natural. It only has one protein and rice and is nutritionally complete.

A raw or homecooked diet is the best since you can control everything. You must add calcium according to the amount of meat consumed, (I make my own eggshell calcium), a superior multivitamin/mineral/enzyme formula, (I use Thorne Basic Canine Nutrients), and Omega 3 supplement (I use organic refined salmon oil-all heavy metals like mercury have been removed). I use extra virgin olive oil, also.

To learn more about raw or homecooked:
natural homemade dog and cat food recipe.I LOVE DOGS! Introduction - raw meat diet for pets. or just do a search.

To learn more about anti-yeast diets:
YEAST INFECTIONS IN DOGS - Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia

Supplementing kibble is a good idea. Health is achieved through variety. I use the recommended vegetables steamed and pureed in a blender, and add fresh parsley, zucchini, celery, and dandelion which helps detox the system. I use canned in water sardines and mackerel. My boys get cooked eggs 3-3 times a week. Otherwise, no dairy. Dogs lack the enzyme needed to digest lactose.

Keep ear hair trimmed. I do not pluck it. Give ears fresh air and cool temps.

Some common allergens to avoid in food or treats: corn, wheat, soy, lecithin, yeast.

My boys had several ear infections when they were younger and lots of itching. After allergy testing and negative results, I switched to raw and home-cooked, I avoid taking them out on high-mold and pollen days, and use natural and homeopathic measures, and the results have been excellent.

Remember, raw feeding and home-cooking is not difficult, but you must educate yourself first. There are safety measures and guidelines to adhere to.

Your baby may just have an ear infection that will clear, but it is good to learn everything you can about canine health and nutrition.

I've listed my opinion and experience, and I believe that nothing is really "right or wrong", whatever works for you and your furry love. Just some things to consider, and the best of luck and health to you and yours.

Suzanne and My Boys