For the last two weeks, we have been treating Oz for secondary bacterial and fungal infections related to his allergies. We are happy to report that he is feeling and acting like his old self again.
The vet prescribed both antibiotic and antifungal medication to get Oz well again. Thankfully, he did not need to be on any steroid medication to reduce swelling or itching. The round of antibiotic will be completed soon but he needs to stay on the antifungal a bit longer, as fungal infections can be sneaky and pop back up again.
We hate to have Oz on so much medication but for this illness we really had no choice since he had infections in both ears and on other areas of his body. I have been researching to find a way to build up his immune system in hopes of minimizing future allergic reactions and much of my reading has been on Herbal medicine/supplements.
So much of how we look at disease and illness in Western culture is in isolation from the rest of the body with the goal being a cure to remove or suppress the symptoms. That is definitely what the new CADI injection does for a dog’s allergies – it just blocks the itch so a dog won’t scratch but does nothing about treating the actual allergy.
On the other paw, Eastern medicine looks at the body as a whole in order to determine the deeper underlying cause of a disease or illness. It then uses Herbs to strengthen and boost the body’s systems to help it heal itself.
Since Oz is still on medication, I thought it may not hurt to start adding an herbal supplement to his diet. I wanted the supplement to include herbs that can help with allergies and building up his immune system, herbs like:
Astragalus – one of the most popular herbs in the traditional Chinese medicine system that is used to treat upper respiratory infections as well as to increase energy and strengthen the immune system;
Echinacea – another herb popular for treating colds and flu but that is also considered a great immune system booster;
Fo-Ti – also known as He Shou Wu, has historically been used to treat eczema, better known as atopic dermatitis which is part of Oz’s allergy; and
Licorice Root – an herb that has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which has been used to treat hay fever and other allergic responses.
There are so many herbs and many are used for several different things, it all seemed so overwhelming. In my research, I finally did find an herbal supplement that included the above herbs (plus even more beneficial herbs) from a brand I trust. We have started Oz on Dr. Harvey’s E-Mune Boost once a day as an additive to his food.
Will the herbal supplements help boost Oz’s immune system so his body has less of a reaction to allergens? I don’t know but for this dog mom it is worth a try.
Do you give your dog herbal supplements?
