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Crowe
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May 02, 2014

Jesse's skin does NOT like apple cider vinegar!

Thought we'd try the apple cider vinegar trick for Jesse's allergic reaction. Did 3 parts water, 1 part vinegar, sprayed it on a small area and his skin turned red and broke out almost immediately. So much for that! Benadryl, wiping him down with a damp cloth and betadine (iodine) washes seem to be keep the reactions somewhat at bay, but he's starting to itch more. If he's not better by Monday at the suggestion of our vet and Dr. Doug's comments we will try Apoquel.

8 Replies

  • The cider vinegar treatment works best when applied to a wet coat, not directly to dry skin.

    Every dog bath at our place, except for the very rare appearance in a conformation dog show, ends with a special rinse. 1 part apple cider vinegar, 1 part brewed green tea (cooled), to 4 parts distilled water. It's the final rinse after the shampoo is out but coat and skin are still fully wet. Immediately towel and then blow dry. I've had dogs with sensitive skin before, had lots of allergy sufferers, but never had a problem. It does help with the itchies. So long as you get the dog thoroughly dry, no sweet pickle smell!
  • Yes and used motor oil used to be the "cure" for mange. I guess it worked sometimes but it gives me the shivers.
  • Pawz4me wrote:
    I've never felt that vinegar is anything near the "cure-all" that so many people seem to believe. Anytime anyone mentions it for this thing or the other thing I tend to mentally roll my eyes.

    Old-timers used to rub their dogs with Kerosene/Turpentine to get rid of fleas. Killed the fleas, alright-sometimes the dog, too!
  • I'm always skeptical about stuff like that too, but SIL has used it on one of her labs with great success. Called the vet to get Apoquel but due to unexpected high demand there won't be a supply until mid-2015. They produced what they thought would last 3 year and it only lasted weeks. Taking one more trip to the vet's office but not my regular vet. Kickin' it old school to one of the owners who's been a vet for 35 years and may have a better plan. I love my regular vet but she sometimes gets stuck on one train of thought and you can't get her off of it.
  • I've never felt that vinegar is anything near the "cure-all" that so many people seem to believe. Anytime anyone mentions it for this thing or the other thing I tend to mentally roll my eyes.
  • Apple cider vinegar is acidic. Not good for sensitive skin. It will kill and remove warts on humans at full strength.