Coconut oil for dog's skin?

dturm wrote:
Just a quick note.

Lance Armstrong's steroids were Anabolic Steroids not what we're talking about (glucocorticoids)and has no bearing on this discussion.

While inappropriate use of glucocorticoids can and do cause problems, in 37 years of practice in NEVER encountered a single case of long term problems with a single or two steroid treatments for seasonal allergy (two to four months), even given over the lifetime of the animal. I'm not saying it can't happen, but the threat and risk vs rewards needs to realistically evaluated.

There are many different approaches to deal with these problems, anyone who has had an animal that is literally tearing themselves apart sees the need for immediate relief. The other approaches may be a good idea for long term control, but there isn't too much better for immediate relief.

Doug, DVM

Giving the time you are in practice I will assume you are my age. In the last 10 years the allergy problem in pets has been much worse. Let's just say that these dogs are younger, 5-7 years. Theses dogs are on the newer yearly vaccination protocol, and are fed cheap or Chinese ingredient foods. If their immune systems are already comprimised then there isn't much you can do for them other than put them on an all natural diet, stop anymore vaccinating (use titers) and give them steroids. But, if you have a young dog that has already been minimally vaccinated and you stop all vaccinations and feed a raw diet, then that dog will not be difficult to cure of allergies and disease. My GSD was 18 months, had all his vaccinations and had cannon butt diarrhea for 5 months. He weighed half of his optimal weight and lost most of his coat. My vet was stymied. His cure was antibiotics and steroids, didn't work. I also had a 14y/o poodle that had daily seizures. After switching to raw his stool firmed up within two weeks, his hair grew back and he has been healthy since. My old Hannah's seizures stopped after about a month ( something we never expected) and she lived to be 16. I think if she were fed raw from a pup she would have lived much longer. The only time I visit my vet is for heartworm tests. My vet is very pleased at how beautiful and healthy Harley is, but still wants to give him vaccinations. I have a 1 y/o yorkie that is fed raw and gets Blue if he wants. He has had his core vaccines and rabies, he will get no more. So, we will see how well my minimally vaccinated, raw fed dogs do compared to kibble fed, over vaccinated dogs do?