Comments on Your Dog's Itchy Skin Update: Still #1 Dog Sickness

I have a 6.5 yr old Dogue De Bordeaux who was diagnosed as hypothyroid at 1 yr old after his one and only rabies shot was at 7 months .His early symptoms before he was put on soloxine were skin issues , red leathery, itchy, sudden unpredictable aggression, greasy smelly coat . he was a mess. He has not received a shot since. It has not been a problem since I had a pet sitter come into the house when I went away. My problem is that I now find that I am going to have to board him because I can’t find a pet sitter who will handle a 147lb dog. I have found a kennel that does not care about the regular vaccines but insists on a rabies shot or positive titer. Since Fla is an exemption state, they will accept that but haven’t found a vet who will write me one. He was titered in 2012 and it came back as inadequate <0.1IU/mL. It took about 2 years of working with a homeopath, no flea & tick or heartworm for his skin to clear up completely. Now his temperament is wonderful his skin and coat are great. He still has a few issues but am working on them with a homeopath. He has always been feed raw. I don’t want to have to vaccinate him because I fear he will not survive It. He has been having short play dates with a pup, who just received his first rabies vaccine, in the hopes that it will help increases his titers.
I was just told by a very well known vet that "There is no way to improve his circulating rabies titer. So, you need to find a veterinarian that would agree to write an exemption. However, there is no legitimate reason for any veterinarian doing that because being hypothyroid and taking thyroid therapy is not sufficient reason to exempt him". what are your thoughts?

Dr. Will:
Thank you for the Apoquel Alternatives download! I have some questions:
1. Is Nygard truly safe and ok to put on your carpets? Hot do you apply to carpet?
2. You don't mention diatomaceous earth. Are you against it and in favor or borates?
3. What do you recommend for flea bite dermatitis rash that already exists? I am not having any luck with the typical products I use: Vets Best Waterless Dog Bath (which has neem, aloe, vit. e), witch hazel, collidal silver
4. My vet has discouraged me from using medicated shampoos or salves saying it is best not to use antibacterials as it drives the infection inward. Thoughts?
5. Regarding Transfer Factor: My dog had immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in 2009. Can Transfer Factor over-stimulate the immune system causing it to turn on itself and perhaps cause IMT again?

What do you think about
Allercept immunotherapy drops? My miniature schnauzer has been on it for over a year. It helped at first, now nothing. I'm beginning to think it was just a coincidence.
Thanks doc!

They are like Nazis where I live, going after people who DONT get vaccinations each year.. It is as bad or worse as they treat people . Luckily I live rural from the city, and they might not come there. If so my pets were moved out of state, or something.
unbelievable... I KNOW that in the 1960's-70's and prior, vet medicine was waaaay different than today.
They KNEW that ONE set of vaccinations would last a life time. BUT in the 1970's they became concerned that no one would become a vet if the incomes of vets did not improve...
I BELIEVE that is the bottom line of this type of constant 'treatment' , vaccinations, et al..
Think for yourselves with researched info, and experience , watching how things change over the years in most areas, its all about money.. use discernment, or talk to someone older.
best wishes with your choices.
Thanks for your info and support DR!

I am due to have my new puppy a English Cocker Spanuel on Friday,
I live in the UK and have been looking at the vaccine dilemma for my pup. What would you do if this was your dog I have read to vaccinate at
16 weeks once as this gives better protection than a younger dog and not to have annual shots.
Also is there a risk of acquiring disease from her sister my brother is having and is going to start vaccinating at 8 weeks. I have read newly vaccinated children can pass on measles to unvaccinated children.

Hi Dr. Will. I have a gorgeous Jack Russell who has never had a vaccine but she has this dermatitis of the ears. Ive spent a fortune trying to get to the bottom of this problem - homeopathy, dietary changes, herbs, antibiotics, steroids - you name it, I've tried it. Poor thing. IF its one thing that I put it down to, it was reluctantly using oral flea control on her recommended by a vet to control 'flea mites' - the first ever visit to the vets.. ever since i used that product her 'allergy' has gotten worse and worse.. (I kick myself for taking this advice!!) Im at my wits end because now all we can use to control her breakouts is a pharmaceutical spray in her ears and topical flea control... neither is ideal. She's still so young and I don't want to continue using these products on her for the rest of her life. Can you make any recommendations?

My poor little Maltipoo, was over vaccinated, as one who has always had large dogs, did not know anything about the vaccine scam. My dog now has 2 forms of anemia, and a heart condition, and the horrible scratching itching, allergies, etc. I have seen him almost die at least 7 times , but by God's grace he is still with us, although the conventional vets sent us home many times with a death sentence. I researched, got him on Algae, and Hawthorne Tincture, and heart supplements, and now at 10, he is still giving me heck, (happily) every day! The one thing it has not helped much is with the itching. I also use natural Diatomaceous Earth for flea protection, which I know dries out his skin. Thanks for being such a kind ,tireless ,loving animal advocate. God Bless you Dr. Falconer !!

My little guy is 3 1/2 and 16 pounds. The first 6 months of his life he was in rescue and fighting for his life. He is a distemper survivor. He had initial vaccines, antibiotics and a drug in trials from the FDA.
Once he became mine at 8 months, he was done with vaccines; he eats a raw diet (Small Batch Dog Food/beef) and is under the care of my holistic vet.
He struggled to get healthy. I spent thousands at the ER. Each visit he got more antibiotics. (Digestive issues were the culprit. Once he almost died from hemorraghic gastroenteritis (so?)
I am trying to get his itching under control. He lives most of the year wearing the 'cone of shame.' Blood tests revealed he is allergic to most of the grass and trees in LA. He gets an allergy shot every 3 weeks.
If you have any advice, I'm open to it.

I have a kitten about 3 weeks old that got lost from it's mother when just a few days old. He was well cared for when he was found. He has been on kitten formula with colostrum now he is on KMR. What I would like to know is what to feed him when he is weaned and what the timing of weaning him should be. Also, I do not plan to get him vaccinated. (We had a dog we lost early this year who had horrible skin issues that worsened with age and vaccinations.) Thank you for your help.

Dear Dr.
My pomeranian, Dusty has not been vaccinated since he was 4 years old, and he is 12 1/2 now. However, he experiences terrible allergies to flea bites. I am beside myself trying to control fleas with natural means, and trying to keep him from getting bit even once. One bite is all it takes to set off a 4-6 week skin rash that spreads all over. We live in a very very heavy flea area in Oregon. Is there anything at all that can help subdue his reaction to flea bites? (I ask that because no matter what I do, he still gets bitten occasionally.) He is taking Standard Process Antronex to help with histamine response, but it really does not help. Thank you so much.

Took my drooling, non eating 12 year cat into the vet recently to rule out an acute need to act immediately diagnosis. Doc had no clue why this was happening but he wanted to inject her with an antibiotic, send us on our way and "oh, I see she has not been vaccinated." Me, "Yes she has been vaccinated as a kitten. ( before I knew better) I am not vaccinating her while she is sick or on any other day." See you later Dr. White Coat. Went home, called Homeopath and within the week she was better. Sorry for the sarcasm but I paid $65.00 to Dr. White Coat for nothing. He got scratched trying to look into her mouth. We need a serious overhaul of the current practices and services.

Beware: know that the fresh meat you feed your dog may have antibiotics and growth hormones feed to the cattle to make them worth more. Look for meat from an independent cattleman who can vouch for the natural level or Whole Foods meat market who have 4 levels of beef. I bought into the vaccines this past winter from a new vet before learning about Dr. Will. Now we are paying the price with daily cool baths, careful food, and nightly massages by me. Windy, our Yorkie 7.4Lbs., is improving but why or why did I feel so weak and give into these "protective" shots. Likewise, we don't put chemicals into our bodies unless no alternative. Stand up for our pets like "Legally Blond 2" and Broozer.

Only vaccine my dog gets is the rabies one (reluctantly, since I know immunity lasts much longer than 3 years, but it's the dumb misinformed law) He was vaccinated up the kazoo in shelter before he was rescued and will not get any more of those. I went to a conventional vet once, just once- even seeing he had had these, they were pushing for "boosters" in a year. I informed them that I was not going to be a client, that I was only using a holistic-oriented vet from then on, bye!
Where I live they passed an ordinance requiring proof of parvo vaccine- well, since he had the vaccine before I got him, I have that paper stating so and I know my vet (and any true holistic vet) will back that up. Even so, I was asked "Well, when does it expire?" It doesn't, fools! State law supersedes municipal law and they might be violating state law by pushing something stupid like this.
My dog ONLY began being bothered by fleas after his last rabies shot in 2015. Coincidence? I think not. No, I don't use toxic pesticides on him. This year I haven't noticed many or been bitten. Raw diet, no pesticides, we're as good as we can get.

I've been an advocate of stopping the vaccination insanity in our state. We lost, but we aren't giving up. Humans develop autoimmune diseases at increasing rates and thyroid disorders are skyrocketing as well as the grains have increased in the standard American diet. Gluten is mistaken for thyroid antibodies by the body, and the immune system sets out to destroy the thyroid. I assume canines have Hashimoto's auto immunity or something similar, considering the huge amount of grain being used in today's average dog food? CC in CA

Sorry for the typos (damn auto correct) but it's frustrating. I could just tell them to quit emailing me I suppose, I don't intend to use the vet in the future, even tho he's right around the corner. I am on a waiting list for a combo vet (half holistic supposedly) that is miles away from me. Will try her if I can ever get to see her.

Yes. Just recently I received another email reminder that my dog is overdue now for her annual vaccinations! And set an appointment ASAP. Thanks they try to get me to set up a password and go to where they will explainwhat it's so important for my dogs health to get these vaccines. I just ignore the damn email. They better not call me!

Great article...again!! The reply are also very helpful and validating when we consider the walls we run into trying to stay on the natural path. Staying under the radar is mostly easy but once in a while you hit that brick. Anyway, I wanted to say too that my 12 year old lab who had her first set of puppy shots then one ONE rabbies vaccine at age 5 (previous owner had to cross the boarder) Since then she has suffered with itchy skin, recently hot spots, and new multiple mammary tumours. The rest of her life has been lived clean: no pesticides, no Dr. Whitecoat drugs, eats raw. Those vaccines are so harmful.
We are working to get the correct remedy and undo at least some if not all of this damage, reinstate balance and vital health so she can be comfortable in her remaining years.

I will be the first to say that the rabies vaccine is the "sleaziest" of them all! Mind you, I don't vaccinate at all. No drugs, heart worm antibiotics of any kind. Even the one surgery we had to have, I worked side by side with my holistic vet and she got no antibiotics during or after surgery. I supported her immune system with many things and she came out a champ.
My dog is now 9 years old and has had skin problems ever since she was 2 years old. We wised up at about age 2 and ever since she has improved leaps and bounds. The rabies shot almost killed my dog, huge toxic overload.
I have declared her dead with the state (on paper) because in order for her to be registered she has to have a rabies vaccine. I won't do it, I would rather have a healthy living dog rather than a piece of paper and tag of licensing. It has been a battle but one worth taking for the beautiful dog I now have. Most vets to this day do not understand the importance of "whole body" and how toxic the things they recommend are...right down to the food!

I having been experiencing troubles with my 4 1/2 year old girl in respect to her skin. She got a hot spot a few years ago and this year, same thing. She is always scratching too. I can't touch her back without inducing a scratching fit. I am manipulating her diet but I have always bought good grade foot, even grain free. She had had the raw diet too. I haven't given them the flea/ tick treatment this year because thru haven't been in contact with other dogs and no hiking. I am perplexed and want to get an allergy test but just a visit to the visit costs nearly $200. We and twice this year for hot spots already. Luckily my fiancé and I have noticed early signs and he is really good with hair clippers. What should I do? I want to get her back to normal. She's did get a round of vaccines and I told my vet I didn't want to overvaccinate and she assured me that I wasn't.

I own three dogs, two are on a commercial raw diet and my youngest is on homemade raw diet because of allergies when he was young. Still after several years of being fine, two weeks ago he had some kind of allergic reaction to the soil outside from being too wet. Took care of that with vinegar and water, calendula cream. Now, he is not chewing at his feet everything is gone, but when I tried to use an e-collar so he would not chew at his feet his lips swollen. This is not a consultation since the subject above was about vaccinations I just want it to ask are you suggesting not to vaccinate anything including rabies? Because my dogs have not have a vaccine since puppyhood except for rabies every 3 years because it is the law in Maryland where we live. We do agility and rabies certificates are required in a lot of places were you go. For other diseases we titer every year.