hi have submitted problems with my bassett and things are getting worse- I have been back to the vet with this list of problems twice now and keepo getting charged loads of money with no results- can anyone suggest any herbal remedies that I can use to treat her myself as I have lost all faith in vets and feel that I just increase their bank balances
she has no contact with other dogs yet her skin is becoming very itchy- I bath her once a week and she keeps chewing her skin on her legs that are getting very sore
she also has become very incontinent and has lost some weight
she has a cough and she sicks bile up
her eyes are very mucky too
I wonder whether she has picked something up from the garden as we get alot of foxes and badgers where we live
any advice would be appreciated thankyou

I use herbal remedies for many minor problems myself but this dog sounds far too unwell to be treated in this way to me.  I think you should seek a second veterinary opinion.  Ask your vet to recommend someone with expertise in skin conditions, in my experience vets are happy to admit defeat :)  Her other symptoms are very worrying too and should not go without veterinary attention.  I think you have to remember that it is against the law not to seek veterinary help if suffering is involved which I think would be the case here so even if you prefer a natural route it would have to be under a qualified veterinary.

I THINK THAT I AM AWARE OF THE LAW BUT ASKED THE FORUM FOR ADVISE NOT SARCY THREATS. I LOVE MY DOG AND AM DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO HELP HER
IN FACT SINCE I HAVE TREATED HER MY SELF SHE IS MUCH BETTER AND HER SKIN PROBLEM HAS IMPROVED IT TURNED OUT TO BE HER FOOD WHICH I CHANGED

My comments where neither sarcy or a threat, I find on the internet a lot of people are unaware of the laws regarding home remedies and consulting veterinary advise, I thought advise regarding a specialist vet would be helpful and I am not at all sure why you are being prickly about it.  I am glad changing food has improved her condition, has it helped the incontinence and coughing?

Supertramp,

You listed quite a number of ailments from which your dog was suffering and stated that you'd lost all faith in vets and had decided to treat your dog yourself - in the circumstances I don't think Isabel's reply was in any way inappropriate and certainly not threatening   Members can only respond to the info provided and your initial post reads as you having a dog that is in severe need of immediate veterinary attention for multiple problems likely to be causing it discomfort and distress :rolleyes:

Like anyone would be I'm glad your dog is improving on a change of diet but can't help wondering how such a simple measure has also cleared up incontinence   Perhaps instead of attacking those good enough to reply to your request for advice you could share this elusive wonder diet with the rest of us?

Also a simple thank you to the others who took time to offer advice wouldn't go amiss.
Regards, Teri    

Hi Supertramp,
Check out the website http://www.first4pets.co.uk as they have excellent herbal/natural remedies for all kinds of conditions. 

They have an excellent cross reference page at

http://www.first4pets.co.uk/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?pg=condition_product_xref

http://www.first4pets.co.uk/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?pg=yeastinfectiontreatment may also help.

I've used Antioxidant Treats with great success and have started to use Oxy-Drops.

Best Regards,  Dave.

Hi
Without seeing the dog it is very hard to tell anything, what has your vet tried and what worked slightly and what not at all.
I would definately ask your vet to do a full allergy test before offering any further treatments as it does sound like an allergic reaction, which could be contact or food related, you need to know what it is to avoid it.
The cough could be fur irritating the throat as she is liking herself and the eyes sounds like a hayfever type symptom common in contact allergies, as is the feed, leg and stomach  itching.

If it is an allergy i would expect steriods to help with the itching in the short term.

Sharon

Why don't you ask to be referred to a homeopathic vet.