If you’re a pet owner with a dog suffering from eczema, you will be all too familiar with that incessant sound of scratching and the awful distress caused by this skin condition.  Nobody wants to see their dog furiously scratching, day in and day out, it is distressing for them AND for you!  In this blog we are going to look at a holistic approach to this commonly experienced skin condition in our dogs, so that we can finally get our pooches cleared up and happy again.

Understanding Canine Eczema

Understanding the symptoms and causes of eczema in dogs is the first step to restoring your pet's happiness.  The sight of your beloved pet in such discomfort can be daunting, but rest assured, help is at hand.

Eczema manifests itself in two ways: as a wet, moist discharge or dry, flaky, inflamed patches of skin. What makes it tricky is that it's rarely just one thing causing the problem. It's more like a perfect storm of factors including genetics, environment, diet, stress, gut dysbiosis, Omega oil deficiency, and sometimes even the weather can play a role.  

About that omega oil deficiency

Our dogs need Omega oil in their diets, but which ones are best, and safest to use?  Here are 3 of the oils we recommend for your dog:

-            green lipped mussel oil which contains EPA that controls inflammation in our dogs.  It lowers the body’s release of Omega 6 fatty acid which drives the inflammation and pain response in your dog.  Green lipped mussels are also sustainably farmed here in New Zealand.

-            Next on this list is ahiflower oil.  New on the scene, this oil is from a plant whose seeds produce high amounts of SDA (stearidonic acid) which helps the body produce DHA and EPA.  This plant is also a sustainable source of oil.

-            Lastly, we have hempseed oil.  Not to be confused with CBD oil, hempseed oil is a nutritional oil that provides the perfect balance between the omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids.

-            Also, if you can source it, shrimp oil, is another good option

More on the environment

Our pets, just like us, are exposed to a multitude of chemicals every day - from flea treatments and dog shampoos to chemical sprays and even the food they eat. These substances can gradually weaken their immune system and disrupt their gut flora, leading to conditions like Leaky Gut and Gut Dysbiosis, often manifesting as eczema.

The root cause here being inflammation leading to Leaky Gut and altered immunity and then THESE factors adding to that, lead to the perfect storm where you ‘see’ eczema as the result.  Your dog's immune system then overreacts to environmental allergens like pollen, dust mites, or certain foods, resulting in that familiar cycle of scratching, redness, and irritation. 

Managing the environment

Before we look at how we can help your dog directly, let’s look at how we can help from the ‘environment perspective’.  Some things to consider are:

-            Air quality.  Whether it’s for your pets or for yourself, having air purifiers in your home is beneficial.  They help reduce airborne allergens which means keeping things like dust and pollen at bay!  Ask yourself how many aerosols alone do you use in your house?  This is a form of indoor air pollution – as is PCB’s, dioxins, etc.  Watch this informative video by Dr. Judy Morgan on indoor air pollution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWvQRDCtGUY

-            Bedding.  Easily forgotten, your dogs bed needs to be kept clean.  Use only fragrance free (preferable natural) laundry detergent and NO fabric softeners!  Many dogs are intolerant to synthetics now so try to source ‘natural’ fibres for their bedding if you can too.

-            Stress!  Your pets suffer from stress just like you do, and a dog suffering with eczema will only get worse in a stressful environment, so try to encourage a stress-free, loving and calm home environment.  Regular exercise also helps keep stress under control.

What do we do about it?

Now that you understand the adversary, the inflammation leading to Leaky Gut and altered immunity, it's time to fight back. Healing the microbiome, or the community of good bacteria in your dog's gut, is a crucial first step. By doing this, you’re fortifying your dog’s immune system, making it ready to take on the bad bacteria that cause skin issues.

How can you boost your dog’s immunity and ensure a healthy microbiome? Here are some strategies:

Supplementing with probiotics

Don’t overlook the power of probiotics. Probiotics help restore the balance of good bacteria in the gut, fighting off the bad bacteria.  Crucially, the substances or ‘metabolites’ MicroMed’s probiotic’s secrete benefit the immune cells of the immune system.  MicroMed’s 100% organic, non-toxic, all-natural internal probiotic spray can be a great addition to your pet's food.

Therefore, using probiotics can help support your dogs immune function and reduce allergic reactions.

Diet is the starting point

One things for sure, healthy skin starts from the inside out. Your dog's digestive system and skin health are closely connected, which is why addressing diet is often the most important first step.

‘Fresh’ meat with minimal carbohydrates in the form of ‘green’ vegetables only while the inflammation is high, provides a balanced diet and eliminates many food intolerances caused by commercial dog foods. The BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) or the PMR (Prey Model Raw) diets are both great choices for adult dogs.

Bone broth is another beneficial addition to your dogs diet as it contains collagen, minerals and amino acids that support gut healing.  You can make your own at home or find a good high-quality brand in stores.

Detoxifying your dog

This involves supporting the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system.

Supporting the immune system

Avoid environmental toxins like chemical-based shampoos, sprays, and all chemically based products - so reading labels is a REALLY good idea. Also, ensure your pet has high-quality, filtered water, a low-stress environment, and plenty of exercise and sleep.

Herbal and supplement support

Once you've addressed your dog's immunity, swapped to an anti-inflammatory diet, and ensured a balanced microbiome, you can look at additional treatments for eczema to speed up the healing process.

Topical, spray-on probiotic treatments can be the mainstay to an eczema-free dog, ensuring the health-enhancing microbes get to work to improve health from the moment they touch the skin or enter the body so don’t forget this important factor too.

There are also several natural supplements that can support your dog's journey to healthier skin.  First, we have Quercetin, often called "Nature's Benadryl”.  It is a natural antihistamine that can help reduce allergic reactions. Quercetin works even better when combined with bromelain, which enhances absorption.

Next, we have nettle leaf which has natural antihistamine properties and can be given as a tea or supplement. Nettle leaf is particularly helpful for environmental allergies due to its well-rounded nutrient density making it a wonderful superfood – add ¼ cup of brewed tea to meals if you like.

Lastly, we have Turmeric which contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound. When combined with black pepper (which enhances absorption) and a healthy fat, turmeric can help reduce systemic inflammation.  Here is a recipe for golden paste made from Turmeric:

Golden Paste

½ Cup Organic Turmeric Powder

1 ½ Freshly Ground Organic Black Pepper

¼ Cup MCT Oil

1-2 Cups of Filtered Water

Directions:

Boil half the water (save the other half for in case the mixture is too thick).  Allow to cool slightly.  Add the Turmeric powder and stir until the mixture thickens.  Add water as required so as not too thick.  When the consistency feels right add the oil and the pepper and mix.  Allow to cool, then put into a jar to keep.  Paste will keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge.

Dosage:

Small dogs: start with a pea sized amount for the first week and slowly increase it to ¼ teaspoon.  This can be given twice a day mixed in with their food.

Medium dogs: start with a pea sized amount for the first week and slowly increase to ½ teaspoon.  Also give mixed in with food twice a day.

Large Breed dogs:  start with a pea sized amount for the first week and slowly increase to ¾  teaspoon.  Give mixed in with food twice a day.

Note: Please consult your vet if you pet is on medication.

Patience and persistence through the process

Treating eczema the natural way requires patience. While conventional medications might provide quick relief, there are downsides to using drugs, natural approaches often take 6-12 weeks to show real, significant improvements. But, when they work, they provide longer-lasting results, with fewer side effects.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Reach out to Maria at sales@micromed.org.nz if you have any questions. Together, we can help your dog conquer eczema and return to a life of tail-wagging joy!