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Originally Posted by Groene Pionier
could you tell me the name you can't pronounce from drinking standing water? before all this started she did drink from a small source on our walks (was too late when I noticed). wht did you do with your own care plan? I would appreciate it very much!
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Leptospirosis. I believe he contracted it because his immune system was compromised by the undiagnosed Lyme's, it IS something that can be vaccinated against BUT there are some strains that there are no vaccinations for. Where I am from, at a dog his age (age at the time) there was no "rule of thumb" for automatically giving him the vaccine I guess...or something like that, I don't remember how it all went, it was a while ago.
The vet gave me antibiotics...tetracycline, I believe, I can look that up.
Anyway at one point he was getting a toxic reaction to the antibiotics and that was when I sort of went on a bit of homeopathic/sympathetic stuff and intuition. Mostly I just really watched and tuned into his behavior...when he was starting to sink, but before he got diarehha and lethargic, I'd give him two antibiotics...I also had started giving him managed doses of valerian root, mostly to help keep him calm as the stress of him stressing out wasn't good and I would give him things that were natural stool stiffeners...which seemed to make that portion more managable for everyone, him included.
But I do believe what really helped him was me getting him to food that boosted his immune system, better grade of dogfood, fish oils, extra minerals.
Since the antibiotics stress the body so...I figured the healthiest way to help him fight it was to support what health and strength his body did have.
He still has lyme's and Leptospirosis, but he's only had two short bouts in the last year...as opposed to three weeks of sickness every three months.
I do lax off and do not treat him with anything, cept maybe some smelly salmon oil or tuna oil, unless he's showing that he needs the support. I'm a firm believer that having all sorts of extras all the time that aren't necessary can be just as compromising as having nothing....or more.
Not sure if that has helped you or not...I can see if I can find my notes on everything I did but I have the idea that it is an individual thing per dog per their breed and their own individual heath system. Much like I believe the same for humans.
And yes, I have standing scripts for antibiotics for him and also treat him with those when he is having a bout. But because they are so toxic, I discontinue them a week or so after his last symptom subsides...which is against vet's orders...BUT it makes him ill when he takes them too long.
Antibiotics are stressful to the liver and especially the Lipto..it damages the liver...so I don't put that through any more than it has to.
He's five now...and the last week he's been playing nearly nonstop with a 10 month old puppy and wears the PUPPY out...so I would say he's doing very well. I'm unpacking my things today and tomorrow....I will find the book I wrote all this in because I cannot remember everything from my research and frankly it's been a while since he's needed a full on regime. He had a short bout this summer and I just fortified his food and gave him some antibiotics and he pulled out in two days.
One thing I did was make a lot of fresh parsley "tea"...cooled and replaced his drinking water with it..that's some good stuff....and it helps that I am an herb grower because you have to make it fairly strong before you recieve benefits. Also roasted dandelion root tea as a water replacement...but that takes some planning as it needs or should be harvested in fall. I think I have a list of liver function support foods in that book.....mostly I got this from research in books and the internet then compared it against what would be alright for a dog....some things you should not give to a dog...there are big opinions about a lot of things...some things are fine in managed doses...but too much of anything is bad for sure.
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