INTEGUMENTARY

Dermatitis, General

Species affected: All (the number of horses affected is increasing)
Background: One of the most frequent problems seen, since the skin is a reflection of the health of the internal organs and immune system. Skin lesions are often secondary to other chronic diseases, with bowel disorders and allergies being leading causes.
Symptoms: Range from mild and seasonal to severe and constant, usually with pruritis as the primary complaint. Lesions may range from simple reddening of the skin to severe, chronic, open sores with thickening of the skin with much hair loss and odor, generally worsening as the animal ages. Seasonal problems of short duration often progress to longer time periods, or even to a year-round problem.
Diagnostics: The diagnosis of the other concurrent chronic diseases requires a thorough workup.
Special Notes: Can be one of the most frustrating conditions to treat, as there are often many causes. There is often a correlation with a compromised the immune system.
Principles for Supplementation: Treatment is aimed at restoring health to any concurrent condition as well as treating the inflammation in the skin.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Chinese Herbal Dermaclear9	Cats 1-2 pills, bid	Cools heat, clears itching, especially when the skin is hot.
	Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
Skin Balance3	Cats 1/4 - 1/2 tablet, tid	Anti-pruritic, promotes healing.
	Dogs 1/2 - 2 tablet, tid
Small Animal Antioxidant9	Cats 1/2 capsule, sid	Antioxidant.
	Dog 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid
Super EPA9 or Omega Plus9	Cats 1/2 capsule, sid (or 1 capsule, which is easier)	Anti-inflammatory.
	Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid

Atopic Dermatitis

Species affected: Dogs, cats
Background: Often becomes infected by secondary bacterial, fungal, or parasitic organisms.
Symptoms: Hair loss, exudate, especially in the form of seborrhea, thickened and damaged skin. Odor and pruritis, which may be intense, become noticeable and there may be an associated otitis as well. Initially pruritis is often concentrated in the feet in dogs, and often accompanied by conjunctivitis. In cats it is more often seen on the abdomen, signaled by a bare abdomen as the cats remove hair by repeated licking.
Diagnostics: A complete diagnosis must include very complete history to determine all the causal factors as well as ruling out other chronic diseases.
Special Notes: Can be a frustrating condition to treat, and can require multiple therapies and a long recovery time.
Principles for Supplementation: Treatment is aimed at restoring health for any concurrent conditions as well as treating the inflammation in the skin.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Chinese Herbal Dermaclear9	Cats 1-2 pills, bid	Cools heat, clears itching, especially when the skin is hot.
	Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
Resinall-K Liquid3Apply topically on all hot spots, bid	Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-pruritic. Can also be taken internally.
Small Animal Antioxidant9	Cats 1/2 capsule, sid	Antioxidant.
	Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid
Super EPA9	Cats 1/2 capsule, sid	Anti-inflammatory.
	Dogs 1-2 capsules/50 lbs, sid
Vitamin C with flavonoids9, 250 mg	Cats 1/2 capsule, sid	Antioxidant.
	Dogs 2 capsule/50 lbs, sid

Demodicosis

Species affected: Dogs, cats (occasionally)
Background: A parasitic mite that is common in young dogs, in whom it usually resolves spontaneously. Older dogs with chronic demodicosis have a serious immune deficiency that appears to be responsive to supplementation. Demodicosis occurs in cats but is extremely rare.
Symptoms: The skin lesions are initially visible on the feet, face and abdomen, and may spread to cover the entire body. There is hair loss, a reddening of the skin and scaly desquamation. Secondary bacterial infections are common (frequently Staphylococcal), causing pustular lesions to form; this may appear over the entire body.
Diagnostics: Microscopic slide preparations made from material from deep skin scrapings.
Special Notes: The mite is not contagious but may appear in several animals from the same litter due to a general immune system compromise of that litter. They tend to appear only in immune-compromised animals, and as such can be difficult to cure, since the immune system allows the parasite easy entry.
Principles for Supplementation: Assisting the health of the immune system is important, without over-stimulating it.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Canine Basic Nutrients9Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid	Source of general nutrients.
Cats claw	Cats 5 mg, bid for 3 days, then sid	Modulates immune function.
	Dogs 5-20 mg, bid for 3 days, then sid
Feline Basic Nutrients 9Cats 1-2 capsules, sid	Source of general nutrients.
Fractionated Pectin Powder9	Cats 1/4 teaspoon/meal	The galactose residues help prevent foreign cells from attaching to tissue.
	Dogs 1-2 teaspoons/50 lbs/meal
Immugen9	Cats 1/2 capsule, sid	Nutrients enhance immune system.
	Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid
Zinc Picolinate9	Cats 1/4 capsule, sid	Enhances immunity; has an affinity for the skin
	Dogs 1 capsule/50 lbs, sid

Dermatophytosis

Species affected: Cats (primarily), dogs and horses (occasionally)
Background: Ringworm is more common in cats than dogs, especially in Persians.
Symptoms: Lesions tend to be circular, with grayish flakes present. Pruritis can be intense, or may not be present.
Diagnostics: Fungal culture, especially from hair follicles pulled from the edges of the lesions.
Special Notes: It can be chronic and difficult to manage; sometimes present as latent infections in cats who are carriers of the disease. In horses it tends to be an acute problem and is generally easier to manage than in the small animals; however, it can be very infectious and travel through a barn rapidly on shared equipment.
Principles for Supplementation: Support for the immune system is important in these patients.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Arabinex9	Cats 1/2 tablespoon, sid	Water soluble, enhances immune system.
	Dogs 2 tablespoons/50 lbs, sid
Chinese Herbal Bactolyte9	Cats 1-2 pills, bid	Antimicrobial.
	Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
Chinese Herbal Dermaclear9	Cats 1-2 pills, bid	Cools heat, clears itching, especially when the skin is hot.
	Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
Immugen9	Cats 1/2 capsule, sid	Nutrients enhance immune system.
	Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid
Resinall-K Liquid3	Apply topically on hot spots, bid	Antibacterial, antifungal, antipruritic. Can also be taken internally.

EQUINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Chinese Herbal Equine Tonic91/2 - 2/3 scoop, bid	Strengthens the immune system.
Equine Immune Support92 scoops, sid	Supports immune system.
Fractionated Pectin Powder93-6 teaspoons, sid	Galactose residues help prevent foreign cells from attaching to tissue, enhances immune function.

Feline Hyperesthesia, Hair loss

Species affected: Cats
Background: This disorder seems to be characterized by pain in the lumbar or lumbosacral region in cats. The etiology may include emotional stress, confinement or lack of exercise and stimulation, obesity, concurrent systemic disease, nutritional imbalances or deficiencies.
Symptoms: Some cats may be so sensitive that they cannot be touched in the lumbar region at all; some cats may have mild seizures when stimulated in this region. There is often intense licking or over-grooming that can cause hair loss and eventual erosion of the skin; this may be followed by secondary bacterial infection.
Diagnostics: Diagnosis is made by location of pain on the body and negative findings for other skin diseases, along with a history that is suggestive.
Special Notes: Treatment needs to incorporate therapy aimed at reducing any pain in the spine, such as chiropractic or acupuncture.
Principles for Supplementation: Reducing stress and calming the animal's anxiety.

FELINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
DL-Phenylalanine9Cats 1/4 capsule, sid	Increases systemic endorphin levels.
Mobility 23Cats 1/4 - 1/2 tablet, bid	Dispels wind damp.
Sedaplus9Cats 1/2 capsule, sid	An herbal alternative to phenobarbital.
Small Animal Antioxidant9Cats 1/2 capsule, sid	Antioxidant.

Equine Rain Rot, the Crud, Dermatophilosis

Species affected: Horses
Background: Dirty skin with mud packed on may precipitate the condition, but it usually occurs in horses with mild to moderate immune system compromise.
Symptoms: Thick, circular skin lesions appear with a thick and crusty scab and a bit of pus under the scab; Generally appears in damp weather or after the skin is rained on.
Diagnostics: Characteristic lesions and may be identified from skin scrapings or by skin culture.
Special Notes: The causative organism is ubiquitous in the soil, but only some horses acquire the condition. Horses with strong immune systems are fairly resistant, while immune-compromised horses will have recurrent cases. Often self-limiting, but many horses have severe, chronic cases.
Principles for Supplementation: Support the immune system so healing of the skin can take place.

EQUINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Chinese Herbal Equine Tonic91/2 - 2/3 scoop, bid	Supports immune function.
Equine Immune Support92 scoops, sid	Aids the immune system.
HoneyTopical application	Prevents bacterial growth, increases oxygen levels next to the skin.

Equine Sarcoids

Species affected: Horses
Background: This is the most common tumor of horses. It is a very low-grade vegetative growth and may arise from a viral source. They often appear in a site after a wound has healed.
Symptoms: Generally dry with a smooth or rough surfaced, however can be aggressive and bloody most often found on the face, head and neck.
Diagnostics: Diagnosed properly by histopathology, though in most cases the characteristic lesion is clearly identifiable.
Special Notes: Natural treatment can also be directed at aiding the immune system, however it is indirect therapy, and will not cure the problem. The tumors do not usually regress on their own though, treatment with homeopathy can help.
Principles for Supplementation: Support the immune system.

EQUINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Chinese Herbal Equine Tonic9	1/2 - 2/3 scoop, bid	Supports immune function, especially in viral conditions.
Equine Immune Support9	2 scoops, sid	Aids the immune system.
Hilton Equine Immunity4	2-4 scoops, bid	Supports immune system.

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