Improving my bulldogs immune system
Submitted by cfountain on September 5, 2014 - 7:35pmCould anyone give me some ideas on how to improve my bulldogs immune system? My vet has said my dog has "canine demodectic manage" and the documents they gave me says that he could have an immature immune system. Will it just mature with age or us there something I could do help him out?
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Cynthia Fountain
We had the same
situation with my Fred... He grew out of it. I've heard not to get them certain shots until they are at least 6 months old because their immune system is still weak. We used coconut and neem oil on his bald patches ( 1 to 1 ratio) and it seemed to work great. We did change his food too ! Grain Free is the way to go.... We didn't get Ethel her shots until she was older and we didn't have a problem with her... With our first Bulldog (14 years ago) we did the shot when we were supposed to and he also started to loose patches of hair.... He grew out of it too.... Good Luck
Immune System
Thank you for the info. I sure hope he also grows out of it. The vet has him on medicine right now. I'm trying to decied if I should change his food or wait, the vet said the food was fine. How old was your bullie before he grew out of it? My Alfred is 6 mths old
Cynthia Fountain
Fred was
prob about 4 or 5 months when it happened the first time. Then It came back when he was about 9 months old. The dr gave us an ointment, but it didn't work - he also said we could get him dipped, or some other treatment - But I don't like using any kind of chemicals on my dogs... That's when I discovered the neem oil... Google it! I felt like a hippy telling my vet about it, but he wanted to check it out too! The other vet there, knows about it and she said - Sure use it... I will try to find the website for you.
Did he have his rabies shot - I believe that is the one that they say does it - lowers the immune system and sometimes the skin takes the brunt of it.
Neem Oil
I googled the Neem Oil it sounds great, it even helps as a bug repelent and when ever Alfred gets bit he swells right away, so it might even help him for that. Where can I purchase this oil, would it be at a natural health store or drug store?? and can I get the Coconut oil there too? I have to check his health records at home to see if he has had his Rabies shot. But I would say yes, as we are at the Vet regulary and I alway keep up with all his shots. The Vet did say his food was fine, but I'm still considering changing it too.
Cynthia Fountain
You can
Get neem oil at whole foods or any health food store. just make sure you mix 1 to 1 ratio.. and PS it smells!!! Bad! You can also go to neemtreefarms.com I ordered ground up neem bark and have put it in the dogs food before.... I swear by this stuff...
Neem oil
Ok so I got the neem oil and the coconut oil. How often do I out it on him?
Cynthia Fountain
I think I put it
on once in the AM and once in the PM... Stinky Stuff huh! - thank god the coconut oil smells good... remember one to one ratio and don't mix it until you need to use it... I would also put some neem in the dog shampoo when I gave him a bath ... they do sell neem shampoo for dogs... I have it
Great thank you, I put it on
Great thank you, I put it on him once yesterday, but until I heard back from you I was too scared to do it again. LOL. I just dont want to hurt my little (rather big) baby lol. And yes it sure does stink.
Cynthia Fountain
How many area's
of hair are missing... Fred used to get one quarter sized one on his back and I think another on his chest and paw. The one on his back was the worst one... I just got an e-mail from neemtreefarms.com Did you check them out - they have things just for pets.... How big is your little guy (Weight?) We just had our little Ethel to the vet last week and she weighs as much as Fred - he looks so much bigger then her.... Back to cutting down the food and mixing in some green beans as filler.... I do love them Fat! not too good for them though!!!
Alfred is 43 lbs and he is
Alfred is 43 lbs and he is 6mths old. He only has one hairless spot, but its quite large it's at least 3" by 3". Did your bullies skin where the hair was off look red or sore. Alfred's is. I'm just wondering if what he has is different than what your bullie had???
Cynthia Fountain
mine was
Demodex mites. some spots were pink (where his white fur was) and under the brindle was kind of greyish.... I've had a few bulldogs and I swear they all have something, but in time it has passed- I don't get too crazy anymore....
I'm glad to hear that,
I'm glad to hear that, because that is what i'm thinking too. Yes Demodex mites is what he has, and its getting a lot better. I guess I'm just new at this, and in the past as a child I only had henz 59 dogs and they never had any issues. Pure-a-breads are different I guess. But I'm getting there, realizing the issues and how to avoid them. Thank goodness, cause I just love my little man, and don't want him to be hurting in any way!
Cynthia Fountain