Itching, scabby ears

From a list e-mail: Recently Abby's ears were driving her mad which I attributed to possible yeast from antibiotic therapy. I used colloidal silver in her ears twice a day from utopiasilver.com, but you can buy colloidal silver at any good health food store, just make sure if you do its a reputable company.
I take it myself a tablespoon per day, have used this for eyes, ears and nose (gets rid of chronic sinusitis). Colloidal silver is a natural antifungal and natural antibiotic as well.It also aids in healing wounds, and getting rid of acne.
My Abby's ears no longer itch, she is getting 1/8 teaspoon daily (small dog) in her food now.
 

Itching, scabby ears (Pemphigus foliaceus)

From a list e-mail: My 9 year old lab-Doggie has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and pemphigus - an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue as I'm understanding it. I will be researching like a mad woman to see what my options are, especially since the vet is talking high dose of steroids and/or antibiotics for the pemphigus.

Resonse: Pemphigus is an auto-immune disease. Altthough there are other disease with similar presenting symptoms it's diagnosed by punch biopsy and a vet/pathologist is unlikely to mistake it for anything else.

There are alternative treatments. The most common consists of niacinimide,
tetracycline and Derm-Caps (an Omega-3 supplement).

Here are search results on the topic
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=405349

Perhaps the best alternative approach is a system cleansing approach and
subsequently re-building the immune system. I would be careful however
since it is an AUTO-immune disease stimulation of the already OVER
stimulated immune system could have negative results. Immune SUPPRESSION is
the conventional approach to treatment of the disease.

Hypo-thyroid has also been implicated in this disease complex. You might
want to have a complete thyroid panel run by Dr. Dodds at Hemopet. Include
the pemphigus diagnosis with the blood sample.

Best of luck with this. It's an ugly, persistent disease.  

Lack of Appetite
Lack of energy
Lethargic

Honey is an old remedy for these problems. Not the runny, clear honey you buy in most grocery stores, but the sugary, crystallized fresh honey that has not been heat treated.

Add a 1/2 tablespoon to 1/2 cup of oatmeal with milk twice a day, and see your dog's spirits lift.

Another excellent pick-me-up is apple-cider vinegar and honey in water, if your dog will drink it. Take a table spoon of honey dissolved in 1/4 cup of vinegar (or a bit less for taste) and fill up with water to make 1 cup. Can be diluted more to make it weaker and more palitable for your dog. Experiment.