Kennel Cough, coughing, green pus in eye/s, possible allergies

From list e-mails:
"For the eye ooze, I give my dogs either a mild saline solution drop, or wash them out with fairly strong camomille tea. It loosens and clears up the ooze pretty quickly.
Kennel cough will disappear on its own within 2 weeks (or less) in a healthy dog." However, if you have other dogs, they might get infected, too."

~~~

"I would start him on vitamins C and E right away as well as any other immune boosters, perhaps Echinacea for a week"

~~~

"... giving RAW GARLIC cloves to a dog with kennel cough or respiratory problems is a good thing ... helps keep the lungs clear and get rid of any mucous (of course it's just a good immune booster as well)."

~~~

"Delsym, to quiet the cough. The pharmacist told me to treat my little dogs, about 10 lbs, as a child's dosage.  My larger dogs got an adult dosage. This Delsym is nonnarcotic so it does not affect the dogs in an adverse way.  I used the dosage that he suggested and it seemed to quiet the cough.  The first dog that got this was misdiagnosed by our vet as having a stomach virus for she was throwing up every 20 minutes for over 24 hours.  It wasn't until my neighbor's dog and then another one of mine started the "gagging" that we figured out what this was."

~~~
"try combining the following glycerin tinctures:
1 part coltsfoot
1 part elecampane
1 part mullein leaf
1 part yarrow
1 part marshmallow

An appropriate dose is .25 to .5 millileters for each 20 pounds of weight.
Add this mix to a small amount of honey and feed 3-4 times a day until the cough has run its course. Additionally, twice daily doses of echinacea or astragalus is recommended for immune support. If the cough is associated with nervousness or hyperexcitability, bugleweed, skullcap, valerian, hop or a small amount of wild cherry bark can be added to the twice daily mix above."

Leaking Urine

Parsley, although a powerful diuretic, given in small amounts (about 1 tablespoon twice a day, seems to halt the leaking bladder syndrome. Here is what a list reader wrote: "i read about the parsley, knowing that what causes to loose water retention might help in the holistic way. tried it so far for 5 days AND so far so good."

From list e-mails:
"I located a tincture put out by HerbPharm called "Corn Silk & Plantain Compound". The remedy also has other herbs, the listed proportions are

1. Corn Silk stigma & style 25%
2. Plantain Leaf 25%
3. St. John's Wort flower & bud 25%
4. Thuja leaf 15%
5. Arnica flower 10%"

"A chiropractic vet adjusted my dog's back and hips and ended a life-long leaking-urine problem. Every once in awhile she would have to be adjust again, especially if she bound through snow or tall grass, but that was it."

Licorice for allergies, upset stomach and more

From a list e-mail:
"I recently read an article in "The Whole Dog Journal" that talks about using Licorice extract for allergies instead of steroids. Our Golden Truman, has been plagued with skill allergies and hot spots ever since he was a puppy. We made the decision not to use steroids after his first year for fear of the side effects. According to the article, it has been used for thousands of years and in China still used more than any other herb. It mentions it's use for stomach upset and ulcers to the treatment of cancer, but focuses on it's use for skin problems both topically and internally.

Licorice apparently has a chemical called glycyrrhizin that stimulates the adrenals into producing their own natural cortisone and "introduces it's own anti-inflamatory, anti-microbial, immune-supporting corticosteroid like actions to the body." They say it helps to relieve pain, itching and inflammation without compromising the immune system. It can be used topically on hot spots as well as taken internally. They sight skin benefits, liver benefits, and immune system benefits. It also sights research.

The article also discusses how to use it, dosages, and contraindications. It does mention that it should not be used with pregant or nursing mothers. It also says you need to let your vet know you are trying it. I used some with Truman day before yesterday, giving him less than half the recommended dosage, and he hasn't done the continual scratching/chewing thing for two days. I gave him a second small dose this morning. If you are interested in this article, you may want to access it at www.whole-dog-journal.com"