The solution of equal parts Listerine, baby oil and water for dogs hot spots is the most fantastic remedy Ive read about in a long time! The minute my dogs start “worrying” a spot, I get out my spray bottle, spray the area thoroughly, massage the solution into their skin, and the problem stops immediately. No more hot spots that involve trips to the vet.
Several years ago, we heard from a radio listener that his veterinarian had suggested Listerine and baby oil for his Dobermans and his horses. It worked for them, so he tried it on his own scalp and found it banished dandruff. Were glad you found this combo helpful. One possible explanation is that Listerine contains herbal oils (thymol, eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate) that may have anti-fungal activity.Advertisement
Ive had extreme chronic pain in my lower back, pelvis, hips and legs for nearly four years. Lying flat was agony, so I had to sleep propped up on a love seat. I went to many doctors who said there was nothing wrong with me. Then I found a rheumatologist who checked my vitamin D and found it was extremely low. Ive been taking 1,600 IUs of vitamin D a day and have been feeling much better and happier. At this rate, I think Ill be about back to normal in six months. Its terrible that anyone should suffer for so long from this. If in doubt, get your vitamin D checked!
Vitamin D deficiency is common and is often underestimated as a cause of chronic pain. Low levels of this vitamin can contribute to arthritis, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and high blood pressure. In a high-tech society where most people work indoors and wear sunscreen whenever they are outside, vitamin D insufficiency may be far more common than most doctors suspect. I get cold sores occasionally, and for years have taken L-lysine tablets as soon as I feel one coming on. I continue to take several tablets a day for a few days until all signs of a cold sore are gone. It works like a charm!Advertisement
Many readers agree with you. As far as we can tell, L-lysine has few side effects.
Last summer, we visited my brother with Mocha, my Pekingese. The day we were supposed to leave, he had diarrhea. We were not looking forward to a 200-mile trip with a sick dog! My sister-in-law said she had heard that coconut would stop the diarrhea. I just put some in my hand and let him eat it, and he was fine the whole way home.
Then my daughter brought her two Pekingese to my house. One was very sick. A few days later, he was not much better even after the medication the vet ordered. I told my son-in-law about the coconut, the dog ate some from his hand, and she was well from then on.
Other readers have found coconut or pumpkin helpful in battling diarrhea in dogs. We see this as a “first-resort” or stopgap measure rather than as a substitute for veterinarian-prescribed medication.
I have heard that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may be beneficial in helping the body repair cartilage and improving arthritic joints. I wonder if this is an old wives tale or if it holds up under scrutiny.
There have been a number of studies suggesting that fish oil is helpful for joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Even when the doctor does not detect an objective difference, patients taking fish oil report less pain and morning stiffness and take fewer pain relievers (Pain, May 2007).
One reader wrote: “Fish oil is amazing. My husband is under a doctors care for arthritis. Within one day of starting fish oil, the swelling began to go down in his fingers. He still takes his prescribed medication, but in lower doses. This relief is so much better.”
In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: peoples pharmacy.com. Advertisement
“I garden because I like to play. Gardening is just not work to me,” says Carol Ann Harlos, 80, who enjoys observing birds and insects in her West Amherst gardens.
Q. I have suffered with insomnia for years. Now that I am in my 60s, the problem is worse than ever. I started using Benadryl at night with my doctor’s approval, but it makes me groggy in the morning. A friend suggested magnesium before bed. This seems to help, but I have had some bouts with diarrhea and an “accident” on the way to the bathroom. What else can I take that is natural and won’t cause side effects?
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham has introduced a bill calling for a nationwide abortion ban. The bill would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, except in cases of rape, incest or danger to the physical health of the mother. The legislation introduced Tuesday is sending shockwaves through both parties with just weeks before voters go to the polls. Graham’s own Republican colleagues did not immediately embrace his abortion ban bill, which has almost no chance of becoming law in the Democratic-held Congress. Democrats reject it as extreme and an alarming signal of where Republicans are headed if they win control of the House and Senate in November.
A. Before trying to dampen your wife’s sex drive, perhaps you should see your physician to make sure there is nothing interfering with your own libido. Testosterone levels should be checked. Counseling may help you deal with the stress of your job and also might benefit the relationship.
There are a few studies of spearmint tea showing that it reduces free testosterone, which might affect sex drive (Phytotherapy Research, February 2010).
Desi recently came down with a hot spot on one of his rear feet. It was red, hot, and angry looking. He had been nibbling away at it and even chewed away a good amount of fur, making it look even worse. Now, if you have never had any experience with a hot spot, or if your pet has an injury that you have never seen before, obviously you should take them straight to the vet. This post is just some helpful advice for those of us who are familiar with hot spots and are looking for an effective at home treatment. I will tell you, I am a registered veterinary technician, and I have had a good amount of experience with these babies. If I weren’t certain of what it was, I would have him checked by our vet immediately. The hot spot can quickly get worse and even get infected. If the cause is a flea bite, you will also need to treat the flea problem, or you aren’t really helping the issue.
This is definitely a good trick to know, especially since often times these little hot spots like to pop up on weekends when the vet is not open. Give it a try!
Desi’s spot was from a small cut on one of his toes, probably from running around in our backyard and playing with Lucy. After thoroughly cleaning the area, I made up a mixture of 1/3 Listerine, 1/3 baby oil, and 1/3 water. I just used a small spray pump bottle, like the ones you find in the travel section of any big box store. Shake it up, and spray on the affected area, rubbing it in and getting all the nooks and crannies all nice and coated.
I repeated this step several times a day for the first day, and by day two, I saw a huge improvement! I continued applying a few times a day for about three days total, and now his foot looks good as new! Well, the hair is still short and growing back, but you know what I mean!
So why does it work? The Listerine prevents infection and has anti fungal properties, and the water dilutes it so that the high alcohol content does not burn the inflamed area. The baby oil seems to help the Listerine really stick to the spot, and crazily enough, does not make an oily mess at all!
Several years ago, we heard from a radio listener that his veterinarian had suggested Listerine and baby oil for his Dobermans and his horses. It worked for them, so he tried it on his own scalp and found it banished dandruff. Were glad you found this combo helpful. One possible explanation is that Listerine contains herbal oils (thymol, eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate) that may have anti-fungal activity.Advertisement
Other readers have found coconut or pumpkin helpful in battling diarrhea in dogs. We see this as a “first-resort” or stopgap measure rather than as a substitute for veterinarian-prescribed medication.
I have heard that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may be beneficial in helping the body repair cartilage and improving arthritic joints. I wonder if this is an old wives tale or if it holds up under scrutiny.
Vitamin D deficiency is common and is often underestimated as a cause of chronic pain. Low levels of this vitamin can contribute to arthritis, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and high blood pressure. In a high-tech society where most people work indoors and wear sunscreen whenever they are outside, vitamin D insufficiency may be far more common than most doctors suspect. I get cold sores occasionally, and for years have taken L-lysine tablets as soon as I feel one coming on. I continue to take several tablets a day for a few days until all signs of a cold sore are gone. It works like a charm!Advertisement
There have been a number of studies suggesting that fish oil is helpful for joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Even when the doctor does not detect an objective difference, patients taking fish oil report less pain and morning stiffness and take fewer pain relievers (Pain, May 2007).
FAQ
Is Listerine toxic to cats?
Does baby oil Listerine and water work on dog mange?
Is Listerine a good medication for hot spots?
Can you put Listerine in dogs water?