the Pet Health Cafe Blog at Fiesta Pet Deli

It is well known that dogs and cats are constantly plagued with chronic eye and ear problems. Runny, tear stained eyes, smelly, dirty ears and the scratching and itching that is associated with these problems create discomfort for our pets and you the pet parent. Many have told me that their pet keeps them up half the night because of their scratching.

The common solution to this problem is usually a trip to the veterinarian for a costly assessment and then the prescribed medication. Next comes your concern for the cause because of the symptoms reoccurring on a regular cycle. You are USUALLY TOLD that certain breeds are prone to these conditions, so treatment will be necessary on a regular basis. Is this the true cause?

Let’s look at the details of the breeds being prone to ear problems. Some pets, because of breeding for a certain look can be more likely to harbor problems. Breeds with long floppy ears appear to be more prone, but is the ear itself the problem and does it contribute to it? We treat the problem externally because pathogens are getting into the ears and are growing, causing the infection to occur. If this were true, then breeds with upright ears would be more likely to have this issue. With our floppy eared breeds, the ear canal is actually protected by the ear. Hence, the issues are not the ears themselves. Their bodies are truly designed to be healthy.

Bodies of animals and all living creatures are designed to cleanse themselves of toxins and bad pathogens. This is done through the digestive tract and through the various filters such as the liver and kidneys which deposit them into the urine and feces for elimination. A third filtration system called the lymphatic system consists of thousands of local filters that excrete the toxins locally. Some are removed through the skin, some through mucous which usually exits through the mouth, the nose, the eyes and the ears.  Many of these toxins come from processed commercial foods and synthetics.

It is essential to clean this waxy, mucous debris to prevent the growth of these pathogens, be it yeast, fungal or bacterial, however we must still look at the root cause. This is true in both the waxy debris in the ear and the staining runny eyes. The head is overloaded with lymph nodes to filter toxins away from the brain.  The nature of the body is to keep the heart healthy, so it does not die. It moves these toxins, via blood and lymphatic fluid to the extremities, hands, feet and the head. In the case of our four-legged friends, it is their paws, tail and head. When this mucosa exits into the ears or out the eyes, the pathogens start thriving.

The best way to keep our pets healthy is to ease the assault on the immune system is to prevent the toxins and to continuously detoxify and eliminate them in a natural way. A species appropriate diet is critical. Avoiding any synthetic ingredients and drugs is critical as well. In nature, these solutions happen naturally. All animals in nature normally eat what they are designed to eat and unless we interfere by introducing them to man-made chemicals, they can remain healthy without medication. Your pet can achieve that with your guidance.

Bill Piechocki, nutritionist and Dr. Diane Sudduth, DVM are partners in Fiesta Pet Deli in Pompano Beach, FL, and co-hosts of the PetHealthCafe.com radio show. Our 40 years in the animal field has provided us unparalleled vision and information which we pass to our clients daily. We offer individual and group consultations. Call us at 954-971-2500, stop by Fiesta Pet Deli, we would be more than happy to help.

Share the Health & Wellness