Welcome to Monday! I hope that you and your furry/not so furry family are ALL doing well :-)

My 'How you can Help' Special is here:

The dreaded ALLERGY... Itch, Scratch, RUB, Itch, Hair loss, Smell, Rub some more..Itch...chew the groin...LICK the paws...MORE Itch...More RUBBING...Smell

ArrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrGGGGGGGhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Yes there are Veterinary options..Prednisone....Newer generation ones such as APOQUEL..ATOPICA...CYTOPOINT..

Potentially effective, BUT with there host of Potential Side Effects..such as SUPPRESSING the Immune System..

Any other options?

Well you should know about this 'stinging' plant..

Sources: Science Direct, Dogs First

Stinging nettle has a long history of use as an antiallergy preparation, and it is also used in the treatment of prostatic hypertrophy. The “stinging” hairs and leaves of this plant contain histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine, compounds that typically are the cause of allergic symptoms. Some investigators attribute the antihistaminic properties of ingested nettles to an autocoid or feedback inhibition of histamine and histamine-related compounds.

Stinging nettle leaf has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity; it is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and allergic rhinitis.86 Herbalists have found nettle to be a reliable herb in the treatment of numerous systemic and dermatologic inflammatory conditions. It may be taken as tea or in freeze-dried capsules. No serious adverse effects were reported in five clinical studies with a total of 10,368 patients using hydroethanolic extracts corresponding to an equivalence of 9.7 g of dried leaf daily for periods ranging from 3 weeks to 12 months.

How To Prepare A Nettle Tonic For Your Dog:

Step 1. Harvest the tips of really fresh, bright green nettle leaves and stems (obviously make sure you’re wearing protective gloves etc) and put them into a small container, a mug would be enough (lower down leaves and stems are less effective).

Step 2. Immerse the leaves and stems completely in boiling hot water and a good pinch of good quality salt (asides helping the process this will add electrolytes which itchy dogs can benefit from) and leave stand for 10mins.

Step 3. Now you can either strain this liquid and use it (weak) or blitz the leaf and water mix and use in their food (one teaspoon per 15kg of body weight). And no, this liquid cannot sting them, to test this, drop some on your skin, and then there’s. When you see no reaction you know they’re safe.

Step 4. Put the rest of the mixture into an ice cube tray and make little ready-to-go ice cubes for later use. Much easier!

For topical treatments of stiff joints you can make a masceration out of nettles by mushing up the tips in something wonderful like almond oil. Leave it there in a sealed jar for 2-3 weeks, strain out the bits and massage in, though big, oily coats aren’t for everyone!

For longer-term, more hardcore users you can make yourself up a tincture by soaking nettles in a sealed jar of alcohol for 2-3 weeks. This stuff is even more effective but harder to make. As you only add a drop or two you don’t need to worry about the ethanol content but if you are, you can burn it off by heating to 70 degrees for a while.

Nettle Tea: You can purchase the Tea Bags and dose your pets at 1/4 cup/10lbs twice daily

Freeze Dried Nettle: These capsules are also effective at 1mg/lb twice daily

P.S.....