Hungarian Vizsla Dog with Possible Swollen Prostate

by Ben
(Melbourne, Australia)

Hi Guys & Girls!

My dog 8-year-old Jake has had mysterious illnesses on and off for quite some time...I have spent hours and HOURS on google trying to find a diagnosis, because, to be honest the vets are useless. I understand it's hard to diagnose a pet, and that's fine...but when you are charging me $600 a pop for nothing, its not fine!

Anyhow, I have come across swollen prostate as a possible diagnosis, and I hear some very good things about treating that with herbal remedies in humans...and then came across this site.

My question is, what could I try Jake on safely, and what dosage would he need? He weighs approx 30kg.

Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Ben & Jake

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Hungarian Vizsla Dog with Possible Swollen Prostate

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Apr 18, 2012
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To Angna - Prednisone & Thyroid
by: Hazel

Hi, Angna,

Yes - Prednisone can cause thyroid level to decrease. In fact, long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to hypothyroidism.

Has your dog been properly diagnosed for skin allergies? The reason I ask is because sometimes some vets just assume that the itching, infections, etc. are caused by allergies without doing any skin tests, and they waste no time in prescribing Prednisone or other steroid drugs. That was what happened to my dog. She was put on steroids for 3 weeks and while on the med, the itching and inflammation seemed to subside a bit, but once off the med the problems returned. It was only after she was properly diagnosed as having hypothyroidism and was put on hormone replacement treatment that she finally got over all her skin problems. Now she is itch-free and her skin is lesion-free!

Since your dog's thyroid level is just marginally low, I would suggest that you give her this herbal remedy: Thyro-up for Dog Hypothyroidism. It is very effective in helping to balance the hormone level. In your dog's case, this herbal remedy may be all that she needs (My dog's hormone level was way down so she has to have hormone replacement plus this herbal remedy).

I strongly suggest that you ask your vet for an allergy test (if not already done so) to see if your dog's skin problems are actually caused by allergies, or by her low thyroid level.

Please also read these pages:

Dog Hypothyroidism Causes and Treatment

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Dogs

Natural Allergy Relief

Good luck!

Apr 18, 2012
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Hypothyroidism
by: Anonymous

Hazel, it's interesting that you mention Hypothyroidism. My 7 year old Lab/ Shar Pei mix just went in for her yearly exam and I asked them to do a full blood panel. All was fine except her thyroid was a .5 on a scale of 1-4.

This concerns me and the problem is she has been on low dose Prednisone therapy for a long time for terrible skin allergies. The vet said that sometimes the Prednisone can cause thyroid counts to be off so now we're not sure what to do. I'm trying to wean her off the med. so she can retest in 3 months. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks so much!
Angna

Apr 18, 2012
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Saw Palmetto
by: Hazel

Hmmm... it's a tough one! An entire pill would be too much for Jack... You may try to cut the pill into half, and dissolve the half pill in water.

If that doesn't work, you may need to get a tincture of saw palmetto extract. 10 drops 2 times a day should be right for Jack. The drops can be added to a bit of water.

Hope that helps.

Apr 18, 2012
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Dosage of Saw Palmetto
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the response again.

I have one more question. I have gotten some Saw Palmetto Pills. They contain 160mg palmetto Extract, equiv to 1600mg of Dry Fruit. I see on the Saw Palmetto page you say around 50mg for a dog over 50lb. Jake is approx 70lb. Would I be ok to give him an entire 160mg tablet? I have just cut one in half...and they are liquid! So its a little hard to give a quarter tablet! Unless you can suggest another way to dose him? (Can I disolve them in water for example?)

Thanks again for the help...

Apr 18, 2012
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Side Effects & Dosages
by: Hazel

Hi, Ben,

Vitamin C and the herbs echinacea and saw palmetto can be taken together. There is no known side effect.

If you get an echinacea supplement for people, the dosage is based on a person weighing 150 pounds (68 kg). Use the human dosage taking into consideration of your dog's weight - for example, if the dosage is 1 tablet per day for people, then for your dog it should be about 1/2 a tablet because your dog's weight is about 30 kg.

If you get a supplement of echinacea for dogs, just follow the dosage on the label.

Good luck :)

Apr 17, 2012
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Side effects?
by: Ben

Thanks for the response.

After reading your site, I am considering placing Jake on Saw Palmetto, Vitamin C and Echinacea.

Are these 3 herbs ok to use together? Are there any dangers of side effects?

Also, I have read the dosages for Vitamin C and Saw Palmetto...but what dosage of Echinacea should I use?

Thanks again,

Ben

Apr 17, 2012
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Herbs for Prostate Enlargement
by: Hazel, Site Editor

Hi, Ben,

I understand your frustration fully! It's not easy to get a proper diagnosis - it has taken over 3 months for our vet to properly diagnose that our dog has hypothyroidism - and that's because I asked her to do a blood test to check the thyroid hormone level! That's why educating ourselves is so important for the wellbeing of our dogs.

Anyway, if your dog has prostate enlargement, the herb Saw Palmetto can be helpful. Please see this page Natural Canine Prostate Remedies for more information.

Good luck!

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