A couple of things that really work
Probably of interest to dog owners only this one, but hey, you find something or things that seem to be good, you should tell people about them...
So recent discoveries: Quistel and Yumega; one's a medicated shampoo, one's a dietary supplement; both are about improvements in skin health and fur health. Neither are cheap, although Quistel (the shampoo) is normally used diluted which makes it as cheap as any shampoo.
Used neat Quistel claims to help cure various skin conditions such as allergic reactions and eczema, used dilute help prevent them, and in general has the repute of making the dog's fur feel soft. Of vague archaeological interest is that one of its key ingredients is arnica, used by, among others, the Romans for treating burns and other skin damage.
Yumega is a mix of oils high in Omega3 and 6 derived from plants, specifically golden flax and starflower; we're actually using Yumega Plus, which also has salmon oil. These oils are, like Quistel, intended to improve coat and skin condition and in particular claims to reduce moulting. The salmon oil is intended to reduce itchiness and sensitivity. Golden flax oil is also good for cricket bats, and if that was not enough, there's an archaeological link here too; both golden flax and starflower have long been seen as having health benefits, with some sites claiming evidence of use
The observed results are possibly just seasonal, possibly coincidental and cannot be traced to one or the other of the products and may actually require. But let not the rules of science impinge on this blog post... For sure there's less hair around the house; not a little, a lot less hair. The retriever, Louis, being from a wussy show line, has always had problems with eczema, particularly in areas where dampness tends to linger. As a result he has lost a lot of hair on the insides of his rear legs and associated "leg pits"; this is now growing back. Maybe, just maybe there's been less scratching and licking; for sure the shampoo has an effective deoderant component and the fur on both dogs does seem a little softer.
All in all, it seems to me these products are having the desired and claimed effects. Pretty good. If it does turn out to coincidental and changes with the seasons or all the observed benefits just disappear despite continued use, I'll let you know...
Posted at 09:08AM Oct 03, 2009 by Chris Puttick in General |