Healthy GOO for allergies -- I'm trying it, anyone else try it yet?
 

A lot of you know that both Wylie and Marcel get breakthru allergy symptoms here in Phoenix, when the pollens spike. They both have a Vet Derm, Marcel has had the allergy testing and shots, Atopica -- the whole nine yards.

Anyway, the other day I did a search for 'natural' remedies for dog allergies, or something like that - just to see if anything I didn't know about popped up. I came across this product called "Healthy GOO" - never heard of it before, has anyone else? It became more interesting as I was reading bc the premise of its success is somewhat similar to that which allergy shots is based upon. But, instead of giving shots, the product is given sublingually (called Sublingual Immunotherapy or "SLIT").

The other thing that intrigued me was that this is being studied at the UW-Madison Vet school - and you know how much I love that school! Well, I love that Dr. Schultz and his vaccine research, and what it's done for our kiddos. But I digress. My point is, the fact that UwMad has studied this gave me the impetus to look further.

After emailing w/ the site, and asking a few add'l questions - I decided to try it and will probably start this week. Btw, the person I emailed with at Healthy GOO was extremely responsive and helpful -- answered all my questions, super timely, informative etcetera.

It should be here any day, and I'll keep you posted. I wanted to post about it in case anyone wanted to read about it for their own dogs. I was originally going to post after I'd done a trial -- but the initial trial you give your dogs on Goo should be at least 90 days - so I didn't really want to wait in saying something, in case someone else wanted to try it. I'm pretty cautious when it comes to believing products work - but this one comes with the kind of data I need to hear in order to try it. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I admit I'm kinda excited! :happyboun

I'm pretty fascinated by this stuff....I mean, look at how many posts we get here every day regarding a dog w/ allergies :(. It's unreal. If this could help even a portion of those dogs, it would just be awesome.

It looks like I'm on their email list now (since I purchased it/signed up), and yesterday I was sent an email that said they're having a promotion related to their Facebook page. The email said there is a 10% discount right now, using the code "500LikeGoo" -- looks like it's good until 11/27. Btw, I'm not affiliated w/ Goo in any way...just interested in the product and hopeful it works. :)

This is their website: Dog Allergies | Dog Food Allergies - Healthy GOO ?

And here is a direct link to some info regarding the work they've done w/ UwMad: http://www.healthygoo.com/uploads/GO...ept%202010.pdf

Ann it sounds like a Miracle Product. I certainly hope that it turns out to help with the allergies. I'll keep my fingers and eyes crossed and wrinkle my nose a time or two for good luck :D.

Thanks, Im checking it out tonight!

i will be interested to see if you have good results with this. My yorkie doesnt have allergies , but my one of my chihuahuas does

Interesting! I really hope it works for your kiddos! Keep us updated. :)

I am very interested in this. My poor Taycie struggles sometimes. Right now.. things are under control, THANK GOODNESS!

Well I'm hoping for a good result for you. It's a shame that changes take so long to show up, but we'll keep paws crossed for you. :)
Sublingual...? As in under the tongue? Sounds like a Bach's Essence method. Interesting. It might work for Jenna too, thank goodness she's good about oral medicines!
We'll take a peek at the linkies, thank you. :)

I'm really interested in how this works for you.
I've been using several many products from this site
Nuroplex (Seizure) Homeopathic From AllergicPet.com
http://www.allergicpet.com/products.html
They work but it seems more triage and recovery than curing or preventative, plus you have to use a lot and it gets expensive.

Ann are you keeping the atopica going as well as this?

I'm going to keep Marcel on the Atopica to give a chance for this product to amp up, then I'll decrease to 2x wk (he takes it 3x week right now), and so on to see how it goes. I have a good feeling about this product, so I'm hopeful :)!

How are the allergies going on your end? Is it all year (like here in Phoenix, mostly), or comes and goes w/ the pollen count (or is it dust)? What else are you giving? I'm giving fish oil too.

Allergies are just a miserable thing :(. They are tough to diagnose properly, and then treat. Very frustrating!

I hope this works for you. I tell ya the scratching constantly drives me nuts. Poor little things, I know they can't help it but everytime mine go outside, here we go. I would love to have a dog one time without any allergies. I hate giving them the shots and poor little ole' Tina is the only one that doesn't scratch. Kayla really scratches and Dudley and Lexi do, but not as bad as Kayla. I know how bad it is dealing with it, so I really hope this works for your baby.

I hear you. Pfeiffer doesn't exhibit any allergies, and it's such a relief (knock on wood). I'll probably still give her the GOO, more from a preventive perspective. I'll definitely keep you posted...I share you're frustration. I feel so bad when they chew their paws - it must be the most irritating sensation to feel that.:(

Toby Tyler is on atopica, it seems to work for him, or at least keep it controlled. Suki, poor Suk, atopica doesnt work for her, hers is all year, when it gets real bad the vet puts her on steroids, but it never really ends. Im also going to try this.

Dakota, his are food alergies. He does well on origen red and nothing else. But this may help him also. Hope you have good luck!

I am going to try this as well because poor Buster has been chewing at himself more recently especially after walks even though I wash his paws and underneath. I was wondering how much you would give as the weight suggestion up to 39 pounds is 1 tsp for well and 2 tsp for stressed daily? I always modify based on Buster's weight but I am not sure in this case. I like the theory as I have heard it suggested to build up tolerance to hay fever allergies they suggest eating honey that is produced by the pollen of bee's in your local area so that you gradually build a tolerance. It would be wonderful if it works. Fingers and paws crossed.

I'm going to adjust for weight too, since Wy is 7lbs and Marcel is 3lbs --not that I think it'd be harmful to give more, but physiologically it makes sense to me to dose it according weight - like the way they recommend on that label. If yorkies become good responders (ie, efficacy), they'll have to add a 'yorkie' dosage on their label :p. They *are* the best breed, after all :D.

I have to agree! :animal36

:thumbup: I've always noticed that not everything is tailored to weight properly. Even people medicine should really be taking something in the same dosage as a 80 pound child over 12 or a 250 pound man? :confused:
Can you break down how you do it?
If this works for you I'm going to totally copy you in hopes int will work for Princess and Scoobers and their allergies.

Allergies-UGH!
 

Latte has had allergy problems forever! (She's 9.) I tried Atopica to no avail and was recently on Cortalone. Then she added scooting to her paw chewing and scratching. She ended up with a vaginal infection. Antibiotics, long-acting inflammatory--a week later-still scooting and itching. So, we're trying an anti-fungal. She clearly is still bugged by allergies, even though I've been ultra careful about her food. I think she has a combo of environmental and food allergies and when we go to AZ_-oh, boy!! It's really bad. I would be interested int trying the GOO, but how much is it? I couldn't see a price on the website, and that always is a red flag!

I would sure like to know how it s
works for you-I just found the price!

Interesting...
Please keep us updated. Especially if this does work!
I have an itchy critter here that it may help as well :p

Their label says:
Up to 39 lbs = 1 Tsp Daily (well).....2 Tsp Daily (for stressed dog)
40 to 89 lbs = 2 Tsp Daily (well).....3 Tsp Daily (stressed)
90 + lbs = 3 Tsp Daily (well).....4 Tsp Daily (stressed)

So, it looks like they approx cut the dose by a tsp for every weight range. If someone used that premise, then for a dog 20lbs or less -- it could be 1/2t (well), and 1t (stressed). I will likely do something like this bc like you, I feel there is too great a physical difference btwn a 39lb dog and a 3-7 lb dog.

Just checked for you - $69.95 for 16oz, which is supposed to be about a 90-day supply. The price kind of threw me at first, but once I thought of the monthly price, it made more sense (ie, $23 per month, at the most...and it will likely cost me less since I won't give them a 39lb-dog dose). So, looking at it that way, it really isn't bad at all.

This looks interesting...I will definitely be following this thread. Thank you Ann for posting this!
I just did a quick look because I would love to try it on George. Looks like I need to contact them. His main allergy (highest number on testing) is to clover and I don't see it in their ingredient list. I suppose that does not mean it would not work for it...so will have to email to find out.

It says that it contains the exact same ingrediant as EpiCor, would there be something wrong with using that instead, or is it because dosing would be harder to figure out? EpiCor is much cheaper. Also, how are you measuring symptoms to see if there's an improvement? I think I'm going to order some for myself.

I've just been searching for Epicor and I found a couple sites, but can't find the actual ingredients. Do you know them?

Oh that's right, you have tough allergies too. One lick for Joey, two for YOU :D.

The link you gave states:

Clinically-supported beneficial yeast ingredient engages the body’s first line / innate immune defenses with the correct / respective response to a wide range of challenges depending on the need, but it also works together, with the other facets of the dog’s immune system toward optimal immune support, prebiotic sourcing, anti-oxidation and overall health harmonization. As a dried, complex fermentation product comprised of beneficial metabolites, proteins, peptides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, polyphenols, organic acids, beta-glucans and mannans, it contains the same active ingredient that is found in the human supplement EpiCor™. http://www.healthygoo.com/uploads/GO...ept%202010.pdf

I'm hoping it will reduce the problems I have with my eyes. Pills help, but they make me too sleepy, what specifically are you hoping for? Anyway, I just ordered some, so include me on your clinical trial! ;)

Please do let me know if it works!! Bevo gets a hot of cortisone every month...it scares me that the cortisone will effect him long term!

I'd double check safety when something compares 'active ingredient' only.

As compared to a full list of active and inactive ingredients...the only difference between rescue remedy for people and dogs is the alcohol, an inactive ingredient.


Edit! I read that backwards! Nancy is testing on herself! Ugh I don't know how that works either but be careful I think we can consume all things dogs can...I did eat the mello mut dog jerky but it's homeopathic though. Nancy are you sure you've removed all allergens from your diet? We couldn't figure out why my son's allergies persisted and he was stuck on Zyrtek, until we realized many foods contain honey as a sweetener and it irritates his allergies.


Oh and if this works for Nancy, I'll try it when done nursing...but she can go first.

Ah, lol! I didn't realize you were quoting from the Goo itself. I was thinking you were using this EpiCor, and I had to find out more. I honestly have no idea on using the EpiCor vs the Goo, but that's interesting. I've emailed questions to the Goo folks, and they've been really responsive - so maybe they could help.

I'm using it for both Wy and Marcel bc when we have pollen spikes here, it still bothers both of them - and I've tried it all. It mostly seems to occur when pollen.com shows the pollens at med-high or above here. The Goo arrived yesterday, so I'm starting it today :)!

Lol, I've noticed the pollen spikes! It will be hard to tell if there's real improvement for me until this spring, spring and fall are my two worst times, the summer is so hot nothing much is growing. By the way, I wasn't quoting from Goo, but the scientific article you linked. Anyway, it's said to help your immune system, and at my age, that's a good thing!

I, too will be watching for your updates! Bentley is food allergic and environmental allergic. Right now we are trying to adjust his dosage of injections. He just started them in September. I needed to start again with a more diluted dose. He will be getting his new adjusted dose tomorrow. I am hoping it works for him. In the meantime, I will pray the Goo works for you and will give us with allergic pets something else to try to help their itching.