Authors: Julia Blömer & Dr. Steffen Blömer
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10 lessons we learned from this:
Disclaimer:
The content shared here is based on our personal experiences with our dog's medical history, as well as our use of natural remedies and medical treatments. We would like to emphasize that we are not veterinarians and have no medical or veterinary training.
The information and insights provided are for informational purposes only and do not replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian if you have questions about your pet's health or require medical advice.
We accept no responsibility for any direct or indirect consequences that may arise from the use or misuse of the information provided here. The use of any content is at your own risk. We accept no liability for damages or injuries that may result from the application of the methods or knowledge discussed here.
Mogli is a wonderful and lively Croatian Shepherd Dog who came to us in 2019 at the age of three. His past was anything but easy. He must have experienced terrible things on the streets, which made him a "difficult case".
It took a lot of time, patience, and above all, love before he could trust people again. We are grateful that his foster parents, Claudia and Hans-Jürgen, lovingly laid the first small foundations before Mogli became part of our family.
This blog post is about his medical history in 2024. His past life circumstances, which ultimately led to almost a year of suffering, also play a role.
Topics such as fox mange in dogs, food allergies and unexplained weight loss despite a good appetite play a central role.
Mogli was an enthusiastic eater from the very beginning. He always received mid-priced canned food, supplemented by occasional treats from the table – always unseasoned meat.
He had suffered two bouts of gastritis in recent years, but apart from that, he enjoyed excellent health. He was bursting with energy, a passionate dog walker, and a keen hiking companion. Weighing over 18 kilograms, he was always strong and vital.
It's likely that changes in his stomach were already apparent 2-3 years ago, but we hardly noticed anything. It wasn't until mid-2023 that he experienced his first serious illness. He suddenly seemed weak and lethargic. He went for his walks with enthusiasm, but in between, he lay almost motionless and tired in his sleeping place.
Following an investigation Anaplasmosis He was diagnosed. Thanks to medication, he recovered and was considered "healthy" again. During this time, we noticed that he had lost weight – the veterinary clinic documented a drop to about 17 kilograms.
Towards the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024, however, a new and extremely distressing period of suffering began for Mogli. He started licking the insides of his thighs excessively, and fluid began leaking from his ears. It was like a severe ear infection, accompanied by a yellow to brown discharge that smelled unpleasant.
The discomfort was taking a heavy toll on him – he was constantly licking his skin and shaking his painful ear incessantly. Day and night, we sometimes had to hold tissues in his ears for minutes at a time to catch the draining discharge.
At the same time, more and more bald patches developed on his skin, which were often intensely red. His belly, the insides of his hind legs, and the area around his rump and anus were particularly affected. This phase was a real challenge for both Mogli and us.
The diagnosis was yeast dermatitis and a food intolerance.
Mogli had to have his fur shaved in several places because the yeast infection had spread extensively. The vet said Mogli would have to take medication to suppress the allergy for the rest of his life. She also advised us to feed him only hypoallergenic food.
A relative who works in the medical field discovered that this drug is actually used in transplant medicine.
The vet visit brought Mogli short-term relief. The itching and skin irritation improved for a while. However, the vet only treated the symptoms. No tests were carried out to determine the underlying causes.
Even before our first visit to the veterinary clinic, we had contacted a veterinary naturopath. She couldn't help us in the short term either, but in the long run it was exactly the right decision.
We were already familiar with colloidal silver sprays, but these hadn't helped much with Mogli's inflamed areas. She recommended a silver ointment, which provided somewhat more relief. We also tried certain homeopathic remedies. However, these too only treated the symptoms, so we embarked on a long journey to find the underlying cause.
The animal naturopath had recommendations from her network, so we brought a homeopath and a nutritionist on board. Together with another veterinarian, Mogli's long road back to a normal life began.
We had a bioenergetic fur analysis performed on Mogli's hair, which provided us with valuable insights into his overall health. This allowed us to rule out some possible causes and focus our attention on other investigations.
This analysis was definitely a crucial building block for his future path.
There is no single "right" diet, as countless (expert) opinions exist on this topic. This makes finding the perfect solution virtually impossible. Instead, you should focus on your dog's individual needs and continuously expand your own knowledge.
Ultimately, it's up to you which expert or approach you trust on the topic. Food allergy you give.
For us, this marked the beginning of an intensive search for solutions. We developed these step by step through our own insights, expert knowledge, and thorough analyses. The first step was a detailed examination of the existing feed.
To eliminate potentially problematic ingredients, we started cooking the meat (chicken) ourselves in the slow cooker. We also added zucchini. We had previously discovered that he didn't tolerate beef, which manifested as diarrhea and stomach problems.
Of course, he was initially missing some important additives, but there was no other way at first. Unfortunately, it later turned out that he could no longer tolerate chicken either, and his allergy didn't improve as a result. Therefore, we decided to have an allergen and pseudoallergen analysis done instead of continuing to rely solely on trial and error.
Through a hair analysis, we were finally able to identify the problematic ingredients more precisely and chart a clear course of action. It turned out that he can no longer tolerate many types of meat, including beef, lamb, horse, chicken, and some game.
Finally, we opted for kangaroo. With 100g of pure canned kangaroo meat and cooked zucchini, we were finally able to get his severe skin rash under control.
Although further challenges and illnesses arose over time, more on that later. Working with a nutritionist, we were able, after months of effort, to tailor his diet to his individual needs.
We don't want to give detailed instructions here, as every situation is unique. What worked for Mogli won't necessarily work for other dogs with food allergies.
Nevertheless, we are happy to share a few basic insights (this was only made possible thanks to the support of an experienced nutritionist):
We're currently making such good progress that we occasionally add different types of fish to his food (naturally taking the allergen list into account). We also sometimes mix in puffed quinoa.
This list is obviously not suitable for every dog and can vary depending on the individual situation. It is therefore crucial to always consult a veterinarian or nutritionist before making any major dietary changes or addressing a food allergy in your dog.
By changing his diet, we were finally able to get Mogli's severe skin rash under control. However, he continued to struggle with weight loss and reddened skin. Even though we had already avoided certain allergens, Mogli still wasn't completely healthy.
We sent numerous samples – stool, blood, urine, fur – to various laboratories. Although we repeatedly received possible diagnoses, none of the approaches led to the hoped-for success.
Then, quite by chance, it happened: An employee of the nutritionist stumbled across our photos. She herself had been searching for months for the cause of her own dog's rash. It finally turned out that her dog was suffering from mange.
Since we were already at the clinic with Mogli for a follow-up examination, we had a special blood test done. And indeed: In addition to a food intolerance, Mogli was also suffering from Fox mange (Sarcoptes mange).
Here are some pictures that likely show fox mange, caused by Sarcoptes mites (please note the disclaimer regarding medical information). However, some of the pictures also show areas that could be attributed to food allergies.
Now began our great internal struggle over which path to take. Should we treat Mogli with an antiparasitic (spot-on) medication or look for alternative options?
As mentioned in the disclaimer, we do not recommend imitation. Instead, we encourage informed decision-making – whether for or against a particular product or treatment. It was anything but easy for us, but we consciously decided against the spot-on treatment. However, we kept it as a backup in case our efforts proved unsuccessful.
Alternative approach
To provide internal support, we also gave Mogli a supplement to strengthen his immune system. We applied silver ointment to some of the sores. In addition, we treated his skin regularly – at least three times a day – with a mixture of coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and an oil for Demodex mites. These measures provided him with some relief, but were not entirely successful.
Desperately, we continued our search for alternatives and came across Neem oil – the game-changer against sarcoptic mange. We rubbed Mogli's affected skin areas several times a day with a paste made from neem oil and other ingredients.
„Paste“: 12.5 g coconut oil + 12.5 g aloe vera + 2.5 g demodex oil + 1.5 g neem oil + 2 g apple cider vinegar
When temperatures drop, you can reduce the amount of coconut and add more aloe vera instead. This will prevent the mixture from becoming too thick.
In addition, we "showered" him once or twice a week with a mixture of aloe vera gel and neem oil. At the same time, we had to regularly shave his fur because the mites migrated and settled in new places.
Ultimately, through a combination of dietary changes, internal immune system support, and intensive external treatment, we succeeded. After several weeks, Mogli was completely free of rashes.
There was no single "miracle cure"—success lay in the combination of all measures. The treatment was extremely time-consuming and certainly not suitable for everyone, but for Mogli, the effort was worthwhile.
We had finally successfully brought our dog's food allergy and mange under control. But Mogli continued to lose weight steadily. His weight had dropped to only about 14.5 kilograms, and he had become alarmingly thin.
So we began with further vet visits and treatments. A comprehensive blood test and additional examinations were carried out. Unfortunately, during the appointment, the vet also detected an unusual heart murmur…
This was followed by X-rays and time-consuming and expensive ultrasound examinations of the organs and heart. Our brave Mogli endured all of this, even though he was very scared each time.
In the end, a Mitral valve insufficiency (Grade 1) diagnosed. While not serious, it was clearly visible on the ultrasound. We were advised to administer a suitable medication to slow its progression.
However, when writing this blog post, we initially decided against the medication and opted for a different approach. Whether this was the right decision for our Mogli will only become clear in the coming years.
The first blood test revealed a very low glucose level, accompanied by other abnormal results. The veterinary clinic suspected possible kidney failure. However, at that time we didn't know that dogs should fast for 12 hours before having blood drawn.
Further blood and urine tests followed, this time taking Mogli's fasting status into account. Fortunately, the results regarding kidney failure were unremarkable.
Nevertheless, the weight loss continued and the repeated glucose measurement (non-fasting) again revealed alarmingly low values.
Our vet approached the examination with great dedication. But slowly, even she became baffled as to why Mogli was losing so much weight and his blood sugar levels were so low. Finally, she raised the possibility of a tumor in his pancreas. A suspicion, but a shock for us nonetheless.
When we learned about the possible course of the disease and life expectancy with such a tumor, we were devastated. After a day or two, however, we realized that none of it was the end of the world. Our vet advised us to measure Mogli's glucose levels several times a day by pricking his ear.
Should the levels remain consistently low, we would need to go to the hospital to have blood drawn for further testing. There, the lab could determine with greater certainty whether a tumor is likely.
However, after all the previous tests, we didn't want to subject our dog to having his ear pierced several times a day. Especially since this would only provide indications and not reliable data.
Since Julia works in the medical technology sector, she had the idea to test a continuous glucose monitoring system. Although this was significantly more expensive than the method using needle pricks, it promised minute-by-minute readings and therefore greater certainty.
Of course, this incurred additional costs, as we felt it was too risky to attach the sensor ourselves. Therefore, we commissioned the vet to do it. Unfortunately, things didn't go entirely smoothly at first: the first sensor was defective, and we had to take Mogli to the clinic a second time.
But in the end, everything worked out wonderfully, and we were able to confirm with certainty that his glucose levels were within the normal range. The suspicion of a Insulinoma was therefore excluded.
Thankfully, Mogli had neither kidney problems nor a tumor. Nevertheless, his condition was alarming, as his weight had dropped dramatically to under 14 kilograms. This was despite a daily food intake of approximately 1.2 kilograms! Continuous weight loss despite a good appetite is a worrying sign.
In the end, it was many small adjustments that brought about the breakthrough. We increased the meat content in his diet and reduced the vegetables. We also switched from three to four meals a day, which allowed us to increase the meat portion more effectively. With only three portions a day, Mogli often suffered from severe stomach problems.
He also received amaranth in his food, as well as a second enzyme preparation to further support his digestion.
We too realized that we were carrying around problems without actively addressing them. Every dog owner knows that dogs pick up on and reflect our moods. That's why we decided to make positive changes within ourselves.
We document his weight once a week, and as of today, he has finally surpassed the 15-kilogram mark. It has been an almost year-long ordeal, marked by small successes and many difficult moments.
This journey cost us a great deal of effort, energy, and money, but every expense was worthwhile. Our ray of sunshine, Mogli, is full of life again and can enjoy his old life almost without restrictions.
Of course, we always keep a close eye on his heart problems during hikes. We manage his diet with the utmost consistency – for example, he only gets kangaroo or coconut treats. Additionally, we will spray him with neem oil before every walk in the woods during the summer to prevent reinfection with fox mange.
Mogli shows us every day that all our efforts were not in vain. His zest for life is back, and that is the most beautiful gift.
1) Document everything so you don't forget anything: Our memory is not infallible. That's why we documented every daily step of our progress in pictures and words, supplemented by all lab results and important conversations.
2) Recognize warning signs in time: Pay attention to subtle signs that could indicate potential problems. With Mogli, we rarely checked his weight and only realized too late that he was in a downward spiral.
3) Escape the mental merry-go-round: Overthinking rarely leads to solutions. Instead, open yourself to new perspectives. Use the internet's resources to discover helpful information and connect with people from all over the world.
4) Everyone has their own truth: People view the world through the personal filter of their experiences and values. One example of this was a person whose resentment towards veterinarians ran so deep that they judged everything negatively from the outset. As the saying goes: „"Ask ten people and you'll probably get eleven opinions."“
5) You are what you eat: Both your diet and your thoughts significantly influence your physical and mental well-being. Be mindful of what you put into your body and mind. Critically question supposed "facts": Who published the information? Who, for example, funds certain studies?
6) Trust the facts and your intuition: Numbers, data, and facts are essential when it comes to making informed decisions. They provide the foundation for analyses and evaluations. But it's just as important to follow your gut feeling. The key is to combine both approaches to make the right decisions.
7) The right balance between patience and action: Recognize when it's wise to wait and when decisive action is required. Often we've been too impatient and expected quick, positive results. But everything that is truly good and sustainable takes time.
8) Focus on continuous small steps: Big changes can be overwhelming, but small, consistent improvements lead to impressive progress over time. It's better to make steady progress every week than to make a big leap only every few months.
9) Analyses are snapshots: Everything you analyze or measure only represents the current state. Always consider the data source. How often did your dog eat before being weighed, and how much? Is his harness on or off? Did you take him for a walk beforehand?
10) The best solution arises from combining different approaches.We've learned that choosing the right treatment always depends on the situation and the individual animal's temperament. There were times when Mogli needed cortisone or other medications just to recover. For long-term recovery, however, an alternative approach was often the right one—one that might not work immediately, but strengthens health in the long run.
Of course, we weren't always sure we'd made the right decision. But we always did our best to find the optimal solution for Mogli. With the knowledge we have now, we would approach some things differently, but that's all part of life's learning process.
Four women played a crucial role in the recovery of our beloved Mogli, for which we are deeply grateful. Each of these experts brings unique knowledge and experience from different healing traditions.
Unfortunately, we are not allowed to mention their names, but it is very important to us to acknowledge their efforts. With endless patience, empathy, and professional expertise, they worked with us to give Mogli the chance to recover.
In the end, however, it wasn't just their help, but also Mowgli's unwavering will and his zest for life. It was a powerful connection between humans, animals, and healing arts that made this success possible.
Your Julia & your Steffen
Disclaimer: This text is for informational purposes only. If you are experiencing trauma, please seek advice from an expert (e.g., a therapist, counselor, or other professional). Therapists).
All images and 3D elements used in this post are from Envato Elements and are used under a valid license.
KeywordsFox mange in dogs, food allergy in dogs, food allergy in dogs, anaplasmosis in dogs, yeast infection in dogs, ear infection in dogs with brown discharge, stool sample in dogs, sarcoptic mange in dogs (images), coat analysis in dogs, mitral valve insufficiency in dogs, blood test in dogs, weight loss in dogs, food intolerance in dogs, weight loss in dogs despite appetite.
Sources / Links (without Wikipedia)
Höinghaus, R. (2021, August 9). Mitral valve insufficiency – the most common heart disease in dogs. VetSpecial. https://zentrum-kleintiermedizin.de/mitralklappeninsuffizienz-die-haeufigste-herzerkrankung-beim-hund/
Jossé MA, S. (2022, February 23). Food allergy in dogs: Diagnosis & treatment. My Allergy Portal. https://www.mein-allergie-portal.com/allergie-bei-tieren/708-futtermittelunvertraeglichkeit-beim-hund-ausloeser-diagnose-und-therapie.html
Messner, Mag. med. vet. P., & Antwerpes, Dr. F. (nd). Insulinoma (dog). DocCheck Flexikon. https://flexikon.doccheck.com/de/Insulinom_(dog)
MSD Animal Health. (2023, October 24). Sarcoptes or fox mange in dogs. MSD Animal Health. https://de.mypet.com/gesundheit/sarcoptes-oder-fuchsraeude-beim-hund/?imgtcs=true
Rehberg, C. (2024, October 10). Scabies – natural remedies for scabies. Center for Health. https://www.zentrum-der-gesundheit.de/krankheiten/hauterkrankungen/weitere-hauterkrankungen/kraetze#natrliche_mittel_gegen_krtze
Ismaning Animal Clinic GbR. (2024, April 18). Anaplasmosis in dogs. Ismaning Animal Clinic (GbR). https://www.tierklinik-ismaning.de/anaplasmose-beim-hund/
Dr. Ziegler. (2024, October 2). Species-appropriate nutritional advice for dogs/cats. Dr. Ziegler. https://dr-ziegler.eu/
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2 Responses
Dear friends, thank you so much for this detailed and honest blog!
Certainly, diseases and their causes are very specific and must always be considered individually.,
Nevertheless, I think that everyone who reads this blog can take something away for themselves and/or their animal; at least the realization that there is never a black and white situation and that a holistic view of the circumstances (psychological and physical) is one or even the key to success.
I am deeply impressed by your dedication and love for your dog! You have my utmost respect! I would certainly do anything for my dog too. However, I can imagine what you have gone through and what a burden it must have been.
I wish you many more happy and healthy years with your Mogli. He has the best "parents" anyone could imagine ;-).
Warmest greetings from Berlin 🙂
Dear Kathrin,
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment and kind words! 😊 We are delighted that you enjoyed our post and were able to take something valuable away from it.
We wish you and your beloved 🐶 many more happy moments!
Warm greetings to Berlin 🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♂️
Julia & Steffen