>> You're changing your mind about whether there was a solid basis for recommending a treatment in this case? Earlier in the thread when I pointed out that it was unclear where the "skin fungus" diagnosis came from, you said: "Ok - that makes sense.". No, I agree that asking if someone has been diagnosed makes sense. But we didn't get an answer - so we can assume nothing about that person ... yet you follow up on an indeterminate situation by assuming that people are making guesses as to what it is. We don't know if it was self diagnosis or a definite diagnosis. >> Your other link is on effects of herbal oils on bacterial cultures No, on the effects of essential oils on fungal cultures, as we were discussing tinea, a group of fungal diseases. Also, I suggest we keep in mind 3 other things here: location, location, and location. Trying to treat an internal infection with a substance only shown to be effective in test tube studies does require extrapolation that may be unwarranted ... some organ in the body may absorb or metabolize the treatment and keep it from reaching adequate concentrations where the infection is. On the other hand, when we are dealing with skin infections, essential oils can be applied rather directly. There are other studies that have shown that essentials oils applied to the skin of humans are effective in treating dermatophyte fungal infections - I know you've said that you can't be expected to look up any information beyond what is presented (which doesn't stop you from giving an 'expert' opinion on something that you are unfamiliar with) - so I'll leave one such link here, though it certainly isn't the only one. My bottom line - plants (and bees) have evolved to produce plenty of antifungal substances, and applying such substances to non-life-threatening skin infections appears to be a reasonably effective manner of treating such infections. Here is a link that might be useful: Broad spectrum herbal therapy against superficial fungal infections.

Hi Susan, I have a lot of fatigue issues that increase tenfold when I am stressed, depressed, anxious, etc. I understand how hard it can be to just get the bulk of daily chores done. I tend to take mental stock of what is around the house- thinking of things that I know are there and that I wouldn't mind parting with. No need to necessarily go through a whole cabinet, but pull out 4 old beer mugs that I know are in there and put them in a box to donate. Sometimes I aim for just 10 minutes of this type of work a day, depending on what is going on. If you do 10 minutes a day, a few days a week, in a year, you will have spent a fair amount of time and probably eliminated a lot of things. It's that old adage about how you eat an elephant-- one bite at a time. Where I live, we are fortunate to have several organizations who will happily pick up any donations you might have, and they are available to come by once or twice every week, even for just a bag or two of stuff. This is great for me because it means I can schedule a pick up, put a few boxes and bags in one space (add to them as the date approaches) and then just stick everything out in the front entry on the given day- and it is gone to new digs by the end of the day. I just finished reading a book that was very good- Clutter Busting by Brookes Palmer. He emphasizes over and over again that 75% of the stuff in your house is weighing you down, and that you are more important than any material item in your house. Reading his book gave me a lot of clarity on how to go through things, he's got a lot of tips about recognizing when you don't need or want something, but are making excuses up to keep it. It's been a helpful and inspiring book for me to get going again. I'll warn you that he has a few stories in there about people who have health problems that he decides are just mental clutter, and related to the outer clutter, but if you can accept that there are some hypochondriacs out there, and don't feel like he's telling you that all your health problems will go away if you declutter, then the book has a lot of value. One thing that I will contend is that, you will probably feel better as you make this go away. But be patient with yourself and do things as you can, and one day you will wake up and realize that it really has changed. (((HUGS)))

Hello All, I have some sad news to share with you all. After Ruby stopped eating last week, we were asked to make an appointment with a surgeon to do an exploratory abdominal surgery. We took her in yesterday, June 1st, the surgeon opened her up and called with in five minutes, saying that the tumor had spread to majority of her intestines and was inoperable. He also mentioned that it seemed to have metastasized as the lymph nodes are swollen. His suggestion was to put her out of her misery. Having seen Ruby go through a very rough weekend, where she was constantly vomiting and suffered from Diarrhea , we decided to put her to sleep. She was a wonderful friend and companion and will be dearly missed. The kids and the family are having a rough time digesting the news...as we were never told she had cancer..all the biopsies were negative...and she was being treated for ulcer..and all of sudden she deteriorated in a week. She never lost any weight..may be a pound or so..but that's it. All her vitals were perfect. The blood tests were impeccable. Yet she was so sick..Poor thing she suffered a great deal. Please pray for my Ruby's peace. Does any one how to post Ruby's picture here? Copy n paste apparently does not work. Here are some quotes that reflect how we feel about Ruby: "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." ―Will Rogers "I said "good bye, I love you", When I saw that look in your eyes It was the type of look you give someone When you know these are your last goodbyes. You were just a dog some might say But I know theyre all wrong You were more than a dog You were my best friend, and Now dear friend it is going to be long, Before I can hold you in my arms once again. It is hard to put in words how you made me feel But when I heard your foot steps charging to me, There is nothing in the world that couldve made me more happy You were so small, yet You had more energy than any dog I had ever met You were so strong.. and Ill never forget, All the fun times we shared together You were with me for so short of a time But you taught me so much I never knew I could love anyone the way I loved you All I had to do was touch Your soft fur and I knew everything would be ok I dont know what I will do without you I feel like theres a huge hole in me Once so filled with joy and glee Now so empty and cold, I'm sure your spirit is still with me and I hope you know I will have and better dog and There will always be a place in my heart for you.. Wherever you are, I hope you are happy And have a nice fuzzy bed to sleep in You can be free now.. no more leashes.. I will see you again.. When my time comes I will look forward to seeing you And we can be together once more I will never forget you.. You are forever a part of me As I am a part of you Dont worry though.. Im not going to be blue All Ill have to do is whisper your name to myself And look for ward to the day.. when I will once again get to hold you" -Christina Rae Almeida

My golden retriever Camden had anal gland issues where I was taking her to get them purged at the vet every 3 weeks…. Before learning to do it myself. Ewww. Ha! I started her on “Perfect Form” by honest kitchen - it’s a supplement powder you mix into her food. No more issues with her butt ever since! Highly recommend. She is 9 now and we’ve been using this powder since she was around 2. She has “loose” glands so the perfect form made her have to work just a little harder and squeeze her stool out which lets her purge her glands naturally and on her own now! Praise be! My other golden retriever Cara is 12 and has been battling some type of undiagnosed skin dermatitis/autoimmune disorder of some kind. Her belly area gets scaly and turns into open lesions. Started as dry skin about three years ago and then she lost her belly hair. We finally saw a dermatologist and her first thought was food allergies. We’ve switched her food a few times, tried elimination diets, and now have her on a hydrolyzed protein diet by Royal Canin. No real improvement yet so hopefully we can see what the dermatologist says at the follow up. It still may be environmental allergies however it seems unlikely since we have never moved. It’s been almost 8 weeks on the HP food. 8 is the minimum amount of time to see results with food/diet Changes from what we have been told. We shall see! We’ve been spot washing her a few times a week with Maleseb (leaving on 5-10 min) and putting neo predef powder on the wounds when her skin flares up (when we forget to treat her for too long). Doing this clears up the issues in about a week or less….but only temporary…. When we stop then the scales come back and area gets inflamed and oozy and scabby again. Looking forward to trying the COAT DEFENSE canine powder listed above. Just ordered it so please send prayers please! Hope this helps some other pet owners out there!