top of page

đŸ¶ Living with a Chronically Ill Dog

Public·8 members
Anne Nergova

I’m in that “immune boosting” rabbit hole again and trying to climb out. 😅 My 9-year-old beagle mix has Cushing’s and recurring skin infections. Every ad is like “ENHANCE IMMUNITY IN 7 DAYS” and I’m just
 tired. I want to do the realistic stuff that actually helps her energy and keeps her stable, not chase false hope or spend $80/month on magic powder.


If your dog gets sick a lot or has a chronic disease, what changes (diet, supplements, lifestyle) genuinely helped? And how do you evaluate all these “immune support” products so it feels ethical, affordable, and evidence-based for your situation?


Thank you and bless you all! 🙏

Immune Boosting & Resilience
18 Views
Dodo
Dodo
Jan 08

For us (Luna, 12yo with kidney disease), the biggest “immune” improvement was honestly boring - consistent meals, good sleep, and not pushing exercise when she’s having a low day. We did add fish oil (omega-3) with our vet’s okay and I do think his coat and inflammation improved. I ignore anything that promises results fast or uses the word “detox.”

Johann SchultzJohann Schultz

Skin Allergy Cycles

I’m tired and I feel ashamed even typing that.


My 6 year old pit mix has had skin allergies basically his whole life. We do the “good weeks/bad weeks” loop - screaming itching at night, hot spots, ear gunk, then meds, cone, shampoo, vet, repeat. I’m doing Apoquel, medicated baths, wipes after every walk, laundry constantly, switching proteins, vacuuming like a maniac, and somehow we land right back at square one.


I’m not looking for a miracle cure (I know), but how do you cope with the endless cycle without burning out or feeling like a bad guardian when your dog still suffers? 😭 Like
 I’m doing all this and he’s still uncomfortable and I feel guilty every time I miss a bath day.


Also - if your dog has chronic allergies, what routine actually made life easier for both of you? I need something sustainable.

8 Views
Anne Nergova
Anne Nergova
Jan 08

You’re not a bad guardian. You’re exhausted because this is exhausting. My baby is 9 and the only thing that made it livable was simplifying. We used to do ALL the things and I was constantly switching foods and shampoos.


What helped us: keep diet boring and consistent (hydrolyzed kibble, no treats except the same kibble), Cytopoint shots every 6-8 weeks instead of daily Apoquel (Apoquel worked but I stressed about long-term too), and I only bathe every 2 weeks unless there’s a flare. Daily wiping was making his skin angry.


And emotionally - I had to stop thinking of it as “fixing” and more like diabetes or arthritis - management. Flare-ups don’t mean you failed. ❀

Fruzsina Moricz
December 22, 2025 · updated the description of the group.

Author, Founder

Awareness · Adjustment · Presence


If your dog is living with a chronic illness, your everyday life probably doesn’t look the way it used to.


Appointments, medications, routines, worries – and sometimes small wins – slowly become part of your days. You may not even know yet what to ask or how to describe what you’re going through.


This group is a starting point.


You can share what today looks like for you, what changed after the diagnosis, or what feels hardest right now.


You’re also welcome to just read, listen, and see that you’re not alone in this.

There’s no pressure to have the right words here. 💛

7 Views

    Members

    See All Members (8)
    bottom of page