Itchy skin:
 

• Bathing - Try medicated baths recommended by your vet.
• Aloe Vera- Tear off a piece of the plant and apply the thick juice directly to the raw area. Available locally at garden centers.
• Aggravated skin sores,  known as hot spots, can make your PON miserable. If you see a hot spot developing, clip about one-half to one inch around the sore to prevent hair and other dirt from further aggravating it. Clean with hydrogen peroxide on gauze or a cotton ball, and after it dries spray the area with cortisone cream. Do this twice a day until the sore starts to dry out or a scab begins to form.
• Consider a change of diet to a grain-free type of kibble.
•  Change cleaning solutions.

Open wounds:
 

• Combine 1-pint water, 1/2-teaspoon salt, and 1/2-teaspoon calendula tincture.
• Soak an injured paw in the solution. If the wound is on the body put the solution in a quirt bottle or large syringe and gently apply it to the injured area.
• Repeat the soaking or application every 4 to 6 hours for the first 24 hours.
• Consult a vet if the open wound doesn't heal up within a few days.

 

Bites and Scratches
 

• Rinse out the fresh wounds and punctures with large amounts of this solution: 1-pint water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon Echinacea/goldenseal tincture. These are available at health food stores.
• Hydrogen peroxide may also be used to clean wounds, but it can damage delicate tissues. Consult a vet if the bite/scratch is deep.

Trauma
 

• If your PON falls, gets stepped on, is in a fight, or is otherwise bruised, the homeopathic remedy arnica can speed recovery. Give two pellets of arnica 30c once per hour for three hours following the injury. Consult your vet.

Loose Stools
 

 

• The herb slippery elm, available as powder or capsules, coats the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, counteracting the irritation and allowing stools to firm up. Put 1 tablespoon of the powder (break open capsules) into 1 pint of water and bring to a boil to thicken. Let it cool, and administer by mouth.
• Offer pure pumpkin found in the baking section of your local supermarket.

Stickers in Fur
 

• Comb the stickers in their fur with a metal comb immediately. If stickers are badly tangled rub vegetable oil on your fingers and work the lubrication slowly through the fur until you can pull the burrs out.

 

Itchy Ears
 

• Aloe Vera or the contents of a vitamin E capsule can soothe red or inflamed areas of your PON's ear.
• A gentle cleaning with a cotton swab or gauze dipped into vegetable oil can help to remove a buildup of wax and dirt.
• Remember that dog ear canals take a right-angle turn at the base of the ear, and be careful not to jam anything deep into the ear canal.

Arthritis
 

• Massage helps to relieve muscle tensions that contribute to pain. Be gentle. Begin from the center of the body and work your way outward. If feet are too sensitive, avoid massaging them.
• Nutritional research suggests that supplements containing chondroitin sulfate and glucosaminoglycans, fish oil, New Zealand Lippids, Icelandic sardine oil can help joints. Consult your vet, health-food store and online sources.
• Regular exercise is important for joints.
• Weight management will help arthritis.

If a skunk sprays
 

• Bathe your PON in a mixture of 1-quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4-cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon liquid soap. Work the solution into the fur (avoiding eyes) then rinse.
• To rid the stench from your PON douse him with tomato juice, leaving it on for several minutes before rinsing it off.  You may need to repeat this.