The Fall GP Stop

My parents arrived last Thursday; their stop from WI to CO, then left the next morning for a quick weekend getaway while entrusting Friday, their poodle in our care. The kids were excited to have responsibility for a well-mannered, ball fetching dog, although the feeling wasn't mutual with Friday. She only growled at them the first day. Gramma & Grampa returned Sunday night and we had a great time squeezing in sports practices, lunch at school with the boys, shopping and play time before they headed west Wednesday. Danica had a fever over the weekend, so that combined with being three and a half didn't afford her much friendly, good-attitude time, but maybe she'll outgrow this mommy-only, whining phase by their next visit.

Grampa's defense in the backyard

 

Contact lense removal audience



Dog Drama

Poor Bay. The vet thinks she has Mange, as embarrassing as it is to admit! Since this spring, she's had bald/scaly spots on her body which the vet misdiagnosed and prescribed medicines, which probably made her worse. About a month ago they diagnosed her with Demodectic Mange; mites are little organisms that live in hair follicles of all dogs, but a healthy body keeps them at a normal level. For some reason her immune system is compromised, so the mites take over. It is not transferable to humans (thank goodness-can you imagine?!).

Mostly on her belly, legs and around her mouth she has patches of missing hair and sores, which she licks, further irritating her skin. She's on medicine, which kills the mites, but the recovery process of the skin healing is slow. It's feels like a constant process of baths, applying topical soothers and lotions, and lots of supervision. We tried dog diapers, but she still licks, so now we're on to an inflatable blow up collar. This picture is actually the small version, which was returned, now she wears an even bigger one. If nothing else, she's ready for a flood!

We pray that this regiment will work, otherwise it's trip to an Internist vet, expensive tests and probably a diagnosis not good for a 12 year old dog. It's been invaluable to have my dad to offer advice and input and here for a vet visit. Thankfully, she's a trooper and is tolerant of it all and I'm reassured that she's may have some discomfort, but not pain.

This is a painting my mom gave us that her artist friend made. I LOVE it. I teased her that she was planning on giving it to me as a funeral gift! Thankfully NOT!