Tag Archives: vet

Ode to the Scratching

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Daisy itches.

Daisy itches A LOT.  Which means she scratches and chews and licks all the time.

Over the last few months (well, the whole time I’ve had her) Daisy had been battling some allergy issues.  I had tried a grain-free diet.  Then a chicken, beef, and grain/soy free diet.  Then not only was she scratching, but her skin started flaking off everywhere. I tried several medications, including ones from my vet.   I tried Sulfadene shampoo. I treated for possible fleas. Then came the medicated shampoo/conditioner combo.  Nothing really took her symptoms away although some things helped some for a day or so.

This week, we were walking around the lake and poor Daisy kept trying to lift her leg and scratch while walking. In the last 10 days she had also started getting little scabs either from the overly flaking skin, or the biting or something.  To sum it up, my little coonhound had become miserable.

The vet suggested a steroid shot. He promised by tonight or tomorrow morning she would stop scratching. He was right!  She is able to rest comfortably and not scratch and bite. I have steroid tablets to start in a couple weeks. I know steroids have side effects but she is feeling better now.  After this is over I may look into some other medication with less side effects but right now I’m just happy that she can relax.

In other good news Daisy is down to 62 pounds! I think she looks ideal right now.  At 68 pounds you could start to notice her pot belly a bit more.

No one knocked on our door for Halloween....Daisy gave up and went to bed

Is it ok…

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to laugh at your dog’s expense?

Daisy was not feeling well. She was having another bout of nausea and vomiting so we went into the vet’s office. They have this little Tabby in the waiting room that is up for adoption. Daisy was just walking by the cage, she didn’t sniff or look at the cat all but the cat hissed and spit at her.

You know the goats that faint? Yeah, that is what Daisy did! She fell right over on her side then struggled to get back up. The tech and I laughed sooooo hard! it had to been one of the funniest things ever! I mean, my dog is supposed to be a mighty huntress. A hissing furry animal is supposed to make her blood boil and here my dog is playing dead!! No wonder she didn’t make it as a hunting dog!! LOL

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyReSMJw5MI&fs=1&hl=en_US]

stinky, sandy girl!

Yesterday morning Bella and I went to the dog beach for a meetup group. She had a blast! She loves running through the water. i think she likes the smells too. She likes rolling in the sand. She smells so good with decaying sea grass and toxic waste all over her. (this beach is in a shipping lane, I would NOT swim there).

The funniest thing is when she is chasing other dogs around. many retriever and water loving dogs come to this park. So they go to run into the water, typically chasing a toy or ball and she runs after them. Until the water hits her chest. This is where crucial split second decisions must be made…swim, or run? She chooses run. She loves the water but doesn’t swim. She bunny hops back out of the water.

bunny hopping out of the water