It started May 16th-20th. Hair falling out in large quantities, and constant itching, as well as an upset tummy.
We had massive flooding and storms here right before this. The vets said "severe flea bite allergy" so we got her and brute on flea prevention pills (Lufenuron based) and flea killer pills (capstar) until we got the fleas killed on them. Have 6 months of flea prevention for both dogs and we went from there.
They said it would take a couple days, but it got worse, much worse. She constantly itches and scratches and chews. So i started bathing her weekly, with a deep conditioning and then rubbed down head to toe in Tri-care wound ointment that has 1.5% benzocaine in it. She was started on benadryl 1mg/lb as directed by the vet. Didn't really help.
They said to change her food. With all this going on, we tried an elimination diet that made no difference. We put her on steroids for a week, in which she puked so much so hard she started irritating her esophagus and bloody goo up. Not to mention the excessive pooping. So she was taken off at my aggressive fighting for.. She didn't want to eat, didn't want to drink and refused to do anything but itch.
So i went in to see about a vet bath that i can get to help her scratching, they saw a photo of her and said "oh no" another vet was around and said "oh that looks like a fungal infection"
At this point, we have two different diagnosis, So i took her to banfield in Petsmart, as they gave me a free visit when i took her to the store to look for better products. They said it looks like a bacterial skin infection.. which actually covers all her symptoms at this point. What may have started as a flea bite allergy, may have moved into an infection. I discussed the other vet's opinions and they were open to the ideas but wanted us to tackle the item that could actually make her much more sick if not treated, order of importance as it were.. They also changed from benadryl to zyrtec for her allergies which seem to be helping some.
She also has booties on her back feet that are vet wrapped so she can't pull them off. She goes on supervised 2-3 minute runs outside to potty so she doesn't get into anything that could exacerbate her allergies or skin problems.
So far we've put almost 380$ into figuring out and not being able to make a difference on her.. EXCEPT the Tri-Care Wound treatment gel i got at the farm supply shop. She went from almost completely bald to regrowing hair. We've got a prescription called in to get her Keflex(cephalexin) when they call we can start her on it. They are giving us well over a 30 day supply, but only doing a 12 day treatment at 500mg twice a day. Go from there and see how it's going.
We're also getting k-9 Advantix 2 for both dogs, they want us to put a secondary repellent on them even with her skin the way it is just in case.
My Morning:
Wake up, wash hands, put eyes in, go to the bathroom, wash hands again...
Make pickle's medication mix(vitamin e capsule and 5mg zyrtec) in cheese and give it to her. Take her clothes off, put them in the wash, and coat her down with Tri-care ointment or bathe her first, if it's the day for it, if it is, bathe her in oatmeal wash, condition for 10 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water, dry and then coat down with tri-care. Then spray some no chew spray on her paws and spots she can reach ie; Tail, butt area.. Then i take her out to go potty, bring her in, redress her and let her sleep.
Near noon, she gets her lunch and some supplemental oil (coconut usually) and go potty.
Evening is another nibble of food, her other 5mg of zyrtec and vitamin e in cheese. Take clothes off, wipe her down with doggy wipes and then recoat her with tri-care and redo all her clothes and give her a little spritz of some fly/mosquito and flea spray i got at TSC on her clothes and she hangs out until it's time for potty and bed.
repeat every day, at one point it was every three days needing a bath.
Going through 4oz tubes of tri-care every three days at 13.99$ each. So i'm sending the guy today to get the 23$ tub of it at the farm supply shop. As soon as her prescription is ready for pick up we start her meds.. If those don't make a dent we go the fungal route.
In the beginning, she wouldn't come to anyone, just hung out in her kennel, barely moved.. once i started using the Tri-Care ointment, she's happy, jumpy, playful and hyper as all get out. Runs to go outside and runs around, barks again.. So i'm hoping it's a bacterial thing and the medications work.. I'm at my wits end here.
And at the end of the month, My best friend moves about 8 hours away.. So i'm stressed and upset.
IF anyone would like to get some commissions done, i'd be super happy to take my mind off everything, and it would really help with the vet bills, should this next course of meds not work... Also would help with generally taking care of her, Rolls of vet wrap/sticky bandage wrap every few days, Tri-Care ointment and shampoos and Conditioners aren't cheap and anything would help at this point.
I did get to have a much deserved date with my dude lastnight, which was perfect and awesome.
I also got my internet fixed so i can start streaming on picarto.
