Gagging, infection on leg.

[M.F.]

How strange, I supposed the assistants do the same job as a nurse with limitations.

I don’t think they have any qualifications. I’m sure they are quite capable having assisted and watched the vet over the years. But from what I’ve seen, they basically are there to lift the big dogs onto the examination table, hold them still during a scan, and keep an eye on the dogs in the back room cages waiting for procedures. Otherwise, the vet does everything. The dog and cat owners are welcome to be with their dogs and cats during all the procedures. I really like this about the practice, that you’re encouraged to stay with your dog to comfort them. So I’ve seen what the assistants do.

 

[M.F.]

The vet’s two Goldens also roam around the practice. They’re lovely calm dogs and bring a normalcy to the experience.

They’re usually stretched out in the reception area. But they come into the consultation room with us (like in this pic) cos they absolutely love getting a head and chin scratch from us, and they probably know Snowie will score them treats from the vet!

 

[Lisa]

That’s so nice!

 

[M.F.]

A swab (edited: sorry, not a needle aspirate) was taken from the leg wounds (two—a second smaller one developed on the inside of his leg) to culture the bacteria. Came back with a host of different bacteria. Got new targeted antibiotics. 3 tablets twice a day. Thankfully Snowie is quite happy to take them with food.

Big wound on the outside is healing well.

Vet approved the honey @Jacqui-S. Said his son did a school project and proved honey was better than any of the OTC antiseptics! He said he didn’t want the wound covered while it was actively shedding necrotic tissue, but covering for a short duration with honey was ok.

But Snowie is losing fur. 🥲 Thinning coat. Every time I stroke him, fur comes off. Last week his skin felt scabby all over. He wasn’t actively scratching, interestingly, but thoroughly enjoyed a good rub as if he were itchy. Very smelly and grimy. Yesterday I bathed him in the gentlest baby shampoo and saw just how bad the fur loss is. We go back to the vet next week for a checkup. Feel very despondent about the fur loss although Snowie himself is very cheerful, wagging his tail more often now than a few weeks ago.

 

[Cath]

So sorry @M.F.

 

[Atemas]

Feel very despondent about the fur loss

 

[edzbird]

I'm glad Snowie is feeling somewhat better and has a waggy outlook. Sorry for his fur loss though, may be a reaction to the antibiotics? Or just the stress of it all?

 

[Stacia]

[QUOTE=". Feel very despondent about the fur loss although Snowie himself is very cheerful, wagging his tail more often now than a few weeks ago.
[/QUOTE]

Good news and not such good news re Snowie's shedding, it may be as @edzbird says, fingers crossed. I walk with a yellow Labrador, same age as Snowie and she is shedding in great clumps, have known her ages and never seen it like this before, so maybe it is a climate thing?

 

[Naya]

Glad that Snowie is wagging his tail more and seems to be a boy happier in himself.

 

[MellowYellow]

Ah that's horrid for you both. I must say Poppy too is shedding in great clumps, I have had a blood test done to check her thyroid, am awaiting the results.

 

[M.F.]

I'm glad Snowie is feeling somewhat better and has a waggy outlook. Sorry for his fur loss though, may be a reaction to the antibiotics? Or just the stress of it all?

I’m hoping it’s the antibiotics or stress, too. Otherwise, there’s more to worry about!! He’s rubbed his eyes so much they look like panda eyes. And they’re very gummy. I am now cleaning them with cotton wool and black tea several times a day so that he doesn’t feel the need to rub them. It seems to be effective. Wish I’d done it sooner cos his eyes look terrible with no fur around the edges.

 

[M.F.]

I walk with a yellow Labrador, same age as Snowie and she is shedding in great clumps, have known her ages and never seen it like this before, so maybe it is a climate thing?

I do think that labs with thick coats are more suited to cold climates. Perhaps with the Lab you walk it is a climate thing where you are. But I’m in the southern hemisphere so it’s meant to be hot here! All the dogs are shedding a lot here at the moment. But I don’t think this is normal shedding as his top coat is coming off and he now has bald spots where anything rubs him, like his harness.

 

[M.F.]

Ah that's horrid for you both. I must say Poppy too is shedding in great clumps, I have had a blood test done to check her thyroid, am awaiting the results.

I did wonder about thyroid. And Cushings! I’ve considered many things!! We see the vet again on Friday so I’ll talk through all of it then.

I’m sorry Poppy is losing her coat. I hope it’s just normal shedding and not thyroid. Please do let us know.

 

[MellowYellow]

I got Poppy's blood test results back yesterday - all good, except her thyroid levels are a little low, but the vet said not enough to start any sort of hormone treatment. So it's just added vitamins and fish oil. I'm glad I had the blood test done, and agree that would be a good thing to talk over with the vet regarding Snowie.

 

[M.F.]

Did the vet suggest adding some kelp to her diet for extra iodine? I add a minute amount of powdered kelp to Snowie’s mixture (turmeric, crushed pumpkin seeds, veg, etc mush). It’s also a good vehicle for the meds administration!

 

[MellowYellow]

Did the vet suggest adding some kelp to her diet for extra iodine? I add a minute amount of powdered kelp to Snowie’s mixture (turmeric, crushed pumpkin seeds, veg, etc mush). It’s also a good vehicle for the meds administration!

That sounds like a good idea, I will look for some powdered kelp!

 

[JES72]

How is Snowie doing? Been thinking of you.

 

[M.F.]

Thank you @JES72. He himself seems cheerful and wagging his tail. But his skin is terrible. More and more bald spots. Smelly in general. I bathed him today again and he seemed so relaxed after. But also full of energy and took my husband on a long walk on their afternoon walk—he decides where to walk, he can be very stubborn! I took him for his morning walk to Campsbay Beach (stunning morning today!) and while he was slow, he insisted on chasing his ball. So it is rather confusing. If you look at him, he looks ghastly—moth-eaten. And yet he seems more cheerful than ever. And the leg wound is closing beautifully.

 

[Stacia]

Thank you @JES72.
So it is rather confusing. If you look at him, he looks ghastly—moth-eaten. And yet he seems more cheerful than ever. And the leg wound is closing beautifully.

I wonder if the loss of Snowi's coat(my spell checker won't let me write his name properly!) is due the stress of being ill, though that doesn't explain the smell.

 

[M.F.]

From what I’ve read, a side effect of antibiotics is an overgrowth of yeast. Although I’d expected that after stopping the antibiotics, not while on them. So, possibly the smell is yeast. Or it could be his anal glands. Or something in his hindlegs—the smell is worse towards his back end. But after his bath, the smell has gone, so perhaps anal glands? I gave his anus a good wash (I know I can write that here among dog friends! ).

I’m hoping the hair loss is due to the stress. But his entire body felt scabby a couple of weeks ago, and still feels like that now. No idea what has caused that. Anyway, we brought our vet checkup forward to tomorrow. Every time I stroke him, fur comes off, it’s very distressing. He is bald where his harness rubs on him.