First Time Puppy Owner

No worry Rappie - thank you for your input! Pei - that is our last resort med - see we have trialled 4 different antihistamines thus far - none have worked, possibly doing a second food trial, Possibly more thyroid testing, and a suggestion by Jean Dodds is Temaril - P. So we have quite away to go until/if Benson is trialled on Atopica but the cost freaked me out so I wanted to be sure if that is the path we finally end up taking then the insurance will cover it as I can not afford that kind of money mthly.

I think I will sleep on it - so many things to consider Will keep you all informed though k!

PS you of course don't need to answer that Rappie - I am just so stressed out, cause money is not a great thing at the moment for me, if I had some then probably would be an awesome thing!

Thanks Sne - so glad you did Ranger is a gorgeous boy! Ok not to put you on the spot but if it were your dog what would you do Rappie? I mean the one thing that doesn't seem to fit 100% is that he has actually lost weight rather than gain. I mean I am not paying off a BMW but for me $250 is not so easy to come up with but I will do it if it means my boy receives the proper care he needs. I mean you may get that this is my first dog from me ailas but I just want my puppy back who is happy and wants to interact with me rather than being frightened out of his mind as to whether I am going to do something to him that is painful (treating hot spots, ear infections, eyes, stripping away a matted coat/shaving when he has licked himself silly). Huh a comment just came to mind 'life isn't meant to be easy' .... so true.

Sorry to clarify Rappie, would you have those run here rather than sending to Dr Dodds? I completely understand that the original test is well with in range I just wonder if there is a chance that it might not be as conclusive as more testing might prove

Thanks Cav! Yep they sure are suseptable to both *sigh* Also very frustrating and stressful when you know your dog is not comfortable in it's own skin.

Thanks so very much guys! I will say to her 'humour me' as it's just something I feel I need to do to make certain we have ruled out absolutely, before treating with a med that might just mask the real issue for a long time. See in Dr Dodds theory young dogs should have quite high thyroxin levels, reducing with age and she feels some breeds differ to the average range so I am going to try to convince my friend that she is not wrong but rather that I have found some info that is relatively new and not all that well know yet. I stress about these types of things as I would hate her to feel she is being undermind or critised - you know?!?! Yep sent full history to Dr Dodds! Edit - ps I don't think it's all that expensive and if I need to eat 2 min noodle for a mth so be it!

Hi All Ok I am seriously struggling I am more at ease now knowing that Atopica is covered by my insurance incase it does turn out to be Atopy. However on Friday night I went to see vet / long time friend for the first time at a new practice that is closer to my home. (Previous practice she was around 1 & 1/2 hours away from me). Previously she has done vaccines at home for me cause we were doing a social events anyway (their vac date is near my b'day so it's always worked out easily). Anyway my delimma is that she is a great friend, I love her, know that she is super smart, but I would really like to go ahead and do a full thyroid antibody profile yet fear that I am going to offend/upset her as I made contact with Dr Dodds after our consult on Friday night. During that consult Kylie did a T4 test - result 29 and as it was with range (14-52) she has completely has ruled out the possibility of a thyroid problem and we are going to do a second food elimination trial and if not that possibly put Benson to Atopica. So my question is what do I do? I mean I already asked a few times on Friday to do full bloods but she said nah we will see what T4 is and if we need to them we will send off to external lab for more experimentation. *sigh* I really don't want this to seem like I don't trust her but after what Loraine has gone through I just want to be 100% sure it's not a thyroid issue. Also do vet/vet nurses hear know of Jean Dodds really well or not? Perhaps if she is well know here I can drop her name and that way encourage the testing to go ahead. Part of Jean's email to me. As far as the thyroid results, a T4 alone is insufficient to asess thyroid function, especially in a golden retriever -- a breed at high risk for the autoimmune form of thyroid disease. So, he really needs to have a complete thyroid antibody profile run, like the one we offer at Hemopet'Hemolife. Suggestions please! *insert begging emotion here* Susan

Just got a call back too and they definitely cover it!

Oh that is dodgy! New vet for sure!!!

Hell yes! See we still have a 2nd food elim trial and I have also contact Dr Jean Dodds re his thyroid (T4 came back as 29 which is classed normal in Oz) but if all those avenues fail then it's more than likely that he will need to be put on Atopica as of 4 antihistamines none have worked.

Oh thank god - I mean we have a way to go before he will be trialled on it but it's looking like the last option at present. Thank you Rappie!!!

Hmmm - yeah I am in two minds as whether it will be classed a treatment or preventative as well. Man if we run out of options though and he is finally diagnosed with Atopy 100% - this may be the only drug that might be able to help him.

Hi All Just speaking to my insurance co and the person had no idea what Atopica was and is having the supervisor of claims call me back as to whether it would be covered under the policy. How would you class this drug? A trreatment or preventative? I would think treatment - it even says so on the label http://www.atopica.com/product_label/en/index.shtml Product type Oral soft capsule for the treatment of chronic manifestations of atopic dermatitis in dogs But see if it's deemed a preventative it will not be covered Thanks for your input!

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Hey There! Newnewf has done great things with Chief - adopted Newfoundland! But also pumkin/sweet potato are great to keep a dog feeling full but as no fat/little carbs will help strip weight. There was a thread in the general topic with in the last week about Pumpkin! Also cut back on bones if you do feed them partucularly marrow! Sorry just re read - having a blonde moment. A chicken frame or turkey neck or even roo tails are great for dinner but i would cut the mince straight away to 100grm with 1 cup kibble and add a vegies instead for brekky. Then as luke said get rid of the mince altoghether whilst uping the vegies! Good luck! Another edit - I personally mashed sweet potato and put it into 200 grm container (not quite full) cause I did 3 s'potatos at a time so I have a three days supply in the fridge!

I understand 100% GG! :laugh: My boy has lots and lots of issues and I have blamed myself so may times cause I live in a rental near a swamp area where mozzies and midges are prevalent, etc, etc, but perhaps it's not my fault after all and it could be a thyroid problem instead (testing tomorrow night) and I will finally know that I have tried everything I possibly could with what we were faced with at the times/situations - WHICH YOU DID TOO! K! I know you love Beau and have his best interests at heart, so forget about blaming yourself, you were not informed of what the issue was and you have done everything you could in the situation to help your boy K! Ps Imagine if Beau was owned by an non loving dog owner - his is a incredibly lucky boy to have you!!! edit 4sp

GG the way I look at it at least you want for your dog! Too many are left in backyards to rot, never played with, walked or cared for. See Beau is lucky IMO as he has an owner who wants to show him off and groom him and train him and loves him so incredibly. However the neglect of another has made you doubt yourself when you should actually be patting yourself on the back for being a fantastic pet owner! OK!!!

GG do not blame yourself hon, you were lied to. You could not have know what happened and the things is Beau adores you, and you are doing the very best by him to ensure he has a fulfilling life! OK!!! :laugh:

Oh man that is huge but I think it could be the best chance for him to be back in the ring next year! Everything crossed it heals super quick!

Absolutely everything crossed that the surgery is a success!

Betadine Surgical Scrub is even better than straight Betadine - as bacteria can build up to plain betadine over time. Edit - most pharmacies sell it!

Hi DBS! Ok you said very minimum - what is the maximum that I can ask to be tested. Sounds silly but I would love to be super informed about what to ask to be tested. Should I have other things tested for in the blood??? Cheers Susan

I found Benson would reduce the scratching a little while on prednisone but then as soon as the dose reduced the scratching intensified, he was on antibiotics at the same time as well as an antihistamine shot was and cortizone injection were given.

Thank you Loraine - I will, I just don't believe it could be atopia as one antihistamine would have worked. Also done food elim and shampoos I understand about pulling your hair out! Thank god you found a way to help Zedley! Edit - I think though Benson may be a rare case of Hyerthyrodism as I can feel his heart by placing my hand on his chest and seems to beat fast, he is always hot and panting, he is very fidgity can't lie in the same place for long, and the coat and itching is the same with hyper.