JennyWA

Wow Dan! Thanks so much for that information. It was really usefull and lifted my spirits about the whole process. I sometimes get a little despondent that things aren't working out, but then slap myself and realise it has only been 3 months of what is a very long road ahead. Your post has made me feel so much better. Yes, I am at Murdoch and they are just fantastic. Sharon and Mandy are wonderful and my boy loves going there as he gets lots of cuddles and they really fuss over him, so our trips to Murdoch have become a treat for him. That whiteboard of theirs certainly gets a work out They explain things so well and certainly give you the good with the bad and don't put you under any false illusion. Bobby is allergic to mould spores, dust mite, tobacco (none of us smoke??), mexican tea weed and basically airborne things...and we thought it was something as simple as being allergic to grass no such luck. He needs to live in a bubble. Yes, Bobby also had the yeast infection and bacteria from chewing his paws and legs, and has no hair left on his legs and tummy (where he rubs it on the grass 'till it bleeds - naughty dog). We too have to keep an eye on the injections as he is getting very itchy about a day or so before he is due to have one, so we might have to adjust to lower doses, more often. Time will tell. Yesterday he was looking pretty good and then I washed him with the Maleseb and he was red raw on his feet and tummy, so might ring Mandy tomorrow and see if it is now too harsh for him. I will certainly see this out to the end and agree that you cannot give in one bit. It is hard down the park as we have about 10 or so doggie friends that he meets up with and the owners all bring treats and he can't have any...they say the same thing...one won't hurt, but no way will I give in. I feel so sorry for him. He is actually smelling a lot better for longer periods. He used to stink a day after bathing but is actually not that bad - although still not good, but Mandy says that's the bacteria in his skin, so I can't wait for that to get better. We are only on the .2mg cortisone every second day just to make him feel comfortable...better than the .5mg twice a day the vet prescribed for him. Thank you once again for your post. It was just what I needed to read. Jen

I have started down this path with my Westie. He had the allergy testing done in January and has been on 2 different antibiotics, maleseb washing and soothe alternatively every second day. He's also on phenergen, the allergy injections and now is on small doses of prednisolone. His diet has been altered to vegies and roo meat. Whilst I have noticed a bit of a change in him, he still chews and scratches and is still losing hair, although not as bad. So far I think i've spent around $1800. I'm just interested to know how long Zayda has been on the treatment for and have you considered it worth it. I have been told it will take a year of treatment and then it's only a 60% guarantee of succes, but like you, I have to try anything to make him comfortable. If this doesn't work my next step is Naturapathy. Would be interested in your experience.

so sorry to hear of your loss. What a lovely boy.

Thanks for that Anne. I have only ever given my dog brisket bones as I was always led to believe that ANY chicken bones were bad for a dog - be it raw or cooked. Until reading this I would never have given him chicken. Will do from now on though.

Probably a dumb question, but do you cook the chicken frames or serve them raw. After paying $350 to have my dogs teeth cleaned, I'd like to keep them that way. ;) Thanks