trystinn: (Eggs)
TrystInn ([personal profile] trystinn) wrote2010-12-13 07:15 pm

Catching Up :)

Sadly, the In-Laws have headed home and we're on our own once again. Flash is despondent, he's fallen for Josh's mom. Doodle hero-worships Josh's dad, so it all works out. And, of course, they both loved Gracie.

Unfortunately, Gracie has a very bad hot spot on her flank. It appeared almost overnight and we were shocked at how fast it hit her flank. We cut the hair as tightly to the skin as possible, gave her a thorough bath and treated it with antibiotic ointment. We also bought her an inflatable collar, so we hope that helps. She's too good of a girl to remove her cone, but we know she can do it. We're also treating her with Rescue Remedy & Benadryl to keep her calm and help with the itching. We'll give it a few days and see how she does.

Poor Josh is also struggling. The repeated issues with his ankles and knees led a very curious doctor to run a bunch of tests from a needle biopsy to his knee and culturing it. Which is a good thing, because it turns out he has Lyme Disease. He's begun treatment with antibiotics, so hopefully his joints will start feeling better soon.

[identity profile] tryst-inn.livejournal.com 2010-12-14 12:06 pm (UTC)(link)
We're not sure. He vaguely remembers the target-shaped sign of Lyme Disease and is trying to locate a timeline in his memories. Best we can figure, sometime prior to moving to Whidbey - which for him would have been 8 or so years ago. Unfortunately, given where he's been stationed (Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, etc.) he was constantly getting bit by ticks.

I will absolutely make sure its entered into his VA record and ensure his doctor does so. Don't apologize, hon. I truly appreciate your advice and experience in all things health and medicine. Thank you.

We're not sure about the hot spot (or what I think is a hot spot). As a Border Collie, she's always had delicate, sensitive skin. But this is the worst hot spot I've ever seen. We're wondering if the additional cleaning products Josh used to clean the bathrooms (which I'm allergic to, myself) may have set off her system.

She does lay on the tile floors to wait out our showers, baths, etc. She may be reacting to the stress of having additional folks over, though she seemed perfectly content to curl up on everyone's laps, chase balls, etc. at the time. The inflatable collar has helped tremendously, she's much calmer now and no longer having the nervous fits she gets with the large lampshade style collars on.

Frankly, I'm thinking we'll likely have to take her to the vet and see about steroids and antibiotics. I'm giving her another 24 hours to see what she can do on her own with the treatments we can provide. She hates going to the vet. *sigh*

[identity profile] herbmcsidhe.livejournal.com 2010-12-17 07:39 am (UTC)(link)
Deer ticks are now in Washington. Has Gracie been tested for it?

http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/Zoo/watickdiseases.htm

[identity profile] herbmcsidhe.livejournal.com 2010-12-17 07:40 am (UTC)(link)
And ditto what Dana said - document his military medical record.