Vizsla Staycation

I took off this week from work ... a staycation.  Just hung out with Ralphie and my daughter with her pugs.  Ollie pretty much wants to be left alone...a quiet house is ideal for him.

Sadly, the week is winding down.  Ralphie had a fun-filled, active week.  We walked a lot in the neighborhood, walked the beach, we hung out in the back yard poolside relaxing, we visited a few pet stores, we hiked a 13 mile nature trail, we went to different dog parks, we went to my daughter's house for fun with Bubba plus we still have three more days of fun together!   Life has been exceptionally busy for Ralphie this week.

There's nothing like being able to spend so much time with your pup that means the world to you.  Next week it's back to my normal work routine.  However, now we will have to rush to the dog park right when I get home from work due to the time change.  I really hate this time change!  It's crazy that it gets dark so early!  I have no idea of the purpose to move our clocks ahead, but it really puts a damper on a lot of people's lives.  LOL

Anyway, I'm going to enjoy these last three days to the fullest with my Ralphie...more hiking, doggie fairs, and more doggie parks.  Fun!

Ralphie's new toy that he got when visiting the pet store.

Please, please can I have some!

Hiking the trail.

Cooler weather is here...all snuggled up!

My Beauty!

Vizsla Owner's Rule

The past few weeks I met a couple of Vizsla owners at the dog parks.  Their pups were beautiful.  All much younger than Ralphie, between 9 months and a year old.  All our Vs looked quite different which I found fascinating that I had to do some research on the Vizsla background.  I've discovered Vizslas from their country, Hungary are a little different from U.S. Vizslas.

At the dog park last week I met a breeder with a male pup...a handsome good-looking guy.  After admiring her sweet boy, she stated boldly that Ralphie was FAT!  Yes, I know he's about 5 pounds overweight.  She said it's because he's neutered.  Hmmm, maybe, maybe not.  I don't know if there's any truth in that, but I do know he does get way too many treats.  It makes sense that treats are the fat culprit!  But I found her dog's appearance intriguing...I actually really liked the differences in her V compared to Ralphie.  She then told me she breeds her dogs with a Vizsla from Hungary, giving her pups that Hungarian look.  The color seemed a little lighter red, more brownish red.  I really liked the head formation, more boxy than U.S. Vizslas.  I may consider getting my next pup from her.  But what through me off is she was using one of those prongy collars on her little 9 month old pup.  I was surprised to see a breeder use one of those.  I always thought V breeders were not fond of those torture looking collars.  However, I kept my opinion and thought to myself.

Then yesterday I went to an event called Woofstock.  This is an event where a lot of dog owners gather together and mingle and where different rescues and other dog organizations promoting their cause or service.  It was a fun-filled day for the dogs!  I met a young couple who was a guest that had two Vizslas, one about 9 months old and the other a year old.  Very beautiful girls.  They saw Ralphie, and the guy gasped and said, "WOW, I've never seen a Vizsla that BIG! That's the BIGGEST Vizsla I've ever seen!"  Okay, yes I admit Ralphie is a big boy at about 70 pounds (should be 65).  He looked like a giant next to their petite females.  Then he started telling me he's going to start breeding Vs and will have their first litter available early next year.  He started pitching the champion bloodline his pups will have to show the dog, on and on.  Then I said I wouldn't be looking for a show dog, my dogs are pets only.  Then he went on how SMART his Vs are, after all they know 30 tricks!  Blah, blah, blah.  His sales pitch was an over-kill and unfortunately quite a turn-off,

There should be a rule for all Vizlsa owners...Keep your thoughts about another Vizsla to yourself. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all!  

No one wants to hear their dog is FAT or their dog is a GIANT.  In any pet owner's eyes their pup is flawless and the very best-looking dog around.
 
My Ralphie is PERFECT!  Love.

Fun times at Woofstock!

Having fun with a new buddy!

My HANDSOME boy!

All tired out after Woofstock...on our way home.

More On Vizsla Allergies

Well today is the last day for Ralphie's antibiotics.  It's also been over a month on different food.  And  it's also October 25th and the weather is cooling.  Ralphie's hair is growing back and no crusty skin lesions. Yay!!!  Was it the antibiotics, the food change, or weather change that healed his summertime skin problem.  This is what I believe...

It was not the antibiotics because last year exactly at this time, Ralphie's skin cleared up.  It was last year on 10/26/13 that I wrote about him overcoming his skin and loss of hair problem.  And last year I did not give him any antibiotics.

It's not the change in food either.  Last year I never changed his food and he cleared up.  This year I changed his food and I've been mixing in different kibble samples that I got at the local dog store open house.  So he's been eating all different kinds of food this past month.  What I did find out though...Ralphie gets bored with his food.  He needs a change, a variety, not the same food every day.  He's a finicky eat and when he gets bored with his food, he won't eat it.  He's loving the variety that I've been feeding him.

My diagnosis on Ralphie's skin problem ... SUMMERTIME!  It's definitely a seasonal allergy.  Could be the annoying summer bugs, humidity, heat, fertilizers, grass, environment.  Unfortunately, this may be an ongoing problem each summer.  I will be looking into vitamins that may help these allergies and start him on them and hopefully build his immunity that will make him more tolerant to summertime.

But what I know for sure ... both Ralphie and I are loving the cooler weather ... a nice little break from our Florida's hot summer.

Vizsla Skin Allergy Obsession

Poor Ralphie is still suffering with skin allergies.  I wrote in my October 5th blog of all the things I'm doing to help his allergies.  Nothing is working.  I caved in and started him on the antibiotics today.  I really didn't want to put him on them but now I feel I have no choice.

I looked back in my blog from last year, and at this time his allergies were cleared up.  When he saw the vet last year in September he was having hair loss problems.  My Oct. 23, 2013 blog stated his hair grew back and he was looking great.  So I didn't give him the antibiotics at that time.  Our summer this year seemed extended, we've been having hot days just up until a few days ago.  Possibly that's why Ralphie still has hair loss and bumps.  Last year it cooled down sooner.

I'm honestly becoming obsessed with this problem.  That's all I talk about, I'm googling away every day for "thee answer".  I've read numerous blogs and forums.  It seems like it's different for every V.  Some say its food, some say its bugs, some say its environment, some say its grass or weeds, some say its laundry detergent, it goes on and on.  Very mind-boggling and frustrating.  For Ralphie, I think its our Florida bugs and maybe grass.  He seems to flair up a little more after the dog park.  Last year I didn't change his food and his skin did clear up by the end of October.  Truly this is making me insane!  Luckily Ralphie doesn't seem like he's in any discomfort...he's not chewing, scratching or itching.  It just looks really bad and it's not normal!  I need to get my boy all shiny and red again!  Love him!

Vizsla Love

So do you think Ralphie loves his mama? Hahah  Love him!

Allergies Continue

Ralphie has been battling allergies all summer and now that fall is here...he STILL has problems with hair loss along his back.

Picture taken today.  Ralphie's spotted back.

I'm at wits end trying to figure this out.  I've tried shampoos and creams (NuStock) and at times I felt that it was getting better...and then it flairs up again.  (Sigh)

The vet doc looked at it, but didn't have much to say.  Last year he gave me some antibiotics which I didn't need to use because it eventually cleared.  But now I'm thinking I should use them.  I read that other Vizslas used antibiotics which cleared it temporarily but then the problem came back.  

The doc never mentioned changing food.  But I read that can be the problem.  I had Ralphie on Natures Domain, grain free, from Costco.  On dogfoodavisor.com it's rated quite high, almost 5 stars. But Ralphie was losing interest in his food, which concerned me.  So I changed to Zignature Duck, a limited ingredient kibble.  Ralphie loves it.  If it's a food allergy that he has, this food should help.

I'm also trying coconut oil.  I've been reading this oil is supposed to help with pet's skin allergies.  Today I'm starting him out slow, a half teaspoon twice a day.  I've also made a coconut oil rinse for external use.

I'm so frustrated! I'll give this two weeks, if this doesn't work I'll have to use the antibiotics.  But I really want a permanent fix.  Someone mentioned steroid shots ... but no way ... that can't be good, it doesn't even sound good.  

I pray that my boy would just kick this allergy.  (Sigh)

St. Francis Vizsla Blessing

Today was a whole day of Ralphie.  This morning we started with a short 3-mile run/walk.  Then he had some fun chasing lizards and digging holes in the backyard while I did some outdoor chores.

In the afternoon we went to St. Francis Pet Care Center for the celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

People gathered to have their pets blessed with holy water.  Ralphie really enjoyed himself mingling with all of the other dogs.  They had raffles, fall photo shoots, food for the humans, goodies for the animals.  I didn't think it would be a good idea for Ollie to go at his age, but I did bring his picture for the blessing.

Waiting for the animal blessing.

Everyone gathered outside while the priest did the blessing.

Then in the evening we went to the park hiked the trail and walked along the water.  Yes, it was a Ralphie day!  A most enjoyable day with my best friend.