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.

Vet Visit - Good New - Bad News

Ralphie had his 2 year wellness check at the veterinarian this past week.  I really like his doc because he actually sits down and discusses with me my concerns and gives me his recommendations and suggestions without rushing me through the appointment.

Everything checked out good ... well, almost everything.  Ralphie had his yearly heart worm check...all good.  Then he had a Bordetella shot that I opted for since he's around a lot of different dogs at the dog park.  This prevents Ralphie catching kennel cough.  The doc and I had a long conversation about Ralphie's allergies.  It seems like it's flared up more so recently.  His hair is thinning along his back and he has a few bumps which appear to be bug bites.  I started the NuStock cream again.  If that doesn't clear it up, I'll have to give him the antibiotics that the doctor gave me.  Sometimes I wonder if it's a food allergy.  I'm feeding Ralphie a no-grain salmon kibble.  I may research different foods and try something different.  Talking about food ... the doc gave Ralphie and me some bad news ... Ralphie is CHUBBY ... he's overweight!!  We discussed Ralphie's diet.   Yes, I'm guilty of giving him too many treats and too much human food.  Ralphie needs to lose 5-6 pounds!  He's 71 pounds and should be 65 pounds.

So I started Ralphie's new diet.  It was suggested to me 2/3 kibble and 1/3 green beans or broccoli.  Replace his fattening treats with carrots and apples.  I haven't changed his kibble yet.  I'm still researching a good kibble to help allergies.  But I did start adding the vegetables to his food and changing his treats.  The broccoli was success, he seemed to like it; but forget about the green beans.   He picked them all out of his food.  I gave him a carrot...he ate it, but not the way he eats a milkbone.  He didn't go crazy over it.   He seemed to really like the apple.
Slowly but surely I will get my boy buff and toned! (Actually I can afford to lose 5-6 pounds myself!)

Munching on his new healthy snack ... wasn't all that thrilled with it.

This picture says it all ... Ralphie HATES green beans!

When It's Time - RIP Stewart

My sister had to make a big decision yesterday to put her most loving Great Dane, Stewart to sleep.  Stewart was 9 years, 8 months old...quite a long life for a giant breed.  When do you know it's that time?  I'm sure my sister struggled making this decision.  But she had to make this decision with her head and set aside her heartfelt feelings.  Stewart was her favorite.  What is best for him?  Of course my sister would of loved to keep him for a week, a month, a year longer.  But is it fair for your pet when their quality of life has diminished.  Stewart simply grew old, ate well but losing weight rapidly, unable to walk, no control of his bodily functions.  It was time.

Right now I have a young whipper-snapper Ralphie, with his youth, energy, the prime of his lifetime.  I'm enjoying his youth!  I also have Ralphie's older brother, Ollie, my Yorkie who is pushing 15 years old.  I'm have my struggles with his aging.  Ollie eats well, still has control of bodily functions, however he just does what he wants.  If he wants to pee and poo outside like a good boy, he does.  But he can be stubborn and lazy and just does his business in the house.  His eyesight and hearing is failing him.  He's becoming a little senile prancing, bumping into things, whining, and panting in the middle of the night.  So I wake up and hold him, cuddle him, rub his ears to soothe and calm him. He falls asleep.  It's been rough for me with interrupted sleep, but that's what love is all about.  I feel Ollie still has life in him; he can be quite feisty at times.  But I know one day I will need to make that decision like my sister did yesterday...is it that time?  But until then, I will cuddle him, comfort him, LOVE him.

Rest In Peace Sweet Stewart