Allergist

[gogogiraffes]

Well, last night, Gizmo chewed up his feet enough to make it bleed. So I decided the allergist was needed. So they faxed over the referral, and we go Monday.

What do I need to know going in there? What food he's on? What treats he gets? How long it's been happening?

I just think it's weird, it's only his front left paw.

[Dillydoodle]

I would write down what he eats, everything. I would make note of what might be in your yard or where he is walked... so if he is in a grassy area, a weedy area, by trees, near certain flowers, etc, I would also write down any products you use on him ( shampoos, grooming sprays, tooth paste, ear cleaner, just everything). Any medication he is on including flea and tick products and heartworm products, any suppliments he takes (glucosamine, missing link, fish oil, cranberry caplets, etc whatever you may add to his food) And if he plays with any toys that have latex in them...though i doubt it is that ,as his mouth would also be irritated if he was allergic to something like that. but i wrote down everything with Dillon... just in case they asked.

Generally if there is a contact allergy, they can do a blood test to see what he is allergic to .. this is what they did with Dillon. They discovered that he is allergic to trees, grasses, weeds, and one kind of dust mite. The other dust mite he is not, mold and fleas and food he is not allergic to. So they can pin point what he is allergic to usually.. Then comes how to deal with it. Dillon is on Termil-P and it has helped him so much. He is not chewing himself red , raw and scabby on his paws, and inner arm near the elbow joint ... He used to chew himself so badly the hair was falling out..

Good luck with Gizmo.. I hope that the visit with the allergist goes well.

[Jespah]

Emilie did a pretty good job of covering everything off. I'd also note the type of products you use to clean the house and your clothing.

Have you recently changed any of the products for him, the house cleaning stuff - or new toys, things in the house?

I think the more you have with you, the better chance you'll have of helping the Dr. figure things out.

Here's a wierd question - can dogs be allergic to other dogs or to cats? That's one you might want to ask - or if stress can cause his situation.

[corgimom109]

If he goes somewhere regularly, like to a class or to doggie day care, I would note that also. Could be something there as opposed to something at your house.

[gogogiraffes]

Good advice. It did seem to start when we moved. But I was in the middle of moving last summer. So I might have missed it. I highly doubt it's food, a) we've switched food from chicken wellness, to lamb wellness, to grain free, to white fish and sweet potato. And it really only flairs up in the summer.

Didn't think about the toys though. We do have lots of, nylabones and stuff like that.. And kongs.

[ZdogZ]

Poor Gizmo! I hope you get some answers.

[thebeach.corgi]

Healing vibes going out to Gizmo. Poor baby. <<<<G>>>>.

[gogogiraffes]

We're home. Slightly lighter of a bank account, but if it fixes him. It's worth it.

The skin is a bacteria infection. The rest is allergies. But his foot is fine. No infection at all. So she thinks it's just OCD now. As he nibbles the blanket like his foot too if I correct him.

So we were sent home with Hill's Canine Skin Support d/d Venison and Potato (http://www.hillspet.com/products/pd-canine-dd-canine-skin-support-potato-and-venison-formula-dry.html)

Virbac shampoo and conditioner for 2 baths a week for 8 weeks.

Revolution for heartworm meds. As interceptor and comfortis (for fleas) have flavoring.

Pred for 28 days. It's a long list of instructions for that, but we start with 3x a day.

And Amitriptyline which is like benadryl with a Psychotherapeutic to try to break him of the chewing of the feet if it is OCD.

[Dillydoodle]

I am glad that you got him checked out and got some answers. Dillon also lightly chews on a sheet when he wants "comfort" and he never chews holes... it is lightly nibbling. I hope that Gizmo's meds will help clear up the bacterial infection , and break his cycle of obsessive chewing. Sounds like you really had an extensive visit!

[thebeach.corgi]

Hope Gizmo feels relief once the meds activate in his system.

Oh boy 2 baths a week. Cleanest corgi ever :BIGGRIN"

[gogogiraffes]

We go back in 10 weeks (as it's allergy season, and we'll still be warm, no good frosts) and if he flares back up, it's food. And we'll do an skin test.

She calls the chewing, corn on the cob chewing. He never chews a hole, and it's always really soft. Like he'll do it through the blanket when we play blanket monster, and I can't feel it really.

I think we'll start the pred tomorrow, so we start with a 3 day, and not end on a half a pill or something. but I'm going to give him the benadryl type thing tonight.

Also, they recommended Capsasian Roll to deter him from chewing, as it's made with hot peppers or something, and it's also an anti inflammatory.

Let's hope this does it!

BTW Gizmo let them scrape his feet and mess with his ears and was call a nice and lean corgi by the ENTIRE vet office. They wanted to keep him. I said no. Obviously.

[gogogiraffes]

Oh boy 2 baths a week. Cleanest corgi ever :BIGGRIN"

My dad already says he's the cleanest dog he's ever seen. So I mean... he better sparkle.

[Jespah]

Well, it sounds like a lot, but it will be worth it as you said. Obviously a lot of it is to determine what exactly the problem is. Good luck with it all and way to go Giz for being an outstanding Corgi ambassabor! +WUBCLUB+

Let us know how he is managing as you go along - I know we'll all be cheering for him!

Deb

[Anniesmom]

Poor Divo!! It sounds like a lot to do but as you said if it clears things up than that's the way!

Annie has ChewGuard spray if she starts going after her paw(s).

The Diva sends xoxoxo to her favorite tag buddy!

[ZdogZ]

I hope this fixes him. Poor little guy!

[gogogiraffes]

I'm not sure if it'll be alot, as the only thing we really have to go out of our way for is the 2nd pill of pred. And the shampoo. Which I think I'll do just with me.

She said that this was the only the second Corgi they have there.

[gogogiraffes]

So, we dropped him down from 3 pills a day to 1.5 pills a day, and he started chewing again...

So I guess it's time to call them again and do an allergy panel?

[Jespah]

Well, I'd ask them that - tell them that and ask what the next step is. Poor Gizmo. Hugs to him and to you guys too. +FUZZHUG+

Deb

[LoveMySadie]

I'm late to this discussion, but I've had much the same experience for years with Hank, our German short haired pointer. We finally began starting him on pred. in mid-May each year before his allergies have really kicked in, 1/2 pill per day with an occasional increase in dosage when his skin is really bad. He stays on it till the first frost, which here is around Thanksgiving. We worried for a while about having him on steroids for so long, but so far he's had no problems and it does help his itching/chewing/redness.

We did the allergy panel but it really didn't help. You could only test for a limited number of things in each panel, and he was allergic to everything that grew outside - grass, every tree grown in Texas, shrubs. We did learn that his wasn't a food allergy but a contact one...but we could tell that by the pattern of the skin irritations without the panel. We used benadryl for a while but really couldn't tell that it made any difference. The prednisone is what alleviates his skin problems.

We have found that the solution is something of a trial and error process, and having a vet who is willing to work with you is vital. Once you stumble on the combo that helps Gizmo the most, stick with it and he will be ever so much more comfortable!

Good luck!!!

Leslie

[gogogiraffes]

I'm worried about the steroids for so long too. I wouldn't mind if they did the every 2 weeks shots. We're going to do another bath tonight... #3 FOR THE WEEK! I could eat off of him if I wanted to.

But I haven't been walking him as much, as school has started, and alone this payperiod, I'm at 40hrs working... and that's I think 8 days. Or so.. We're on two week pay so I know I won't go over, but...

I did take him for a walk tonight. And as I don't get cell phone reception in my apartment, so it's nice when I walk him, I can call my dad. But I sat on the front porch and threw his toy for about 5 minutes, and sat and talked to him, and he started to chew. So I'm assuming it's outdoor allergies as well. As once we get our heavy freeze also, it almost STOPS. If not does stop.

Benadryl and Claritin doesn't help. He's not enjoying this... I don't get mommys food. Though he did get tomato, as he's allowed to have that.

But in the week it's been, thats the first time he's gotten people food. It's been VERY hard.

[Dillydoodle]

Oh it is hard to watch them chew and feel so helpless ...It sounds like his allergies are more severe than dillon's.. What dillon is on is called Temeril-P and it has a very very low dose steriod ( prednisolone and an antihistimine in it) but the dose of steriod is so low that my vet has said that he could have up to one pill a day every single day of the year without ill effect. During the heaviest part of his allergy season which is early spring and end of august through about mid october he does take about 1 pill a day ( half morning and half evening) but the rest of the year , he is on about half a pill a day and in the dead of winter, 1/4 pill a day. It keeps things in check. I tried benedryl for dillon and also claritin and neither did a thing for him... other than make him sleepy... he was still scratching and chewing.

Oh and i had the same thing as Leslie did with Hank... i tested Dillon and found out he is allergic to every type of grass, weed and tree here in Connecticut... so unless he was going to be in a plastic bubble and never go outside, he was going to come in contact with his allergens... I am still glad i tested him so i knew for sure it wasn't ONE thing that i could have removed from his environment...

I hope that you can find something that really works for poor Gizmo.

[LoveMySadie]

We have also used the shots when his allergies are particularly bad, but like being able to control the dosage more with the pills so we try to rely on them. We also alter his dosage up to a pill a day when it's really flaring up and also divide it into two doses. Hank has been on this regimen for most of his life, and he is now 10 years old with no ill effects from the steroids. We were worried at first, but now definitely feel that the quality of life they offer him outweighs the risks.

During allergy season he's never completely clear, does some chewing, and has some hair loss. But is it so much less than without the meds that we know they're helping. Once we determined that the benadryl wasn't making a difference we stopped it. And I completely agree with the bubble issue - he has to go outside to run and play at least a little while each day!

Sounds like you're on the right track, and once you do the panel and see what he is primarily allergic to, you may be able to restore his favorite foods!

We do keep both of them on grain-free food, and they both take Missing Link Plus. I think that both of those steps have helped some too.

Leslie

[Jespah]

I think you all ready have a good inclining that it's an outdoor contact allergy, but, I would do the panel to eliminate food or something else as well.
As Emilie, said, at least if there is something else you can take that out of his lifestype.

If there isn't a food allergy, then you'll feel a little better if you want to give him something special to eat.

Deb

[gogogiraffes]

I think you all ready have a good inclining that it's an outdoor contact allergy, but, I would do the panel to eliminate food or something else as well.
As Emilie, said, at least if there is something else you can take that out of his lifestype.

If there isn't a food allergy, then you'll feel a little better if you want to give him something special to eat.

Deb

He's on Natural Balance Venison and Sweet Potato. And gets the Royal Canin treats. So I'm sure he'd love to get his bones back and stuff.

[PollyGirl]

I'm glad I found this thread. I'm worried about Polly having to be on the prednisone forever and have started looking up holistic remedies. Anyone have any experience with those?

I will have to ask my vet about Temeril-P, I'd prefer her have that than what she's taking now.

Polly's allergies tend to flare up in the fall/winter. We did an allergy screen for food allergies, and it came out she was allergic to beef, lamb, cow's milk and a food intolerance to wheat. We didn't do the environmental allergen test though, figured it wouldn't really help.

Here's hoping that we can stave off further ear infections...it's hard seeing her suffer.

[Dillydoodle]

I hope you can find some alternatives for Polly and that those ear infections stop coming back.. poor girl... allergies are no fun... i totally understand how hard it is to watch your dog chewing and scratching , obviously uncomfortable and to feel helpless to make them feel better.

What are you doing about the food allergies? what do you feed? that has to be tough too... though at least she is not allergic to chicken which seems to be in everything. The cow milk allergy is interesting but i wonder if it is linked to the whole "beef" allergy...or if it is more a lactose intolerance? how much cow milk products are in dog foods?

[PollyGirl]

What are you doing about the food allergies? what do you feed?Polly is on Z/D diet by Hills. I know....yuck. I've been reading up on it an apparently it is really awful stuff and I'm waiting for a call from her vet to talk about another food alternative. Perhaps a salmon, chicken or venison based formula. I don't want her on this z diet for much longer and I need to try and get some ideas of what other brands to look for. I've got lots of research to do but there is tons of info on this site...just gotta start digging!

[Westwood]

I know Fromm's has salmon, duck, pork, whitefish, and chicken based kibbles. They also have a grain free "surf and turf". I'm sure some of the other premium brands would offer these as well.

[gogogiraffes]

Polly is on Z/D diet by Hills. I know....yuck. I've been reading up on it an apparently it is really awful stuff and I'm waiting for a call from her vet to talk about another food alternative. Perhaps a salmon, chicken or venison based formula. I don't want her on this z diet for much longer and I need to try and get some ideas of what other brands to look for. I've got lots of research to do but there is tons of info on this site...just gotta start digging!

They have Gizmo on venison as sweet potato. By natural balance I think. (it's the purple bag at petco) because beef and chicken can be allergies.

[LaRogue]

We did an allergy screen for food allergies, and it came out she was allergic to beef, lamb, cow's milk and a food intolerance to wheat.That's not too bad, actually...I'll trade you chicken, chicken fat, beef, and wheat. :BIGGRIN" If you don't like that trade, I'll take all of the allergens except chicken fat...looking for some to pawn that one off on big time! :LAUGH:

If Polly can eat chicken, almost every better brand of dog food has a chicken formula without those others allergens. I am late seeing this and see you've decided on Core, so hopefully it wil go well!

There is some thought rotational (changing the brand, protein, carb, and oil/fat type every so often) feeding, "may" help prevent food allergies. If there are actual studies showing that, I haven't found them yet. For other reasons, I've come to believe rotational feeding is best for me, but maybe not for others. There is alot of opinion advocating food variety, in general, and probably just as much saying stick with one food. It's one of those things you have to educate yourself on, talk with your vet, and kind of figure out what is best for Polly's particular needs.

Either way, no matter if you want to rotational feed or stick with one food, you have to be careful (especially since Polly has food allergies) not to overdo the variety of food and treats. If your vet hasn't already mentioned it, it is best to set aside a few proteins and carb (like fish, duck, turkey, buffalo, rabbit, oatmel, sweat potato, peas, etc. foods you know are readily available to you) so you have something to fall back on if Polly develops more allergies and not to feed those types of food/treats...ever.

My vet feels tests for food allergies are not accurate (and canine/pet nutrition books I have take the same position), so I have done elimination diets, as my vet's instructed. If Polly continues to have issues, or you need to find out about the chicken (which I am understanding did not show up on the tests, but your vet doesn't want you feed?) it might be worth asking your vet about doing one.

Oh, and Pip started out with a beef intolerance...now it's worsened to full allergy. So that is something possible with Polly's wheat intolerance. Also, if your vet didn't tell you, with an allergy (as opposed to an intolerance), the dog is allergic to that food in all forms...doesn't matter if it's a dog treat, kibble, cooked people food, raw...all of them will cause a reaction.

The cow milk allergy is interesting but i wonder if it is linked to the whole "beef" allergy...or if it is more a lactose intolerance?Just guesses, but I would think maybe 2 seperate allergies? The milk and beef should be different proteins like chicken & chicken eggs and not linked. I would think the cooking and small amounts of milk products in kibble would not trigger lactose intolerance, while giving yogurt, cottage cheese etc. would.

Good Luck with Polly! I know food allergies stink. Finding the allergens is the worse part. Once you know what they are, it's alot easier, so most of the frustration is over.

[MVons]

I'm glad I found this thread. I'm worried about Polly having to be on the prednisone forever and have started looking up holistic remedies. Anyone have any experience with those?Well I personally had incredible luck with homeopathy mixed remedy for poison oak. I had tried Apis which is used if someone has an immediate reaction, but it did nothing for my allergy to mosquito bites - I swell up. But the poison oak remedy made sense because I was allergic to poison oak too. While you are in the UK it is worth it to see if there is a pet homeopath available. When you find the right remedy it is amazing.

[ZdogZ]

Merrie - my niece is allergic to mosquito bites and they put Tea Tree oil on the bites and the bites don't swell up or itch. You may try that.

[gogogiraffes]

Merrie - my niece is allergic to mosquito bites and they put Tea Tree oil on the bites and the bites don't swell up or itch. You may try that.

I LOVE tea tree oil! I use it on a lot of stuff (piercings and tattoos mostly!) But never thought for mosquito bites. Mine, I don't even touch them and they get terribly red and swollen.

We go back Monday, I'm almost wanting to ask for an allergy panel done. Only because he's still chewing. They have me putting capzasin on his feet. He HATES it. But doesn't chew.

[ZdogZ]

We use tea tree oil for everything....scrapes, cuts, bites, ingrown nails. A wonderful thing to have on hand.

[Penutsma]

We use tea tree oil for everything....scrapes, cuts, bites, ingrown nails. A wonderful thing to have on hand.

What a h*ll of a thing to be allergic too! Which I am. Found that out the hard way.

[Dillydoodle]

Please, do not use tea tree oil on dogs... it is toxic to dogs. see link below for some info

http://sheltienation.com/2009/03/did-you-know-tea-tree-oil-is-toxic-to-dogs.html

[ZdogZ]

I didn't mean for anyone to think about using it on their dogs, just giving Merrie something to think about for her mosquito bites. I actually meant to put that on the post just didn't get to it.

[PollyGirl]

Please, do not use tea tree oil on dogs... it is toxic to dogs.

But isn't that used in many dog shampoos?

[mtoy]

But isn't that used in many dog shampoos?

I think it's only toxic at a full strength dose. It's greatly diluted in shampoo and quite safe as far as I know.

[Dillydoodle]

I am sure it is dialuted for use with pet products, however, I know of someone who bathed their dog in a teatree shampoo (for dogs) and their dog had a really bad reaction... and she ended up having to go to the ER for treatment . Take a look at the link i posted in my previous post for other stories... personally i just wouldn't risk it.. Remember years ago grapes were recommended as snacks for dogs and now we all are aware of their damaging effects... jsut a thought...

Kristi, i figured you were talking about using it on mosquito bites on humans, but i wasn't sure, so i figured i would clarify that it shouldn't be used on dogs.

Emilie

[taflar]

But isn't that used in many dog shampoos?

Yes it is and in some topical applications for hot spots and things like that too.

Peggy

[gogogiraffes]

Alright, well an update for our 8 wk check up.

Gizmo is to still get 2 baths a week. He's nice and soft.

He gets Amitriptyline (1.5 pills). But he had these sores on his back that have a bacterial infection. We were on an every 3 days prednisolone and I asked if we could take him off of it, because he has to be off of it for a month before we do allergy testing, and quite frankly i was forgetting to give him it anyway. And he's on simplicef for the infection. And his ears are swollen so he's on a steroid ear drop. And 9 days before his appt in december we're to take him off of the Amit. in case she wants to do the allergy testing.

Anal glands were well over halfway full. So we need to feed him more food, not filler (like green beans) So he's to get 1/2 a cup of food, half of a (small) can of food (or a 1/4 of the full can) and 2 spoonfuls of pumpkin.

[gogogiraffes]

Alright, an update on Gizmo. I took him off the steroid with our last visit to them, because nothing was helping. And he had to be off for a month before we could do an allergy test. And the test was scheduled for 12/4 and when I went in for a refill, and to do a donation to a corgi's surgery (juvenile cataracts) I asked if we could push it up, and now it is the 13th (closest day that was out of the 9 day waiting period for the other meds) So hopefully we get a great answer that day. As he's still chewing terrible.

[gogogiraffes]

Alright. Gizmo is getting his test. He'll just be happy to have cookies again. She said it takes 4-6 months for the shots to start working. So now is the best time to do it.

[gogogiraffes]

Just an update, short because it's from my phone, but his test results are back. It's probably easier to say what he's not allergic to. Feathers, tobacco, Bermuda grass, rye grass, marsh elder weed, ragweed (tall), (these both are molds) curvularia and fusarium, elm/hackberry tree and sweet gum trees.

He's extremely allergic to, dust and dust mites, cedar, and pine

[Dillydoodle]

Aww poor Gizmo... Dillon actually was allergic to all the weeds... ( including rag weed and goldenrod- which there is a lot of around here) and all the native trees and all the grasses, though some more than others... but not to dust or mites ( phew) and no molds.. though i wonder.. since he seems to flair really badly in the fall ( around now..with the leaf litter and leaf molds on the ground).

What is the next course of action for Gizmo? and was Gizmo allergic to any foods? (dillon had no food allergies... much to his delight!!)

[gogogiraffes]

What is the next course of action for Gizmo? and was Gizmo allergic to any foods? (dillon had no food allergies... much to his delight!!)

They're doing shots, they sent his panel off to the company and will send me the meds to administer.

They didn't do food, but he wasn't chewing during the winter, and they said it was more of a trial and error thing.

[Jespah]

Wow, poor Gizmo and you guys too. What a tough thing to go through. It's so easy to just take for granted your dog's health.

Good luck to him, hope the meds will really help.

Deb

[gogogiraffes]

Wow, poor Gizmo and you guys too. What a tough thing to go through. It's so easy to just take for granted your dog's health.

Good luck to him, hope the meds will really help.

Deb

Gizmo says he's just happy to be back to getting ALL cookies and table food.

[Jespah]

Well, at least that tell's you there's no doubt he's a Corgi! Yay for treats!! +JIGGY+

[gogogiraffes]

Well, at least that tell's you there's no doubt he's a Corgi! Yay for treats!! +JIGGY+

And that he's back to himself.

The vet and assistants all asked me what breeder I got him from as he's the best corgi ever. I had to pass that on to my breeder as it was a compliment to her. Trying to upload a few pictures for here so you can see the poor man.. Right now he's sleeping, shaved side out, so everyone can see and pity him.

[gogogiraffes]

Okay, here you go. Internet started working.

Poor Gizmo, and no we haven't done christmas pictures...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5187363888_36bdac2919_o.jpg

And here are the results, first two are controls. And it's on a scale of 0-4 with 0 meaning no allergy and 4 extremely allergic.
No dot = No Allergy (0)
One dot = Allergic (1-2)
Two dots = Extremely Allergic (3-4)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5186764737_6cdbfd253e_o.jpg

Not to many two dots, but in the first column, look what he's allergic to, #8, dog.... :SHOCKED::EEK:

And 52b is the yeast in beer, so he cannot have beer.


(The pictures are from the iPhone4 in case anyone wants to know!)

[Dillydoodle]

the photos didnt work for me... poor gizmo... so they really tested everything huh? i mean yeast from beer? how many dogs do you know , go to a pub for a pint after a hard day's work? LOL

At least he gets his treats back! I bet that will make him happy!

And now you have answers, so you have a plan of action to help him..

[gogogiraffes]

the photos didnt work for me... poor gizmo... so they really tested everything huh? i mean yeast from beer? how many dogs do you know , go to a pub for a pint after a hard day's work? LOL

At least he gets his treats back! I bet that will make him happy!

And now you have answers, so you have a plan of action to help him..

Oh no, they aren't there, I'll fix them! They were there when i posted it though "NO:":

[Merlincorgi]

Poor guy is NAKED! He doesn't look thrilled in that top picture.... and how can a dog be allergic to, well, himself!? *sigh* Allergies are so darn complicated!

[gogogiraffes]

Poor guy is NAKED! He doesn't look thrilled in that top picture.... and how can a dog be allergic to, well, himself!? *sigh* Allergies are so darn complicated!

He was really just sleepy as they sedate them for the test. She said it should be back in about a month. And it'll grow back just fine. On dogs like huskies, they try to not do allergy testing on because their coat doesn't grow back correctly.

[ZdogZ]

Poor Gizmo! I hope the shots help him out.

[Westwood]

Holy cow do they shave a big area for that! Poor little guy! I'm sure he'll be happy once he gets his treats back though!

[Dillydoodle]

oh my goodness.. the photos sure work now.. poor baby...he really is naked!! I looked down the list, and thought it was interesting as Dillon has a lot of common allergies.. though his test was totally different.. no shaved corgi, just a little blood taken and tested.

I am sure his hair will grow back fast... in the mean time, when winter hits, you might get him a little sweater! Poor little guy...

[gogogiraffes]

oh my goodness.. the photos sure work now.. poor baby...he really is naked!! I looked down the list, and thought it was interesting as Dillon has a lot of common allergies.. though his test was totally different.. no shaved corgi, just a little blood taken and tested.

I am sure his hair will grow back fast... in the mean time, when winter hits, you might get him a little sweater! Poor little guy...

Here in VA, down south a bit. We only have about 6 weeks of hard winter. But I have a goodie thing for him. As Cody takes him to class, and it helps control some fur. And the vet said that within about 2 weeks it should be filling in as its shedding season anyway. And she said he's excessively shedding because of his allergies too. I told her, well corgis do shed QUITE a bit, but he wash shedding like guard hairs and stuff.



A side note. Does anyone know a way I can contact kong? Like the dog toy company. We recently bought gizmo a dog bed by them. And on it, it says 100% polyester. But it smells like cedar. And I can't find a zipper to open it. And can't find it online anyway. It's like their no chew beds, but it's not that big.

[corgiland]

Oh poor Gizmo!

He sure has been going through a rough time........

Hugs to him.........

[gogogiraffes]

We got the shots Tuesday. And lucky for us, Gizmo's (yearly) check up was Wednesday. So they were able to show me with the actual shot. So today was my first shot... and lets just I was a little less than confident. And the first time I stuck him.. he cried, so I cried because I hurt him... But the second time, I went it ready with my thumb on the plunger part and was able to give him it... I'm not looking forward to Tuesday already... (the next shot)

[LaRogue]

How long do you have to give him the shots? Poor Gizmo and YOU! Does he get a treat afterwards? I think you should give yourself an post injection treat, too...maybe ice cream for you both? :WINK: :BIGGRIN"

[gogogiraffes]

How long do you have to give him the shots? Poor Gizmo and YOU! Does he get a treat afterwards? I think you should give yourself an post injection treat, too...maybe ice cream for you both? :WINK: :BIGGRIN"

He gets them forever. They start at 3 days apart for some 3 months. Then it goes to 10 days for 2 of the shots then every 14 days.

He gets a peanut butter kong while I do it, because it keeps him hunched over so I can give him the shot in his shoulders.

[ZdogZ]

Oh, bless your hearts!

[Jespah]

((HUGS)) to you both for today. +SAD+ It will get easier with practice and he'll learn to tolerate them as well. I used to have to give my cat sub-q (under the skin) fluids for kidney failure. The needle had to stay in while the fluids went into him for up to 10 minutes at times. It was traumatic for us both at first - I cried - but I did end up giving him almost a year and half more of quality life doing that once a week.

Hang in there - you are awesome for doing this for him. :NOTWORTHY:

[dcole]

{{{{{Gizmo}}}}} +WUBCLUB+

[gogogiraffes]

((HUGS)) to you both for today. +SAD+ It will get easier with practice and he'll learn to tolerate them as well. I used to have to give my cat sub-q (under the skin) fluids for kidney failure. The needle had to stay in while the fluids went into him for up to 10 minutes at times. It was traumatic for us both at first - I cried - but I did end up giving him almost a year and half more of quality life doing that once a week.

Hang in there - you are awesome for doing this for him. :NOTWORTHY:

Yup. These are sub-q but not even a cc yet. So it's quick. They're the same needles as out diabetic cat had so I've done it before. Just, the cat wasn't mine, I was 8 so I just thought it was cool I could play with a needle.

I have a nursing student friend who is going to help me since
Cody won't.

[Dillydoodle]

I had a diabetic cat who was insulin dependent... and I was extremely needle phobic, but i learned how to do her shots at the vet ( where i nearly fainted the first time +EMBARRASED+ ) and after a short time, i was a pro... i knew i was not hurting her and she came for her shots as she got a special treat afterwards... So it really does get to be second nature.. later on in my journey with her, i started actually testing her before each shot time using a human glucometer... and had to prick her ear twice a day... initially i cried having to do it... and then it got easy , she didnt mind and i was able to do what i had to do to give her 6 1/2 more good years post diabetes diagnosis.

Hugs to you and Gizmo... i am sure it will be tough at first, but it wont take long before it just becomes an easy routine .

oh and as a side note, Deb, my sisters cats both in their old age developed kidney failure ( CRF) and she gave them both an additional 1 1/2 yrs and 2 yrs by doing Sub-Q treatments herself at home.. it was overwhelming for her at first too but did get easier over time and the cats really didnt seem to mind it and they were able to extend their life ( with quality).

[thebeach.corgi]

+FUZZHUG+ for you and Gizmo.

Great that you have a friend who is an experienced shot giver and can help out. I don't mind getting shots.... giving them, well, ick.

[MVons]

Oh my! Looked like a bad game of cribbage, poor Gismo. Glad no risk of sunburn while the hair grows back.

When I looked at the allergy list, I sighed as Gismo can't visit us. Cedar and Pine and Oak are our prevalent trees. I can't believe the one tree Elm is a pain to grow. Besides the possible disease problem, the wind or whatever causes it to die back. They are called firewood trees in Montana and here.

Personally I swear by the allergy shots. I couldn't drive by sagebrush before them and luckily I was living in the city at the time.

[Kassie]

Poor Gizmo! Poor you, doing the shots! +WUBCLUB+ I'm sure it will get easier.

[mtoy]

Oh
Personally I swear by the allergy shots. I couldn't drive by sagebrush before them and luckily I was living in the city at the time.

I was on allergy shots when I was a kid. I ended up becoming reactive to the shots themselves. Yup, I hate allergies.

I hope Gizmo's fur is growing back fast!

[gogogiraffes]

Thanks everyone, tonight is shot three. I'm going to go out and get our christmas cards. I think I'm going to do plain ones this year and include a picture. Anyway, he's got some nice peach fuzz growing back. He still gets mad as we call him Peaches, oh well.

And somehow, he's become a mastermind at taking his meds, eating and then puking just the pill back up...

[MVons]

And somehow, he's become a mastermind at taking his meds, eating and then puking just the pill back up...Those smart corgis! Next he'll do it on the sly so you just hear or see the pill.

[gogogiraffes]

Those smart corgis! Next he'll do it on the sly so you just hear or see the pill.

Oh no, we'll turn around, I'll see them next to one of the water bowls, under his food bowls (he gets the pill then eats, and we watch him eat) I have no idea..