Festus has had one little setback since we've started this treatment with the cyclosporine which is my fault as I missed one dose and man the next day he was itchy! So we popped down some chlor-tripolon and he was good as new again within a few hours. This time it only took one dose of the antihistamines and he was good, before he used to have to take a few doses before you would notice anything of a difference. Even though he is on every other day for the Cylclosporine, that one dose missed mistake sure won't happen again. I now have an alarm set on my phone to go off every 48 hours.
Today due to the weather being so cold and the heat on we've been battling some dry skin and such with both the dogs so it was change all the bedding, and bath day!! YIPEE! Well perhaps Sidney is still cursing me, and Festus has since long forgotten the bath (he takes them like a champ doesn't phase him), I'm still saying YIPEE as their hair is soooo soft, and they smell OH SO GOOD!! I finally picked up some Chris Christiansen Day to Day Conditioner (meant to pick up the shampoo too but they didn't have any) and it sure does a good job at leaving a nice soft clean scent and super soft hair behind. Next time I'm at that store I'll have to remember to pick up the shampoo if they have it in stock. Lately I've been using the microtek shampoo on Festus (which I did again today) and using up what I have left of the earth bath mango tango for Sidney. I'm not too much of a fan of the earth bath as I don't find it leaves them as soft as they should be and takes forever to rinse out even when diluted.
I should also note here, someone asked me the other day about his breeder. I did advise them against purchasing a puppy from them as his problems are genetic. Although, this person still went ahead with the purchase of the puppy (actually had the puppy before they talked to me, although they initially said at first they were looking at one and put a deposit down). I strongly suggest to those looking for a dane (or any puppy for that matter) to ensure their health clearances are done of the parents/grandparents and listed on OFA and TALK to other puppy buyers, talk to a lot of them, the more the better. Also check out Rip Off Report to see if they have any complaints lodged against them as well. It is also important to continue the lines of communication with your breeder if you end up with a dog with health issues so that they are made aware of them. Even if they continue to breed the dogs that produced yours with issues, then it is on their conscious and not yours. I know that Fesuts' mom has been bred again, as well as his littermate sister, and his half sister on his mom's side. On his Dad's side, there has been a lot of puppies sired by him, as well as a lot of puppies of his that have gone to produce their own. There is another dane out there that suffers from allergies as well, although not as bad as Festus', she still suffers. Her grandpa is Festus' daddy.
Ok time for pictures, there aren't many this week as it is now dark outside and well, the lighting in my house isn't all that good for photos.
Close up of his neck, look at the puppy soft hairs that are coming in and the neck skin isn't swollen and angry from itching. That little white speck in the middle there, that will never have hair as he had a biopsy of his skin taken there at one point. Biopsy = scar so that one speck I can totally live with! Best part ever, you all ready for this, you can PET IT and he doesn't go into an itching frenzy!! Total success in the progress on that one. Before you couldn't touch it or put a collar on him without him wanting to scratch it off. Now he wears his collars with pride once again.
Elbow, if you look really closely (ahem, click on the photo to make it BIG) you can see the puffy skin is shrinking down and some fuzzy wee hairs are poking through! Again a major accomplishment for him to have some hair there and not puffy skin.
This is Festus' all to famous, you going to give me that cookie yet, or am I going to have to jump up and down being impatient and let out some boots.... Patience has never been one of his strong suits at all.
Post cookie, now just totally not caring about the camera as his tummy has been satisfied once again.
Until next week where I will have much better photos available for everyone's viewing pleasure!
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