Monday, August 25, 2008

So much for that...

Well, in my last post, I told you all that I was feeling a lot better, but I also mentioned that mom was wondering how I would do off my medication. We now have the answer and it's not so good. Three days off my medication and my ears are a mess again. Wish I could just stay on the stuff, but prednisone can cause liver damage, so that's no good and we all know the doc won't leave you on anti-biotics for too long. Mom has put the drops back in my ears to try to help, but that makes it even longer until I can get my next round of tests for Cushings or kidney problems. Oh well, I can't have my ears hurting like that again.
I kinda feel sorry for mom cause she is at wits end for what to do for me long term. She feels so good about it when I get a week or two worth of relief from pain, but then, when it comes bad she is as sad about it as I am.
Mom said we are going to try a grain free food and that I maight have to go on a really strict diet (which means I can't got to grandma and grandpa's either cause they sneak me stuff!) Bummer and sigh....

20 comments:

Gus said...

Oh Mackie: The ear thing is a bummer, but if you have to go grain free, do you think your mom might feed you RAW! that is what Wally gets, and I am soooo jealous. Muzzer says....yucko gussie, have another green bean!


kisses for your poor ears
gussie

SeattleAmy said...

I've dealt with many food alergies with terriers...I would suggest a hydralized food! I've had 2 dogs that nothing else nipped their issues except these foods.

Hydrolyzed proteins are broken down into molecules so small, they can't affect the immune system, which is what causes the allergy.

Purinas HA or Hills z/d (low allergen and ultra). If the allergy goes away while your dog is on this diet (which would take about 8 weeks), then he most likely is suffering from a food allergy.

Good Luck! Amy

Anonymous said...

I would suggest trying a raw diet. I have seen MANY MANY dogs recover from allergies after being switched off kibble onto raw. If you are going to consider it, look up the prey model diet, there is a yahoo list for it and the diet is much cheaper than both buying kibble and buying prepackaged raw meals.

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Mackie...we stopped back cuz we've been thinkin' bout ya all day...please, please talk to Agatha and Archies mom bout her holistic vet experience. It can't hurt and it would get you off those nasty steroids!

If you wanna try raw and you want info about it, Stanley's breeder switched over a couple months ago and LOVES IT! She has tons of info on it and would be glad to share, I'm sure.

Please, please feel better soonest, Mackie!!! We're gonna check back soon!

Scruffy

Princess Patches said...

We're really sorry about your ears, Mackie! We think the grain-free diet might work. Mom has found several different kinds and we seem to like them all. Good luck and feel better soon!

Aire-hugs,
Poppy, Penny & Patches

Asta said...

Mackie
I just heawd that you'we having all these howwible pwoblems..I'm so vewy sowwy..I hope aone of the good advices you'we getting will wowk
smoochi ekisses
ASTA

Joe Stains said...

dude, I don't know what to say other than I am hoping your Mom doesn't run out of wits! I am sending healing vibes to your ears my friend.

Dewey Dewster said...

Mackie...

Did ya ever get tested fer Hypothyroidism? Just a long shot but my Pap, Alfie, who went ta the bridge last December always had ear infections and stuff comin' outta his ears and it was because of his hypothyroidism...not that they were all better after he got on meds but they did improve some.

How does a dog get hypothyroidism?

Most cases of hypothyroidism stem from the dog’s own immune system attacking the tissues of the thyroid gland. This condition is called autoimmune thyroiditis. The dog’s own system attempts to compensate for this at first by secreting more and more of the thyroid hormone, but eventually the gland is unable to keep up with the attacks on its tissue, and the dog becomes hypothyroid and symptomatic. While there is a genetic predisposition for thyroid disorders, environmental factors such as pollutants and allergies probably play a role as well.


What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?

Lethargic behavior such as a lack of interest in play, frequent napping, tiring out on long walks
Weight gain, sometimes without an apparent gain in appetite
Bacterial infections of the skin
Dry skin
Hair loss, especially on the trunk or tail (“rat’s tail”)
Discoloration or thickening of the skin where hair loss has occurred
Cold intolerance/seeking out warm places to lie down
Slow heart rate
Chronic ear infections
Severe behavioral changes such as unprovoked aggression, head tilt, seizures, anxiety and/or compulsivity
Depression

Good luck in findin' out the cause and here's hopin' fer some relief in the very near future.....

Dewey Dewster here.....

Lacy said...

w00f's Mackie, my mama wants to talk to ur mama now...i heard from Lacie, Scruffy and Stan that u need help with Mackies ears..http://blog.ourdoglog.com/search/label/dog%20ear%20infections
please check that...she tried to help lacy when her ears were so bad...need any help email me at lacylulu the at thingy gmail the dot com...

b safe,
~rocky~

Stanley said...

Hey, Mackie Boy!

My girl's first Airedale had major ear problems (hers was mostly yeast=related). She even lost the hearing in one ear.

Now, my girl says that if she knew then what she knows now, that she would have put Rosie Girl on a RAW diet (like Stella & I are on now). It's completely grain free, and it's usually good for most dogs who try it. If your mama is interested, she can peemail my girl or Wally's ma ape or Stanislaw's mama. His blog is ALL ABOUT how he eats RAW.

I hope you find something soon that works for you (and your sweet mama)!

Love you, man!

Goob love & smooches,
Stanley

Here is Stanislaw's blog:
http://ieatrawmeat.blogspot.com/

Agatha and Archie said...

OK here is PL'2 words of wisdom...find a holistic Vet...immediatly...they will change his diet,try him on different herbs, maybe even acupuncture can help for the pain... We were at our wits end with our last pup who was a welsh terrier and she saved his life!!! If you want to talk more email me!!!! A+A send lots of gentle little kisses....PL2 and A+A

Lorenza said...

Hi, Mackie!
Sorry to know about your ears problem. We don't have experience on that but sure we hope you get better soon.
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

i said...

Hi Mackie, sorry to hear about your ears. Hope the grain free works for you. Keeping paws crossed for you.

The Black and Tans. said...

Oh dear Mackie you certainly seem to be going through the wars with your ears. We hope you can sort them out soon and be comfortable again.

Molly and Taffy

Anonymous said...

Heya mackie, The Bumpass hounds here to wish you well and hope that ya get your ear problem fixed OK. Before Chance went to the Rainbow Bridge he had bad allergies and ear problems. Our Dad rinsed his ears every day with a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% alcohol, dried them with one of Mom's makeup pads and then put some Ottomax in each ear. He also got 2 little pink benadryl tablets wrapped in cheese with his breakfast. Now Homer J., who Chance sent to us, has to have the same treatment. We sure go through a lot of Ottomax and Benadryl around here but it helps out Homer a whole lot. We're sure that your Mom and your vet will come upon the right treatment for you real soon.
- Homer J. - Jubal - J.E.B. - Shelby - Jack - Abby - Max - Shiloh - Alex - Boru - Jenny = The Bumpass hHounds (TBH)

William Tell said...

Mackie, I think it might be time to look into that surgery for your ears. I know a couple of doggies here locally that had it done (both were Cocker Spaniels), and one was totally relieved of the ear infections, the other had only occasional minor problems afterwards, but both were greatly relieved to have that behind them. I know that's a huge, scary step to take, but it sounds like you've tried so many other things and are still hurting. Surgery is a last resort but might be the answer for you.

William Tell

Asta said...

I hope things awe going bettew today!
love you
smoochie kisses
ASTA

pee ess I'm asta up ovew

Mack said...

Hi Mackie,
Mack here! My sissy is a cocky cocker spaniel and she too has problems with her ears. Matter of fact dad is taking her to the vet tomorrow and she'll probably get some anti-b's.

Our paws are crossed that you get to feeling better and you find a good long term solution!

Jake of Florida said...

Mackie,

It sounds like you have some really good advice going for you there -- especially related to thyroid problems. Have you been checked for any thyroid deficiences?

And are you familiar with Zymox products? We've heard about them on other sites.

Hope you feel better soom pal,

Wirey love,

Jake and Just Harry

Jake and Just Harry

Jackson's J1 and J2 said...

Poor Mackie, I really hope you find something that works soon! J x