Saturday, March 10, 2012

Some Updates



Eva has been visiting her vet lately.

A month ago, I found her skin was a bit rough when I ran my fingers through her fur. There were some flakes here and there, some parts of her skin were reddish pink and I spotted some tiny scabs. My heart dropped when I saw them and I immediately thought of her mama, Hana. The next thing I did was to take her to the vet and the soft-spoken vet confirmed my fear. Eva has her mama's skin problem, YEAST and it's due to the humidity here.

The vet gave Eva some antibiotics,  a bottle of medical shampoo and said she needed a bath every three days with a good 20 minutes' scrub and massage. He repeated this advice at least THREE times as if he was worried that I didn't hear it.

The ordeal started since that visit.

When we were home, Eva had a good bath which took me at least one and a half hours to two hours and we have been doing it since then. TWO BATHS IN A WEEK!

Imagine you have to keep on rubbing her body in a gentle way, making sure the medical shampoo has gone deep to the affected area and the whole body for 20 minutes; I find time doesn't fly by anymore. When I think ten minutes has passed, the clock tells me it's just five minutes. Time crawls like a snail.

Twenty minutes later, it is the rinse off. This isn't tough and I only have to make sure the water doesn't go into her ears and eyes. Right after rinsing off, I follow some advice from some forums and I also find the beauty of internet, you get advice from people that you don't know and they are so willing to share their experience and knowledge. I dilute some apple cider vinegar with water and sponge
the water onto her affected area and then leave it there. This actually makes Eva smell like some sort of salad but I can't be bothered as long as it helps. I still don't know whether it helps or not, but it seems there is no harm at all and it keeps ticks and fleas away from her.

Thirty minutes has passesd and I'm already exhausted but I remember it's a PREMIUM spa!

Towel dry is what Eva loves it. She will play with the towel and there is some wrestling between us in the beginning.  It's fun in a way. Eventually, she usually rests her chin on my lap and let me rub her and in the mean time, she closes her eyes and enjoys it. The blow dry session is the worst one.  It isn't easy because I'm using a big blower and it's loud. Eva doesn't like it at all. I think shelties have very sensitive ears and they really don't like loud noise so I have to keep her in a topless cage so she can't run away from me and I stay in it to blow dry her.  I didn't know that it actually took me thirty to forty minutes to get her really dry until I timed it that day.

Last but not the least, a spa won't be completed without a decent BRUSH and a princess definitely needs it to keep her fur in order.

Finally, our Eva is clean, fresh and fluffy but my back hurts like hell.

We went  back to the vet two weeks later. The vet wasn't happy with Eva because there were still some flaky skin and some parts of it were a bit reddish. So he gave her another type of antibiotics and a bottle of fatty acid, the medical bath had to be kept - he said.

This morning, we went to the vet again. Eva loves him because he always gives her some yummy treats.

This time, the vet was happy with Eva and said her skin looks good. No more antibiotics needed and we only have to keep the medical spa for two more weeks. Hooray!!! However, we have to keep our eagle eyes on her all the time. Two more weeks later, we can use some soothing type of shampoo, like oatmeal shampoo which sounds like breakfast to me! LOL!

We are so glad that the yeast is under control and she is okay now.


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By the way, our sweetheart Laura was 12 years old today.

Hope you're having lots of fun with your friends over the Rainbow Bridge, Laura.



We miss you a lot, sweetie pie!!!

27 comments:

Sara said...

Poor Eva, and poor Priscilla. That's a lot of work! Glad to hear that she's getting some relief.

Happy Birthday sweet Laura!

Dexter said...

Oh poor Eva! She is lucky to have such a dedicated mom. I hope that she continues to improve.

Slobbers,
Mango

Dexter said...

Big hugs to Beautiful Laura. Hope she is having a grand time with her pals at the Rainbow Bridge.

Slobbers,
Mango

The Thuglets said...

Oh Pricilla poor you and Eva. We are so pleased to read that all your hard work massaging has worked. Such good news. Eva looks as stunning as ever.

We think Laura will be having one big party over at the Rainbow Bridge with all her friends.

Big Nose Pokes
The Thugletsx

animal lover, quilt lover said...

Poor Pricilla!!!! My back couldn't have taken that!!!! Eva is a lucky girl to have a mom young enough to do that for her!!!
Yes, apple cider vinegar is very good for hair and skin. I use it on my hair as a rinse!!! It is the best rinse I have found!!!
I never do anything for my skin except good diet and good oatmeal soap and vinegar!!!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Wow, that sounds like a lot of work, Mom is glad she doesn't have to do that with four of us. We hope Eva will continue to do better. You are a wonderful Mom to do all that you do for her. We bet she knows how much you love her.

Happy Birthday to Laurs - what a beautiful girl!

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Chris and Ricky said...

Poor Eva but poor you Priscilla! My back hurts after just brushing Ricky so I can't imagine all the work you have been doing. Glad to know it is paying off and Eva's skin is getting better!

Happy Birthday beautiful Laura!

Dawn said...

Poor Eva, but is she ever lucky to have YOU! This is a lot of hard work, not to mention a lot of the dreaded blow dryer! I hope the yeast stays way far away!!

And hugs to Laura, what a beauty she was. I'm sure she's playing with her friends and sending your kisses.

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

oh Priscilla! I can't imagine! You poor thing!!!

Happy Belated birthday!

Ryker said...

Oh Dear, sorry to hear about this. Here is my two cents. Yeast loves sugar and carbs. Make sure that you feed her a grain free diet, dogs don't need grains...they are just fillers. No sweet or carb. treats, just meat, and raw is more nutritious.
Fish oil, fatty acids. Ryker gets two squirts of Alaskan salmon oil with his meal one a day. He loves it and his skin thanks him for it.
We love you Eva!
Mom, pick out a few favorite songs that last your ten minutes of shampooing and record them. Play them while you shampoo and when they are done so are you : ) Better than watching the clock!

Diana said...

Wow, what a lot of work. Im glad Eva is getting better.

Molly the Airedale said...

You will look even more beautiful with all of your added spa time, Eva! I love your new header photo!
I bet My Maggie has met Laura by now and they're celebrating together!

Love ya lots,
Mitch

Cowspotdog said...

Mom and me know just how you feel - that is exactly the routine we are doing for my allergies, the twice week baths, leaving it to soak in, rinsing, spritzing between baths, antibiotics for the skin infections and daily injections. As much Mom thinks it not easy....she knows it is much worse for me being itchy all the time and having my furs fall out! But Mom love me and she would give my baths everyday if she had too YIKES!!!!!

Ellen said...

I so can understand your pain. Bathing a Sheltie, with the double coat is a long process and a very long drying time. My other Shelties could fit in the kitchen sink but Tucker is almost too big. Bending over a bath tub is back breaking. I have actually sat in our walk in shower to bath poochies so that I can at least sit down but then I'm taking a shower too!

Hoping this all works and Miss Eva has her skin and coat restored to it's gorgeous ways again.

Take care of your back too!!

Piappies World said...

Oh no, Poor Eva! Good thing you got a really sweet and dedicated Mom to provide you with premium spa services. We hope that your beautiful furs get better.

Prayers to Laura and we got our paws up to greet her Happy Barkday as she watches over the rainbow bridge.

Love,
Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & Forgie

Meeka said...

Hi Eva and Priscilla,
Nice to meet new friends. Thanks for stopping by and wishing me well.
Glad to hear Eva's skin condition is improving. Take care.
Meeka

Yas said...

Rest up mom!!
Glad to know Eva's doing better! We'll keep our fingers and paws crossed for her to recover totally!!

Our prayers for Laura. :)

Cheers,
Maxx and mommy

Andrea said...

Wow, that is a lot of work. The vinegar will definitely help. I'm so glad to see you take such good care of your dog.

verobirdie said...

Poor Eva and poor you. No, in fact Eva is so lucky to have you. I hope her skin continue to improve

Vonnie said...

Good to hear it's under control. Yes it is a task bathing them - twice a week you'll be the one needing a massage. I use oatmeal based shampoo on mine as Khandi has dry flaky skin, has done sinnce a puppy. I'm sure Laura is running around having fun and watching over all of you.

pooky said...

I feel your pain Priscilla:(( It will be worth it in the end. Eva is so lucky to have you as her mom!
Happy Birthday Laura.....hope your celebrating big time!

Ellen said...

Wow, what we won't do for our precious pups! Just reading it by back started to ache too. Sorry you both have to go through this. Eva is very blessed to have a mom that takes such good care of her.

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

your dedication is admirable! I couldn't do that many baths, one, I can't do them because I am in a condo, no room! Two, I would lose my mind!

I am glad that Eva is improving...

(((((hugs))))) about your precious Laura..she is being taken care of by Bobo! xoxoxo

Lassiter Chase and Benjamin said...

Sounds like you have had your hands/paws full. I can't even imagine baths twice in a week. Sounds exhausting! Your mom deserves some extra licks and cuddles from you Eva for all that hard work.

IRIS E DONA said...

It's a lot of hard work ...poor Eva and poor Priscilla!! I'm glad to know Eva's doing better!
Kisses
Iris

Bassetmomma said...

Poor Eva. We had the same skin issues with our late basset Barney. We used the cider vinegar as a rinse (also not sure if it worked). I gave him 1 spoon of yogurt everyday and put 1 tbsp. of Udo's oil on his food. This really seemed to help keep it at bay. :) Good luck!

Kristin G. said...

Awhh, Eva, that sounds like quite an ordeal. I hope her skin clears up soon. Hugs to you, and happy memories of your Laura. xo

 
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