Winnie the Pooh Settles In

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Well, the last couple of days have been an adventure. Winston (I've decided to keep his name) has been quite sad and timid but he is getting more comfortable.  When he is nervous or sad, he burries his head in my lap and waits to be comforted. He did this to the groomer this afternoon too and the groomer just about teared up by how sweet he was.

 

At home I threw out my futon and turned the guest bedroom into his room. I put his stinky old bed (gotta get him a new one) and his food dishes (these are quite nice so I think I'll keep em) in the room, and I got him some new toys (his owner didn't give me any toys for him, I guess he didn't have any)...

 

Giving him his own room has helped him I think. It is a place to go to get away from bouncy, kissy, Sophie-Bear, and to eat and rest in peace. I've been keeping him in the room with the door closed while I'm at work to make sure he doesn't get into any mischief with Sophie. He handles this very well.

 

When we are at home of course I let him have free reign of the whole place. He likes lying on the cool floor by the front door, or playing with Sophie in the living room. Sometimes he sits nicely beside me and puts his paw on my leg or arm asking to be pet. I don't think there's anything sweeter in the whole world.

 

When I went to bed last night Sophie Bear took her usual spot on floor by the foot of the bed, Penelope started crawling all over me as usual, and Winston stood there in the doorway of my room, looking at me. That's when I realized he was probably confused about where he was supposed to sleep, having been used to sleeping in the basement in his old house. I called him to my side and comforted him and he eventually settled on the floor beside me where he stayed all night.

 

We've gone for many a long walks and he is so so good, only pulling when he encounters the occassional squirrel. In the park, he greeted many new friends with ease and didn't show any signs of discomfort. I can tell Sophie-Bear is proud to show off her new big brother to all her friends. Winston likes to chase balls and sticks and really perked up when we were running on the grass chasing each other. I was so happy to see him come alive like that.

 

This afternoon I took Winston to the groomer, who adored him from the get-go. I was a little worried at first because he was so nervous, but after I picked him up and brought him home he seemed so much happier, and I'm pretty sure his skin is a little less itchy. And Oh Boy, is he ever handsome now with his clean soft fuzzy fur.

 

All Clean Winnie-Poo!

Pretty Soon you'll be as good as new!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I've had prednisone myself and about 21 of them are about $7 or less. Depends on dosage, etc.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, now that he's on antibiotics, don't switch foods yet. I know we talked about this. The antibiotics may upset his tummy. You can give him plain fat-free unflavored yogurt with his meals, and this might be a good time to add sodium free green beans, too...it will help keep his hunger down and also help add some fiber to his diet.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks so much Karen. I stocked up on the beans and the yogurt yesterday so i will start adding that. I'll speak the vet about the drugs and let you know what she says.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The drug is probably Temaril-P, which is a very common antipruritic-steroid combo. Lots of our Atopic dogs are or have been on it. It should help.

It's disappointing that keeps he talking about food - I'm pretty sure it's not a food issue - and that he wouldn't even weigh him...how does he even know what dosage of meds to prescribe without knowing his weight? Maybe you can take him in to Petco or Petsmart and weigh him yourself, someone there will probably be glad to help you. I think seeing your own vet is a good idea.

Go cuddle up with the doods and relax. Tomorrow is another day and all of this will get sorted out. Take care of yourself so you can take care of the pups. :)

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks guys. Sue is right, it is Vanectyl-P. I can now make it out. He told me I can vary the dosage if he is peeing too much. The thing is I am not home during the day, only at lunch time, so I can't have him peeing every 10 minutes. I'll put him on the lower dosage and if I have to I'll ask my dog walker, who pretty much works on call, to come in the afternoon and I'll take an early lunch shift.

Ok, good night!

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

The first time we had Lola on it, I was still working full-time, and I had to come home at lunch to let her out, and she had an accident on the back door mat. So I don't know how many times she actually went, but there was quite a bit there. Don't want to stress you out, but just thought you should know....every dog will react differently of course.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sherri, I think the trimeprazine is basically an antihistamine, although the drug labelling doesn't call it that. But I know we discussed giving him Claritin; I wouldn't while he's on the Vanectyl.

[Bonnie and Kona]

How incredibly disappointing. Hoping your vet is much more responsive!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I posted an update in the health group, but I thought I'd add the same update here as well, in case anyone is interested in Winston's vet visit. Here it is:

 

Ok, back from the vet, and it was sooo much better than that crazy guy I took him too last night. When I told the vet tech about him she was like "oh that guy, yeah, I know all about him". She went on to say she used to work in an animal hospital out in his area and she heard many many stories ... she was clearly not impressed.

 

In a nut shell, Winston got a full work up.

Weight: 78.5 (WOL)... gonna bring that down by about 10-15lbs.

Ears: She was shocked when she looked inside them. She felt so bad for him. Gave me antiobiotic pills for him and told me to continue with the ointment for another 5 days (original 5 days his other vet prescribed was up today).

Allergies: agrees it's most likely environment. Gave me more vanactly-P b/c she didn't think he got enough from the other vet, and she changed the dosage a little. She said I could try getting him on a hypoallergenic diet for 10-12 weeks just in case, but did not even mention RX food (in fact, was happy to hear I had sophie on orijen and that I was planning on doing the same for Winston).

 

We did a full blood screening and I'll get the results in a few days. We talked about doing allergy testing down the road.

 

She expressed his anal glands because they were very full.

 

Everyone at the vet's office loved him dearly, commented on what a good boy he is, and some even commented on his adorable nose. :)

 

so yea, $515 dollars later (that includes an $8 cat toy for Penny), my Winnie Pooh is well on his way to good health :) , and I'm going to have to find some cutbacks to afford my visa bill next month, it's been an expensive few weeks with my dad's birthday, the new car, and Winnie. I think I'll put off the new bed for a couple of months :(

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sherri, Thank you again for updating and rescuing this sweet dog. What goes around, comes around....and you are due for something great :)

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

well-said, Laurie!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I "second" that!!!!!