Winston's allergy test is done: He is allergic to...

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

...Kitties, Dust mites, feathers (my duvet) and the yeast that grows between his paws and in his ears when they get infected from all the chewing/scratching (viscious circle).***Update - forgot to Add Pigweed ?!?! What the heck is pigweed???

Here are some pics of his test patch and him in his Bluesfestival Volunteer t-shirt :o) He may not look happy, but he does look super cute and it keeps him from licking his 'patch'.

He's quite irritable from the testing and is snapping at Sophie a bit. I really wish the vet would have sedated him or at least given him some valium. Anyway, what's done is done, and we have a plan for treatment. His bacterial infections (ears, paws and skin) haven't improved despite the two week course of antibiotics he was on earlier this month. She suspects he's become immune to the antibiotics he's been getting. She's doing cultures to learn more about the bacteria. I'm not quite sure I understand this part but she says the cultures she's taken will tell her what kind of antibiotics are going to be most effective for him. She did send me home with drops for his ears and instructions to clean them out with a vinegar and water solution before putting in the drops. On the car ride home I was thinking about how when I went on a yeast free diet I was told to avoid vinegar as it is fermented with yeast. I am thinking that washing his yeasty infected ears with vinegar might not be so great....

I'm to take photos of the patch where the skin test was done in case there are any delayed reactions. That way we can be 100% sure to cover everything in the immunotherapy treatment, which will cost about $700 and she says is 75% affective. So basically, it better work!!

The visit cost me $850 plus a $200 speeding ticket :( but I'm so glad to have taken this step and can now move forward with treating him. Could have done without that darn ticket though.

One more thing, the vet remarked on how well informed I am and was surprised by some of the questions I was asking-I even stumped her once. I have only Karen and the rest of DK to thank for that! Thanks everyone for all your support, and mostly thank you Karen for guiding me through this process! I don't know what I would have done without you!!!

Ok, I'm going to take Sophie to the park, she needs to burn some energy and Winston needs a rest.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

sorry you were offended. I do have to agree that there is a lot of bad info out there about Candida. I once at spelt bread for a whole year because of a naturopath who gave me bad advice. I love bread and am so glad I'm over that. I did find out through my own research and trial and error that I have a mild sensitivity to nitrates, like bacon :o(, but not an allergy. I discussed this with the asthma/allergy doctor i saw for myself last week and he confirmed my understanding of the difference between allergies and food sensitives was correct. I just wanted to clarify that according to my doctor they are different things.

[F, Calla & Luca]

This was not at all a personal attack. I meant to say that there is a lot of information on the web relating to systemic Candida and detoxifying regimens, which I saw on the web site that you posted, that in my medical opinion are not at all founded in fact. Some of the regimens are dangerous. But since I don't know you nor do I have any reason to in any way disparage you it was not my intention to hurt your feelings. I know you were, as we all are, trying to help Sherri. I always aspire to be nice and if you knew me at all you would know I am not a snob. I hope you will realize that DK is a wonderful place but we do have to be able to tolerate differences of opinion.

[Kim/Mark and Sierra]

I appreciate your reply F...but I don't know what web site you are referring to as I did not, nor would I post one on here.  Thx, Kim

[F, Calla & Luca]

I was referring to the Website you listed on your page, which I checked after your comments about Karen and me.

[Kim/Mark and Sierra]

Oh I see, my personal website.  I thought you saw a link on my comment to candida cleanses, which I don't have any of on my site so I got confused.  Thx, Kim

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

F, you are anything but a snob, and I appreciate everything you've done to help me. A snob wouldn't reach out to a perfect stranger on the net and offer support the way you have! I appreciate you and Karen, and respect all your opinions!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thank you Sherri.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The only person who made a personal remark here was you, Kim. Everyone else's comments were impersonal and addressed the issue being discussed, not any individual or someone's personality, as you did.

 

 

[Kim/Mark and Sierra]

You're right....I appologize for the personal remarks.  Kim

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

So everything's cool?? We are good people!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I love it when you say hokum, F! It makes me smile every time.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

me too!