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.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Pig Weed, Porky Pigs dope stash.:>)

Hope these tests put you on the right road for all of you.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Ha.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Good one Donna!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

tee hee hee. those darn piggies and their drugs.

[Bonnie and Kona]

LOL!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Why didn't we think of that, Donna????hmmmmm

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Malassezia pachydermatis and D.Pteronyssinus 1/5000 w/v. all gobbeldy g*** to me.

Sure glad you have an awesome Vet and sooooooooooooo many smart doodle Mom's here on DK. I am NOT one of them.

I am also super glad that Penelope gets to stay, even though Mommy is allergic. I too have asthma and this has been a rough mold, mildews and pollens year for me due to so much rain. I fell 98% better now that we had "the frost", even though it's still raining (hate rain, want snow).

When my DD was living here she of course brought her kitty Charlie. I am allergic to her but it was not bad after about 3 months.

It is so great to hear you have some solutions and treatment plans.

Winston sure landed in the right family.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Winston, you look so sweet in your t...wish I could hug you!

xoxoxox

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Aw, Winston's patch test is much more colorful than JD's. Jack's dots were black instead of blue.

[Bonnie and Kona]

This is a big and important step for you and Winston. I'm glad you are able to proceed with this kind of information. I am so hopeful that he will be better. My son had to have allergy shots for dust and dust mites when he was a kid, and he told people it changed his life. (A funny comment from an 8 year old--- but true). Hoping for the best for Winston. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Sounds like your vet is a nice one and very reasonable!

So glad he found his way to you - what a loving doodle mom (and siblings!) Winnie has.  I'm sure it's nice to have a better "game plan" and diagnosis!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Specialists rock! I highly recommend them for any serious illness.