I am a bad Mommy!!!!

[cheryl & oliver]

Well Oliver was doing so well with his foot problem, he was taking his meds, no problem, leaving the bandage and sock on, no problem, I knew it was too good to last. I took him to the vet to check his foot out, and he told me it 85-90 percent better. We were so happy, so I took him to get a bath, he really needed it, and he was so matted, my fault, I was so busy caring for the foot and working that I let the brushing go, so he now has a doodle face and tail, and a shaved body..The groomer bathed him in a very good oatmeal shampoo that I bought, and really had no choice, so my beautiful doodle looks ridiculous, and not only that, he discovered his paw again, and he has taken off the sock, and tape, and dressing 3x today...So now he is wearing the elizabethian coller, not happy about it, but at least he is not freaking out, like he did before...I am just so depressed that we have to go thru this all over again, with cleaning and dressing etc..but I will, of course...Ugh when will this nightmare end? Yhe vet says once they do this it is very hard to cure, even when the sore is gone, which it is, now he just irritated it again...I know everyone will think I was nuts to take him to be groomed, but he really really needed it, Just hope the fur grows back quickly, he looks so funny with a sheared body and legs and a full face and gorgeous tail...Thanks for listening...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is only a suggestion that comes to mind as a mom. IF Oliver's foot is healed and it is only habit that causes him to lick, could you put nasty tasting stuff like a solution made with red pepper or concentrated lemon juice, or the stuff you buy at the store to put on kid's thumbs/nails to help them break the habit of thumb sucking or nail biting. Maybe the stuff could be put on the bandage even?

[cheryl & oliver]

Nancy thas why we are trying these new bandages, they have all natural stuff on them, like red pepper and lemon juice, funny u should menttion that, but the new idea for the stuff u buy for kids might be the next thing for me to try if these new things don't work...I can't believe he figured how to get to the paw eeven with the elizabethen coller, he is so darn smart...Thanks for the advice , I appreciate it...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I do hope the bandages work. Perhaps some stuff on top of them for added nastiness!!!

[cheryl & oliver]

thank you, I will keep you all informed....

[Joyce & Wilson]

When I read that youre using Betadine..I had to reply to you...I used to be a surgical tech some years ago..and had to scrub all the time using Betadine..OH...I was sooo allergic to it..drove me nuts ITCHING...maybe Oliver is allergic to it??? Its really strong.. I had to switch to a soap called hibiclense..not sure on the spelling...its been awhile.. hope this may help.

[cheryl & oliver]

that is very interesting Joyce, I am a retired nurse too. I never thought about his being allergic to the betadine. I will try to use something else, like a mild soap at this point. I do not see any redness around the area, infact it looks fine, The vet just wanted it covered because and it did happen the first time I left it open, he went right for it, and was licking it until it was red again.., so he had said that in most instances u have to keep it covered until the fur truly grows back, and even then they sometimes still go for it...I did some reading on the computer about it, and it is said to be one of the hardest things to stop...Just my luck, I am ready to pull my hair out of my head, I love this guy and it is just so frustrating to see him trying to get the collar off, and giving me these sad looks...Bit I will try tomorrow to use some mild soap and water to clean it...Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate it..