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.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Oh poor Winston! and then a ticket..   Good luck with everything!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Awe, Winston, you poor baby, hope those spots don't bother you too much but you do look pretty cool in that t-shirt. I'm glad to hear that kitty gets to stay.

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

Sherri, I sure am glad you found out what is going on with Winston and have a plan forward. And, just as a side note, he just does not take a bad picture, even with that nasty patch, he is as cute as can be!!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It must be such a huge relief to finally know exactly what you're dealing with.  Sherri, you are doing such an amazing job with Winston.  I'm thinking that Karen's name and picture will be posted in Vet offices throughout the country saying "if your patient mentions this woman....be afraid, very afraid".

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The veterinary dermatology specialists, on the other hand, are holding a banquet in my honor, lol.

[Jess and Pippin]

Ah, poor doodle.  Sherri, just thought I'd chime in from my people knowledge (respiratory therapist working in an asthma clinic).  For any human patients with dust mite issues, we recommend dust mite covers on mattresses/pillows to stop them from proliferating (they love human skin dander and our beds have the highest concentration of the stuff and then it spreads thru the house from there).  Also, regular vacuuming of the mattress and washing linens in hot water all help to reduce the allergens from the mites.  Don't know if that will help, but may be worth a try.  Give Winnie and Sophie a hug from Pippin and I.  :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, and this is the same advice the specialist gave me for JD, too. (They actually say not to keep the dog out of your bedroom, because that is where the highest concentration of dust mites is, but we know that's not happening, lol.)

They also recommend the frequent washing of all bedding (including the dog's)  with hot water, getting rid of unnecessary soft surfaces and dust catchers (I threw away my bedskirt), having blinds on the windows instead of curtains, vacuuming & dusting frequently (and keep the dog out of the areas when you are vacuuming), the dust proof covers, etc.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I meant to keep the dog out of your bedroom, but you guys knew that.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

OK, I have never had a patch test done or known anyone who did. I am just curious....how exactly is it done? Obviously, I am a jenius so I can tell that he was shaved. Then what? Is he awake for the procedure? How painful is it for a dog?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD was sedated for his. He had to stay at the clinic all day.

I have a very long discussion describing it here on DK, I'll post a link for you.

[F, Calla & Luca]

They superficially scratch or prick the skin with the allergen extract and measure the reaction at the site a while later.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, F!