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.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't know if he can get that connection but I'm sure he can tell it's all done with love.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Sherri, I just feel like you and Winston have had your hand/paws full of hard times. I hope and pray that things start looking up. Brighter skies ahead guys!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Things will get better, trust me. There is a bright light at the end of this tunnel, and you & Winnie are moving toward it.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

YES, YES, YES....clink!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Clink right back at ya! I definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel :o)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Sherri-so glad you can keep Penelope! Hope Winston can get on a fast track to feeling better! A little change and a lot of work for you and things will be prevented as much as possible for him. He's allowed to be grumpy but not at Sophie bear!

Winston couldn't charm the officer either?? Bummer of a ticket..

He looks great in the shirt!!

[Leslie and Halas]

I'm glad you did this.  It may have been (and will continue to be expensive), but at least you know what it is, and can treat it.  I hope Winnie is more comfortable soon!

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

at least you have some answers now and hopefully the treatment will give poor Winston some relief.  I am sorry that you have to go through all this, but he is very luck to have you!!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I do hope Winston is felling a little less irritable today. He is on his way to better health thanks to you.  He is one lucky Doodle.  I love him in the shirt.  He looks so darn gorgeous.  Looking forward to hearing how he's getting on though I'm guessing it's probably the middle of the night for you right now.  I'm always here when you are all asleep!