Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Updates

He is the sweetest dog.  As we suspected, he has migrated upstairs and spends many nights sleeping on the floor of our room.  He jumps into the bed only long enough to lick me good morning.  And he still likes to sleep downstairs.  His health issues are mostly gone - he'll always limp, and he seems to have arthritis which bothers him a bit.  There are places where he will never grow hair.  He is the fastest little dog I have ever seen - like a bullet!

                                                Ollie - on the job guarding the front porch

Overwhelmingly affectionate, he would spend all of his time in Dave's lap if he could.  And he's pretty clear that he has no interest in running off anywhere, ever again.  Wonderful, wonderful dog and such a loving friend to us.

I've had quite a few requests for the protocol we used treating the mange.  I took multiple approaches

Topical rinse:
1/3 c borax powder (20 Mule Team Borax detergent)
2 c hydrogen peroxide
4 c water

Shampoo dog with mild shampoo and rinse.  While wet, soak skin and coat with the Borax solution.  Do not rinse, and stay with dog for 5 minutes or so to keep from rubbing solution off.  I did this every day for the initial 4 days, then once a week for about 2 months.

Medication:
Initially on a 30 day round of Ivermectrin orally (Ollie also had a huge parasite problem)

Application of Advantix weekly for 3 weeks, then monthly