Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Billy's Health Journey

10/23/2020 Billy's Health Recovery Update:

He is now 7months old!


This is a long post about the journey we are at with our pet puppy, I am not sure if you will be interested in reading this long post but I just wanted to share this and hopefully there's someone who can help or in the same condition that we are having right now. This post will be updated from time to time as he progressed with this condition. Thank you! 


A couple of months ago we had our first puppy, Billy! He was then seven weeks old, a Japanese Spitz. We are a first-time dog owner. We had dogs when I was young but it was a guard dog, he never stepped foot inside our house. So the petting, play, and all the cuteness were never experienced before, same as with my kids. When my kids were little they got fish and a rabbit for pets. Never in my wildest dream that one day we will be taking care of a pet in our home. What made me say yes to my daughter? She convinced me good and also with the lockdown and the quarantine that happened since March I said yes! I believe the responsibilities for owning a dog my daughter can handle as she is a grown-up now. When we waiting for him to arrive we prepared the house, my daughter DIY his bed, pull-up some of her old toys for him to own, bought food, some essentials too...thinking that all we need to do when he arrives is to feed, potty train him and all the cuteness he can bring us. And, yes! we were not disappointed in that area when we got him and brought him in, the first 24-hours was so beautiful...we all felt that having him was the best thing- until after the following days.

The first week was a little tiresome, we were all over him, following and trying to teach him things in the house but the cuteness and the feeling of we have a pet at home was overwhelming. There were lots of sleepless nights because he was crying at night and we wanted him to teach on where to sleep and it's night time and time to sleep. 


One day of the first week, my daughter noticed a skin rash on his right elbow, where was a little patch of hair loss and skin was dry...so we thought that it was a normal thing. Days passed by and one veterinary dog visit along with his vaccine shot we got our consultation. The vet recommended Madre de Cacao cream to be applied twice a day, so we did that, the routine of applying the cream started to be part of the daily routine for him. But, the rashes get worse by day, the itchiness was getting severe and he tends to scratch his skin so much and starting to get bruised up, his fur falls off and he was irritated. He could play anymore, we tried to be with him all day and made him wear socks to prevent his skin from getting a bruise. We contacted the vet I asked if we can give him oral anti-histamine to lessen the itchiness so we started him on that. And with a couple more vet visits, more tubes of Madre de Cacao creamsulfur soapCaniderm ketoconazole shampooPapi powdersocksdog cone - the majority of the time was made DIY because we couldn't find one in the market here. We were able to shop at Lazada after more than a month, I also boil Madre de cacao leaves (Kakawati leaves) for his bath wash, I also juice the kakawati leaves and sprayed on his fur just to relieve the itchiness, as advised by some friends and family. All these were in 30 days with the initial diagnosis of Dermatophytosis. I find all these products giving him a temporary relief. 
 Newly added cream Furfect herbal cream
Php 200

rubber muzzle bought from Lazada
 Php 168
 Madre de Cacao Doggies choice anti-fungal cream
Php 180
 Infinity Pet Care Caniderm Ketoconazole
Php 360
plus Sulfur soap Php 180

VetMate Papi powder
Php 120
 

 

With the diagnosis, we continued doing what we been told to apply the cream etc...but the condition was not improving. He lost a lot of his fur- the affected areas were the skin elbows, ears, nape, neck, and legs. The rashes were all over his body. That is when we decided to consult another vet doctor! He gave Billy a steroid shot to prevent him from the itch, the shot will last for a month ( I felt relief when I heard that). We follow-up some more visit at the vet for his vaccines and during one visit the doctor said that Billy's condition was hereditary- that there is no cure for it, that we need to have him on steroid injection maintenance every month until he reaches a year old and switches to oral steroids, I felt so sad when I heard that :(. I saw his future being restrained, limited, and not having a normal dog life and will be under medication all his life or up until when his skin recovers? All the questions I have in my mind. He was also given oral antibiotics for seven days along with the initial steroid shot. 

We brought him home from the vet, went to our daily routine the next day, I must admit that half of our time was devoted to him...the attention and the caring that we are giving him just for him to feel relaxed and comfortable and not to scratch unexplainable. Right about now I am making this post, he is on my lap napping. Our everyday lives revolve around him now. 


He's lost a lot of his fur and his skin dries up and making it so sensitive when touched. His diet is still the same, from Royal Canin to Special Dog puppy food. He loves to drink milk but the doctor said we need to stop giving him any dairy drink because of the skin condition, that milk drink used to be given to him as a treat but we stopped it. We are trying to stop giving him yogurt and Yakult as these all are milk-based drinks. He loves sponge cakes, giving him bits en pieces of it after every meal. He loves honey syrup, cake icing, breadsticks, and anything sweet.

Our last vet visit was last Saturday, July 11 for his last regular vaccine and more additional skin consultation. We were advised to give VCO (virgin coconut oil) for skin massage to prevent skin dryness and 5ml to be given orally. I bought Prosource VCO for P238, 250ml, we started giving him 5ml for three days now straight now and applying and massaging the oil twice daily. 


Our VCO journey for healing, skin-soothing, and other health benefits he can get. So far, with the three days of topical administration of VCO, his skin improved, less the dryness feel and some wound and scratched he made before started to heal fast leaving and starting the crusts to fall. Oral intake of VCO is a little struggle to give as he refuses it especially the first time. We are using the plunger of the syringe to give the oil. No changes in his stool, which is a very good sign. He still wears his cone, socks, and sometimes the rubber mouthguard to relieve his neck with the weight of the cone though it is made from a light plastic material. 
he was able to reach his legs and bite and make another fresh bite wounds so we extend the cone using light-weight bendable plastic. 

I am in full hopes this can help and ease the itchiness and skin condition from inside to out that our baby Billy has. He will be turning 4 months on the 23rd of July. 

To all fur parents out there who experienced or experiencing the same situation, our puppy has kindly shared with us any tips and treatment you might have? 

***This post will be updated with his progress...




40 comments:

  1. Oh gosh, what a journey! I do hope he continues to improve.

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  2. These are such good ideas and remedies. I have two dogs and luckily no skin problems but if they get some I will try these creams.

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  3. Oh no poor Billy - it is horrid when you notice something wrong with your pet :( here's hoping you have found something that really helps.

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  4. It so hard when our furry friends get sick. Poor pup! Hope he starts to improve.

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  5. Poor Billy! I hope he feels better soon. As first-time dog parents, I think you guys did an amazing job taking care of him.

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  6. Thanks for sharing this story. Sorry to hear that you puppy had to go through this.

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  7. Sometimes, if we are going to properly care for out pets, it requires the same amount of money, time, and medication as if we were caring for our human loved ones. It is well worth it!

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  8. I feel really sorry for Billy and all he has to go through. You have done a really good job. Well done.

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  9. Virgin Coconut Oil really helps a lot not only in our fur babies but also in human too.
    Wishing for the fast healing of Journey.

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  10. What a sweet pup, thanks for sharing this journey. I know as a pet owner, I love learning everything I can and seeing what other pet owners go through.

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  11. Now that is one spoiled doggo! It is so important to keep their health in mind.

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  12. I'm sorry about Billy. I know how hard it is to have a pet that's unwell.

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  13. you reminded me of how I cared for my cat for over two years!! I am so happy that he is getting batter, wishing this cutie full recovery.

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  14. Billy is so cute. One of our pups had something similar to this and it turned out to be an allergy to fleas. Just one bite would cause him to lose a ton of fur. I hope he feels better soon!

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  15. Billy is so cute! Congratulations! It's so nice to have a pet in the house. WE are thinking of adopting a dog soon!

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  16. Can I just say I love your dog. I am so happy he is doing alright and spreading cute joy all around. It is important to be observant with our pet and thanks to early detection, he is doing alright.

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  17. Billy's journey is really hard but your constant efforts and love had made him fine and he will be completely fit very soon plus he is a cute baby...

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  18. I hope he is getting better. I had a pomeranian a few years ago, and I think he also had a very similar skin issue.

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  19. Your poor puppy. My dogs have a chicken allergy and have to be on a special diet. This has been a huge change in their health after getting them off all chicken, eggs, etc.

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  20. Thank you so much for sharing your story. It's heartbreaking when our pets are ill, isn't it? Billy is a very lucky pup to have an owner like you though :)

    Louise x

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  21. I am also a fur mommy of 7 dogs and i experienced this problems a lot, i used to shift their shampoo or going to search on the skin if there is ticks and get it myself. I hope Billy will recover soon hes so adorable.

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  22. Billy is adorable! I hope he feels better soon :(

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  23. Poor little guy has GONE THROUGH IT but thankfully he's got some loving parents!

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  24. It's touching to see a pet owner go above and beyond for their pets. Thank you for sharing your journey with your precious pup! I hope this is just a rough patch and he'll have nothing but health in his future :)

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  25. Billy is very lucky to have you. We wish Billy to get better soon!

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  26. Aww, I hope Billy is feeling better now

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  27. So sad that your adorable pup had to go through this, but Billy is so lucky to be surrounded by lovely people like you.

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  28. I remember how my dog experienced the same, hope he feels better sooner.

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  29. Oh poor Billy, its heartbreaking when your pets are sick. Hope he gets well.

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  30. He is so cute. So heartbreaking. Hope get gets well soon.

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  31. What a journey, wishing you all the best!

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  32. Such a hero the little one is, I am so glad to read the journey to getting better. Wish he grows stronger and healtier soon. God Bless.

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  33. Firstly I love your puppy, secondly I hope he gets well soon and thirdly, an advanced happy birthday to this adorable one!

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  34. Billy looks so cute. I hope he is feeling better now. I don't have a dog but I guess this would help others who have pets. I can totally get how it feels when a pet gets sick. He will get well soon.

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  35. Oh poor puppo! I pray everything heals up. I know it must be hard being first time dog owners. It can be a little stressful, but you go this and you are doing an amazing job.

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  36. I hope the little guy is all better soon. Poor pup.

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  37. What a sad and challenging journey for your beloved dog. I pray he recovers soon and that his condition improves as well.
    Elizabeth O

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  38. This post reflects your love and care for your dog. I hope he will continue improving.

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  39. I'm so sorry to hear, I can't imagine how little Billy is feeling right now. I have 3 doggos at home and none of them experienced this though I heard that VCO usually helps in keeping the skin moisturized. Also whenever I see that they aren't 'hiyang' with their shampoo, I try to switch them to something else. I hope he feels better soon.

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  40. It sounds like Billy journey was a surprising one. I hope that he is better now. Thanks for sharing his story with us.

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