Westie Wednesday

I know most of you are aware of what Louis has been contending with, but for those who aren't...

1.  He was bitten on the tail at day care last week
2.  He has had an upset stomach for a week, non-stop

Here is a picture of Louis' tail after the vet shaved it:

Louis continued to irritate the bite, and by removing the hair we have been able to keep the area clean.  He has to take a steroid for 3 weeks, and an antibiotic for a month.  Since it became infected (and skin infections are nasty business), the vet wants to be sure it is all cleared up. 

The vet also suggested "the cone".  I told him that was not a possibility.  And although the steroids will help with swelling and itching, he also gave me a topical spray to further deter Louis from biting, licking or scratching his tail.

The good news is...Louis' tail is looking much better! 

The bad news is that his tummy is still upset.  And not only is his tummy upset, he is exhausted and grumpy.  TEN calls it "roid rage", but from what I've seen on the TV...he's not got enough "rage" to make it legit.  BUT THEN....he has peeped on the rug and the couch.  And I KNOW he is sick.  But...that is no excuse to let all of your good breeding go out the window, now is it?  Yesterday morning I had to put his nose into the rug in the peep to tell him how NOT okay it was :(   Could this be his version of "roid rage"?

Does your pup forget his manners when he/she is sick?  It isn't like when he had an upset stomach all over the place.  That I understand.  He couldn't help that.  But peeping on the couch?  And on the bathroom rug?  Why not on the kitchen linoleum?  Is he simply acting out?

I'm worried that he's eaten a tomato plant.  Which is toxic to a pup.  I'm worried that he has eaten some of the English Ivy that we've dug up in the front beds.  I'm worried that he as had some antifreeze from the driveway when the cab dripped some two weekends ago.  And then it rained.  And perhaps Louis drank it somehow?  I'm worried that my precious little pup has an intestinal parasite.  So, I'm taking one of his poo's to the vet.  In a bag. 

I'm just worried. 

In general. 

Louis is my baby.  The only one I have.  And when he is ill I am worried.  Especially when we don't know what is causing it.  He was ill prior to the antibiotics, so it isn't that.  The vet doesn't want me to give him anything to "stop him up", because if there is an infection or internal problem that will not allow him to get the "sickness" out of his body. 

To top it off, Louis' vet since birth has moved to Colorado.  He loved her.  Dearly.  He would run to her, and jump into her lap.  He would let her do anything to him.  She would drop to her hands and knees to tell Louis that he was the most handsome westie she had ever known.  And now she is gone. 

And Doogie Howser is confusing me with all of these options and medicines.  Completely.  And so I'm taking him a bag of poo.  And I'm hoping for the best.  And I'm pretending like he didn't tell me that Louis needs to be put to sleep to have his teeth cleaned.  Because he isn't even 2 years old yet.  And that is just unacceptable. 

Westie Poops,

T & Louis