Dexter, his Vets, and Bad Nights

As you know, we adopted a dog with atopic dermatitis. So he is now going to a doggie dermatology clinic. This is not unlike the human counterpart. It occurs in ten to fifteen percent of dogs, and there is a genetic component. It is a chronic disease, and once under control, he will be more comfortable. However, I doubt we will ever be able to not bathe him as often as we do.

He gets a medicated bath every day. For those who are going, but that is too often, realize this is not the shampoo you buy at the store. His shampoo is special, medicated, agrees with his skin and with mine. However, as we figure this, he had a flare-up of his ear infection over the weekend. We had a long night, and finally, I gave him his med and called the vet in the morning. His doctor was trying to taper it down, and he flared up. This is the joy of chronic conditions.

Due to the infection, he also had a little problem with his balance. So he fell from his doggie stairs, and hurt his elbow. When you have a dog with a chronic condition, you learn to take it in stride. So we spent a lot of time at vets since he went from one to the other.

What is interesting to me is how similar this condition is in humans. You may know it by the more common name of eczema. And watching Dexter I can see how people would be desperate for meds for the condition. I also have learned…