The Reaction

It's hard to tell, but the shiny is where his skin was dying

It's been a harrowing two weeks and a days.

It all started simply enough. Its summer time and with warm weather comes longer time spent out of of doors. With more time spent out of doors, comes more time to roll and play in things like garbage and poop; to put it bluntly.  On this particular Saturday Texas did both. Roll in poop and play in the garbage. So I did what any indoor dog mom does, and promptly bathed him. Both times.

It wasn't until early Sunday morning I realized something was very odd about Texas' fur. It was almost wavy ... as if perhaps the skin underneath was wavy.. but that couldn't be right. He must have gotten some grease on his fur, and if I rinse it of perhaps that will do the trick.

Fast forward to Monday night, when it finally came home to me that my dog's fur wasn't stuck together with grease, but something more serious was going on. This wasn't going away on its own. Tuesday morning dawned with Texas barely walking and his leg had swollen over night.

By the time I got to work I was hoping beyond hope that this was something simple, but when the doctor rushed to the front, telling me auctioneer style what was going on, before rushing back to the treatment area. My heart sank. I think I sat with my mouth open for ... a really long time.

What shampoo did you use? Don't ever use that stuff again! Your dog has a temperature of 105 that skin is (to paraphrase as I don't remember the exact words) dying and we're going to try and save it. HOwever I think we may actually have to remove that skin ok? I'm going to give him an steroid injection and some antibiotics to help his fever go down and we'll go from there.

We went home, sorrowful but with some hope. But by the time our scheduled recheck on Thursday appeared, we were grasping at straws. Wednesday had seen Texas trying to chew [the skin on] his leg off, which he almost did, prompting me to make a mad dash to Pets Supplies Plus for an e-collar and some gauze. Though I was afraid of that being the wrong course of action, I saw no choice.

The screaming on Thursday afternoon found me cringing behind the reception desk. Please don't let that be because of me? It was. Dr. R suggested we try soaking the skin in <insert technical term here> on a daily basis to see if that would help. However go ahead and prepare for surgery Monday morning.

Monday dawned with a very hungry and annoyed Texas as we made the 15 minute drive to work. Shortly there after I walk into treatment and see him out cold on the wet table, with his fur being shaved off. :(

Good news is, he doesn't look to bad without some of his fur ...Bad news his skin had to be removed. At that point the Dr. took about six inches total off his left side and sutured him back together with the remain skin. Since he didn't have enough to completely close the wounds, there were some holes. Monday we'd due to surgery again to close those holes, once the skin had some time to grow.

Since then we've been in for a bandage change on Thursday, in which they removed the sutures as that skin had died, and took some skin off the right side. Thus ensconcing him in bandages.

I now affectionately call him my little tootsie roll.
I don't think he enjoys it much.

Needless to say we've got a long road ahead of us.

He's can walk around, though doesn't like to do it much; and is eating and drinking regularly enough that I know he'll be fine. He's just miserable. He's struggled for about the last 20 minutes with his itchy bandages and not being able to itch himself; and it just breaks my heart.


So if you think about Mr. Texas, please pray that his skin grows back quickly and he can be back to his normal bouncy self!

Thanks So much.

Erin

Shampoo Used: Oster's Oatmeal Shed Control - 99% Natural

Puppy Diaries: New Food

Day 35
May 26, 2013

New Foodies 

Mulan models the new bags of food

My dogs typically eat a smorgashboard of kibbles. I'm not one to commit to one particular brand when it comes to my dachshunds. Variety is the spice of life IMO; and it keeps them from getting picky. I tend to keep my food standard at brands that can't be purchased at Walmart, and have had them on Natural Balance, Purina Pro Plan, Wellness, Back to the Basic's etc. However I have noticed Bubbles' digestive system was having a rough time on Natural Balance, and the puppies who were on Science Diet have been itching and scratching non-stop lately. So I've decided to go back to Wellness for the next few months and see if we can all get back on track.

I'm a fan of Wellness as its what I first changed my dogs to back when I realized what a big role food played in my dogs behavior. Bubbles lost weight and had a lot more energy, Texas stayed at a good weight and I think the puppies will benefit from not having so much grains in their diet.

Wellness we're back! :)

$$$$$$$$

Each Moment

4 year old Bubbles BT (Before Texas) 

We had a bit of a scare earlier this year.
David had gone for a "puppy camp" for a couple of weeks and the dachshunds were acting down right ornery. Whining and complaining about EVERYTHING, as they are want to know when life as they know it goes through any sort of upset.

However, when Bubbles started drinking water like it was going out of style, I began to get concerned, and thoughts from the online community (although helpful) were really having me worried. So I sucked it up and took her into work with me to get her checked out.

I was a bit concerned that she would freak out about begin the kennels but she was perfectly fine, and actually was sleeping whenever I went to check on her.  They ran blood work, which came back mostly normal, but no signs of diabetes (and now having seen blood work of dogs with diabetes I can definitely verify she's in a good range.) So we decided to approach it from a behavioral stand point and restrict her water to daytime hours, and remove it during the night.

The first night was hard, and I eventually caved, seriously this dog can whine for HOURS (or so it feels!). I quickly realized that I wouldn't be able to really tell what was going on if I didn't follow the instructions so I crated her the next night. (which was hard on me) and then after that began to soak her food, so i KNEW she was getting some water.

The Vet had asked me if anything had changed in her life in the last few weeks, and the only thing was David leaving, but I didn't think it would effect her that deeply... but apparently it had, as soon after he arrived home, she's been back to her normal lazy self.

We all breathed a sigh of relief, but only temporary as we're faced with his immanent departure in about a month ... sigh. Guess I may *HAVE* to get another puppy after all. :)

 

Yeah, She's Fired

So I'm thinking of firing my mom as our blog manager. I mean two whole months of no posts is completely unacceptable. I mean there is really no excuse to not be posting about me, myself and I every minute of the day.

I mean, I would if *I* were my human!

I mean, yeah she's got a couple of valid excuses like starting a full-time job as a vet receptionist, and no longer owning a computer, but COME ON, we live in the age of smart phones, and smart cars, and smart.. well you get the point. There is no excuse not to at least post pictures of my awesomeness to the blog, right?

So what have I been up to in the last few months? Honestly, nothing really, with mom working all the live long day, I spend a lot of my time patrolling the house, keeping birds at bay (we've had TWO in this house, mom was not happy that I tore up another set of blinds, but HEY I was keeping her safe. Geez woman.)

David's been going with mom to her work place, but me and Bubbles can't cause we're not up to date on our vaccines. I know, I know ... eeek. Except well, Mom's not so sure all those vaxs are all they are cracked up to be. So! There is that. Which is fine, cause I don't really like going places like that ANTIWAYS.

What you guys been up too?

Togetherness

Project 52: Doxie Edition

Week 1: In The Kitchen
Fifty-two weeks, of dachshunds? Can y'all handle the cuteness? :)

Texas stares me down, trying to figure out if the treat jar I'm using as a camera stand, will start popping out treats soon.

Bubbles doing what she does best. Complain, complain, complain.

I love Bubbles to death, but good Lord this dog can whine like no bodies business. Here lately if I'm doing anything other than pay attention to her, she's whining. And trust me, she can whine for .... at least 15 minutes straight. My patience is throughly shattered, and I'm giving her what I think she wants.

However, I'm done. I've been making the "she's 13, she deserves to do exactly she wants" excuse and its no longer cool. I've realized, just as with puppies, older dogs can develop bad habits if you let them.

 As of yesterday I've come up with a new plan. Bubbles starts whining and I KNOW she's had all she NEEDS... aka frequent potty breaks, water, and food. She's going to her time-out chair. Even at 13 years old, we're practicing some tough love. So far tonight we've been outside at least four times, she's had dinner (and some snacks) and has a full bowl of clean water. Other than wanting attention/thinking I'm eating from the table I'm typing at... I know she's good. :)

So to the chair (a comfy arm chair) we go!

And off she came, and the whining started again.

So back we went.

And despite the mournful stare she's giving she's staying.

Now that's she's good, I'm off to snuggle with her.

:)

 

Spring is HERE!!!

How do we know this for a fact you ask? Well if the warm weather wasn't an indication, these muddy toe nails are a great one!  I foresee weekly baths beginning again in 3...2... 1....

-Erin

...1...2...3..little doggies

Sometimes... I'm pretty sure I do run a kennel. 

Current Dog Count: 5 

I'm sure you guys remember Lacy. She's a regular around here, but in the last few days Lacy has gained a sister! Stella is their newest family member and is quite stressed to be here. Hopefully she'll calm down over the next couple of days. Which since they'll be in the care of my awesome dog sitter will be nothing more than a "hope" for me. :) 

-Erin 

....Heellllooooooooo!

I know what you're thinking, and you're right. Its been way.to.long.
In my defense life has changed a LOT since August, so much so I even thought about taking this blog down completely even though I know I can't. The good news is Bubbles, Texas and David are still alive and well. Bubbles celebrated her 13th birthday by ... well sleeping all day, and eating dinner when I came home from work. David is officially a year old, and quite the obnoxious teenager, and Texas is growing and becoming more mellow at the old age of four.

I started working full time as a vet receptionist in October and haven't seemed to have a moment to spare. The dachshunds have got to feel neglected sometimes, but I haven't felt uber motivated to $300 worth of shots and tests done just yet in order for them to come with me; Not to mention I doubt they'd particularly enjoy being kenneled all day...

I also had to give up my computer when I moved to my new position, as my old job was only loaning it to me. And I'm only typing this right now on the good graces of a friend being out of town, and loaning me her laptop.

I am hopeful that I will once again be a computer owner, well as soon as I hear back from this guy on Craigslist that is. :) The problem is I haven't been able to bring myself to switch from being a Mac Owner to a PC. Yes my work laptop was a PC but it was free. [Beggers can't be choosers] and I've decided that I'd rather save and get what I want, then settle for less.

So its been a couple of months since I've been a computer owner, and believe it or not I've survived.

Thank God for my iPhone.

But I'm digressing from the doggy ness of this post.

At this moment I currently have six dogs in my house.

"What are you nuts?"

Yeah, pretty much. And a really good friend. This should earn me major brownie points. :)

For the most part things have gone smoothly, everyone pretty much is separate except when I'm present, and even then David is still on the outs. For some reason I was thinking Collies were meek and mild dogs, but Dave has worked to prove me very wrong by being the biggest, loudest, obnoxious dog around.  It doesn't earn him friends or influence other dogs.

Which is funny because that is usually Texas's distinction, but TEXAS has accepted all three of these guys with NO PROBLEMS. Like, no growling, no constant watching their every movements, no constant corrections of their nervous behavior.

Who IS this dog?

First Ever Sighting!

A rare sighting of a dapple, black and tan dachshund! 

Otherwise known as.. 

An encounter with a baker. 

#AugustDogDays - Day 6

TREAT TIME!!

#AugustDogDays - Day 2

Better late to the party than never! My mom likes to do these things on Instagram and its ABOUT TIME she did one that was related to dogs! siriusly.

What?!

Texas checking out 12week old, black lab Rudolph puppy.
(who is visiting our house for the week)

What?

IS

THe MEANING OF

THIS!? 

Happy..Birthday?

 

This post is in honor of Texas's 4th birthday, July 6, 2012 - Yes I realized that its way to far gone to even consider this belated, but you know. First off I can't believe he's FOUR, where has the time gone? I would love to say something like "he keeps life interesting" but I've gotta be honest here, Texas is pretty boring. 95% of his day is spent sleeping, or begging food from me. But I wouldn't trade him for the world. He is a great cuddler (occasionally) a great watch dog (as long as I'm home, otherwise he's pointing out the valuables in attempt to spare himself), a good car rider (as long as we're moving) and loves everybody (as long as they are female and they've met before). 

Really though, I love this little guy. :)

Happy Belated, Belated, Belated Birthday Tex! 

Bubbles

12 year old Bubbles gives me stink eye for interrupting her nap. 

Life with Dachshunds

Wordless Wednesday

If ignore her... maybe she'll go away...