Wholistic Vet

Well, with Todd now having seen an Internist for a rhinoscopy, and an Allergist, for allergy testing and our vet who has been a big help managing Todd's symptoms, it was time to try one more thing. And that was to see our holistic vet. I called on Monday, and they happened to have an opening on Thursday. 

It has been a couple of years since I have taken one of my dogs to see "Wholistic Vet" and I'm reminded why I think she and her husband (who runs the office) are among the best -- They are both kind, caring and compassionate and so many other things. They've always taken great care of  our dogs and me too. 

~An anxious Todd waiting for Wholistic Vet~

Wholistic Vet asked a lot of questions, and she thought that Todd seeing the specialists was needed because having those results helps to know what the health of his sinuses are, and what he's sensitive to. Wholistic Vet is right of course - and by the way, she agreed about not putting Todd on Apoquel. 

After nearly an hour discussion and a thorough exam (more time than I spent with the Internist or Allergist)  Wholistic Vet is recommending one Chinese herb and a special tincture that she made for Todd. She told me that allergies can be hard to treat sometimes, but she has a few other things for us to try if the herb and tincture don't work. But we'll start with these two things first and see where it takes us. We have a follow up appointment in July. 

For the first time, I feel like my concerns, thoughts and questions have been heard and answered. Even if the herbs and holistic treatment doesn't work for Todd, I'm grateful that we have the chance to find out if it will or not. 

~Home and relaxing on the porch~

The Results Are In

Todd's allergy test results came last Friday via e-mail .... Drumroll please ..... 

Out of the 80+ things that the Heska test, tests for, Todd is allergic to only two -- Dust-mites and Ragweed..... 

Below are the results - click on the photo to see what the test tests for. 

And there you have it. The Allergist is recommending that Todd continues taking Apoquel. 

So, where does that take us?  

To start, thank you all for sharing your experiences and thoughts about Apoquel -- I could not agree with you more. But I feel like Apoquel has its place and there are dogs that despite its side effects, definitely benefit from its use because it's the one thing that improves their quality of life. Quality of life is what it's all about.

But Apoquel is not an antihistamine, and given that Todd's issue is with his sinus, I think that Todd needs an antihistamine and something a bit stronger than the Zyrtec that he takes daily. When I (again) mentioned to the Allergist my thoughts and concerns about giving Todd Apoquel, I could feel the eye rolls in my questioning the treatment plan and asking for another medication. After a couple of e-mail exchanges, the Allergist suggested more tests or return to the Internist who sent me to them in the first place. 

In the end, it left me feeling discouraged and with no plan or direction. But when I got over feeling defeated, I made one more call to another specialist. I'll tell you about that in my next post. Suffice it to say, I am feeling hopeful. ❤

***On a totally different topic, CONGRATULATIONS to Carol (aka Coppa's Girl) on the newest addition to her family, named Amber. I hope it's all going well as you get to know one another, and she settles into a new life that I know will be filled with nothing but the best days, making the best new memories! ❤❤

The Appointment

After waiting more than 2 months, Friday, May 26th finally got here. It was the day of Todd's long awaited appointment with the Allergist. 

I don't venture much towards the craziness of I-95, especially on a holiday weekend, but that's where I had to go for Todd's appointment, so we did. It was over an hours drive to get there, and somehow I managed to get there early and with a few minutes to spare. Yay us! 

For whatever reason, Todd didn't seem nervous. Even when I got him out for a little break before his appointment he was happy and relaxed. I was happy about that.

~Do you think Todd snuck a sip of my drink when I wasn't looking?~

What I wasn't happy about was that the dermatology department (still) isn't allowing owners to come inside with their pets. So, I had to wait outside in my van while Todd was taken inside. 

After waiting about 30 minutes, the specialist called and gave a preliminary diagnosis of "Allergic Rhinitis" which is a build-up of histamines in the sinus, that can be caused by damage to the nasal membranes - I approved doing what is called a HESKA blood test that will hopefully tell us what Todd is allergic to. 

Todd will be on Apoquel until we get the test results and will have a follow up appointment in about 6 weeks. I'll just add that I'm not supportive of his being put on this particular medication, it suppresses the immune system and it isn't really an antihistamine ~ I questioned it being prescribed, but the Vet felt he should be on it, even though I really feel strongly that what Todd needs is a 'stronger' antihistamine than the Zyrtec that I've been giving him daily. But what do I know, right? 

Todd was happy to be back with me, and we were both happy when we got home. So now, we wait for 10 or so days for the results, and hope he doesn't have any 'flare ups' before then. 

~Todd after his appointment~

A Snow Day in May!

On the way home from work yesterday, I found out that I was unexpectedly going to be off work today.  The Doctor I work for was going to be part of a funeral for a childhood friend. I am sorry that he lost his friend. But today, I've had 'found time' that I didn't expect to have. 

I decided that it was kind of like having a snow-day. The Urban Dictionary defines a snow day this way:

"An unexpected day when you are supposed to go to school but it is canceled. An unexpected break. An unexpected escape from it all. A day to relax, not a day to catch up on work."

It may be May and there's no snow, but I totally agree with this definition, and I totally embraced it today.  

Our snow-day got off to a pretty good start for Todd. At around 10 o'clock, I went to check on him outside and found him out of breath, his face was all wet and he had green smear on the side of his neck. He was one happy Scottie - But I made him come inside, something he didn't want to do - I washed off the green smear, something else he didn't want me to do and I gave him a treat - The one thing he agreed with.  

It goes without saying that no snow-day is complete without eating the wrong food. So, I went and picked up lunch for myself. Yes, of course there were fries with that burger. 

Ree's snow-day food included chewing up some papers that I had left on the counter. I've no doubt she would have preferred what I was having, or she thought that's what she was going to get.

Then it was everyone outside for a midday break. 

~Front to back - Jack, Daisy and Iva~

Then I looked over and remembered that I really need to get these flowers and vegetables planted. 

I'll get to that later. Or Saturday. I hope.... 

I watched a movie .... Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks - Have you seen it? Then we took a nap. 

~Milo~

I'm sure there was something else in there, but I don't remember what. I just know that it was 5:30 before I knew it. 

All in all, it was a pretty good snow day in May. Back to work on Wednesday. 

~Foster Girl Lily~

Thanks for stopping by today. We are doing okay, and I'm okay too. We have been busy of course, and I'll update on our 'adventures' in my next post. 

And I was afraid to ask 'White Boy' what kind adventure he was having! 😊