the vet visit went wonderfully. they were so sweet, and smokey was so good.
they actually didn't find anything on him, and said that maybe it was just fleas that i saw. i'm not all that experienced, so i'm hoping they were right. the dr. said for me to bring in whatever bug i see, so they can look at it.
they frontlined him, and gave us some advantage (i can't remember what parasite it was for, that frontline doesn't protect against) and some heartworm meds and some ear drops. they said he had ear mites and a pretty bad yeast infection in his poor ears.
i feel so much better. and i also found a groomer that comes to the pet owner's house, and is very reasonable. she said she would help me out even without the proof of vacs. she'll even out his coat, and then we'll let it grow out again.
in a few weeks when the policy goes through for smokey's insurance, we'll take him back for vaccs so we can have a record, and to check on his ears again.