Poor Ivan's in trouble again
 

I feel so bad for our gsd, Ivan. I think some of you know about him already but I will recap.

Ivan is 8 years old and has severe hip dyplasia for which we are giving him 75mg of duramax daily. It has worked up until recently but we have had to add another med for breakthrough pain. Ivan also has severe seborrhea which we have been able to keep under control with salmon based dog food and medicated baths. For the past few months it has gotten consistently worse. It was strictly on his back but we noticed two weeks ago that it was really bad in his arm pits. He had scratched so much it looked like raw red chicken skin. When we had him groomed this past Saturday the groomer showed us a spot on his groin that for all the world looked like a car had run over him. It was horribly bruised-looking. So off to doggy doctor who pointed out that Ivan also has little ulcers on his gum on one side and a fairly large on at the back of his tongue. We had an ultrasound done to make sure the dark area is seborrhea and not a blood platelet deficiency as well as blood work. ($475.00)

Now we are waiting for the doctor to call us to tell us what to do next. We started him on antibiotics. I hate to see him so miserable. If he isn't in pain he is itching although I have a spray they gave me to use on his bad spots which is really clearing up the small areas on his back and one of his underarms. The skin thickening on his groin area is also thinning. So maybe we are on the right track here. My husband is getting closer to deciding to put him down but neither one of us really wants to do that. He is my husbands dog but I am the one doing all the doctoring and mothering. Ivan is starting to avoid me which makes me sad. He is such an affectionate dufus.

Thanks for letting me let this out. It is really rough right now.

Please say a prayer for our gentle giant.

So very sorry that you are being faced with these challenges. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for you to come to your decision. Hugs.

Thank you!
I appreciate that. I forgot to mention that we tried allergy pills for him but they didn't do any good. The doctor said we were wasting our money on them.
We are not going to put him down any time soon I think. Hopefully he will tell us when the right time is. With the breakthrough meds he has been more social. He was laying down in a quiet room most of the time - away from us and the little ones. Now he is loafing a bit more in the living room and dining area. That is a good sign that he feels better.

I'll tell you one thing about him though. He ignores his pain if he feels we or one of the little dogs is being threatened. We live in a rural area and there are a few stray dogs running around. Whenever they come up to the fence Ivan charges them and they leave quickly. No fence fighting for them - I think he scares them to death.

Great news! Ivan is improving and all of his lab work came back normal. The meds are working!

Oh, I'm so happy to hear your gentle giant is doing better. Hang in there!

I am so glad that poor little Ivan is doing better. I hope he continues to improve.

That's great news Ivan's meds are kicking in.
I hope it brings him the relief he needs. Poor Ivan,
you just hate to see them in pain.

Lou.....I'm glad Ivan is doing better. I had a similar problem with my two little ones. They scratched all the time till their skin looked like raw meat. We tried everything on them.......even putting a spray on their paws when they came into the house. We had them on allergy shots......everything. Then about six months ago, our Vet put them on Atopica. For the first 30 days it was everyday. Now they get it every other day and they have cleared up beautifully. No itching, so scabs or dry spots, no infections from scratching. I am so glad we tried this Atopica and it works. My babies are happy and healthy now. Good luck with Ivan.

Oh, I am so happy that Ivan is on the mend. You're pouring a lot of love and care into this sweet doggie. Was a great picture of him charging at the stray dogs even though there is a fence. Such a protector. Sounds like he's worth every effort you are going through to help make him feel better. Keep getting better, Ivan.

Glad he is doing better I will continue to pray for yall

Lou, i'm soooo happy Ivan is doing better!! :)

One of my volunteers has a dog going through all the hoops involved with allergies. It is a mixed breed but predominantly a Westie. He is having a lot of problems with his eyes and ears. The vet just put him on Atopica. She will be glad to here how successful it is for your two. Thanks.