He looks good in blue, doesn't he?I still do not have a pathology report but am hoping it will be in tomorrow. I took Phantom to the vet late Friday afternoon to have his incision checked.. I wanted to be sure there wasn't any fluid buildup before the weekend arrived and I would be stuck going to an ER vet. The vet said the incision area was looking great and gave me some additional tips for ways to apply the warm compress and to keep him from getting at his stitches.
But the poor boy is really stressed out. There have been a lot of thunderstorms around, mainly overnight and they do bother him. But most of his stress is due to extreme itchiness in all the areas where he has been shaved. I talked to the vet again yesterday about it. He is getting benadryl twice a day now and I am also applying some hydrocortisone cream to those areas. It has helped some, but he is just so itchy. If you have ever hit your pup's "tickle" spot and seen a leg go into spasmodic twitchy movement, that is what this poor guy does whenever he gets up. He can't even walk three feet without the involuntary leg movements taking over. He seems to be OK as long as he doesn't move around. So he has resorted to staying in his crate 24/7. I have to force him to go outside to potty and he is only eating once a day. If the itching doesn't improve today, I am supposed to increase the benadryl to three times a day. If any of you have any suggestions for other remedies, please do share. I was using Cortaid but now I am using an Aveeno cream that has the hydrocortisone as well as some oatmeal in it. I am sure that wearing a shirt complicates the itching but he is more likely to open the incision if I leave the shirt off. I am using shirts that are 100% cotton.
This is where he spends all his time now.
Thunder is really wondering what is going on now that his buddy won't play. But he decided to help out as you can see here.
He is making sure that the window watching continues during Phantom's absence:)
Woo, the OP Pack
Tank woo fur the pupdate!
ReplyDeletePoor Phantom!
Poor ThunderDunder!!
POOR MOM!!!
We'll keep 'em khrossed here!
If TD khan head east, I'll be GLAD to play with him! He's welkhome to hang out under the tree with me too!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Poor Phantom! The only thing I know of is called Bag Balm but I don't know if it helps with itching at all. It is designed to put on udders but my grandma used it on Mom and her brother when they were younger to help various things. Again, I have no idea if it will help or not. But at this point, I thought any info was better than no info for that poor boy. Have Thunder give Phantom a kiss and snuggle from me. I will send extra doxie healing sun rays across the state line!
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs,
Twix
Bleu is beautiful
ReplyDeleteby your bleu eyes ^__^
hugs to all
Kareltje =^.^=
Poor Phantom, thunder storms and itching!!
ReplyDeleteWe havent had a lot of problems with itching so we are probably not much use.
I did wonder whether an ice pack might help?
I dont know but it might cool and also the ice might numb the itchiness for a while.
Hope you get some better suggestions as that was all I could think of!
Poor Phantom - wish we could help. Good work Thunder keeping up the window watch - that is important work.
love
Martha & Bailey xxx
Oh we are so sorry Phantom is ichy. Mom is an old farm girl and uses bag balm on us. It is for cows but it works well it has antibiotics in it.. You might give it a try. Not sure if Walmart has it you probably would have to go to a feed store.. It comes in a green tin with a cow on it...
ReplyDeleteBig Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie
Sorry not to have any wisdom to chare on the itchyness problem but we hope you can get a handle on it soo, so that Phantom feels like doing more than sitting in his crate. poor guy!
ReplyDeleteOh no what have I missed, mum said she could't believe what she was seeing.. Poor Phantom. I go away for a week and look what happens. You just so dont need this right now.. I am purring up a storm, got the purring motor runing on high.
ReplyDeleteLots of love to my woofie friend.. GJ xx
Sorry to hear about Phantom's discomfort! I will see if my wife has any suggestions, she is the potions person when it comes to itchy dogs.
ReplyDeletePoor Phantom!
ReplyDeleteHis skin maybe sensitive to any fabric softener that you are using.
Princess Eva
Poor Phantom, I wish there were something I could do for him. I hope the fur grows faster so he will itch less.
ReplyDeleteYes, he does look quite handsome in blue!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope Phantom's itchies stop!
Paris licks her paws like all the dang time! Please let us know what works on P-Man!!
Phantom! I am so sorry you are itchy!
ReplyDeleteMy mom used that Aveeno cream when I had my surgery and it worked for me. We heard about that Bag Balm too, but we could not get it here.
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
Phantom, I am so sorry that you are feeling poorly. I am happy that the vet said that everything is ok so far though. Keep your chin up and I know you will be better soon. We are praying that everything gets better quick quick quick for you. I hate thunder storms.
ReplyDeletelicks and sniffs, Sasha
Oh poor Phantom. You are already taking all the drugs that I could think of for itchies. Just try to meditate, OK? It will feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteSlobbers,
Mango
Poor Phantom - that is no fun at all. You are taking all the meds that should be working but sometimes when I am sick or anxious I also get Bach Rescue Remedy - which is a homoeopathic treatment which seems to help a lot as well. We recommended it to Martha & Bailey for car travel sickness (it is really great for that) but it is also really good for reducing stress levels as well so maybe some of that might help and Phantom might not feel as uncomfortable. Anyway, just a suggestion.
ReplyDeleteTake care
Clive
I wish there was some way we could help you Phantom but I've never had that problem so I don't know what to say except we sure hope it stops soon.
ReplyDeleteI know Thunder misses having you to play with but at least is is there foe you to talk too.
Hang in there Buddy.
{{{huggies}}}....Mona
Poor Phantom. I don't have any good advice for you.
ReplyDeleteWould TD like to come and stay with me for a bit? He can help me snoopervise the garden men.
Huffle Mawson
We wish we had the magic cure for you, Phantom!
ReplyDeleteOur paws are crossed that you'll be feeling less itchy very soon! UGH! Storms are such a pain!
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
Hi, You Guys...
ReplyDeleteI'm sooo sorry Phantom is having such a hard time...
I'm sorry...I don't have any suggestions...
I just want you to know I am sending all the Good Lhasa Vibes I have to help Phantom feel better...
I wish I was closer so I could play with Thunder so he doesn't get too bored...
Love,
Abby xxxxxxoooooo
Phantom, we are so sorry for the itchies!!! And those mean storms (small *s)!!! We have no help with anything, but we are crossing paws for good reports from the doctor. And hopefully the storms and itchies will go away1!
ReplyDeleteMBB
Gosh, I am sorry to hear all that your family (pups/humans) have been going through lately. Phantom is a real champ. I hope he starts to feel more like himself soon.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you and your pups!
HaRooo Phantom!
ReplyDeleteWe hope your itchies stop. Vada is goin' thru da same thin'. Maw has a shirt on her also.
Maw puts Gold Bond on Vada's itchy areas. We hope dat helps. She kept licking and opening up sore skin around her incisions too!
Keep up da good work Thunder.
Husky kisses,
Biloxi
PeeS: We like da new look of your blog dat includes angel Dakota.
So sorry to hear about Phantom´s itching.
ReplyDeleteFirst you need to identify the cause of itching. In the case of Thor, we use antibiotics, anti allergic and baths.
Thor and Eliana(mom)
Hi
ReplyDeleteits me tweedles
a few months ago, i was at the vet and they gave me a bottle of spray Gentimicin stuff. It was supposed to help heal some places on my neck that I was itching. It did help the itching and healed my scratches. Now we have MALASEB Pledget towelettes that mom wipes my bald spots with.
My mom uses it on herself too- but don't tell anyone. The indgredients are a mouth wash of some sort and Monstat.
Ask you vet what they think of that,
I hope you get the itchies under control and heal fast.
And we are keeping out paws crossed everything will be Grand.
love
tweedles
WOOO. poor Phantom, Mom does not know what will help with the itching, but you could give him some bachs rescue remedy to help calm him down emotionally, it really helped me on the 4th of july.
ReplyDelete-Kira The BeaWootiful
WoooF, this is very distressing that the poor guy is sooo itchy! Hopefully the three benedryl will help. I am sure Thunder will hang in there and will be very happy when Phantom is back to his old self!
ReplyDeleteLicks,
Kylie
My Mom takes two Benadryls at night to help her to sleep good, so three will just make Phantom dozier and dozier. How long before his stitching will be OUT? Maybe he can just tough it out until that time.
ReplyDeleteI know how hard it is to want to help the little guys! Phantom does look great in his blue shirt
Kisses,
Stella
Poor Phantom. Ruby knows what the itchies are like with her allergies. When Ruby was spayed she had an allergic reaction to the dissolving stitches they used. I wonder if Phantom is having the same problem. The itching would be coming from inside so Benydrl is probably your best bet. We hope he gets over this hurdle soon and have all paws crossed over here.
ReplyDeleteLove Ruby & Penny
We are sending more pawsitive thoughts to Phantom. We never knew that a dog could be so itchy. Maybe when you put on the cream also have it be a massage time? I like that sort of thing, esp. during storms.
ReplyDeletelove & wags,
River
OH.. I wish I could help! We have awful thunderstorms here too but the itchies are probably worse.! When I had mange, mom make a spray with tree tea oil which seemed to help. I heard neem oil is a natural remedy too. Click here to check it out. http://www.doggiesparadise.com/neem-tea-tree-oil.shtml
ReplyDeleteHope you get good news tomorrow
Norwood
When Sugar get stressed out I give her Bach Rescue Remedy Natural Stress Relief for Pets. It really works! I don't know much about itching... but this rescue remedy really works... it's worked on all my dogs.
ReplyDeletexo sugar & martine
Hello there!
ReplyDeleteOhh Phantom, so sorry about your condition..
Poor Thunder..looked so lonely and bored..
Busy busy Mom!! Hope everything will turn out fine!! thanks for the updates and will keep my paws crossed with pawsitive prayers for all!!!
Cheers & prayers,
Maxx
O my Buddy Phantom... I am so sorry I so late in the sharin, but here go...
ReplyDeleteWhat need happen is you have the Mom place one of her sock on leg or legs what you use to scratch. She can pack toes in cotton balls if need beed made softer but once sock on, she need tape just above haunch what is what I call knee...not too tight for sure but just enough to keep sock on.
It work like the charm wif the me wif my surgery. Can still try to scratch but not satisfyin and do not do damage to stitches.
Hope this do help and please do also know I send my love and very very VERY good wishes. Me and you need big carefree vactaion!!!
wiof love from the Luke
Oh poor Phantom! I wish I had some advice to give for the itching, but I have only tried Benedryl. Crossing my paws that you will feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteMochi
Awww, Phantom. I sure hope you get past the itchy twitchy phase real soon and continue on your road to recovery.
ReplyDeletePoor Phantom and Thunder.
ReplyDeleteBut I think blue looks pawsome on you
~ Bae
Aww, poor Phantom! I'm not sure about remedies to stop itching, but have you tried googling for homeopathic remedies that can be given in addition to the medication? I know in the UK Dorwest Herbs are a well known company but not sure if they are around in the US.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the stress is concerned have you heard of/tried a DAP Diffuser? It's like a plug in air freshener, but instead of nice flowerery smells it omits some (odourless to humans) smell that calms dogs.
Hope that is of some help. We'll all be thinking of poor Phantom, and poor Thunder a bit confused by it all.
Love Scott's mum xxx
Poor Phantom - we don't know what to do to help with the itchies, but we hope they go away soon.
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java
aw, poor Phantom! I sure the itching will stop soon. Mum always say that a sign of good healing.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry!! Poor Phantom! My mom, the nurse, suggests a couple of things:
ReplyDeleteFor itchiness-do keep Phantom cool and air moving around him. Any collection of moisture at the surgical site will provoke the itching. Have something absorbent at the bottom of the crate-an old towel, perhaps?
For anxiety/stress: Lower the stimulus level-keep it as quiet as you can. Lower the level of light if you can. Keep routines as normal as possible. Give him control over his environment-allow him to seek company when he's ready. Try to avoid checking on him too often.
I'm sure you're already doing these things...It's just what came to mind.
Many purrs!
Hi Guys!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thank woo for the update. Phantom looks WONDERFUL in blue. I am SOOO sorry to hear that he is so itchy! You have gotten some good suggestions...the Bach Rescue Remedy, Bag Balm, etc. I sure hope something helps! I also hope you don't get any more storms..those can be very scary!
All of our paws are crossed and the kitties are purring like crazy for you to get better and for the pathology result to come back with good news. Sending you healing husky vibes & pawsitive energy.
Love & HEALING licks,
Skye, the Moondance Huskies, Kitties and Mom
poor phantom - my mommy uses bag balm on all my shaved spot after all my surgeries - it helps alot - no itichies -
ReplyDeletethanx thunder for keeping up the window watching that is so important and i am sure it makes phantom feel better to know it is under control
woodrow sweetie mj
Oh poor Phantom. Sorry to hear he is so ichy. Nanuchy my terrorX has bad allergies and is ichy all the time so her vet prescribed Chlorpheniramine Maleate Anti - Allergy Tablets, 4 Mg (she is 24 lbs and gets 1 twice a day). I get it on amazon, way cheaper than vets and exact same thing. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GFYWPS/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
This is Dennis's mom. You could try brewing a very strong tea of loose dried Calendula blossoms with chamomile. Then spray or dab that on the itchy area a few times a day. I like to brew my herbs in George's Always Active Aloe (it's fractionally distilled- clear and odorless). Calendula speeds the healing process and chamomile soothes the skin. The distilled aloe is also soothing. I keep my brew in a dark blue 4 ounce spritzy bottle, and I add 4 drops of grapefruit seed extract which has antibacterial properties. Since this is a new incision, you may want to make the tea fresh each day.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know what to do for itchies but I will send lots of anti-itchy vibes ok??
ReplyDeleteI prescribe ice cream and steak, but I'm pretty sure that won't help take Phantom's mind off his itchiness. What if I send Wilbur over to run around and distract him?
ReplyDeleteDr. Steve
PS. Good job, Thunder. I would love to do some window watching with you.
We hope the itchies go away!!! :(
ReplyDeleteLuv,
Dave
I know I'm checking in again, but have been doing much thinking about Phantom and sending big hugs and more pawsitive thoughts.
ReplyDeletexo Hugs,
Sammie