Hi all,
I've been on here for many yrs mostly just browsing the forums but I need to just vent a little and see if anyone else is experiancing these issues I have.
Got my GSD as an 8 wk old pup (rescue) and he has always been an itchy scratchy large 100 # dog.
I have addressed his allergies on many many occasions. He has had allergy testing- blood and scratch skin testing only to reveal he is allergic to every environmental allergen there is. I believe I have even posted before on the specifics. Even brought him to a dermatologist....got him going on allergy shots- didn't work well after several months doing them and then found the medication Atopica to work along with baths 3x/week and a really involved skin care regimen. That was about 2.5 yrs ago. He is now 4.5 yrs old.
I have been trying my absolute best keeping him comfortable and giving his meds. His itching was so bad that the sound of him chewing and scratching makes me INSANE. Like I get mad at him. Talk about feeling guilty. He gets occasional hot spots and lately, his meds aren't covering him as much as they used to and he is again itchy and scratchy. I have had to back off his meds a little which could be the cause of his relapse but if I gave it daily, it would honestly cost me $250/month plus his shampoo and conditioner ($50/2months) plus his grain free dog food $100/month plus what ever else...He is sucking me dry. I feel like I am going to have a mental breakdown.....PLUS today I am 4 days past due with my first baby....
The dog fur is really bothering me when he itches like he's been and I just try to suck it up but really, I can't afford to up his meds, get him back to the dermatologist, etc. I just wanna cry as I feel like I've failed him.
He has literally cost me close to $10,000 in the short 4 yrs we've had him. I just need support I guess and someone that understands or can relate. Constant constant constant. I fear I won't have as much time once baby comes but obviously I will care for him the best I can. I seriously know no one else that has ever done this much for their dogs but I can't let him suffer....I want him to be comfortable and I want to enjoy him but his health has really taken a toll on that...Sorry to carry on....
I've been on here for many yrs mostly just browsing the forums but I need to just vent a little and see if anyone else is experiancing these issues I have.
Got my GSD as an 8 wk old pup (rescue) and he has always been an itchy scratchy large 100 # dog.
I have addressed his allergies on many many occasions. He has had allergy testing- blood and scratch skin testing only to reveal he is allergic to every environmental allergen there is. I believe I have even posted before on the specifics. Even brought him to a dermatologist....got him going on allergy shots- didn't work well after several months doing them and then found the medication Atopica to work along with baths 3x/week and a really involved skin care regimen. That was about 2.5 yrs ago. He is now 4.5 yrs old.
I have been trying my absolute best keeping him comfortable and giving his meds. His itching was so bad that the sound of him chewing and scratching makes me INSANE. Like I get mad at him. Talk about feeling guilty. He gets occasional hot spots and lately, his meds aren't covering him as much as they used to and he is again itchy and scratchy. I have had to back off his meds a little which could be the cause of his relapse but if I gave it daily, it would honestly cost me $250/month plus his shampoo and conditioner ($50/2months) plus his grain free dog food $100/month plus what ever else...He is sucking me dry. I feel like I am going to have a mental breakdown.....PLUS today I am 4 days past due with my first baby....
The dog fur is really bothering me when he itches like he's been and I just try to suck it up but really, I can't afford to up his meds, get him back to the dermatologist, etc. I just wanna cry as I feel like I've failed him.
He has literally cost me close to $10,000 in the short 4 yrs we've had him. I just need support I guess and someone that understands or can relate. Constant constant constant. I fear I won't have as much time once baby comes but obviously I will care for him the best I can. I seriously know no one else that has ever done this much for their dogs but I can't let him suffer....I want him to be comfortable and I want to enjoy him but his health has really taken a toll on that...Sorry to carry on....