Mangy Mutt

These poor babies cannot catch a break.

First and foremost, I have to say that I am SO thankful for the network of Dog Mommies that I've met since we adopted Pappy and Wally. As most of you know, I posted these pictures yesterday saying that Pappy still had a skin infection and we had a doctor appointment today at 2 pm. 

Today, before heading to the vet: I got a Facebook message from a fellow pup mommy suggesting that Pappy could possibly have Demodex (AKA mange). 

Naturally, I googled it and this is what I found:::

Mange (mites) are common in all dogs, but cause an issue when the pup has a low immune system. 

There are two types: one that is contagious and, the most common, that is not. I hoped that IF Pappy's skin infection was mange, that it wasn't contagious ( so Wally, Ernie, Lulu, and we wouldn't get it!!! Yuck!) So of course, I was a nervous wreck until we got to the vet. 

Right when the tech looked at Pappy's sores, she agreed that it was probably Mange. SIGH. 

The vet comes in. Takes some tests.(scraps skin, looks under a microscope, through a black light, etc) and SURPRISE!

WHADDYA KNOW?!?!

Poor little Pappy is a MANGY MUTT!

Good News: it's not contagious!!

Bad news: it's going to take three rounds of double dose meds, two months, and at least one more skin test before we are in the clear. 

We started his meds immediately after their appointment. 

Send your prayers for our little poodle. 

In other news:

The Bladder infections are all clear!! Yay!

The vet recommends belly bands and neutering by next month to help with the constant marking in the house

Pappy weighs 28 lbs

Wally weighs 20 lbs

In a frustrated conservation with the vet, I confessed:

 "I mean, we are not the best at taking them out every thirty minutes but we try to most often" 

The vet responded, "What's the longest they've gone in between pottying in the house?"

Our response: "probably 30 minutes...?"

She starred at us as if we were joking. 

"Um, they should be able to hold it for at least 5 hours. I recommend neutering."

FIVE HOURS?!?!! In our dreams.....!!!!

I'm hoping the neuter will help with the potty training..... And constant humping of everything.

On the way home, Matt joked that whenever the vets see us pull in the parking lot, they probably yell: "BONUS TIME!!" $$$

The babies are NOT cheap. But they're absolutely worth it.

Also, the puppy tooth fairy will be stopping by tonight. Byebye baby tooth! Hello big boy teeth!!