Manuel is shedding I have let Manuel wear his "loose coat" since it is still very cold outside but today I could not keep my fingers away. He has looked like a very neglected dog since the loose fur has been handing on the attached hair in chunks. Anyhow, now I just...
Mackerel is tasty! We put oil on Manuel's food in periods, but of course the "real thing" is even better. Just think about it... Humans have about 5 million cells for perceiving different scents whilst dogs have 220 millions!!! My four legged food expert Manuel never...
Stomach problem 1 (?) - Cyclosporine Why did he get stomach problems NOW, when decreasing the dose? Manuel had had major problems twice with the Atopica (Cyclosporine) Four hours after medicine he had major pain (when the capsules are released in the intestine)....
New SA-spots This time I noticed something was going on in the neck. So I have found a new SA-spot, or several tiny ones in the neck. The skin there is dry, flaky and thicker than normal. As there is no inflammation visible I use oil on it. I wonder if it...
So far so good - life must go on I know, I know, it can burst out in an "attack" any day, but so far so good. I still need to allow myself being happy right now as Manuel is in a good condition. Relapse - no stress due to e.g. shedding So I am convinced that shedding...
Why am i fighting for a "good looking coat"? I do not give a #"& about the actual look. I love him no matter what. He is so beautiful! Let me use Lotte Lekholm's naming; "wired haired Akitas". Wired haired Akitas are beautiful!!!! So why then? The reason for...
Start a health-diary early! We have ever since Manuel was a pup been writing notes about his physical and mental status. Why? It is good to have an over all picture of your dog - especially when everything is "normal" - so you have something to compare too. When is he...
From a distance he looks like any Akita but he isn't - he is an Akita living with SA. In addition to everything he now has a "normal coat-dropping period" Overall impression - a beautiful Akita From a distance you notice the head and tail - looking slightly shaggy....
What is this? Fungus already??? Manuel is discoloured under his chin and in one paw, and also on the side of one hindleg (??) I was thinking that the hind-leg was a bit of a strange place to be "next" for the SA. It does not making sence according to the pattern that...
The recurring pattern for and SA relapse/flare By relapse/flare I mean a period where the SA is active. During this period there are different levels of how tough the attacks from his own immune system is. The sebaceous glands become attacked and they react by...
Severe reaction Today we changed our routines a bit regarding the Atopica-medication (Cyclosporine). Previously we have given him the pills in the afternoon after the walk, then been waiting for at least two hours (according to directions) then giving him food. Four...
On Atopica for 1,5 weeks We were very doubtful to the use of Atopica (as I wrote in an earlier post), and still are but I have to admit it seems that it has slowed down the aggressive pace (so far). As writing he has been on the medication for one and a half week. It...