Hestia’s staph infection came back, about a month after we were last at the vet for a staph infection! So back to the vet we went.
I took my wheelchair since my hip has been acting up so much. Since it’s hard to hold two dogs while driving my wheelchair, I only brought Hestia with me to the vet.
The vet checked her over and said that since the staph infection is clearing up every time we do antibiotics (and usually within 2–3 days, though we do finish the whole antibiotic cycle), it’s likely not the same infection. She’s probably getting injuries on her tummy that are conduits for the staph bacteria to enter and set up shop.
The theory is that these injuries to her tummy might be caused by scratching from allergies. She was on Benadryl twice a day since her last appointment, so now we’ll try her on Claritin every day and see if that helps.
The vet also noticed that Hestia’s stomach skin was quite dry. So it’s possible her tummy skin is so dry it’s cracking, and that is allowing the staph bacteria to enter. Another possibility is that since she’s been on antibiotics so much for this (including this time now), that her normal skin bacteria is all out of whack. To solve those problems, I’m supposed to moisturize Hestia’s stomach every morning, and in the evening I have a spray that is a moisturizer and has good skin bacteria to help reset her skin biome. I also am going to get her a higher quality fish oil instead of whatever comes up on Amazon Vine for a cheaper cost.
If none of that works, then likely the next step is allergy testing and allergy shots. An initial round of allergy testing and shots that will last us 9 months is about $700. So let’s hope that this works!!!!
On the way home from the vet, I stopped at Pet Supplies Plus to pick up Alice’s birthday treat. They give you a $5 coupon for a treat or toy. I was having problems using it online (to order for in-store pickup, which is how I prefer to shop there), and was advised by online help people to use it in the store instead. So I went in, and had to dodge a huge puddle of pee in the aisle I needed.
I picked out a puppy Nylabone, as that is one of all three dogs’ favorite chews (they don’t care about regular nylabones!). I took it to the register and the cashier couldn’t find my account! After several minutes, she was able to find it, and the line behind me kept getting longer and longer. Then she tried to apply the coupon and it didn’t work! So she had to call a manager. I felt so bad being the big hold up for everyone else getting checked out!!! But eventually we got the discount and were able to head home.
All the pups were happy with the bone, and Hestia is happy that she will soon be feeling better!!!