An Auburn Update

Auburn had a vet appointment this morning to check up on her skin condition and to get her 1 yr shots. Last month the vet put her on some Omega3 oil for her skin irritation and wanted to check on her to see how she was doing. Unfortunately the oil had not helped and the scabby, flaky spots were spreading. The vet looked at her skin and felt like it was getting infected so she prescribed Auburn an antibiotic. The vet also concluded she does have some sort of allergy. To start, she wanted to change her food to see if it was a food allergy. We switched Auburn to a fish/salmon based food and we are eliminating all beef, pork, and poultry. No more yummy treats for this dog. Just carrots and other low calorie fruit and veggies (b/c she is a fat ass!). The vet also gave Auburn an antihistamine to take twice a day to help with the symptoms from the allergy. We go back in three weeks (as of now... may change after I talk to the vet in the morning...) to see if she is improving any. If she is not, Auburn will have to have allergy tests done to see what it is she is allergic to. I noticed she had been licking her paws more than usual so the vet trimmed her hair around her paws and cut her nails. This should help with the allergy thing but I don't understand how. It was time for Auburn's 1 yr shots so the vet lined them up and gave them to her one by one. She did really good and only yelped once. She actually pitched more of a fit when they trimmed her paws that when they gave her the shots. Ha! We got a quote for her teeth removal and hope to schedule that some time in March. She also gained 3 lbs (which is A LOT for a miniature) while on her diet (the vet scaled her back to half a cup twice a day). So if she does not loose any weight soon, we are going to have to get her thyroids checked out.
Tonight I came home, let Auburn out of her crate, and proceeded to do the normal routine. I was on the phone with a friend but I had my bluetooth so I was able to still give Auburn some attention. We went out for a quick potty break and then I came inside to feed her. I did 1/4 cup old food and 1/4 cup of new food. I let her eat while I did dishes and finished my conversation. After I hung up I went to get Auburn's bath ready. While I was rounding up everything I decided to give her the new medicine the vet gave us for her skin. While I was getting it out, I noticed Auburn pawing at her face and rubbing it in the carpet. She is a little goofy sometimes so I didn't think much of it. She kept doing it and that is when I noticed her eyes. They were almost swollen shut. She looked Asian. I went over to her and began to pet her and I noticed her snout was really swollen. It then dawned on me she was having an allergic reaction. I then proceeded to freak out... I called the vet but they were closing. They gave me a number to call for an emergency clinic in Annapolis (20 mins away). I threw on some shoes, grabbed Auburn and my purse, and headed out the door. I called Doug's parents and asked them to come with me since I am a horrible navigator and did not know where this place was. I then called the clinic to get directions. I am still hysterical at this point. I get off the phone with them, call Doug and work, and proceed to FREAK OUT! Once I finally calmed down enough for him to understand me, I told him what was going on and he planned to meet me at the clinic. Doug's mom drove me as I held my baby in the back seat. We got to the clinic and went in no problem. The vet was unable to tell whether it was a reaction from the food or the shots but I think it was the food. It will kill me to know she was like that all day at home by herself. They gave her a shot of benadryl and a steroid, charged us an arm and a leg, and sent us on our way. We have to keep a close eye on her but she should be good after a day or two. We have to keep giving her benadryl and her normal dog food. No new medicine until after she is feeling better. I am very happy I stopped to get her medicine because the apartment would have flooded if I started her bath. I left everything on when I flew out the door. Doug's dad went by to turn everything off and make sure nothing was on that should not have been.
I am calling her vet in the morning to see what she thinks about everything that happened and what she suggests to do. I can't afford another visit so she will have to do this one for free or over the phone!
So $450 will get you a swollen, prodded with needles dog, a tired, red-eyed, stressed out Mom, and a Dad who gets to swipe his card a lot to make them both better. Love you Daddy! And the quote of the night - "Are you sure you want to keep her?" - from my mother... I'll let you insert your my sarcastic reply.

This year has been shaping up to be a busy one so far.
We got together for dinner with a few people at my work and their significant others. They took Doug and I to a BBQ restaurant in Annapolis. I got the veggie plate... I did try some of Doug's pulled pork and it was good. But their fried okra was amazing! It was straight out the iron skillet prepared just like Grandma does. Yum! After dinner we went out to a... wait for it... BAR! Ha! We played pool, had a few more drinks, and were home by 10:30. I know! Party animals! Ha!
This past Sunday we went over to a co-worker's house (one of the ones we went out to dinner with) for a Super Bowl party. Yall know I would not turn down an excuse to cook! I made my chicken nacho dip, onion dip, and I tried a new recipe - pizza crescent rolls (pepperoni, pizza sauce, and mozzarella rolled up in crescent rolls). They were a big hit! I made them mainly for the kids but the adults ate them up. I did not watch much of the game or commercials due to all the excitement/distractions from the kids running around the room. I had to watch the commercials the following day. Fail! The kids were cute but it did not help the campaign for Doug and Heather to have kids... Just Sayin!
Tuesday I went with a couple of girls from work to a sports bar/restaurant for happy hour. I could not believe they had beers for $2!! I had 2... Doug and I plan on going one night so he can take full advantage of the cheap beer. I learned two things that night. 1. I am old and could not hang with the youngans. I left around 6:45. They started to leave but then decided to stay a little longer. Let's just say they did NOT drive home at the end of the night. Ha! They had fun but I was happy with my 6:45 departure. I mean, I got home in time to watch Glee! The second thing I learned was that I am so happy I have my new job. My old co-workers called with some disturbing news that made me appreciate my choice to leave there even more. I hate they are still stuck working there and having to put up with the poop but I hope they all can make the switch like I did. Almost any job is better than working there. How many times can the poop hit the fan? I mean really!
Valentine's Day is next week and Doug will be in Minnesota. He leaves Sunday and gets back Saturday. I hate he is leaving but it's training for his promotion. And I can't get mad at him for it being on Valentine's Day since he did not schedule it. Yall know he will take care of me before he leaves... he will be bringing home Breaking Dawn Part 1 tomorrow! Maybe we can go out to dinner when he gets back.
Auburn had a vet appointment a few weeks ago. They told her she was overweight. We cut back the amount of her food but I have not seen a difference. I have tried to walk her as much as I can but some days its just too dang cold! We go back at the end of the month for another check-up and her shots. Hopefully she will have lost some by then. The vet gave her some Omega3 for animals. Auburn's skin has been real dry, bumpy, and flaky. The vet is not sure if it's just a skin thing or if she has allergies. The Omega3 has not made much of a difference so far. If it does not get better, the vet may put her on allergy medicine. You know we would have the complicated dog! We already spend a fortune on toys that she destroys within a week or so. Now we get to spend money on her medical "issues". Yay! But we could not imagine not having her in our life. She is our wittle baby!
Wish Doug luck on his trip to Minnesota! I will miss him bunches! Maybe while he is there he will get the snow he has been waiting on.