October good news

As October comes to an end, we have some good news to share.

I had my 12th birthday this month (October 16). It’s not my actual birthday, but it’s the day my humans chose just for me. I got a new nip stick that I don’t like very much. Maybe I’ll get one of my favorite Nip Bananas or Nip Cigars for Christmas. But I do enjoy batting around a new little mouse toy they got me.

Seriously Mom, change the camera settings so you get a clear photo of my fast action!

Mom doesn’t want to celebrate prematurely, but she thinks we’ve finally figured out the cause of my itchiness & fur loss. We’ve been dealing with this problem for close to two years and even consulted with a dermatologist. After lots of medications, probably unnecessary flea medicine fiascoes, and numerous diet changes, Mom is fairly certain I am allergic to fish and chicken. I’ve been eating chicken or fish foods for the 8 years I’ve lived here, so it’s been a big change for me to not have my favorites. I’ve also had to give up my crunchy dry food. I didn’t eat a lot of dry food, but it was a fun part of my day to hear the kibbles twinkle into the bowl, then plow them out of the bowl as I eat.

After lots of trial and error, Mom found two flavors of food I enjoy and have been doing well on – Pride by Instinct grain-free canned food – Lovebug’s Lamb and Ritzy’s Rabbit. Besides the lamb and rabbit, they contain beef or pork, which I’ve not eaten before. Both are free of fish, fish oil, and chicken. I’ve eaten these foods for one month and I’m no longer obsessed with licking myself. My potty habits are also good and I don’t need a daily laxative anymore.

Mom is confident enough that these foods might be perfect for me that she ordered 48 cans. If I do well for another 7-10 days, she’s going to stock up. It’s frustrating when foods get discontinued, and if these foods work for me, mom wants to keep my pantry full. It’s been very difficult to find foods I like and now that we’ve found some that don’t make me itchy, we never want to run out.

The only minor inconvenience of these foods is that they are “minced” into little pieces and I prefer my food paté consistency. Mom solves that problem by putting it through the food processor.

This food is a bit on the pricey side. It’s almost $3 per can at the one local store that carries it, but she found it online for $2.25 per 5.5 ounce can. She figured it will be over $100 a month to feed me, but if I don’t have to take any medications or go to the vet as often, it’s well worth it.

Speaking of medications, I haven’t taken any prednisolone since October 1. I still get a twinge of itchiness now and then, but the vet said it can take 4-6 weeks for food allergens to get out of my system, so mom is satisfied with the drug-free progress I’m making.

The really good news is that my furs are starting to grow back! It’s not much, but I’ve had a bare belly, legs, and tail for months so it’s nice to have my skin protected by some furs again. I’ve got a long way to go, but Mom is hoping my feathery, black floofy furs grow back by my 13th birthday!