Daisy's Story

I adopted Daisy about 18 months ago, she had been rescued from the pound so no history. She was estimated 1-2 years old. This is what she looked like when I brought her home.





She didn't know her name and didn't appear to have had any training as she didn't know any commands although she must have been house trained as we didn't have that many accidents in the house. She wasn't too bad on the lead but needed a bit of work. She was very jumpy out and about so I don't think she'd been walked very much and didn't play with toys, that has now all changed!

Daisy's main issue was her health. When I adopted her she had kennel cough, eye and ear infections which she was being treated for. The kennel cough and eye infections cleared up but when I took her to my vets for follow up they said her ears were in a very bad state. The infections had been left untreated for some time and caused damage to her inner ears, one worse than the other. They prescribed steroids and said if they didn't help she would need an operation but that was not guaranteed to work either.  Luckily the steroids did work, though she was on them for some time. Now I keep her ears clean and though they do flare up from time to time and she needs antibiotics, its only been once in the last 6 months.

During the time she was being treated for the ear infections she started to lose some fur from her face. I asked the vet about it straight away and he said it was a seasonal alopeacia, a hormonal issue and I should buy her some melatonin tablets online which would help. So I did that, but the hair loss was getting worse. I hoped it was just taking some time for the tablets to kick in so left it a couple of weeks. By then I was getting really worried and had started to do some online research, the disorder that the vet had said it was usually started on the rear end but it was coming up saying demodex started on the face.

Back we went to the vets (and saw someone different). They did a skin scrape and confirmed demodex. She was prescribed the aludex dips, one a week for 4 weeks and then go back. The dips made her really poorly, sickness, diarrhea, gave her eye ulcers and she lost a lot of fur, this is what she looked like then   By the time she was correctly diagnosed she was obviously covered in the mites.





After 4 weeks she was still not clear so was prescribed another 10 weeks of dips and also ivermectin an oral treatment. She was due to be spade in January and she was so poorly I wanted to postpone it, but a season can be a trigger for demodex so we were advised to go ahead with it. Also in the meantime she had developed a cherry eye which needed surgery to correct so I had that done at the same time.

Surprisingly she recovered quickly from the op and by the end of January the fur was starting to grow back. Finally about this time last year she got the all clear.   Happy Daisy   



She has a poor immune system (from being bred from dogs that should never have been bred from!) and is going to be prone to this for the rest of her life so during the past few months I had started adding supplements to her food to try and boost her immune system naturally. Also later last year I decided to change to raw and she's doing great now   

We did some training classes after she got the all clear so she's pretty good with her commands now and on the lead, though I don't think I'll ever be able to let her off but that's not a problem, I just use a long line. She has also filled out a lot and got more muscly!  

The first 6 months were tough but so worth it now   I would never be without my Daisy   

gosh! poor daisy

I know, she had a rough few months  

What a journey, they are so worth it though, well done

What a struggle Saz you have really turned her life around, as she has yours no doubt. Well done hun she does look fab now xxxx

Lovely read and wow what a difference between then and now. My Flo looked quiet as thin when we got her (basic rations I guess).

As I am well aware, the struggle is SO worth it.. Flo sends hugs n love  

  

Inspiring story. Well done you and Daisy   

Aww saz what a beautiful record to have, to see daisy so poorly must have been awful but to see her now you'd never know, well done to both of you

Oh my god Saz!! Can't believe how much hair she lost Poor little mite, she's had such a rough time. So glad she's got you to keep her healthy now! xxx

Wow she was mostly bald, poor Daisy! Shame on the first vet for not treating her correctly  .   She has filled out since you got her too, she looks great now, a different dog. Bless her so many health problems at the start. She is very lucky she has you to bring her to the best health she can be, which is great by the looks of her now   
Well done Saz x

Thanks for reading everyone and for your comments, now Daisy has me and I have her, we are a good team   

Gosh i didnt realise what a sorry state she was in, i cant imagine it now seeing her so happy and content

I know, it was awful to see her like that!

Just read about Daisy. Heart melted when I saw her pics. You've done so well to bring her back to life. She'll love u for ever. Such a beaut girl and I thought I had the best looking guy ever!! Keep us all posted.

Wow Saz I didn't realise she had such a hard time so glad you guys found each other shes such a beauty, she looks fantastic now and very happy! X

Awww wee Daisy, really went through the mill. Poor girl! But look how well she is now and how happy. A proper happy ending story xxxx