A is for Allergies

Alright, I've decided to join the A-Z blogging fun.  I could use some new activities to keep me busy these days.  I'm playing catch-up, so I'll be posting on Sunday this week too.  Let's do this.

A is for Allergies

I hate allergies.  I have skin allergies.  Ridiculous skin allergies.  I have to buy the dye-free, fragrance-free laundry detergents and such.  God forbid I buy Gain in bulk from Sams--I developed an allergy to it about 1/4 of the way through the bottle.  I'm also allergic to Purex and Snuggle.  Those are just the ones I know for sure.  I don't mess around with laundry detergents anymore.

Even worse than skin allergies are seasonal allergies.  I don't actually have any seasonal allergies, but Spencer, my furry kid, does.  (He also has food allergies.  He eats special food for freaks with sensitive skin and stomachs.)  I had him tested last year for seasonal allergies, and the vet literally came back with a list of A DOZEN things to which he is allergic.  He also came back with the suggestion that I give him allergy shots that start around $300 for the first BATCH.  He would need the shots once a month during the off-season, and every 1-2 weeks during allergy season.  I decided I would just stick with the prescription-strength anti-histamines that only cost me $75 for a 3-month supply.

In hindsight, I should have just spent the damn money for the allergy shots.  My poor dog is miserable.  He is stuck in the Cone of Shame until this crap passes.

He looks so sad!!

Today, I actually had to go buy a bigger Cone.  While I was at work, he managed to get his paw around the Cone and scratch his face.  When I got home, he had blood all over his face.  It looked awful.  He also managed to dig at his front leg until it bled.  So when he was already miserable, itchy, and bleeding, I had to give him a bath.  He looks much better now, and I am working on modifying the new Cone because it is too big for his head.  Fortunately, I just need to punch holes in it and it should fit.  I also picked up some anti-itch shampoo that has hydrocortisone in it, so hopefully that will help.  

I'm just hoping allergy season goes quickly!  I hate seeing him so sad!

You're killin' me right now, Mom!