Don't Touch the Gel!!!

It all started on Wednesday... I took Coosa to the vet because he had been scratching constantly, and his skin had turned a dark pink. The vet's prognosis was 'Red Mange.' I know it sounds awful but it's honestly not as bad as it sounds. (See this site for a professional explanation: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/demodicosis-red-mange-in-dogs/page1.aspx ) Basically all dogs have parasites on their skin but when their immune system weakens (perhaps due to a simple cold or genetics) their body is unable to regulate them. Therefore, more parasites are on their skin in turn causing hair loss and skin irritation. This is not contagious to any other dogs or people or anything. It has everything to do with his skin and immune system and nothing to do with anyone else's. (I am reiterating for fear someone may read this and be hesitant to give me a hug or Coosa a friendly greeting.)

All that to say the vet gave him some gel called Promeris that you apply to his skin between the shoulder blades. He has to take a series of these applications over about a year. Sound easy... NOT SO MUCH! You see... the vet was adamant on me not touching the gel before it dried, but he didn't do a very good job of explaining to this hard head why he insists on me not touching it... because this head requires a "why." Turns out there is a very good reason!

I happened to touch the gel when Coosa got back in the car, but didn't think much about it... until last night. After I came in contact with the gel for about 2 days my skin became very sensitive to heat. I would form this beet, red pattern on my face, chest, and neck (I won't call it a rash because it wasn't bumpy, itchy or raised). Oddly enough it would come and go and move around my face. Finally, Friday night at work it turned incredibly red and was moving around fairly quickly. Basically, I looked like a freak show. I called Jerrod and we ran to Primed to figure out what was wrong. I did not feel sick or tired or dizzy or anything. My skin was just really hot where the redness was, and I could tell where it is going to go because I would start to feel really red there.

Sorry for all the details, I'm just so amazed. I am not allergic to anything, rarely get sick (maybe once a year but I never go to the doctor), and have not had high blood pressure or anything. I'm pretty boring, so when this happened I knew something was up. Needless to say I got one big steroid shot in my butt and am now on a steroid pack to help until the medicine (dog medicine that is) leaves my skin. The thing I'm not looking forward to is the fact that the vet said the medicine will stay on the puppy's skin for 2 weeks. I hope to not be a freak of nature for 2 whole weeks!

The funny thing about it is that Coosa was having problems getting over the itchiness of the parasites so he also got a steroid shot in his butt today! Like mother like puppy!

So, if you see me and I look like I'm having hot flashes or an allergic reaction, don't fear! I'm only on medicine for Red Mange!



P.S. I think this hard head may take less than a "why" from now on!