Molly 10-001

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In memory off my Best Buddy - Casey In memory of my Best Buddy - Casey

I have allergies too! Wags your way! Love, Ilse I have allergies too! Wags your way! Love, Ilse

Chris J. Olson From Chris J. Olson

 

This sweet gal is Molly. She is an adorable 5 year-old Golden Retriever. She is 94 pounds, and is overweight (we affectionately call her "Molly Moo Cow"). Her vet stated we would know once she gets down around the 80's what her ideal weight would be. Molly was surrendered due to her allergy issues, and not having enough time for sufficient exercise.

Molly has been scratching, licking and nibbling at all parts of her body. In the past, she has seen an allergist and is currently on medication for her allergies (pills and injections). I took her to another allergist Monday for a second opinion, and it was discovered she has a bacterial skin infection (dogs with allergies are more susceptible to getting secondary infections). She has received meds for that also, and until we clear that up, we won't be changing her meds. Hopefully, she will start to feel better soon. We will also change her diet. She is used to eating Chicken and rice, so we will be moving her to a different protein and starch to see if that helps anything. During the Fall/Winter months, she isn't affected as much as she is during the Spring/Summer months. She has been tested, and is allergic to grass, certain trees, dust, cats, etc. So you can imagine how she is during the Spring when all the grass and trees start to bloom! She gets yeast infections in between the pads of her paws. We'll go back in to the allergist in a month to evaluate her itchiness and determine what the next step is.

With all the itchiness that she endures, it does not diminish the sweetness that is Molly. She loves all kids, dogs and even our cats. She is a very good girl. Most times I think we have a 10 year old dog, because all she does is sleep all day. Hopefully, once she sheds her extra weight, she'll get more energy. The vet did say that the meds she is on might contribute to her lethargy. She does love to fetch a ball every once in a while. She also LOVES to wrestle and play tug-of-war. My daughter will take her outside when the kids are all playing in the snow, and she romps around with them. She knows sit, down, stay, shake and turn around (in the tub). She's just going to have to learn that she only gets affection when doing tricks, because the treats are a thing of the past! We did try getting her up on the treadmill, and we were only half successful, as she would only walk with her front paws on the tread. We need to exercise ALL of her, not just half! She does walk very nicely on the leash, and trots down the road proudly during her walks.

Tune in for more updates on Miss Molly Moo Cow!

At a Glance #10-001

Golden Retriever Born: September 2004
Female 99 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

In memory off my Best Buddy - Casey In memory of my Best Buddy - Casey

I have allergies too! Wags your way! Love, Ilse I have allergies too! Wags your way! Love, Ilse

Chris J. Olson From Chris J. Olson

 

This sweet gal is Molly. She is an adorable 5 year-old Golden Retriever. She is 94 pounds, and is overweight (we affectionately call her "Molly Moo Cow"). Her vet stated we would know once she gets down around the 80's what her ideal weight would be. Molly was surrendered due to her allergy issues, and not having enough time for sufficient exercise.

Molly has been scratching, licking and nibbling at all parts of her body. In the past, she has seen an allergist and is currently on medication for her allergies (pills and injections). I took her to another allergist Monday for a second opinion, and it was discovered she has a bacterial skin infection (dogs with allergies are more susceptible to getting secondary infections). She has received meds for that also, and until we clear that up, we won't be changing her meds. Hopefully, she will start to feel better soon. We will also change her diet. She is used to eating Chicken and rice, so we will be moving her to a different protein and starch to see if that helps anything. During the Fall/Winter months, she isn't affected as much as she is during the Spring/Summer months. She has been tested, and is allergic to grass, certain trees, dust, cats, etc. So you can imagine how she is during the Spring when all the grass and trees start to bloom! She gets yeast infections in between the pads of her paws. We'll go back in to the allergist in a month to evaluate her itchiness and determine what the next step is.

With all the itchiness that she endures, it does not diminish the sweetness that is Molly. She loves all kids, dogs and even our cats. She is a very good girl. Most times I think we have a 10 year old dog, because all she does is sleep all day. Hopefully, once she sheds her extra weight, she'll get more energy. The vet did say that the meds she is on might contribute to her lethargy. She does love to fetch a ball every once in a while. She also LOVES to wrestle and play tug-of-war. My daughter will take her outside when the kids are all playing in the snow, and she romps around with them. She knows sit, down, stay, shake and turn around (in the tub). She's just going to have to learn that she only gets affection when doing tricks, because the treats are a thing of the past! We did try getting her up on the treadmill, and we were only half successful, as she would only walk with her front paws on the tread. We need to exercise ALL of her, not just half! She does walk very nicely on the leash, and trots down the road proudly during her walks.

Tune in for more updates on Miss Molly Moo Cow!

Updates

Monday, June 21, 2010

We had the extreme pleasure of babysitting Miss Molly last week, or as my son affectionately called her Molly ball or Molly moo moo. She is an absolute doll.

I was a little concerned, maybe like some of you, that taking care of a dog with allergies would be difficult. Well, I want all of you to know, if you are hesitating because of that you need to stop right now. You may have to give a bath a little more often than a dog without allergies, or you may have to give them a little extra medication, but they will love you even more because of it. Molly stepped into our house and within a day it was like she was our very own foster. That is probably in large part to her super sweet personality, but it is also apparent she is completely and totally loved in her foster home. We seriously thought she would have to stay with us, but I didn't get the impression that was going to fly.

We can tell you Molly is not afraid of storms, we were all huddled in the basement with tornado sirens blaring most of the night and she was just fine. Molly did not appreciate when my two girls would get upset with each other, she would give them a look and then quietly walk away from them. I don't think she wanted to get mixed up in anything they were talking about. My son had a blast wrestling with her and she seemed to love it too. Molly walks so nice on a flat collar with no pulling. She is totally trust worthy in the house and is your constant companion. Molly enjoyed going for rides in the truck with the rest of the gang. As you can see by the picture, Molly enjoyed a low calorie carrot snack (something her mom was surprised to hear). We think she decided to give it a try because our girls eat carrots all the time and she didn't want to be left out.

We have a standing invitation for Miss Molly anytime she needs a place to stay.


Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Molly is doing great. She is almost done with her antibiotics, so after that, she will only have her thyroid pills to take. That's only 2 a day! Hopefully, her skin will stay healed and not break out into sores so she can stay off meds. Putting on the steroidal cream on the itchy spots seems to help calm her.

I have included a few new pictures. The one wearing a tux is what my horse wore in a show I recently did. I brought it home and we put it on Molly. It's a great fit! I'm not sure if she enjoyed it as much!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Molly is such a great girl. She continues to do great with my dogs and cats. She LOVES to play with the dogs outside, and now that she is losing weight, the chase is on! She has a lot more energy and is very playful. She loves to chase my 7-year-old son around the house. He'll grab one of her toys and take off and she will chase him. She has gotten smart, though, and will stop until he comes around the bend, and then she'll pounce! He'll shriek and laugh, and the chase is on again! They both have great fun together, and it wears her out!

I am getting more comfortable with her bi-monthly shot now. She is so patient with me. She also is very good when given her meds. If I was getting 12 pills shoved down my throat a day, I don't think I would have the disposition she does. She just lays there every time we walk toward her with the pills. Such a good girl.

She goes in to the allergist this week for a check-up. We were doing well with only having her dog food fed to her. We have trained everyone in the house to not give her anything but her dog food (we are trying to figure out if she is allergic to certain foods). Unfortunately, we couldn't train our cat not to give her anything, so when he threw up, we couldn't get to her in time, and she ate some. Gross! So, as of Tuesday this past week, we are back at day 1 (she needs to have a limited diet for 2-3 months to find out if she is allergic to foods).

Please let your placement advisor know if you would like to come and meet Molly!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Molly Moo continues to be just a doll. She is a happy girl, and loves to roll in the snow, sometimes to the point where she doesn't get her business done right away, and I'm standing out there freezing! We have started putting her out on a tie-out and she does just fine. She can roll all she wants now!

Molly loves to wrestle and uses her weight to cheat. She will sit on me and try and pin me down, the stinker. She also is the very best retriever that we have ever had. She will run down the ball, and then very gently set it in my lap for me to throw again. Most retrievers I've fostered, you have to chase all over to get the ball again, but Molly is great!

Molly rarely barks, only if she wants to come inside, or if someone unknown is at the door, and it's just a couple of very deep barks, and then she's done. She also has this thing where if she wants to go outside, or if she wants to wrestle, she'll give this cute, deep, low grumble/woof and wag her tail. Then I will do it back to her, and she'll respond again. It is so cute!

Due to her skin infection, I have to give her 2 baths a week. She will jump in the tub on her own without me asking her. She just stands there and let's me scrub her down (I think she loves it, because she is getting major scratchies on her itchy skin!). When it is time to wash her other side, I say, "Turn around", and she does. She is just an angel!

Giving her pills has become a challenge, because she will no longer take them when they are wrapped in cheese or anything. She is suspicious of anything I hand her food-wise now, because she thinks that the nasty-tasting pills are in it. I do the open mouth, shove hand down throat thing, but she knows how to curl her tongue just right so that they don't go down. Then she spits them out, biting them in half in the process, so there is powder all over the floor! It is hard, as she takes about 13 pills a day. I am going to try one of those syringe pill dispenser things. I'll let you know how it goes.

I visited her allergist on Monday, and she is to continue on the antibiotics and twice-weekly baths (with prescription shampoo) for another month. We are going to try and restrict her diet to ONLY her food (no treats, no crumbs, no licking the other dogs bowls). This will continue for 2-3 months to clean out her system and let us know if she is allergic to any food. This will be quite the challenge, as she does not like her food and wants to eat my dogs food. We'll give it a try though, in the hopes that she will be itch-free.

The cost of her meds and vet visits per year will be more than most dogs. If, once we figure out the correct combination of meds, and she is comfortable in her own skin, then the cost might go down, but in the meantime, here is an example of what it will cost per month to have Molly part of your family:

Allergy meds: Hydroxyzine 84.00/Month
Thyroid meds: Levothyroxine 12.40/Month
Any meds for secondary infections (either bacterial skin infections, or yeast infections): Cephalexin 27.00/Month
Extra vet and allergist visits: Varies
Total estimated medication cost per month: $151.40

I just want whoever is interested in her to know that she will take a little more financially to keep her comfortable and healthy. She will need to continue to take these meds so that she can be as healthy as possible. She is totally worth the extra investment!!