Winchester - need advice - bugs!

[groovydreamyfab]

Hope you guys remember Winchester. As a reminder, here's his webpage:
members.aol.com/groovydreamyfab/winchester1.html
Okay, Winchester has recently made it out of the kennel at the vet where he was being boarded and into the loving home of Meggan, a weim rescue volunteer. This is a trial thing to see how he gets along with her dogs, she may or may not be able to foster him, will have to see. Here's the problem: as you know, Winchester has some issues with urinary and fecal incontinence because of his injury. He's currently on meds for the urinary incontinence and we'll research to see if perhaps another incontinence med may be tried to see if these results can be improved. He's also going to an ortho specialist for an evaluation in a week. Because of his incontinence, we thought that a perfect home for Winchester may be a place like a farm or a big yard so he can romp around and spend lots of time outside, so if he pees or poops no one will care. Winchester has been staying outside at Meggan's house with her other dogs (they stay outdoors when she's not home but have plenty of shade, bedding, water, shelter, etc) Winchester has an old wound on his elbow that bleeds a little sometimes, well, these tiny bugs that are described as being smaller than gnats are attacking that elbow. Also, because Winchester dribbles when he romps around, the insides of his hind legs get wet with pee, and cause a bad odor as well as attract these tiny bugs to that area. This is happening at his anal area too. Even if he gets a bath each day, it's the same thing all over again once he dribbles and the scent is back.
I don't mean to sound so dramatic, but I fear that this could be a huge dead end for this dog.
It is understandable why it would be difficult to find an adoptive home for him with his special needs. We thought by adding the option of keeping him outdoors a lot might make it easier for someone to adopt him, but if keeping him outdoors means that he's going to be overridden with these bug issues (they seem to fly around in swarms), this would be a miserable life for Winchester, who is obviously irritated by them, as anyone would be. The yard is treated for bugs, but these bugs seem to find his scent anyway and aggravate the hell out of him.
Any suggestions???
There are pics on his webpage of his elbow injury and paw injury and the way he dribbles on his legs.
Cassandra

[Alkemist]

Cassandra I am not a vet, but whenever I hear of most canine skin issues, I always recommend Lavendar Essential Oil (not perfume, the real essence). Might it keep the flies away?? Obviously test his skin with a little before plastering it on him, but it might just do the trick keeping the flies away. It's antibacterial, anti-fungal, and I think it repels insects too.

Hope that helps,
Nina

[christina]

Hello Cassandra,

Just read Winchesters webpage, and my heart goes out to this poor lad. I had a look at his injured elbow too, and been thinking what might help....

Something I would try is Aloe Vera Gelly from Forever Living Products. You can't buy it in a shop, only from FLP distributors. There will be many who sell on line, just google "Forever Living Products" . Their products are very, very good. The AV Gelly contains 100% stabilized Aloe Vera Juice. It is the best there is.
Unfortunately the wound would have to be dressed - for two reasons... because of the insects and because the Gel would just be licked off or worn off. The injury is in an awkward place, but it ought to be possible to bandage it and keep the dressing in position with a single layer of tube gauze. The dressing would need regular changing though.... Ideally the air should circulate around the wound, but frankly, I can't see it healing up, as long as he lies on the open wound and presumably uses the elbow to push himself up from rest. He really could do with a foam mattress to lie on which will cushion the elbow.

This AV Gelly could also be used to soothe the irritated skin from his urine dribbles, but Winchester would most likely lick it off. It could be tried, though. I can't think of anything else that could solve this problem. Maybe somebody else will come up with some idea?

To keep those insects away from Winchester .... I have no personal experience with the following, but somebody posted this on another list today as a natural deterrent for fleas - maybe it will work for those other bugs too ? It might be worth a try:
You'd need to buy some essential oils and a cheap material dog collar and soak it in the following mixture. 1 drop of Cedarwood, Lavender, Citronella and Thyme, in 1/2 a teaspoon of vodka - mix with 4 garlic capsules (break them open and extract the oil). Soak the collar in the mixture and leave to dry before putting on the dog. It should last about one month.
As I said, I haven't tried this, but I have heard good reports about it to keep fleas at bay, and with a bit of luck it might work on those midgets too....

I hope this helps,
best wishes,
Christina

[daniela]

Poor thing. I would suggest something similar to Christina - such as citronella.

Here is a link:

www.mothernature.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/63031/S/99182

[Weims]

Poor dog, You could also try Tea Tree Essential Oil. A little dabbed around the area is also antibiotic, anti inflammatory and would act as a repellant. It would also stop him licking the area as dogs usually hate the smell let alone the taste.

Good luck
Lynn