Good News: Feb. 2000, Nicky got into a skin study at OSU Vet Hospital. Treatments are free! Already he looks 100 percent better!
More Good News: August 2000, Nicky's skin continues to look great. His hair is not falling out and he's not scratching. I continue to treat the yeast and he remains in good shape. The doctors still feel this is a secondary infection, but cannot find the main cause of the primary skin infections.
Sept. 2000: Nicky still looks much better. He is scratching a bit now again, but that is not unusual for this time of year. He could use a good bath too though!
Nov. 2001: Nicky continues to grow back hair. He was recently put on thyroid meds due to slow thyroid and extra weight gain. I think this will help his hair to return because I have always suspected thyroid problems and not allergies as the doctors have.
Nov. 17 2006: Nicky died today. A few months ago he had surgery to remove stones from his bladder. They were causing constant infections and it was really necessary. Then a few weeks later we had his shots updated and it was a few days after that he had 2 horrible seizures. The vet started him on phenobarb and he seemed ok for a while on that but after a few weeks, he had 2 more smaller seizures. When I described them to the vet and some of his other behavior, he felt that Nicky had advanced cancer in his brain and his stomache. He was put on pain medication ... 'comfort care' . I watched him for several days. He just seemed so miserable, walk here lay down, walk there lay down, not his usual self. And so I made the decision to end his misery. Marla and David were with me and we all stood there remembering Nicky's life and the good dog that he was. How he came to live with me. How he nearly bit Marla (ok, not good), and how he helped David overcome his fear of dogs. As the vet said he would rather err one day early than one day late and give Nicky a humane ending to a good long life. I gave Nicky 10 years that he almost did not have and they were 10 good years.
Nicky, I hope Bandit leads you the way and you two have fun running and playing without the pains and agonies old age brought you. We loved you and we'll miss you very much!
