I'm so far having a really great day. Anyone else? Anything excited or something going really well in your life?
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Oscar has been losing hair in patchy spots on his sides and recently it's gotten really bad. He's been on an isoalted/dry food only diet, but it hasn't helped. We've been considering paying $300 for an allergy testing, but even that is proven not to be accurate for testing food allergies.
I called our vet yesterday to set up an appt for the testing and also mentioned that we'd been doing some research and wonder if it's something called "Seasonal Flank Alopecia" (essentially just a cosmetic problem with hair loss). Our vet said before making the appt, I could just take a few pics and send to her personal email.
I sent her the pics and within 2 hours she wrote back saying it definitely is the alopecia and it'd be a waste to do the allergy testing. So yay, we're saving money on that (but boo, poor Osc-man's sides still looks like he was attacked in a jungle)
Pics:

Close up: 
I also attached a few pics from Oscar's birthday (if you recall I called the vet to make sure it was okay to give him mashed sweet potatoes for his bday since he's been on this diet). I was going to mail the pics, but DH said I was crazy. I said that to the vet in my email and she said she thought the pics were cute and appreciated me sharing.
I am just truly in a good mood today. We bought Oscar from a breeder in IA for half the price of what bulldogs typically sell for. Initially we had a few doubts about him being 100% english bulldog b/c of his height ("tall" for a bullie), but the weight has assured us he's 100%. Although the balding spots do look awful, I really feel blessed that that's the worst of health issues we've had with Oscar because so many of the people on the local bulldog board we post on have spend thousands of dollars in misc. surgeries, food, allergies, etc. So here's a cheers to Oscar the healthy pup! ![]()
Re: Good feelings? Have to share, love our vet!
Awww, I'm glad it isn't anything too serious. Although those marks would freak me out at first. Yay for fur babies (and for saving money)!
est. 10/10/10
What a great vet! That's great that she was willing to look at it over email...and not try to talk you into spending more money anyway!
I'm glad it's nothing more serious!
Megan & Chris
Yay for healthy Oscar!
Riley gets that too when it gets warm...looks horrible! But it doesn't seem to bother him at all. I wonder if they make toupees for dogs...
Haha...I supposed I could make him something, like with elastic that fits around his abdomen.
Although it may be a good excuse to buy him a Cubs t-shirt I've been wanting to get! Btw Megan, sorry the Astro's got rocked! :O)
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Haha! If I were an Astros fan, I might care...but I will pass your condolences to my husband
He was pretty pissed last night (and pretty much since the start of the season!)
I actually am a Red Sox fan (likely not to the extent of the girls from Boston, but I fell in love with their story when my sister moved there in 2001 (we toured Fenway with an amazing tour guide and got the whole history) and have loved them ever since). And there's a whole other set of issues there...
Megan & Chris
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Omg, I'd freak out. That looks way worse than it actually is, geeeez. Poor Oscar!
What a great vet though to go the quick, easy route to rule that out (or in this case, identify the issue) before costing you money. That's awesome.
I know, both of our parents were horrified when they saw him recently. The poor guy! He has a cute face, but his poor body. It looks so awful. I'm thinking we definitely need to pick him up a Cubs t-shirt to wear while it's still cool out.
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That is a really kind thing for the vet to do. The first vet I took a dog to was obviously trying to make money and every time I was there it was an awful experience for one reason or another. I've had nothing but great vets since then. Those people really love animals and I think they appreciate good pet owners.
Poor Oscar, it looks AWFUL, but it is good to know it isn't anything too serious!
Wahoo Sox!!!!! Even if they are sucking up the place this season so far...I don't care (ok I do but need to stay positive)