Better living through chemistry

Last week I finally took Hercules to the vet for more extensive blood work to get to the bottom of his problems.  All the basic blood indicators were normal, he's essentially healthy.  But we sent a sample off for more indepth testing.  The results showed that he does indeed have EPI, which comes as no surprise.  He had improved and put on weight when I had him on the supplement before.  The tests also showed a B-vitamin deficiency, so he's getting weekly injections now, which will taper down to monthly over the course of the summer.  The tests also showed an overgrowth of bacteria in his gut so he's getting metronidazole to control that.  Given the fungal infection in his ears and his skin problems, I think a food allergy is probably still a real possibility so he will stay on the limited ingredient diet, at least for now. 

I need to order the enzyme supplement to treat the EPI, but then he should have everything needed to put on weight and shape up into the dog he can be.  Once it's just a maintenance issue, it shouldn't be a really big hindrance to getting him adopted.  Anyone who knows shepherds should know that they come with some issues, just like they come with a ton of hair. 

This is the new batch
of Redbone Ale.

Our other recent chemistry experience was another round of beer making.  We bottled up both the red ale and the scotch ale this past weekend and moved the new blond ale into the carboy for the secondary fermentation stage.

The Scotch Ale actually tastes
a bit like Scotch.  My mother
should like it.

This new one, like Cabell,
is the color of honey.

We tasted both beers being bottled and they are both good.  The red ale is different from the first round of Redbone that we made because this one was made from whole grains rather than canned liquid malt, so it's a little different, but I think it will be good.  The scotch ale is really strong and will live up to his name of the Big Hairy Beast.  The new blond ale is the color of Cabell. 

And of course, Maya and Trooper have their own form of chemistry.