Bath time for Patch

The temperature hit the mid-80s again today as is expected for the rest of the week.  It's October so I can't think that it will be that warm for too much longer, so I took advantage of the warm weather to do an outdoor bath today.  Patch was the major target, but Trooper, Cabell, and Bremo all needed a bath and got one as well.


I used at least two different medicated shampoos on Patch, plus a flea shampoo, and finished up with a colloidal oatmeal cream rinse.  He had an extended bath because I made sure to leave each shampoo on him for at least five minutes before rinsing off and proceeding to the next.  We walked some and he rolled in the grass while we waited. 

When it was all over he got his second meal of the day.  He's eating three times a day and I've got him on antibiotics and an antihistamine, as well as a healthy daily dose of wormer (Panacure).  Next week we'll get in to see a vet.  I'm sure some blood work will be in order and we'll talk about when he could have surgery.  The shelter he came from had started him on treatment for the skin infections and I'm basically just continuing that for now.
 

Many generous people have already stepped forward and offered to contribute towards his care and treatment.  Checks in any amount can be mailed to: 
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue Inc.
P.O. Box 126
Sterling, VA  20167

The more tech-savvy can use PayPal and here's a link to VGSR PayPal donation page:
http://www.vgsr.org/donatebar.php#

VGSR is a 501(c)(3) organization and contributions are tax-deductible. 

Whether or not you are able to inclined to donate (and please don't feel obligated, there are plenty of folks who can and will help), I hope you'll follow Patch's story.  I don't know how it will turn out.  He may have minor problems that we can address with medication.  He could have skin issues caused by allergies that all too commonly afflict German Shepherds.  Usually those can be managed with a combination of diet and medication although finding the right mix is often tricky.  Patch could have cancer that we can't cure or Dog knows what else.  There is no guarantee of a happy ending but whatever happens he will have a chance, and he will have the best care and love that we can provide.  His days of misery are over.