My dog and the dog days of summer

[chrisinhouston]

I always know when we officially get to the dog days of summer here in Houston. It's usually in August when the temps are the hottest and this year they are really bad with a drought to boot.

That's when my dog, Vesta decides that her skin is in need of scratching and her compulsive behavior starts up full speed. She looses all self control and is constantly chewing on her back hips, always the same areas every year. Once she gets going the hair thins and her skin gets scabbed which only makes her want to do it more. I check her for fleas or other critters which she never has. Her diet is the same as always, no changes in brands and really no changes in her environment like chemicals on the lawn or new bedding or anything that could cause dermatitis. She is mostly an indoor dog and going on 11 she is not as active as she used to be. And she never chews or scratches once she beds down at night, sleeps soundly without waking up to scratch. It's like a psychosomatic infliction.

And if I take her to the vet he just prescribes a form of steroid, lots of pills that I have to shove down her throat 3 times a day because she won't eat them in her food. I've tried hiding them in a wad of bread or cheese or even a piece of meat and she still gets the treat and spits out the pill. And I hate having to push them down her throat, my hand comes out all slimy.

So, welcome to the dog days of summer at my house. They have arrived!