As an entrepreneur and speaker, I’m used to handling the unexpected. But nothing quite prepares you for the emotional rollercoaster that is… your dog’s itchy behind. 😅
For the past two months, my sweet Dalmatian, Twix, has been fighting an endless battle with The Itch. It started with a little hot spot on his cheek. We treated it. It went away. But the scratching didn’t. So, like any responsible dog parent, I switched his food, tried all the gentle stuff, and crossed my fingers. Still, no relief. If anything, it got worse.
Fast-forward to this morning—after working overnight—I walked in to find that Twix had scratched himself raw. A big, red rash had flared up on his backside, and at that point, we were both at our wits’ end. My regular vet was closed, and while this wasn’t technically an emergency, it felt urgent enough to not want to wait all weekend. If we didn’t get anything done, Twix would turn into a Chinese Crested Dog size XXL and I would be in a mental institution from all his itching…
So, off we went to Van Zandt Veterinary Hospital, outside of Wills Point. I wasn’t expecting much—maybe a “come back Monday” as it is holiday weekend… But the moment I walked in, I felt seen. They had just received a cancellation and graciously let me wait to be worked in. 🙏
I didn’t catch the vet’s name (note to self: always write it down), but she and the vet tech were incredible. They listened to Twix’s full “Itch Chronicles,” performed a thorough exam, and – here’s the best part – helped me feel heard. We didn’t just walk away with meds; we walked away with a plan.
The likely culprit? Flea hypersensitivity. Yes—ONE flea might be all it takes to send Twix into a scratching spiral. Apparently, his flea collar wasn’t doing the job. So, we’re switching to oral flea meds and starting a 45-day course of skin allergy support.
And here’s the twist in the tale: within six hours, the scratching had noticeably decreased. It’s like Twix could finally exhale. And honestly, so could I.
With July 4th approaching, I had braced myself for a holiday filled with stress, sleepless nights, and possibly another vet visit. But now? We might just get a peaceful, tail-wagging Independence Day after all.
