Ringworm :(

Over the weekend, I noticed that Maggie had some dry spots of skin on her. While trying to remove the "dry skin", the patches of fur came off with it. That immediately sent up red flags. I did some research online and determined from what I read that it was either a form of mange or ringworm. I was able to get Maggie in the vet today, and they confirmed it is ringworm. The treatment isn't too bad, but can take a while to clear. She has to have a bath twice a week with an anti fungal shampoo (ringworm is a fungus, not a worm), and topical anti fungal cream applied daily. Unfortunately ringworm is contagious to other animals and humans as well, so until she makes some progress healing, I am quarantining her from everyone. She looks so pitiful in the kennel...those brown eyes look so sad! The girls were a little upset that they can't play with her for a while, but understand that they don't want to get owies like Maggie has. Ringworm is a rather resilient fungus that can be picked up virtually anywhere that other infected dogs have been, and it can survive for 18 months in most environments (even in fall and winter climates). Hopefully this will pass quickly so she can join our family again and get tormented by the girls on a regular basis!

After her first Miconazole bath.

What a sad puppy!!!

As for news with Bear, not a whole lot has changed. He still hasn't got his government passport back yet, and because of that is very limited on what he can do. His chain of command is trying to find something for him to do, somewhere to go that he will not need a passport. They have a couple places in mind, but if he isn't really needed, why not just send him home?!?! I know he doesn't need a passport for that! We're almost to the halfway point already. At least he isn't in Iraq!

Thank you all for your continued loving support and prayers!