Update on Mateo - 2

Well, Mateo's got his splint off. It was removed last Thursday, and while at the vet it was discovered that he had a skin parasite, Demodex canis, which causes the condition that he now has, Demodectic mange. It's an inherited parasite that he got from his mother, but most dogs' immune system can overcome it and suppress it. However, Mateo's immune system was apparently not up to par, so hence he now has this mange thing. He's got a spot of it on his side where it's red and going bare. It's not contagious or anything, and hopefully will remain localized and not spread to anywhere else on his body, though I think I found a new spot the other day. He's on antibiotics for it and has another appointment coming up to check both the progress on his leg and the mange spot.

His leg is still weak and discolored. He still has a pronounced limp when he walks, but doesn't seem to slow him down too much. He's able to put some weight on it though, which is good. You can tell when comparing his two hind legs that there's been muscular atrophy because one thigh is much smaller than the other. Hopefully, it'll improve as he gets more use out of it.

Mateo, Faith, and Vasco all got bathed on Sunday, so now they're nice and clean. Let's hope they stay relatively clean til their next bath time... I'm hoping to get one more in before I leave because I know Faith, Hope, and Mateo won't get washed while I'm out... that's just the way things are. I'm the only one who takes the time to give them bathes. oh well...