LOWDOWN Winter 2016 page 16
INCH
Hey! I am Inch, you know me from the nice walks with the Basset Hound Owners Club.
I am a Belgium boy, always a bit shy, except when I see the two black Labradors - my friends. My bark could give me away - I woof in English, but if you listen carefully, you will still hear my Flemish accent.
I want to tell you something about my condition - I have Atopi. This is a dermatological disease, so that when I eat certain foods an allergic reaction occurs and I scratch myself. So badly that I get very nasty red spots. Mum is not pleased with that! Oh, I forgot to say, it’s a hereditary disease that came from my Basset Hound mum (not from my mum who adopted me!).
My dad searched the internet on his luminous cabinet to find a solution - causing at least one hour less walk for me. Next, mom and dad went to the Euro Dog Show at Kortrijk (that’s in Belgium) to find special food for me. It as not cheap, costing £40 for 15Kg. A bit expensive, so back to the internet for a cheaper solution - another two hours less walk!
Dad found the same food at Wild Bird, somewhere in Wales, and payed £10 for 15Kg. He ordered four sacks for me and my brother, Hastings. There goes our diet! We also get pasta, fresh meat and vegetables, plus, some nicely baked wholemeal bread. Lovely! As long as it doesn’t contain dyes and artificial flavours, I’m fine.
Mum made me some lavender and flower creme with essential oils. It helped a bit, but hell, I was perfumed and smelt like a flower garden!
I still had a little problem under my arms and chin, so again dad went on the ‘net - more hours less walking. He found a creme that was the perfect solution, but it was expensive stuff at 27 euros for 15g, and it was only available in Spain. It arrived after a week, but after using it scratching was completely gone.However, some weeks later, it was no longer available to buy. Dad found some that came from Portugal, but a month later that was all sold out. I must not be the only dog in the world with irritating problems!
After further searching (and more lost walks) he came across a lady who had written online that her dog was scratch-free after using Sudocrem. This is not available here in Belgium, but mum and dad could get it in the UK. As we are regular visitors there - no problem! Horray! we are going again.
We went to Boots (I waited outside with my saddest face - this normally works) and to several other shops, but nothing. Anyway, one day, Hastings and I stayed at home (we were not pleased) and mum and dad went to Bexhill. At a shop called Bargain, there it was. On the shelf, was my baby creme for £2 - a lot cheaper than in Spain and Portugal.
Now, I’m scratch-free and enjoying every moment. Of course, I smell like a baby, but who cares.
So, if you walk behind me on the next walk you will recognise me. Not smelling of mud and manure, as a good Basset should - but smelling like a little baby!
I hope my story helps any other scratching Basset Hound friends. Love from scratch-free Inch . x
Hey! I am Inch, you know me from the nice walks with the Basset Hound Owners Club.
I am a Belgium boy, always a bit shy, except when I see the two black Labradors - my friends. My bark could give me away - I woof in English, but if you listen carefully, you will still hear my Flemish accent.
I want to tell you something about my condition - I have Atopi. This is a dermatological disease, so that when I eat certain foods an allergic reaction occurs and I scratch myself. So badly that I get very nasty red spots. Mum is not pleased with that! Oh, I forgot to say, it’s a hereditary disease that came from my Basset Hound mum (not from my mum who adopted me!).
My dad searched the internet on his luminous cabinet to find a solution - causing at least one hour less walk for me. Next, mom and dad went to the Euro Dog Show at Kortrijk (that’s in Belgium) to find special food for me. It as not cheap, costing £40 for 15Kg. A bit expensive, so back to the internet for a cheaper solution - another two hours less walk!
Dad found the same food at Wild Bird, somewhere in Wales, and payed £10 for 15Kg. He ordered four sacks for me and my brother, Hastings. There goes our diet! We also get pasta, fresh meat and vegetables, plus, some nicely baked wholemeal bread. Lovely! As long as it doesn’t contain dyes and artificial flavours, I’m fine.
Mum made me some lavender and flower creme with essential oils. It helped a bit, but hell, I was perfumed and smelt like a flower garden!
I still had a little problem under my arms and chin, so again dad went on the ‘net - more hours less walking. He found a creme that was the perfect solution, but it was expensive stuff at 27 euros for 15g, and it was only available in Spain. It arrived after a week, but after using it scratching was completely gone.However, some weeks later, it was no longer available to buy. Dad found some that came from Portugal, but a month later that was all sold out. I must not be the only dog in the world with irritating problems!
After further searching (and more lost walks) he came across a lady who had written online that her dog was scratch-free after using Sudocrem. This is not available here in Belgium, but mum and dad could get it in the UK. As we are regular visitors there - no problem! Horray! we are going again.
We went to Boots (I waited outside with my saddest face - this normally works) and to several other shops, but nothing. Anyway, one day, Hastings and I stayed at home (we were not pleased) and mum and dad went to Bexhill. At a shop called Bargain, there it was. On the shelf, was my baby creme for £2 - a lot cheaper than in Spain and Portugal.
Now, I’m scratch-free and enjoying every moment. Of course, I smell like a baby, but who cares.
So, if you walk behind me on the next walk you will recognise me. Not smelling of mud and manure, as a good Basset should - but smelling like a little baby!
I hope my story helps any other scratching Basset Hound friends. Love from scratch-free Inch . x