The Happy Boy

The therapy sessions seem to be doing some goodness to Frankie finally.

He has been smiling more and more. 

*Happy*

Finally a good sign!

While you are wondering why Frankie looks so scrawny in this picture, to tell you a fact, he has actually and finally put on weight (300g)! According to his review results at ARC today and as compared to the previous test results, Frankie has hit 4kg mark (from 3.7kg) and his thyroxine level is finally within the normal (healthy) range!

Thyroxine is a hormone that is produced and secreted by the thyroid gland which is measured to determine thyroid function. The thyroid gland controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body is to other hormones. In Frankie's case, he is having an underproduction of thyroid hormones and that may have occurred as a result of iodine deficiency (which is very unlikely because Frankie has always been fed with good food with balanced nutrients), or congenital hypothyroidism (but there is no clear evidence). With insufficient thyroxine hormones, that should explain Frankie's abnormal weight reduction, bowel movements, tiredness and baldness in the past three years. In a way, his skin condition has evolved to chronic unresolved inflammation and allergies.

It seems like Dr Lee has given Frankie the correct diagnosis this time. The treatment is aimed at balancing all Frankie's hormones (thyroid, sex hormone, cortisol) with the necessary supplementation. According to Dr Lee, sex hormones are linked with thyroid adrenal gland hormones and every other hormone in the body. Not only he has to be put on iodine supplement to ensure no thyroid deficiency, Frankie has also be given Laurabolin injection to build up muscles and testosterone. Together with the current Bioreasonance Therapy treatment, MM hopes that Frankie is really going to live better and happier soon.

Jia you, Frankie Boy! We are behind you all the way! :)

Tired all the way

 Lately, Frankie seems to be very tired.

Tonight he's caught dozing off again, during his BICOM treatment session:

When he's standing up...

When he's lying down...

In the midst of receiving his treatment...

Even I was tired too (for waiting Frankie)!

After we had reached home, Frankie was totally knocked out!

The checkup

After reading an article by Dr Jean-Paul Ly about an immune or hormonal issue (i.e. "endocrine-immune dysfunction") which affects a dog's ability to handle stress, MM decided to send Frankie for such a checkup. As my left ear was quite inflammed due to an unknown infection, I was also being send down to ARC for a diagnosis. But as Dr Ly was not available, MM made an appointment for us with Dr Ly's "disciple", Dr Lee, who was also approachable and professional, yet able to explain things clearly and slowly to MM, who always have a problem with those unknown medical terms.

In order to help her to recap what had been told and advised by Dr Lee, MM interpreted the diagnosis and results for her own understanding and future reference:

Wynn Wynn's condition:
a) Flaky skin around the paws area; Scratchy especially on the ears.
b) A lump was found at the back; Seemed to be growing and a removal surgery should be considered.
c) Some decayed teeth were detected.

Diagnosis for Wynn Wynn's condition:

• Adaptamax herbal supplement = To combat stress (maybe that's the reason for the skin infection since there's no change in food and environment).
• Dexamed, hepavite (To soothe the liver from the impact of Dexamed) and Zymox shampoo for clearing flaky dead skins due to the infection.
• Betamox LA and Dexafort injections = To combat bacteria infection and anti inflammatory.
• Blood test = Overall good health for the body organs and system.
• Additional advice = To apply cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil on the infected skin areas after bath. No blow-drying. Also to consider to remove the lump and rotten teeth under light sedation and local anesthetic.
• Weight = About 5.4kg

Frankie's condition:
a) Kept chewing paws; Scratchy especially around the muzzle area.
b) Need to perform hormones checkup.
c) No allergic test to be done as that had been completed by BRT. Frankie is currently eating food and using shampoo that were proven to be positive in the BRT's allergic test.

Diagnosis for Frankie's condition:

• Laurabolin injection (steroid based) = To build up muscles and increase testosterone ( lasts 6 months).
• Eltroxin medication = To produce thyroid hormones.
• Lugol's iodine supplement = To replenish iodine deficiency (which is needed to produce thyroid hormones).
• Testosterone Chrysin cream = To increase testosterone.
• Blood test = Overall good health for the body organs except for low thyroid level. No parasite/mites though.
• Additional advice = To use dry cotton wool to clean ears, lastly with apple cider vinegar to create an environment that is not conducive for yeast growth. Note: The injection and medication are applied to help Frankie to put on weight.
• Weight = About 3.7kg
• Next review: One month later.

Getting more relaxed

Finally, he's getting to be more relaxed at his today's BICOM Bioresonance therapy session.

No more standing and sitting ...

But he will still give you the "Are-we-going-home-soon" expression at times when he gets bored.

Learn to be more patient, Frankie Boy.

The result

After going through the therapy treatment for almost three months, MM feels there's a slight improvement in Frankie's health condition.

Do you think so too?

A less-reddish Frankie with his new goatee :D

My first therapy treatment

Frankie Boy: Hmm... this thing is safe hor? Will I get electrocuted?

MM: Of course it's safe! Though the modulation mat is wrapped around your body, you don't feel any pain, right? In fact, you just need to relax yourself... an hour will pass very quickly.


But Frankie Boy was still very doubtful. 

Our allergy test by BICOM 2000

Because of my ongoing skin problem and Wynn Wynn's recent bacteria infection, MM decided to bring us for an allergy test. The test would be done via a device known as BICOM 2000, which uses special electronics to detect the frequency patterns produced by the cells in the body. These frequency patterns would tell about the patient's health and body condition. If there were foreign substances, such as bacteria, viruses and allergens, in the patient's body, various programmes could be customized to the patient's needs and help the patient to recover.

Prior the test, MM prepared samples of our food (such as the main meal, tibits and even fruits!) and shampoos. This is to give a more accurate analysis of the results.

BICOM 2000 device

How the test was conducted 

In about three hours' time, our tests were completed and the results were produced:

• Both Wynn Wynn and I were allergic to meats like beef, mutton/lamb, venison and even PORK! 
• Our body systems were neutral to fish, and we were recommended to stop taking fish for a while.
• We could take raw chicken and rabbit BARF receipes.
• Anything that contains oat, wheat and rice would be rejected by our body systems.
• We could use almost all the shampoos.
• Our body systems could not accept our favourite dehydrated cod fish, pork, chicken, mutton and beef lungs, except for pig hearts. 
• In all, Wynn Wynn's health condition was much better than mine. It was detected that my body organs were stressful and that should be the main reason of my chronic skin problem.

With that, the therapist recommended MM to let me go through the BICOM Bioresonance Therapy Programmes. And that's how I would be embarking on the therapy treatment in the next subsequent ten Saturdays. MM hopes that this treatment would be the answer to improve my health/body condition, as well as giving me a better quality of life. I hope so too. It's been a torture in the past four years. I wish to end this physical and emotional distress very soon. 



Frankie Is Sick

* Get well soon *

The Not-So-Energized Lapdog

Both MM and Frankie are having "runny noses". Though he has thrown up his dinner and dessert from the previous night, I think Frankie should have caught a cold too. Imagine we are having two "running taps" in the house now... Frankie has fish porridge (instead of the barf patty) for today's dinner. The weird thing is he does really have a good appetite for his apparent sickly condition! To play safe, I better don't stay too close to them because I don't like watery food. I prefer solid MEATY stuff! *Yummy*

Was Tooth Fairy Here?

In less than two weeks, Wynn Wynn lost two teeth! And they were from the same lower part of the front gum. Actually Wynn Wynn's lower front set of teeth has been shaky, since the first day she came to the family. I know she will lose her teeth sooner than me because she always eats/munches her food very slowly. Like what I have always advised her: JUST SWALLOW THE FOOD! Using too much of our teeth actually reduces the lifespan. No one believes me. They always thought I was being nonsensical.

So now, who has the last laugh? Poor Wynn Wynn! I think she is going to be a toothless furryball very soon. Keke!

Moody Wynn Wynn...

(MM: Before the first tooth loss happened, Wynn Wynn did not want to eat her dinner for the past two days. We thought she had tummy upset again. Thus we had been rubbing Ruyi Oil on her belly while she was actually suffering from toothache! Blur us!! To note, we never found her two lost teeth. We suspected they should have been ended up in her stomach, though they are yet to be seen in her poo. Since a whole set of teeth is always seen intact in those skeletons, this bonelike structure should not be so easily digested. Isn't it?)

LS Go Away

After 2 days and 3 nights, Wynn Wynn had finally stopped her watery loose stools. Just 4 small meals of porridge did the trick. No matter it's the porridge's credits or simply the loose stools had run dry, we were just glad that Wynn Wynn's ordeal was finally OVER!

Wynn Is Sick

Starting from first night of Lunar New Year, Wynn Wynn has been having diarrhoea. Luckily no blood was seen in the soft stool.
However, it seems to get worse for the poor girl had visited the 'loo' (our pee-tray in the kitchen) more times yesterday. That's why MM has decided to let Wynn Wynn fast today, upon the advice of Auntie R and Auntie J. Fasting refers to the act of abstaining from food or drink or both, for a period of time. But by understanding Wynn Wynn, we believe she can't go without food for a day. Though her tummy was not feeling well last night, she still finished a small meal of plain boiled meat! Hence, MM has cooked some chicken porridge, hoping that will help to ease Wynn Wynn's pain and stop the diarrhoea.

The Lethargic One

Chicken porridge for Wynn Wynn... then me leh?

Frankie's New "Fertiliser"

After almost 10 months on raw diet and home-cooked soup/food, Frankie's skin condition has improved greatly and is much under control. He has also returned to his old active self yet I will suffer more for he likes to jump on me and chew my ears out of the blue with no play-bow invitation at all! *Grrrr...*

No matter how furry Frankie has become so far, a small area under his muzzle still remains botak. It is like a piece of barren land where not a single blade of grass can be found! Thus, MM bought a bottle of Dermatrix for Frankie, hoping that the supplement can help to promote the needed fur growth. Though I am already very pom pom like a big furry ball, MM said I can still have some as Dermatrix contains a high concentration of Omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids (EFA) from plant and fish sources, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), vitamins and minerals which are important for skin and fur health.

Hmm... if that is the case, I hope that little area at Frankie's muzzle will take its own sweet time to grow out furs. You never know it might take a few bottles for the miracle to happen. At least I can enjoy more of those yummy tablets! :P

The 'Miracle Pill'

~ Pic taken from Arthrix.com ~

Two Little Red Indians

Recently (don't know why), my furs have turned from creamy white to reddish. Oh yes, R E D! Even Wynn Wynn's 'goatee' has turned slightly red too. But my case seems to be more serious. Hmmm... something weird must have happened on us. Could it due to a spell? Well, MM suspected it might be due to the raw beef. Thus, she decided to stop the feeding. We are back to raw pork and chicken now.

*Sighz* When am I going back to my no-tear stains state? I miss being white.

Sorry, no photo... It's up to your imagination...

We want to become pretty princess / handsome prince!

A New Answer To My Skin Problem

While I thought MM was bringing me for a spin after dinner, little did I expect she actually brought me for a consultation with a new vet.

Dr Hsu is highly recommended by Auntie Hilda. Her Rocky's sudden-went-lame-yet-claimed-no-hope hind leg was eventually cured by him. Other than this miracle, some other dogs in the neighbourhood were also cured by Dr Hsu for different problems. I thought MM had already given up hope on seeking an answer from those vets. Well, maybe she saw no harm in getting another set of opinion on my already-90%-improved-yet-not 100%-cured skin problem. Furthermore, my endless scratching is really driving everyone up to the walls. Let's cross our fingers and hope this new vet is my saviour after all.

A skin scrape test was done. Though we were hoping to find an answer to my endless scratching, we did not expect to hear mites found in my hair follicles (which was denied by the four vets we had visited in last two years)! Mites... those little eight-legged creatures living on my skin... How come they were not detected in the past skin scrape tests? Unless Dr Hsu's microscope is much larger and powerful than the other vets'!

A living demodex mite through the microscope

While our brains were spinning from the new discovery, Dr Hsu claimed to see only one or two such skin parasite under the microscope. That could mean only a few mites were holidaying in me currently. Dr Hsu further explained that they were demodex mites. Demodex is generally less severe than Sarcoptic mites (often called scabies). Actually all mammals, including humans, have demodex mites inhabit in their hair follicles. This is common and usually the immune factors would keep the mites suppressed. It is when immune related, or nutritional or environmental stresses impact the dog that visible skin lesions from mite infestations become noticeable. Too bad for me, such a case is difficult to be totally cured. Furthermore, since I might have developed such immune disorder (IF it is) at adult stage (after 2 years old? Or perhaps at 3 years old?), it is most probably a life-long condition. We could only control it via oral medication or via an external rinse that acts similarly like Frontline.

After much discussion, MM decided to let me go for the external treatment. With that, Dr Hsu took out a small disposable bottle of brown liquid, which is known as ProMeris Duo. He applied the solution slowly onto a skin portion at the back of my neck. That was to be absorbed into the skin and spreaded to the whole body to kill off every possible mite in me! As the process should take a while (at least 24 hours) to be effective, I was told not to bathe till next Monday. YES! Finally some good news... Luckily the smell of the solution was bearable. Other than that, Dr Hsu assured MM that such condition was not contagious. But to play safe, I would suggest to MM not to let Wynn Wynn come near me. With this reason, that girl would have no excuse to come disturbing me! :P

As the effect of the application is to last for a month, my next review appointment with Dr Hsu shall set in a month's time. We quite like Dr Hsu as he sounded very confident in his diagnosis and the treatment given. Unlike in the past when I was always told to have poor immune system or I was allergic to this, allergic to that... *Sighz*, we had finally identified a cause which we could work on to improve my current condition. Dr Hsu had also allowed me to continue with my current diet. He commented that except for the mildly irritated areas of hair loss around my muzzle, I did look good and healthy in general. If the current diet is ok, that means I am not allergic to meat after all! Before we left, Dr Hsu told me I would be a handsome and happy maltese again by Christmas. That sounds very positive. Let's hope this promise would come true. :))

Fasting

Yes, we are dogs.

Yes, we are going to have fruits for dinner today.

Yes, you are so right! How can dogs survive on fruits?!?!!! Yes, we are as bewildered as you. *Sighz*

But MM is going ahead with the decision, despite our objections and pleading expressions. It is high time for us to fast our body system. By abstaining ourselves from our usual food (MEAT! BONES!) for a super short period (1 day in this case), our body system would work better. Furthermore fruits are good for skin. FYI, that was not what we thought. That was claimed by MM.

All right... since the weather is super humid and we are having a variety like water chestnut, dragonfruit, apple and pear, I believe Wynn Wynn and I can overcome the ordeal. Hmmm... perhaps I should not speak for Wynn Wynn. Though we are of similar sizes, our endurance levels are totally DIFFERENT. Pls take note - I am referring to myself being the stronger with a higher tolerance level. Yes, that's ME, Frankie Boy!

Wynn Wynn, I wish you best of luck! May the force be with you! :P

The First Milk

Every matter happens with a reason. Recently someone told MM that a bitch (I mean a female dog here) can give birth to a few litters during her productive years. Somehow if one of her newborn puppies did not get enough milk from her, the poor puppy's immune system would not be developed properly.

After hearing that, MM could not help but wondering whether I was that unfortunate puppy from my biological Mummy's last litter. Fresh goat's or cow's milk is not a better replacement. From the past experience, such milk only gives me clearer pee and makes me fatter. Thus, MM did some online research and found her answer in bovine colostrum.

Bovine colostrum is the pre-milk liquid produced from the mammary glands of a mother during the first 24 to 48 hours after giving birth. Such collected colostrum contains all of the immune factors necessary for protecting the newborn from bacteria, allergens, toxins, viruses. It also contains a balanced proportion of growth factors that are required for growth and healing. Pasture-fed herds are preferred source of colostrum. These herds produce colostrum that contains more beneficial enzymes, which assist in the assimilation of the colostrum and is a more diversified immune source. From a report by Dr Stephen Blake, colostrum contains Egf (Epithelial Growth Factor), IgF (Insulin-like Growth factor) and TgF-A & B (Transforming Growth Factors), alpha and beta, which are necessary for healing the epithelium, muscle, nerve, gastrointestinal tract, joints, etc. It facilitates the balancing of the intestinal flora, stabilizes the immune status of the gut, and aids in digestion and proper motility of the bowel.

As such, MM bought a bottle of bovine colostrum, hoping this would be a miracle cure for my skin problem and build up my defense line against most infections. I am to take a capsule per day which is to be given in two feedings. Hmmm... I quite like this new supplement. It smells and tastes like milk! The only regret is that the feeding amount seems to be too little... MM should consider to give me more. Perhaps a bigger quantity would be more powerful! :P

Frankie's new supply of "First Milk"

Amazingly Cured!

MM woke up early this morning to check on Wynn Wynn's "lumpy wounds". Amazingly, all the lumps were gone! *Phew*

I must say either Wynn Wynn's body constitution is very strong, or perhaps this girl's ladyluck is really good! Otherwise, it must be the credit by Snake Brand's prickly heat powder. This stuff is actually quite helpful in some healing. MM used it on my red rash and it was recovered within a few days! At times, it helps in making me feel more comfortable and less itchy on a humid hot day. Nevertheless, we are glad that our Princess Pui Pui is no longer lumpy! :p

Mighty Powerful Powder

~ Edited from an online pic ~

Oh yes... the culprit is still not found yet. Could it be Wynn Wynn was allergic to Don Don's saliva after all?

Lumpy Wynn Wynn

No, no... not that Wynn Wynn has grown fatter again. In fact, LUMPS were found all over her under belly in the middle of the night!

Out of no reason, Wynn Wynn suddenly scratched herself vigorously non-stop. She even whined as if she was in pain! MM quickly woke up to check on her. To her horror, she found big lumps all over Wynn Wynn's under belly, including some small ones under her front limbs! OH GOSH! This was quite shocking for we never saw such a skin reaction before. Each lump was like a swelling caused by a mosquito's bite, except it was much bigger, redder and felt like a hard pebble! With no further hesitation, MM cleaned the infected area with cold water and applied Snake Brand's prickly heat powder (which is anti-bacterial). After a while, Wynn Wynn seemed to have calmed down. Perhaps she was simply exhausted by this sudden outburst.

The lumps most probably were caused by an insect's bite. But who could this Mighty Guy be? Wynn Wynn's size is almost 1000 times bigger than a typical insect. Even her nose size alone can win an adult cockroach! Therefore, this Mighty Guy is really quite a powerful fellow to have caused such an impact on our Fatty Bom Bom. This is dangerous.... we must catch the culprit soonest, before any one of us becomes his next victim! But.... *Yawnz* Perhaps we should get some sleep first. *Sleepy eyes...*

The "Headache" Is BACK!

Oh no... some red spots were spotted on Frankie's body recently! In fact more were found this morning! To add more to MM's headache, Frankie scratched himself badly after the bath yesterday. Poor Frankie... his body is like an abstract painting with red marks, red dots and red rash now. Though red means auspicious in CNY's context, Frankie in red is BAD NEWS to us! Could it be a detoxing effect after all (after three months on BARF) or could it due to the oatmeal shampoo?

What had actually caused that? What would happen to Frankie? Can someone pls enlighten us? For now, we can only confirm - the BIG headache is back! :((