Well, the raccoons seem to have moved on. We haven't seen or heard them since Thursday. Which is awesome. Mom did grease the gutter and the side of the house, but that only seemed to slow them down.
What did seem to make an impact was the garden hose. Mom spent a long time squirting the little ones with the hose and when they ran inside the chimney (not in use), she squirted water in the chimney. There was also a lot of spotlighting and pine cone throwing and general harassment courtesy of mom. Whatever the reason, it seemed to have worked. Now, let's hope it sticks!
FYI, if you have ever have raccoons in your yard, do everything you can to make them leave. They can carry a really nasty parasite called raccoon roundworm in their poop. There is no real effective treatment and people can catch it too. This is really a terrible thing to have and the best thing to do is prevent it. So kick their butts out!
In other news, we were supposed to have our dentals on Monday. However, we had both lost so much weight that the vet recommended that we not go under anesthesia.
Mom knew that we had been losing weight, just didn't realize how much. Unfortunately, Petunia has lost 3 pounds and Tallulah 2. Not good. We had our blood tested including thyroid levels and our poop screened for parasites. Poop tests were clear. Tallulah's blood work was good except her calcium was a little low. Petunia's thyroid was very high.
The good news is that we don't have the raccoon parasite. The bad news is that we don't have a real reason for Tallulah to lose that much weight. The best news is that we get to eat double our food!
The plan is to eat twice our normal food and get weighed again in a week. If we are gaining weight, great. If not, more tests. Petunia's thyroid medication has been reduced and she'll get retested in a month. Tallulah's been having a poop issue for months now so that might be the reason. And their food restriction of fish and potatoes could explain the low calcium. It might also somewhat explain the weight loss although Isabelle hasn't lost weight.
So we'll just eat as much as we can and hope for the best.
I hope they stay away
ReplyDeleteStop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com
Twice your normal food!! That sounds great to us. we will be pulling for you to get those pounds back on!
ReplyDeletehugs
Bailey, Hazel & Greta
Keep chomping away ladies! We hope you get that weight back..Emma can give you each a few pounds of her big momma-ness. Oh and we are probably moving back to va beach sometime in spring/summer. Dad will be there this May we hope to follow soon after. We will meet again!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are sending pawsitive vibes that you guys pack on the pounds
ReplyDeleteurban hounds
We don't want any buddy to get no raccoon disease. Glad they took a hike
ReplyDeleteBenny & Lily
Well, that's great news about the raccoons leaving and about more food, but we are not happy about the reason for the extra yummies. I bet your mom is worried. I hope you girls gain your weight back and are perfectly healthy.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Christy
We sure hope the two of you are okay ... your mama must be so worried! But getting to eat double the amount ... YAY!!!
ReplyDeleteWe didn't know that about raccoons! We have lots of squirrels but haven't seen any raccoons hanging around in our neighborhood!
Keep us posted ...
Love Zoe, Peyton, Webster, Liberty & Whitney
OUr grandmonster showed us a skinned raccoon hide that he made $23 from, that would buy alot of treats wouldn't it!!! We sure hopes you girls get to feeling better soon, enjoy eating more food...its not like that at our house!! Pug Hugs!!
ReplyDeletestella rose and mags
good luck with your double dinners! i hope you girls can gain some weight, and i know you'll be happy trying!
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