A clean Gozer

Gozer had her first bath today. I managed to get through the experience with only one set of scratches on my shoulder, although Ian's forearms are much more scratched up. It turns out that Gozer doesn't like the sound of the water going into the tub or the feeling of water being poured over her body. She'd be happy to do without the lathering bit, too, or really any part of the process.

Unfortunately for her, there are more baths in her future because the bumps on her belly are still there. Because the antibiotics helped a bit and Gozer was quite dirty, the vet thinks that the bumps might just be reactions to the dirt and possible allergens on her skin. The bumps were there when she was being fed the natural lamb meal and rice kibble we first fed her so the vet doesn't think the bumps are a food allergy.

To cleanse Gozer, the vet recommended that we give her a bath every other day for about a week using a mild oatmeal and aloe vera shampoo to soothe her skin. If after a week the bumps are better, we're to go in and get her a conditioner to use after bathing. If the bumps aren't better, then she wants us to use a medicated shampoo. Of course if Gozer gets super-itchy after being bathed and develops new bumps or sores, we'll stop using the product.

She didn't lick her belly at all afterwards so I'm beginning to think there is something in the environment causing the bumps. She looks so much better after having the bath: her white fur is whiter and it's all fluffy and pretty. I hope that she becomes more used to having a bath and begins to even enjoy the process.