Tag Archives: sick as a dog

COVID Chronicles

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COVID Chronicles

Hello!! This past week has been a real doozy for Lil Red and Johnny because, unfortunately, we got COVID. We both tested positive and we can only assume that it came from Johnny’s place of work where everyone has been lax on pandemic safety from the jump. It has been AWFUL, especially because we were both very symptomatic and the last time we had the virus over two years ago, we experienced no symptoms at all. All I have to say is, thank god we are vaccinated and boosted because I truly couldn’t imagine our experience being any worse than it already was.

Johnny started out our COVID journey with aches all over – headache, body aches, and was very stuffy and fatigued. Naturally, all of this transferred to me and a day later, I was prepped to have all of the same. My Day One wasn’t so bad, but it was weird. I was really tired and I could just feel like I was about to be sick as a dog. I still rallied enough to make a big pot of spaghetti which was a saving grace during our sickness staycation so #blessup for that lol. By Day Two, the struggle bus hit and it hit like a Mack Truck.

My Day Two was the sickest I have felt in I don’t know how long. I had a fever and chills, I was stuffed up beyond belief, my head pounded, and the body aches were unmatched. I kid you not, I felt better after a car accident that left me hospitalized than I did that day. No exaggeration. It hurt to do anything but lay in my misery and reminisce on all of the good times I had before catching the Vid. On the bright side, I did have a Saw movie marathon to get hyped for the latest installment, but that did little to boost my mood. All it did was provide a slight distraction to being sick AF.

While sleep would have been a welcome reprieve after long days of being a bio hazard, it wasn’t. I was waking up constantly either too hot or too cold and would finally emerge from my slumber with my clothes completely soaked to my skin. It was gross lol and my Day Three was only slightly better than Day Two. After another seemingly endless day of ouch, ugh, and blegh, things took a somewhat turn the following day.

On Day Four, I was still feeling sick, but it was a different kind of sick. What felt like the worst flu ever shifted into a cold from hell. I felt pressure beyond belief in my head and mouth breathed my day away like Napoleon Dynamite. My body still ached and I was feverish throughout the day and night. I was so weak because I was running on a diet of Gatorade, crackers, and the occasional plate of spaghetti. I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t cry multiple times during my COVID tenure. I just couldn’t help it – it was that bad.

As I write this, I am feeling crappy but it’s the least crappy I have felt in days. Johnny also seems to be doing much better so I like to think we are on the upswing. I urge all of you if you are feeling sick to test yourself. After dealing with the pandemic for so long, it’s easy to want to dismiss COVID now, but you can’t. It is still a very real thing and Johnny and I know firsthand because we have been a complete and utter mess. My running joke has been that I wish this happened during the summer because my bikini body would have been off the charts. Ba dum chhhhhhh.

With gatherings moving indoors as the weather shifts, please be sure you monitor your symptoms and stay home if you are feeling unwell. You never know who you are infecting and it’s a dangerous game to play. Stay safe, everyone!

Have you had COVID before? What was it like for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

What To Do When Your Pet Has Dog Flu

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What To Do When Your Pet Has Dog Flu

Dogs can have the flu and you may be wondering whether your dog is currently suffering from it and what you can do. While dogs don’t get colds in the same way that human beings do, they can come down with sneezing and congestion. Interestingly, you cannot catch a cold from your dog and if you get a cold you cannot pass it on to your dog. However, dogs can get canine flu.

If your dog does come down with canine flu, it is good for you to be informed about what to do to make your dog feel better. Here are some tips:

Treating Dog Flu:

If your dog has mild dog flu, you may not need to do much in the way of treatment, especially if your dog is still eating and drinking the way it normally would. However, if your dog is not eating as it did before, looks uncomfortable, and you notice that they have trouble breathing you should contact your vet immediately.

If your vet suspects that the symptoms are of dog flu, they will conduct tests to see if it is really dog flu or a dog sinus infection which can often mimic flu-like symptoms. Normally, your dog will be prescribed antibiotics and cough suppressants if they have dog flu.

Preventing Dog Flu:

There are no vaccinations that can protect your dog from every illness that could befall them. However, getting your dog vaccinated can help to reduce the risk that they will get dog flu. Ensure that your dog’s vaccinations are always up-to-date to prevent them from getting other diseases as well. Dogs are especially susceptible to parvovirus and leptospirosis.

Do Some Cleaning:

One of the easiest things you can do to help prevent dog flu is to clean your dog’s belongings regularly. Make sure that you clean their food and water bowls. Even their toys need to be cleaned as often as possible. Cleaning toys and bowls are especially important if your pet has to share them with other dogs that you may have.

Lots of Rest and Good Food:

Dogs need to sleep at least twelve to fourteen hours per day. Rest is very important for dogs and it will prevent them from getting ill. Nutrition is also important. Make sure that your dog is eating healthily and that you are feeding them dog food that is rich in nutrients that will boost their immune systems to prevent them from getting the flu.

Stay Informed:

When there is an outbreak of dog flu in your area, your vet will know that it is happening. Make sure that you are on the alert list so that your vet can notify you when there is an outbreak of dog flu. If there are vaccinations available to protect your pet, you should definitely get them to prevent your dog from getting sick.

Taking care of your pet is always a priority. Follow the tips and advice here to protect your dog’s health. If your dog does come down with the flu, be sure to contact your vet and do whatever they recommend.

Featured Image By: Creative Vix from Pexels

Sick As A Dog :(

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Sick As A Dog :(

Helloooooo. No offense to all of the beautiful dogs in the world, but I sure was sick as one this past week. From Friday until Monday I was suffering from a nasty sore throat, aches, fatigue, and nausea – it was seriously enough to make a grown man cry. And, because I turn into an overemotional mess while sick, cry I did. You seriously take your health for granted until you start feeling like a big bag of butts.

But, I am feeling much better, and now things are back to normal here on lifewithlilred! You just didn’t get to hear me complain about my disease ridden self because of a little thing called pre-writing. But, I promise that you weren’t missing out on much! How do you cure the winter flu? What are some of your tried and true home remedies? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah