A dog who was previously too depleted to scratch vigorously can appear “worse” simply because she now has enough strength to respond to the itch.
That is why behavior needs to be interpreted alongside the condition of the skin.
Eventually, Molly Starts Curling Up
It begins with her head.
She tucks her nose toward her chest.
Then her shoulders follow.
Her hind legs come closer.
Her abdomen remains against the blanket.
Molly does not immediately rise.
She stays.
For a dog who once fought to keep her belly suspended above every surface, curling into a sleeping position is a significant change.
Comfort Can Return Before Her Appearance Does
Molly may still look rough.
Her coat remains patchy.
The shaved and hairless areas are obvious.
Her body is still thinner than it should be.
But she begins sleeping.
She stretches.
She rolls slightly.
She allows her abdomen to touch fabric.
Function is improving before the outside of her body looks completely restored.
One Day, Nobody Watches Her Lie Down
That may eventually be the best sign of all.
Molly becomes tired.
She walks to her bed.
Turns around.
Lowers herself.
And sleeps.
Nobody counts the seconds before she jumps up.
Nobody studies whether her belly is touching the blanket.
Lying down becomes too ordinary to notice.
Tonight, Molly Still Cannot Quite Do It
The intake area is quiet.
Molly stands on the pee pad.
Her eyelids are heavy.
Her head dips.
She nearly falls asleep.
Then she wakes herself and looks down.
Slowly, her elbows begin bending.
Her chest approaches the blanket.
Her hindquarters lower.
For a moment, it seems she will finally commit to the movement.
Then the exposed skin on her abdomen brushes the fabric.
Molly stiffens.
Her front legs straighten immediately.
She is standing again.
Her eyes close almost as soon as she gets upright.
This time, her head stays lowered.
Her body sways slightly.
But Molly does not try to lie down again.
Not yet.
Molly is exhausted enough to fall asleep on her feet, but until the inflamed skin across her belly can tolerate something as gentle as a blanket, the softest place in her kennel is still the one place her body won't let her rest.