T-Shirt Therapy Does the Trick

Who would think something so simple as a snug t-shirt could take care of a serious skin condition?

It's been a tough 2 years for my friend Lori and Mister Kennedy, her Jack Russell Terrier.

I want to share their healing story to encourage those of you who are engaged with unusual health issues. Persistence and out-of-the-box thinking can sometimes bring pleasant surprises.

Here's their story.

For the last 2 years Mister Kennedy, an 8 year old Jack Russell Terrier, has been suffering from a painful skin condition that caused him to continuously scratch areas of his body, and expose his scratched sensitive skin to the open air.

With no fur covering the skin, Mister Kennedy just kept on scratching, causing infections and extreme discomfort. These open sores were all over his body. Just looking at this photo makes me wince.

His human, Lori, spent countless hours over the last two years taking Mister Kennedy to vets and specialists, acupuncturists and dietitians. There were special diets of raw food, organic food, doses of benedryl, medications and herbs, special soaps and treatments.

No stone was left unturned. Most treatments would help Mister Kennedy for awhile, but sooner or later this painful condition would reappear. As you can imagine, each flare-up brought increased distress and frustration to both Lori and Mister Kennedy.

Out of the blue, about 3 months ago, Lori's sister came up with the idea of putting a snug t-shirt on Mister Kennedy. Maybe, her sister said, it would help those sore skin spots heal easier. And, maybe, Mister Kennedy might feel better with the snugness against his skin.

Lori seriously doubted  anything about a t-shirt could in any way make Mister Kennedy feel the least bit better. Mister Kennedy was one of those dogs who could not stand to be dressed in fabric. Every time Lori tried to put something on him he would quake and shake.

Out of desperation, she tried it. Mister Kennedy was not at all happy about that t-shirt.

But, something amazing began happening. Mister Kennedy stopped scratching. Within the first week his sores began to heal.

Miraculously, within two weeks he really looked wonderfully different. His sores were truly healing, his disposition began improving. His old-self began returning.

He's grown to like his snug t-shirt. Just take a look at him now!

No one knows why that snug t-shirt works. I'm sure glad it does.

I would love to share other healing stories, so please tell your story either in the comments below, or send me an email using the contact form.

Comments

[Debbie]

I am Kennedy's "Aunt Debbie". I'm not positive why the t-shirt works, but I knew that if I had a mosquito bite on my leg, it only itched when I was't wearing hose. I'm in Florida,and there are a lot of bug bites here, so I suggested to my sister that she put a shirt on Kennedy.I think that for Mr.K the t-shirt acts like a "skin" and soothes the nerves in the sore area, giving the area a chance to heal. He's looking great now and quite stylish in his shirts!

[Kaye Swafford]

Thanks Aunt Debbie, for this additional information. I love it when strangely interesting ideas suddenly become common sense!
Kaye

[Yvonne DiVita]

This is similar to an issue I had with my 14 year old German Shepard, Carmel. She had a lick granuloma on her back leg...and it just got worse and worse. The vet could not do anything for it. Carmel would just not leave it alone!

I got the brilliant idea of put a sock on her leg...and...low and behold - she kept the sock on (we tied it with a string, not too tight, of course) and her leg got better!

She sometimes is sockless, these days. But, many times (when we're out and she's home alone) she will start licking the leg again, so we put her sock on. In fact, if we hold her sock up... she will trot over to us and stand patiently while we put it on her.

Strange, but true.

Love this blog...so adorable!

[Kaye Swafford]

Thanks, Yvonne, for letting us know this remedy is something others have used as well. Perhaps one day it will become known as a "folk" remedy!

Kaye

[jan`]

I know humans can cause itchy places on their skin by scratching. It irritates the skin and the skin itches more and the scratching intensifies.

Doctors can find no cause for it, but if the scratching stops, the itching will go away.I think it would be the same for dogs.

[Kaye Swafford]

Hi Jan,

I think you may be right. I'm sure with your pack of dogs you've encountered many similarities between humans and dogs.

Thanks, Kaye

[Barbara Swafford]

Hi Cousin Kaye :)

I love this story. Who knew that a t-shirt could solve the problem, but it makes a lot of sense.

You'll have to add a section to your blog - "Alternative Medicine/Home Remedies For Dogs". This could be the start of something big.

In fact, I'm going to Stumble this post. I bet there are thousands who have dogs with the same problem.

[Kaye Swafford]

Thanks for the Stumble, Barbara. I really appreciate it. Also, thanks for the new category suggestion--it's been implemented.

Kaye

[Kasturi Ray]

Hi! I have the same problem with my GR, Rex. Unfortunately temperatures here (Kolkata, India)are currently in the late 30s. Putting anything on him would be difficult, but shall still make an attempt. Thanks for the unique remedy!

[Kaye Swafford]

Hi Kasturi,

Please be sure to let us know if this works in your very warm climate. It's spring here, so Mister Kennedy's t-shirt therapy hasn't yet been tested in the heat of summer!

Thanks, Kaye