4mo pup IMHA

[Linda]

Hi Amy. I have even followng too. As Sheena and the rest, just checking to see how you and Coal are coming along.

You have been so diligent and doing an awesome job with your (literally) pup.

Love, Linda and Sadie

[amy]

Well thank you so much for that! I am so pleased to have found all of you that I am more than happy to offer up support for others. Even though I am still new to all of this and still scared out of my mind I do know I can rest at night now and not worry every second of the day. Coal is doing really well. We had a specialist come over today to help with her diet. We went over a bunch of new things we will be adding and changing to try and help with the muscle waste and to help her own body heal itself along with the medications she is taking. One thing I learned today is that probiotics that humans use are not necessarily helpful in dogs. WHO KNEW? So we are adding a few different things to help get her gut back in order after all the antibiotics she has been on. Also she is going on a high calorie low volume dog food and a freeze dried food to increase protein and amino acids. Also we are changing her water to filtered( which is no big deal I will get it straight from he fridge) she said the least amount of stress on her liver the better. I just now got off the phone with my vet who has returned from vacation and we are doing a 25% decrease on her prednisone to 15mg a day. So forget what I said above… I am now going to worry again! LOL She has been at 20mg for a few days short of a month. Do you all think it is too soon for a reduction? Please weigh in!
Warmly,
Amy & Coal

[Vally]

Amy that sounds great. Absolutely, 25% after a month is a very safe decrease. Yep, of course you’ll worry and be poking at Coal’s eyes to check colour. I also found that often, there seemed to be a slight drop in PCV after a decrease but it usually picked up again in the tests that followed. Kind of like the body needs to adjust.

I’d also like to add my thanks for your words of help to others. It truly makes a difference and, like Sheena said, who knew ANYTHING about this before we were in that “river”.

Love Vally & Bingo
xxx

[Sheena]

Yep – completely agree with Vally – a month is a safe place to start a reduction & 25% is the usual safe way. We like safe!

Love Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[amy]

PHEW!!! Well I am glad that we are all in agreement on this reduction. It is not that I don’t trust my vet I do but I like to get others opinions. Since you have all been though this I would rather learn from your mistakes then to make them on my own dog. Better to be safe than sorry with this bitch of a disease. Sorry for my harsh language but for some reason today I am feeling especially angry about this happening to my sweet baby girl. My husband had me laughing this morning because he asked me if he should stop on the way home for poster board so we can make some protest signs for the vaccine companies LOL!

[amy]

OK so day three on 15mg and the new diet. She seems happy with the new foods and has put on weight in 2 days. YES! :) I am hoping to see a decrease in clumsiness over the next few days. I am checking eyes and gums maniacally. I allowed my husband to take control of the rudder while I was away over night last night and he did well. The river is flowing calmly and Coal was her sassy sweet self when I walked in the door this afternoon. Lots of sloppy kisses and a swiftly wagging tail. She seems no worse for the wear and I got a well deserved day away from home and I was blessed to spend a day working on missions with my sisters in Christ.
<3 Amy & Coal

[Vally]

Yay with the weight and it’s great you were able to get away. Ha, you must trust your husband very much to have “allowed” him to look after that rudder.

I went away for 10 days last year. My nephew, who lives across the road, was to look after all things here, which includes my 92 year old dad who lives with me and of course Bingo. He was more worried about looking after Bingo and, to be honest, there were more instructions left for Bingo’s care.

Love Vally & Bingo (who says he got lots of treats while I was away and didn’t miss me in the least)
xxx

[Vally]

Amy, just wondering how your sweet baby girl is going.

Vally & Bingo