My German Shepherd just diagnosed with AIHA, help!

[Sara]

Oh My gosh Desiree…. what GREAT news !!!

I couldn’t be happier for Kiki and you ! So glad to see she is responding so quickly …

Just amazing !

Keep up the Good Work !

Sara and Flossie

[Sheena]

That is the best news, Desiree – everything that should go up is going up & everything that should be coming down is coming down! You must be very happy – as am I to read the good news

Sheena & Worzel

[Vally]

Desiree, this is fabulous news. Well done Kiki. Deserves a celebration !!!

Vally
xxx

[Desiree]

Yes, I’m just so excited and overjoyed. In the first week, I just knew Kiki was not going to make it. You guys have truly been awesome. We couldn’t have done it without you all! I told my vet about this site, and he was very interested and pleased to learn of it, and find where I found all my information from. I hope he starts referring this site to other doggies with AIHA!

Fingers crossed that Kiki continues his recover, and in two weeks we hear another good report! :)

[Desiree]

Hello everyone,

There has been a new development, and I’d like to get some advice on it. Kiki is having trouble walking, and his muscles just seem very weak now. He can no longer do stairs comfortably. He has trouble standing up on wood or tile floors (and only slightly less trouble on carpet). Since he still needs to potty so frequently, it’s’ very hard for him to make the trips outside.

We called our vet, and he said that muscle weakness is one of the symptoms with his treatment, and that he will eventually get better and steadier once he starts coming off the meds.

Is this normal or expected, and is there anything that I can do to prevent this or slow it down? Will it keep getting worse, or will it level off?

Other than his walking, he seems so much better now than he was last month. He eats and sleeps and tries to follow me around the house again. But it’s hard for him to get up now, and his back legs seem not to be working as well as they should be.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone!

Desiree

[Sara]

Hi Desiree, You’re vet is correct muscle weakness is a side effect of the meds especially the steroids.

Flossie had weakness and could no longer jump on or off the bed. couch, chair .. and we didn’t do stairs and If I had to I carried all 65lbs of her (boy did I get a workout). She also had muscle wasting in her face ..she started looking gaunt and the bone structure of her face was protruding. Yes the good news is when meds reduce that does go away and things return to normal.

We didn’t have to worry about slippery floors as we were on carpet .. and I do believe some dogs can get worse than others .. anyhow what about some of the doggie shoes that have grips on the bottom ? just a thought that might help.

Flossies weakness in legs and body in the beginning caused her to have indoor accidents where she just didn’t get up and urinated all over herself. So I ended up getting doggy potty pads and tucking them under her while she slept or rested in case she didn’t tell me in time she had to go potty. And at that point I was taking her out every 2 to 3 hours because the meds were making her go so much.

Flossie got sick while we were inbetween homes in a motel .. so I ended up buying a wagon and literally picked her up and put her in wheeled her down to potty and back up it felt like 50 times a day .. for a few months time. The stair carrying came in when the elevator was down .. 2 flights up and down.

Well all that to say that it is normal to have this happen .. as far as meds and dosing and reducing Vally,Sheena and Patrice are the 3 that will know what to do there if anything right now.

Take care and know you and Kiki are not alone .. we’ve all walked this path.

Sara and Flossie.

[Sheena]

Hi Desiree

Sara is absolutely right – we have all been through this stage of weakness & wobbles because of the prednisone. Pred is catabolic which means it diminishes muscles. I saw the photos of Flossie in her trolley – great idea of Sara’s to get some non slip booties for Kiki. Have a look at the side effects here:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone/

Worzel was in an awful state too – so weak & no longer able to jump on furniture. Being a couch potato (lazy greyhound) he found this upsetting. We lifted him on & off the settee/ bed too! He looked awful -skeletal – just as wobbly as Sara described Flossie. His legs quivered horribly when he squatted for a poo, so I held his thighs – the things we do for love! So know you are not alone – pretty much every dog gets like this & when you can eventually reduce the pred (Kiki must be in normal range for a few weeks before reduction can start) you will be surprised how quickly their muscles come back.

So, hang on in there & help Kiki to get up etc. if needed. I imagine Kiki weighs a lot more than my Worzel (23kgs) & it will be hard for you. There is nothing you can do to prevent this muscle loss, but giving a healthy nutritious good protein diet can only help.

Sheena & Worzel

[Vally]

Just as the others have said. Yes we’ve all been through it. I know you mentioned Kiki is not much better on carpet but I found extra rugs and runners all over the place helped Bingo. On linoleum, his legs just split out from under him.

I saw this really good simple idea which would be good for bigger dogs to help them walk, say outside to wee. I know you can get proper support slings but this was a fabric shopping bag with the side panels cut out, so the bag opens flat. The bag goes under the body of the dog and you use the handles to help walk. I can find a photo of it if you like.

Vally
Xxx