Sunny

[maura]

Hi everyone,
So far today has been ok, fair and some good like the barking and getting up. Hopefully with the reduction in prednisone , the hind leg weakness will improve a bit.

I obviously did not realize how tired I am because I looked in the mirror and my shirt was on inside out.
This disease really hits a family hard. So tonight I am trying to sleep and let Sunny sleep and I told my husband and daughter to listen if I am the deep sleeper tonight.
I will keep you posted and I can’t thank all of you enough for this support.
–Maura & Sunny

[Vally]

Maura, yes it does hit everyone so very hard. The reduction in prednisone will help with the legs, but again, nothing happens instantly. You’ll see gradual improvement.

Sleep well.

Vally & Bingo

[admin]

Glad to hear that Sunny is barking! Sounds like an improvement – and I really hope you are having a deep sleep while I am writing this…… you all need to rest. Keep us posted

Lynda

[admin]

Hi Maura
Hope you can get some rest now. Little improvements mean such a lot – I actually think this is a big improvement. Keep it going Sunny girl!
Sheena xxxx

[maura]

Hi ALL
I did get some sleep. Sunny is doing the same today : mostly laying and sleeping. She does not seem in pain. Her panting comes and goes. She is on so many meds that she can’t feel well.
I am hoping she starts to become regenerative. My question is for those of you who have had dogs go from non-regenerative to regenerative : what does it appear like in dog terms -what will she do?
Also if she does not regenerate , this transfusion has 14 days of power–what will happen after that?
In the beginning I thought 2 transfusions seems hopeless but now I am thinking it may take more and I will do it if it could work. The nice Dr said she has had dogs get many and not ever recover and dogs get many and DO recover. The dilemma is big in my mind.
I go back to work in my part time job first week of Sept.
It is supposed to be 86 degrees here in western NY -luckily we have air. Because even when Sunny was well , she would resist walk if over 78 degrees. I call her my mountain dog because her breed comes from Tibet. In ancient China they were called royal foot warmers.
I will keep you posted.
–Maura

[admin]

Hi Maura – glad to hear you (and Sunny) got some sleep. There are no golden rules about time after transfusion. She might do well for even three weeks, but it could be less. We had 8 or 9 transfusions with Honey, and found that sometimes, she would do really well after them, but others she seemed to react badly to – in that case, the next transfusion was quicker. So make sure that you get your vet to take another blood test pretty soon to check on her PCV. And yes, some dogs do seem to recover even from being non-regenerative (and there is no prediction as to how long that can take), but some do not. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing except by constant monitoring of her blood, and her behaviour.
The dilemma is a huge one: each transfusion puts them through a lot of stress, and the financial costs are considerable. I am really hoping for your sake that Sunny starts to respond soon, and you get some recovery.
But in the meantime, it sounds like you are doing everything you need to do – keeping a close eye on her, and sending her loads of love. That is the most important thing in the world.
Hope to hear some better news soon,
Lynda

[maura]

Hi everyone
Sunny had a fair day. Not as good as yesterday in terms of spunk. I mostly have stayed home since Aug 12 and that is probably very mentally unhealthy for me. I just don’t know how to get back into life–but with my daughter’s 8th grade year beginning and my part time job , I have no choice but to leave Sunny home and I go off. I always loved to tell people I work part time but I am a full time dog momma. I can’t begin to get my thoughts down this road , it is not helpful.
I just see no real difference in her behavior. Her breathing seems at times uncomfortable to her. She is on so many meds. Just gave her the atopica on an empty stomach. That is NOT easy to do.
The night is here again and they are the worst for me. It gets silent in the house and I am here to watch Sunny and her struggle.
I noted the quote by Gandhi on this page about serving others, and I thank everyone–I see there are now 86 posts for Sunny and I. Thank you.
Maura & Sunny

[Vally]

Maura, it will take a while for the meds to work and you won’t see an improvement immediately. For us it was the cyclosporine (Atopica) that turned things around for Bingo, but that takes time to start working. While Sunny is on the high dose pred, she won’t be feeling good. Little things are what’s important. Is she eating okay? Those occasional barks, a little tail wag. That sort of thing.

When does she get checked again? In the early days, it’s a good idea to have the blood checked fairly often. Bingo was having his PCV checked 3 times a week to start with. Can you take Sunny to your local vets for this – there’s no need to go to the specialists to do this.

Also if you like, post a list of your meds and the times you give them and I’ll be happy to make up a chart for you.

It will be scary going back to work, but it will probably be good for all of you to go back to school/work and get back out in the world.

Love Vallly