Vally - 12. page

[Vally]

Definately stomach issues. You’ve changed her food, maybe too quickly and she needs to get used to it.

As Patrice said, make sure this is not pancreatitis.

Feed smaller meals spread out instead of large meals.

Let us know how you go at the vets.

[Vally]

Francesca, as Patrice said, she has improved so much. They look at they’re very worse at this stage because the prednisone does so much to them.

Do as Patrice suggests and ask for Sucralfate for her stomach. It’s a great drug. It heals any damage to the stomach and protects it.

Also ask for a pancreatitis test. Its a very simple test.

Don’t worry that she can’t get on the sofa yet. You’ll be so so happy the first time you see her do it again because you’ll know she is feeling better.

Keep strong for her.

Vally

[Vally]

Francesca, can you confirm the prednisone dosage, before today, how much prednisone was she on. I understand 1 and 1/4 tablets twice a day, and today, 1 tablet twice a day? So 25% reduction? This is good – no more than 25% reduction at a time, and never reduce two different tablets at once.

I used to always find that my dog, Bingo, red bloods dropped down a little bit after a reduction, but the next time he usually picked up again. I think it was his body reacting to the change in the dosage.

I think if the disease is treated quickly, you have the best chance, so Francesca, you have done the best thing for Zhenya in getting her treated quickly.

Vally

[Vally]

Francesca, this is all normal. Prednisone gives them a huge appetite and they drink heaps of water. They absolutely do lose muscle mass though, so that’s why she has trouble jumping in the car. It’s better to keep her a bit quiet too for now.

When the prednisone is reduced (and do it slowly), you’ll see that her appetite will go back to normal and she’ll slowly start to put back on the muscle she’s lost.

In the early days, they look so very terrible and this is the drugs, but they are necessary.

[Vally]

Is she eating okay now?

[Vally]

Hi Francesca, I’m sorry Zhenya is not well right now.

How is Zhenya eating? The high dose prednisone does have a lots of serious side effects, incuding loss of muscle mass, but right the drug is very important.

Here is the glossary item on prednisone
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone

Feed her good quality high protein (low fat) foods. We recommend Dr Jean’s liver cleansing diet. See the first article here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/nutrition-resources

I’ll ask Patrice, the site owner to have a look at the test results. She’s very good at understanding and explaining them.

Ask anything.

Vally

[Vally]

Thanks for the update Allison. Pickles is definitely sounding better. Good luck with the next appointment.

Vally

[Vally]

Oh I am so so happy and doing the Happy Dance.

Coco, you are one very very clever girl. You mum and dad are pretty hot too.

xxx