New to AIHA, dog in trouble

[Tamara]

So happy to hear how well Brandy is doing, and that she’s eating well and has gained back weight!! Well done both of you!
hugs,
tamara and ashki xoxox

[Rick]

Brandy Update:
PCV = 40. She is eating very well and her energy is back to normal. Other than the pred symptoms she is back, baby!

Her gum color has also significantly improved.

I met with the Internal Medicine specialist today. She is happy with the consistently rising PCV though she is concerned about muscle wasting.
Even though Brandy has been eating really well since Sunday she actually lost weight. Her hind legs are becoming very skinny.
I didn’t want to increase her food too quickly in case it upset her stomach again, but today she got an extra 1/2 cup of her food (and ate it all).

Starting tonight I reduced her Pred from 15mg twice per day to 15mg in the morning and 7.5 mg in the evening. Everything else will stay the same until we’re sure she isn’t having stomach issues. If no issues I will halt the Metoclopramide while keeping Prilosec and Sulcrate.

The past couple of days has been strange for me. I haven’t had to worry about how to get food and pills in her and I keep thinking there is something I should be doing.
On the plus side I did walk around with a big smile on my face for most of the day.
Rick

[Tamara]

What wonderful wonderful news! I’m so happy for you and for dear Brandy. I was so worried too about the pred side effects, including the muscle wasting because Ashki is severely dysplastic (hips) and that was at least a piece of the kidney problems we’ve been having.
Celebrate! And cherish every moment —
hugs –
tamara and ashki

[admin]

Hi rick,
I was so happy to read your good news this morning! Yes, reason to celebrate with Brandy! I really like the way you do the prednisone reduction and still keep the stomach protection. I am sure once you can reduce even more the side effects will disappear and you will see a big change in Brandy. She must feel so much better now that she has an appetite. Keep that smile on your face, we are smiling with you!

Best wishes,
Brigitte

[Vally]

Rick, yes it’s a good pred reduction. Even though it’s a slow reduction, it’s much safer. Brandy is obviously feeling good. You’ve done so well.

Love Vally & Bingo.

[Rick]

Well, today was a bit of a challenge.
Brandy reverted back to only eating a small amount at a time. She also stopped the heavy drinking for most of the day, and I’m guessing both are attributable to the reduced Pred.

Is this expected?

Her energy is still good and her tail was up all day, though she is really too thin to stop eating.

It is now 6:30pm and she is much more alert and interested in food. I just gave her almost a full meal of dry food and she ate it all. I’m hoping we’re back again and tomorrow will be more ‘normal’.
Rick

[Vally]

Rick, I always noticed a bit of a difference in the first few days. I think they do it on purpose to keep you on your toes. It usually did seem to settle down and go back to normal fairly quickly, from memory. I also found with blood tests, quite often the first PCV after a pred drop, went down a bit. Again to make sure you have something to worry about, just in case things were getting too comfortable.

Hope you have a more “normal” day tomorrow too.

Love Vally

[Rick]

Well, not better today.
Now she is refusing soft food, making it even more difficult to get her pills in. Energy level is also lower.
Her stomach is making a lot of noise which doesn’t happen when she is happy.
If it doesn’t improve this afternoon we’ll be going back to the vet.