Split: Split: For Hope and Steve

[Hope]

Dried* NOT fried lol

[admin]

Hiya Hope

I think it’s quite hard for them for a while when they first stop the pred altogether. Worzel was under the weather & picky with food for about a week, then he perked up again, although I remember he was much worse when we did the first big reduction. It worries me when they don’t want to eat too – if they want snacks though, that is a good sign & he’s just being a fuss-pot – naughty boys they are!

As everyone says, keep an eye on those gums – and you know him better than anyone – you will know if he’s not quite right. If you are unsure, then go for a blood test to put you mind at rest. That was what worry guts here always did! Me – I will never lose the paranoia. Funnily enough, Worzel seems to snore an awful lot now too – maybe it’s a permanent side effect?!!! If this breathing noise continues all the time, perhaps get the vet to check it out though. Is it only when he’s sleeping? Keep us posted.

Love & hugs to your lovely stinky boys
Sheena & her lovely stinky boys xxxxx

[Hope]

Hey sheena!

His appetite has been pretty okay though he now turns his nose up at his berries and even sometimes his pumpkin yogurt — he will bite my hands off for that turkey or cheese tho lol.

It’s when he’s awake and sleeping, and it’s not just when he’s been hyper. I noticed that today– it’s sometimes when he’s just laying down and its like nasally exhalations. I tried to take a video lol

Hugs!
Xoxo hope and Steve

[Brigitte]

Hi Hope,
is it maybe reverse sneezing? Something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMwbkggmZwU

If it is, it is pretty harmless, here is a great explanation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puFXxq2Z7Bs

Best wishes,
Brigitte

[admin]

Hiya Hope

OOOOOOhhhhhh mine both LOVE cheese more than any other food! Their favourite for sure. If Steve’s appetite is fine, please try not to worry too much.

Brigitte – great videos – maybe this is the cause of the funny breathing? Load up a video of Steve if you can. I presume there is no discharge? Is there any way he could have something stuck up his nose, like a grass seed or similar? I know some dogs have breed inherited small nasal passages, but there is no reference to dalmations being one of them. Ummmm – mysterious!

Love Sheena xxxxx

[admin]

Hi Hope

Wonderful news to read Steve’s last PCV. He is a naughty boy to worry you like that, but a clever one too! I’m pleased to hear he still wants treats – I’m sure that’s a good sign, and I do wonder if stopping the pred has had an impact on his appetite. I know you will be monitoring him closely and we will keep everything crossed that he carries on doing so well.

Lots of love, Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Hi Hope and Steve, just letting you know we are checking on you both. Great to read the awesome PCV results. How’s Steve doing this week?

Sadie is a changed pup. There are so many changes and her sleeping habits are one of them too.

How’s Steve doing with the eating this week? I agree with Sheena – if he wants treats still, at least that is something. Sometimes I wonder if I just stop the treats altogether, will Sadie eat her food better? Out of hunger? Although, Sadie is STILL ravenous and a junk yard dog. Anyway – I can’t do that test. Sadie has me wrapped. As it sounds, Steve has you too! AND as all our pups/kitties here.

Keep us posted. Thinking of you both. Love and Hugs, Linda and Sadie

[hope]

Hey everyone!!

So sorry I’ve been MIA — just finished up my hardest “block” of the semester. Predictably it was a nightmare but it’s over!

Steve has been doing very excellent! He went in for a checkup about a week and a half ago and his PCV was at 49% (a little down from 51% but we’ll take it! I had a wee little panic but calmed myself down). He is now totally Pred free and his myco is down from 1/2 500mg AM + 1/4 PM to just the morning dosage. He’s due to go back in about a week and we’ll see where we are going from there. I really think that even on that low dose Pred he was on, it affected him big time. He looks great now… his gums and old man jowls that hang down from his mouth are pink and most importantly, him and his brother are driving me crazy. I come home as soon as i can after class every day and study so I can be near steve and watch him with my overly vigilant eye and him and Jeffrey have not had their listening ears on at all lately. They are terrorizing each other (and my bed) and play fighting and acting up… it’s honestly a joy to see. Matt gets mad at them but to think Steve was diagnosed five months ago and had a PCV of 15% (possibly lower — they couldn’t get his blood to stop clumping enough to count it well; one reading came back at 10%), I’ll take naughty Steve any day.
He’s definitely resuming his picky eating — i mixed wet and dry food the other day and he spit all of the dry food out at my feet and stared at me. He is not wanting his pumpkin yogurt or fruit really at all anymore.. he even spit cheese out at me. He wants chicken lol. I can’t feed him red meat but I’ve been slowly adding a little bit of chicken in daily and of course that’s what he wants. Sometimes he really does scare me because he won’t even want to get up in the morning to go to the bathroom so i’ve had to keep reminding myself to do the chicken test. Hasn’t failed yet!

Fingers crossed and much much love to everyone and the fur babies out there!
xoxo Hope and the stinkers