My dog's not doing well

[CliffordK]

The plan is to continue with the prednisone and add some iron to his diet too, and they'll check the blood again in 2 weeks. If for any reason he looks worse, then an immediate return to the vet.

Glad things are looking better.

I was going to say, Iron for anemia, and Vitamin K for bleeding and platelets.

Good Luck

 

[gsganzer]

Glad things are looking better.

I was going to say, Iron for anemia, and Vitamin K for bleeding and platelets.

Good Luck

I ordered some iron+ medication for him today that is made to support anemic dogs. Fingers crossed.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I'm very sorry to hear of this. Hoping for the best.
Any way you can put your trip off for a month?

 

[gsganzer]

I'm very sorry to hear of this. Hoping for the best.
Any way you can put your trip off for a month?

Nope. Flying out at 11:30 am tomorrow. I spent as much time as I could with him today. He got to eat steak, cheese, venison sausage and a pig ear. Then he took a nap with me in my chair.

It was a good day for both of us.

 

[gsganzer]

Got some good news from home today. My wife took Mason to the Vet yesterday to get his blood checked and his platelets were back in range. It was the low end of the range but a vast improvement from a week or so ago. The prednisone has been working. He still lost 1/2lb of weight, but he's been eating and drinking well.

They'll keep going with the current treatment and check the bloodwork in another week. Once everything is to their liking, they'll try to wean him off the steroids and see if he can hold his own.

I should finish my job in a week and then I can head home to see my little buddy. I wouldn't mind seeing my wife and kids too.

 

[Jstpssng]

Good news! Prednisone is nasty stuff but sometimes it's the proper tool for the job. I've had to use it several times. Weaning them off is a slow process, I beluve it takes about a week

 

[oosik]

Thanks for the update - gsganzer. We all know how you feel for your little buddy. Great news!!

 

[ponytug]

Good news! Prednisone is nasty stuff but sometimes it's the proper tool for the job. I've had to use it several times. Weaning them off is a slow process, I beluve it takes about a week

The dose reduction to zero takes a week or more, but the (side) effects can linger for a year or more.

A doc once commented to me that prednisone will make a dying man walk. It is a potent drug, but if it is needed, it is needed.

@gsganzer I'm glad that your dog is doing better and I hope his recovery continues without any issues.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Hay Dude]

This is good news and we need some !
Great group of people supporting one another.

 

[gsganzer]

Thanks for the update - gsganzer. We all know how you feel for your little buddy. Great news!!

Dogs are funny with their own unique personalities. My last dog, Dually, was a yellow lab that was the alpha dog of the entire neighborhood. He roamed free with every single neighbors blessing and encouragement. When the ladies of the neighborhood would go for walks, they went by our house so he'd walk with them and make them feel safe. If the neighborhood kids were out playing, he would be within eyesight of them. He was a 100% outdoor dog until the end. He hated to be in the house for even 5 minutes, because he couldn't keep eye on his kingdom. When you looked at an aerial photo of our neighborhood, you could see his trail in the grass from house to house. When he was failing in his final days, I told one of the neighbors I would probably be putting him down the next day. Every single neighbor showed up at my door that evening to give him one last pet and thank him for all the years of being "Their dog". As much as I knew he was my dog (and he knew we were his family), he was never clingy or affectionate. No licking your hand or such. If you laid next to him, he got uncomfortable and stood up. He was a guys dog and not a softy in any way.

Mason is the other way around. He absolutely lets me know his entire universe revolves around me. If I move to another room, he follows me. When I come home from a trip, he's so excited he cries and whimpers when I pet him and licks my hand or face uncontrollably. If I reprimand him, he sulks for hours, fearing he failed me. He's different from any other dog I've had. As the only male in the house (wife and daughters), it's nice to have my own little buddy that chums around doing yard chores or running around town doing errands with me. I'm glad he's getting better.