CIMDA

Good luck Jan, I'll keep you in my thoughts & prayers 

Brought tears to my eyes to, I was rescued once by my Molly - forever in my heart

Months after bringing her home I learned her birthday & received her papers from the breeder after tracing her by her ear tattoo; several years later I realised she was born on the 20th anniversary of my parents auctioning items from our sold sheep & cattle property, items that we couldn't take with us - including my six year old dog "Beatle" (I was nine).  Molly was six years old when I found her in the RSPCA.  I chose to believe that love crosses all boundaries, even death and this girl came "back" to me. 

A black dog (probably Border x Belgian) & a "stay black" Beardie, although Molly was clipped off when I found her.  My mother used to laugh at Beatle because he had "six white hairs on his chest", funnily enough she used to laugh at Molly because she had "six white hairs on her tail" (tip), & that was before I found any information on her.

Another funny coincidence was our sheep dogs at "home" were Boxer, Badger & Beatle (all named by different members of the family), I ended up with Molly, Morgan & Merlin however I only named Beatle & Morgan.  Paige's show name is Movie Star & Grace's nickname is Muscles.

I agree, they definitely know it's happened again poor dears 

Shannon, could you try a "Thunda Shirt" for Cooper; they work wonderfully for my girls in thunder storms but really can be used in any stressful situation.  I had one for my Merlin who had Typical Addison's which was used for trips to the vet in addition to thunder storms.  You can also rig up something yourself from an old T shirt, it just needs to fit snuggly around the chest and works the same as swaddling on a baby, like being held 

It's not the outcome I would have wished for you & Stella but you do know what you are dealing with now & that's a head start.  When my girl went through this the second time she needed to be on the initial high dose for a month before reductions began as her bone marrow was very sluggish, and later in the treatment developed pancreatitis after I unwittingly made changes to her diet - so remember to keep the fat content in her food down to no more than 10% if you can (some manufactured dog foods are around 30% fat).
Prayers & hugs for you both (& Egypt) from Oz

Prayers & fingers crossed here for you Stella

Hugs from Oz

Hi Elisabeth,

I don't have any experience with GSD's or HD & I'm very sorry to read Stella is having some sort of muscular or joint problem; I hope Jo is around, she may have some ideas. 

Hugs

Hi Christina,

The normal ranges for RBC (red blood cell count) are 5.5 - 8.5 here & most likely where you are based on your vets comment.  As she is just under the normal range you may find that reducing the pred may actually help Holly & her results; she has been on a high dose for to long I feel.

Reference range from: http://www.bichonfriseusa.com/caninebloodwork.htm
There should be a group file with explanations somewhere to

Hugs from Oz

Hi Christina,
Can you get the last red blood count results from your vet; it will be listed as hct - haematocrit or pcv - packed cell volumn.  If Holly has been on pred since the beginning of July she really needs a reduction & it is not always necessary for a dog to be completely within range before reducing the meds; just on the way.

Hugs

Hi Elizabeth,
I hope you had a great trip away; Stella will be pleased you are back though, I'm sure   
Most of your supplements look fine to me, JD will have given you great advice and she knows her stuff. I don't know what shwagandha is.  Dandelion leaf is high in potassium - I used it for my boy that had heart issues, dandelion root has other properties which I'd have to look up.  Ironically I had an Addison's boy at the same time, one boy needed potassium & no salt (heart), the other needed salt & no potassium (Addison's)

It could be that she has developed (hopefully mild) pancreatitis or other ailment.  Have you made any changes to her diet recently?  When was Rosie's last pred reduction and by how much was it reduced?

Hugs

So sorry Ian,

Tears & hugs from Oz

When my girl was ill with AIHA I was advised by Jan eminent specialist to give her a haematinic (iron & mineral supplement), particularly as hers was non-regenerative (affecting the bone marrow) and she needed a kick start.  It certainly helped and I have no problem with the careful, considered use of supplements.  Follow your gut instinct Ian.

Hugs

Good luck Gail, it does sound like a dietary problem may be a factor, at the very least.  I wonder if the reverse sneezing and coughing is because the mucus is drying up?

Hugs and keeping you all in my thoughts

Quite often in the lines carrying A.I. diseases (e.g. Addison's) there is a predisposition to hypothyroidism also, it is a distinct possibility.  As for the bloating, that is quite odd; the pred reduces her belly size but she has an enlarged liver, indicating Iatrogenic (drug induced) Cushings.  Your dog may have a food intolerance of some kind but you really do need to treat the cushings as well, this is best done by reducing the pred.

Hugs

And again, Well done Ian!

Hugs from Oz