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Dex update

Started by Ros, April 15, 2013, 09:10:35 PM

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Ros

Hello everyone, sorry for being away from the forum for a while.  Have recently had (the third!) operation on my knee so got sidetracked a bit.  No excuse really :-[

We have been plodding on with Dex on a reducing pred regime.  He was unwell for a while with a gut infection, first lot of antibiotics didn't work, and it was a couple of weeks before campylobacter was finally diagnosed from a poo sample, so he got quite run down and lost weight he couldn't afford to lose, poor little chap, he was a skeleton with skin on for a while.  Anyway, once he was on the right anitbiotics things started to improve a lot for him, particularly as the vet had made a big reduction to hiis preds to allow his body to fight the infection.  He was reduced to 10mgs daily, and is still on that dose for what will be 4 weeks in total, with no signs (touch wood) of relapse. 

At this dose Dex is back to his normal lively (naughty) self.  But I'd rather have the dog who: -  scraggs the other dogs at gundog training (specially Chris's darling little cocker - sorry Chris), tries to bite the heads off my kittens, pulls Bonnie around by the collar, and humps everything with 4 legs..........any day,  over the poor miserable, lethargic puppy that was Dex a couple of months ago............ :P

I just wish he would grow some hair to cover the bald patches from where he had his spinal taps.  I suppose even on this lower dose the preds are still inhibiting hair growth.  Oh well, small price to pay.........I'll have to get him a wig  ;D

Dex is due another pred reduction next week, and then I should think there won't be another one for a while.  We are going to Scotland for 3 weeks in June and taking the dogs, so it would make sense to keep him on a low dose at least until we get back, wouldn't want to risk a relapse when we're away.  So I don't think I'll be doing the scary stopping the preds thing for quite a while yet. I've made contact with a vet in Inverness, and registered Dex.  They have contacted my vet for his history, so if anything needs attention while we're away, they're up to speed.

Once again, I'd like to thank everybody who has supported my while Dex has been poorly, it makes such a difference.  And especially Chris, who is here to give practical as well as moral support.

I'll only update if anything changes, you've got enough poorlies to keep you busy.

Thank you................... :)

Happiness is a wet retriever

Jo CIMDA

Hi Ros

That's really good news and I hope you are recovering well too.

I don't know what reduction your vet is intending to make but perhaps going to 5mg per day for the next two to three weeks+ would be a good idea and then go 5mg every other day.  Taking it slow at this stage is no big deal and it might just give you a better outcome in the future.  When Dex is on EOD preds you will see a big difference in his demeanor and eventually his coat will start to improve.  You think he is better now - you still have a lot to look forward to. 

When I have a dog on steroids and I'm going on holiday I always ask my vet for a broad spectrum antibiotic to take with me (just in case).

Jo 

goldiepower

He is looking great Ros, good to see him being naughty  ;D

Chris & the Golden Boys
Qui me amat, amat canem meum

Penel CIMDA moderator

Hi Ros,
Thanks for updating us, sounds like Dex is doing really well.  I hope you recover well too, and you all have a good holiday.
Penel
(SLE, Surrey - UK)
Forum Owner
CIMDA

Ros

#4
Yes Jo the plan is a slow reduction now.  in a few days (next Wednesday) he'll go to 7.5mgs for 4 weeks then drop to 5mgs od.  This will take us to just after the holiday.  So I should imagine we'll be starting to go to eod when we get back.  I'll look forward to that. He's quite bonkers now, if he gets any more bonkers I'm going to need spikes in my boots to stop him from pulling me over!!!!

Ros
Happiness is a wet retriever

goldiepower

Quote from: Ros on April 27, 2013, 12:08:22 PM
He's quite bonkers now, if he gets any more bonkers I'm going to need spikes in my boots to stop him from pulling me over!!!!

I'll have him!!!  ;D

Chris & the Golden Boys (and token spaniel)
Qui me amat, amat canem meum

Jo CIMDA

Quote from: Ros on April 27, 2013, 12:08:22 PM
He's quite bonkers now, if he gets any more bonkers I'm going to need spikes in my boots to stop him from pulling me over!!!!

That is so lovely to read.  We all look forward to the time when they are bonkers again.

Jo

goldiepower

Quote from: Jo CIMDA on April 28, 2013, 02:23:53 PM
[That is so lovely to read.  We all look forward to the time when they are bonkers again.

I can vouch for it! He was so funny at gundog training this morning, he broke his stays to come to the other end of the field to see my Billy and later he broke another lot of stays to come for a cuddle with his favourite Auntie while I was clearing away the poo bags  ;D

Okay, so we take them to training and expect them to learn to behave, but when a dog has been so sick it is wonderful to see them being naughty like that  ;)

Chris & the Golden Boys
Qui me amat, amat canem meum