Issues from prednisone?

[Dobbydo]

Some of you may have seen my previous posts about Dobby's sever itching. It started in February and has progressively gotten worse. We saw a dermotologist last week in April and he said he had an infection on the skin from itching so much and likely cause is grease and trees. I do see him itch more after people mow their lawn.

So we did one more round of prednisone, tapered the dose and had an antibiotic. It's been two weeks since he had the pred but I have noticed a difference in him. He's very moody! Sleeps slot, now hard to gauge the water because from day one of him coming home he has drank a ton. We always have to fill his water. So I don't think he's drinking that much more.

He is not eating as much. In fact two Saturday's ago he wouldn't eat anything. I've been trying to get him to eat an egg in the mornings which he loves and nope, won't eat them now.

So this week on Thursday he seemed to be straining to poo and then that night he had mucus come out but nothing else. So I rushed back to the vet and they wanted to do blood. Full comprehensive labs and it showed is liver enzymes were elevated. They wanted to do a ultra sound but I asked if we can see how the weekend goes as it's rather costly. Now before anyone jumps on me for saying that please know that last year my vet bills were $6000 without any surgeries. Dobby has a lot of problems and I would never without hold treatment we knew would work! They weren't sure if the ultrasound would show anything for sure but could eliminate cancers. Because I am feeling confident that it's the pred Is the only reason I asked to wait.

so thursday night, three times frday he ate chicken and rice. Ate twice today. Still hasn't pooed (I always go out with him even when healthy) so I know for sure. He doesn't seem as moody but still sleeping.

Another new thing. He seems to have had really heavy feet for the past few weeks. Now since Wednsday he holds his left back leg up. See video. YouTube - Dobbys leg

Does anyone have experience with side effects to pred? How long does it take for their system to go back to normal? Thoughts on leg? The vet did see him to do this tested his leg and didn't seem concerned about it.

Would love your thoughts!

Stats
3.5 year old male
Now at 52.4 pounds
Vet wants him on the lean side because he was malnourished as a pup and his organs are smaller.
Previous medical issues: far too many to list but we also have idiopathic head bobbing syndrome.

 

[Gatorblu]

To me your pup just doesn't look comfortable. I am wondering if he is having some kind of adominal pain and lifting his leg in response to that. I would give him a light rub down and see if he has any reaction to any spot in particular, especially on the left. The fact he is eating again is a good sign. Have you had a complete thyroid panel done on Dobby? My Thor had the head bob and once we got him on thryoid meds it has virtually disappeared.

As for the allergies, I would limit his time outside at least for the spring when the pollen count is high, and keep the windows closed. Keep a damp towel handy when he does go out and wipe hime down thoroughly from head to tail to paws when he comes in. And changed your air filter every thirty days. I've never heard of a dog being allergic to grease so I'm not sure what kind your are talking about. If it's from cooking, then quit frying and get a George Foreman Grill. If it from cooking it may not be the grease but the meat it is coming from. So the allergy may be to beef and/or chicken. I would get him on a limited ingredient food if you haven't already. As for the skin infections has your vet or dermatologist recommended any special shampoo like Malaseb (sp?)?

Back to leg, if he is still holding it up, I would get back to the vet and do the ultra sound. Believe me I understand, about the vet costs I am still paying of last year's vet bills and Thor needs another surgery. Sending lots of positive, healthy ((vibes))!

 

[Dobbydo]

Thanks Pam. Gotta love autofill. He's a llergic to grass and trees not grease .

He still hasn't pooed and leg is still up. I'm going to go in am to our regular vet. I like them so much more than the clinic with the dermatologist. I've been massaging his leg and side doesn't swarm to bother him. I know he's uncomfortable and just not himself.

I've asked numerous times about the thyroid but have been told no signs. I'm going to kindly demand it. The bobbing isn't too bad but started out of the blue last June.

Have you heard of abdominal issues from pred?

 

[Gatorblu]

Prednisone can cause several GI issues, anywhere from general discomfort to vomiting and diarrhea to ulcerations. After I did a quick search for side effects on the web it also said that pred can, if used for an extended time, cause inflammation of the joints. If I read correctly Dobby had two rounds of pred, and I don't think normally that would be considered an extended amount of time, but since he other issues it may have effected him sooner. If this is the case and your vet wants to give an NSAID like Deramaxx or Rimadyl, tell them NO! Your dog already has had elevated liver enzymes and should not be on these drugs! - Deramaxx is what led to over $9000 in vet bills last year for us. I would try fish oil (1000 mg per 20 pounds of body weight per day) and vitamin e (200 IU's). Fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory. Besides this will help with the allergies as well and would be good to give him anyway. My boy has arthritis and I have doubled his dose and it has led to me takling him off the pain med tramadol.

Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[Austin's Mom]

If he's not pooping and seems uncomfortable maybe he has a blockage.

 

[Dobbydo]

Update:

OK, news is getting worse! We went back to the vet yesterday and they did a very extensive exam. He does not correct his back paws when they put the top down on the table (like if you bent your wrist down). He walks funny, can't make a circle and turn, high pitched back, on and on. They advised to see a neurologist. Will get in tomorrow to see them.

Last night he was very uncomfortable, then at about 5AM he started pacing, smacking his chops, tremble/shake, was very cold and seemed in a fog. Vet thinks he was having mild seizures. He was dehydrated so we did an IV pack. He responded well to that I can see that he pepped up. But, clearly there are more issues. We won't want to give him anything because not sure still why the elevated liver enzyme levels. Did another blood panel today and we'll see how those look.

So, we start for allergies and here's what we get. Truth is Dobby has a lot of medical issues because of his rough start. This is only one in a line of many others. I know we'll get through this but I wonder if this poor guy will ever get a break. I hope he knows how lucky he is to have me. (OK and I'm lucky to have him too)

 

[Dobbydo]

Update

Met with the neurologist today. It was a great 2.5 hour appointment. After going through hes history and a ton of questions, thorough exam we are leaning toward addisons disease. Will beeping ultrasound and blood test within a few days to confirm.

 

[Dobbydo]

Getting Worse

Last week I posted a video of my Dobby and have spent every day at the vet since last Monday. My regular vet was very concerned about neurological problems and sent us for a neuro consult. Apparently, a very needed service in Colorado because all neuro vets were booking 1-2 weeks out. I was able to squeeze in on Wed for an appointment.

Monday night Dobby just was not doing well, I could tell his pain was close to unbearable. At 5AM he started wondering around the house and then laid down. He felt very cold to me and when I got close to lay down he seemed to be trembling and smacking his jaws. I took him back in first thing Tuesday AM and they could see he'd declined but were at an absolute loss. I asked them to give him fluids which they did and he seemed to at the least be more alert. We went home and took him to neuro on Wed.

After a 2.5 hour exam with the wonderful neuro vet she was concerned and not sure where to start. Dobby has a ton of history for a 3.5 year old. The list of possibilities seems endless. We decided to do urine analysis, schedule a ACTH Stimulus test and look towards Addison's Disease. OK, so Friday was the test and he did good through it all but went into panic when it was over. He had trouble breathing (his organs are small so if he gets worked up this can happen), turned beat red, panting, and the vet saw this. They were so worried and unsure what brought it on. They were great in working to get him calmed down but gave them even greater concern about giving him something for comfort as they aren't sure about some of his levels.

ACTH stimulus test came back negative and levels were good. So... they moved on from Addisons.

His liver enzymes are elevated, CK is WAY high at 3000, amylase is 1382 and Lipase is 819. He does have muscle wasting on his face, holding back left leg up and is having a very hard time pooing. He isn't eating well and losing a lot of wait. I have three vet offices working but they are blown away with the complications he has and are at a loss. The neuro has called in someone from CSU the university here known for their vet and exploration/research. Everyone has a long list but all say if he has this, this medication will back fire. Oh and that will be even worse. So his in pain and no diagnosis.

We are having an ultra sound done on Tuesday but no guarantee on what that will turn up. His history is so extreme. Came from a horrid breeder and It seems every time I nurse him to a healthy point a new blow is dealt to him.

So my question is has anyone on here encountered a totally off the wall, rare disease that attacks the muscles, causes pain and decreased appetite. He has always peed a lot, drank a ton of water.

Neuro said distemper could have been something he had in the four months before I got him. Breeder may have treated to a point that it sat dormant and now it's continued to attack at him and with a new illness surfaced and compounded everything.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sansal]

No advice, just wanted to send some (((positive vibes))) your way. Dobby is very lucky to have you. I hope the vets and specialists will be able to figure out what is wrong with him soon. Please keep us posted.

 

[Furface]

sorry no advice either, but reading your story is heart breaking, your poor baby and it does sound that indeed he couldn't have picked a better family to support him through all his troubles. Your both in our thoughts.