LB back n the hospital

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Wow, that is a really high dose of pred!!

P-Nut is on pred (but a much lower dose), chlorambucil (a chemo drug and immunosuppressive) and Cyclosporine (Atopica - also a chemo and immunosuppressive) and fludrocortisone (for Addison's Disease). She is also on Royal Canin hydrolyzed, as she would not eat the Hills Z/D.

She was at the vet today for her weekly bloodwork and her albumin level was 1.7. The pred is really hard on them though. Her hair has stopped growing and she has that distinctive "pred head" that dogs on long term steroids get....and she is only getting 5 mg a day, not 20 like Riley. Iatrogenic Cushings is a hazard of long term pred use. You might ask them to try budesonide, a steroid that targets the GI tract, but leaves the rest of the body relatively unscathed. It is expensive, but if she has trouble with the high dose long term pred it may be a good alternative. Also you will notice she will pee nearly constantly....becoming almost incontinent - side effect of the pred. Keep her far away from dog parks or neighborhood dogs, her immune system is severely compromised.

Another problem we have with P-Nut is she is a notorious poop eater. With 14 dogs, many of whom are incontinent, it is nearly impossible to keep her from snacking on butt nuggets when you turn your back. I would have to keep her crated 24/7 and even then she eats her own as soon as it comes out if she possibly can... Since the other dogs don't get the hydrolyzed food, I'm sure it affects her.

Hoping so much that this works for LB and she does not react badly to the long term high dose steroids. Give her a wrinkle rub for me. I am very glad it is not intestinal lymphoma, but am sorry you will be dealing with this chronic disease. Hoping for her it is easily managed and she does not have flares.

Take care,
Lisa

[shaynapug]

So good to see you both looking so good!!!!

I'm so glad that she's home with you! I don't know about the meds! I know that one of the girls that I bred .....my mind just drew a blank what it's called! Became severely anemic after a shot! She was at the vet for 4 days....on high doses of pred, AZT, and antibiotics.......Was on the pred for at least a month if not 2 or 3. weekly blood tests...and was eventually weaned from the meds and is doing fine!
She was only a year old.....and is now 8!

Mega Pug hugs to you both!!! Happy Dance going on here!

[babyroni]

So happy to see you two reunited! Take good care of yourself and that little sweetie pie too.

[freak]

LB has more energy and seems more like a pug than ever, jumping around wanting to play, its amazing the difference.
Great to have my little side kick back :)

[Lu Ci and Ri Ki]

Very, very good news!

[ODemPugz]

Sending hopeful prayers for speedy diagnosis and recovery!

[freak]

Just got back from a follow up visit at the hospitol, lb's overall protein is already up from 3.0 to 5.0 will know the other number tomorrow.
She is also getting a shot of b12 once a week for 6 weeks. Doc is very happy with her progress, her weight is great 15.6 pounds. In the 3 years we have had her she has never had this much energy, its like shes 2 years old :)

[myboysRmylife]

That is such awesome news, Freak! Keep up the good work, LB =)

[shaynapug]

That's so exciting! When I read the topic of this thread, my heart dropped to my stomach til I saw the date!!!!

[Lu Ci and Ri Ki]

So glad to see an update - I have been wondering about you both. Wonderful news about LB! How are you doing, Ed?