Snowie

[Joy]

I'm sorry poor Snowie has been through such a rotten period with his skin, but it's great the prednisone is helping. I suspect that if you experiment you may be able to find a lower dose that still keeps his skin ok but isn't enough to create all the other problems. My last dog had skin problems for much of his life and prednisone was the only thing that worked, but it only took a very low dose for very short periods to do the trick as long as I watched him like a hawk and started it as soon as there was any sign of itching.

 

[M.F.]

Vet visit today because Snowie’s limp wasn’t getting better. Saw our regular vet.

He suggested it’s an infection. He pinpointed exactly where the problem is—right front paw just above the inside toe. When he pressed it hard, Snowie pulled away. He said it was swollen (we could see) and that when pressed, it remained indented indicating cellulitis. He didn’t think there was a broken bone; said Snowie would not be able to put any weight on it at all.

Course of antibiotics. Said we must nip the infection in the bud otherwise can get out of control.

Said that possibly the high dose of steroids left Snowie open to an opportunistic infection. (I wonder if the leaping off the table caused a small internal injury which became infected. I only thought of this after we’d left the vet.) Said with Snowie’s history of prostate infection, need to be very careful of future infections. Said he prefers Cytopoint for this reason, and only use steroids infrequently and at very low dose when Cytopoint is wearing off at month end.

Sigh. Different vets, different opinions. But he does know Snowie, and his reasoning appeared sound.

So, this week: antibiotics and tramadol (opiate for pain). Plus 1 tab prednisone per day (or even lower, aiming for the lowest dose Snowie can manage to keep itch-free). Also, 3/4 paracetamol tablet twice a day; this can be ongoing for the rest of Snowie’s life.

Back next week Monday to reassess. If all going well, Cytopoint injection and no steroids. Keep steroids to use only in last week of month if Cytopoint wearing off.

He said this September has been the worst month for itchy dogs. He ran out of Cytopoint twice.

Regardless, Snowie loved his vet visit. The receptionist commented on how happy he is.

 

[M.F.]

I must say, my heart is sinking a bit about giving antibiotics given the mess we dealt with last year with antibiotics. Our vet talks about treating along “first principles”. I guess a methodology where you first try one treatment to rule out something, then if it doesn’t work, try the next thing. And first try non-invasive before the next thing. And work through specific types of treatments.

The last time he stuck a needle into Snowie to test a lump, Snowie erupted into a raging infection that took 3 months to resolve. So I wasn’t pushing him to test this swelling for infection.

But now that I think about it: Snowie jumped off a table. It’s obvious he’d injure himself and he’d have a swelling. But it turned septic? The vet reckoned the pain was from an infection. I wish I could dial back the time and ask more questions.

I guess I could tomorrow.

 

[Jacqui-S]

I guess I could tomorrow.

I think you should.
You won't be happy until you do, not unreasonably so.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

What a roller coaster and all the (sometimes opposing) opinions. It’s got to be stressing you out something fierce.

I keep coming back to seemingly no matter what, Snowie is a happy guy. You protect him and he is happy. That’s priceless. Yes, sometimes he feels worse, sometimes better, but he just still seems happy - he knows you’ve got his back. You are a Mama Lady par excellence.