We switched Belle from metacam to tramadol (due to her kidney function), but this didn't agree with her at all, it made her back legs sink slowly to the floor. This happened an hour or so after each dose. I rang the vet after the second one. Different vet to the one we saw..he looked at her bloods & said she needs to come in again. We saw yet another vet, who was very frank with me. Her kidneys are her major issue. She has anaemia - he says probably due to the toxins in her which also can cause pain. He said we have nothing to lose in trying a fairly high dose steroid, that this CAN help with red blood cell production, it CAN help with pain and if it doesn't then she has reached the end. So she is now on Royal Canin Renal (crikey it's expensive!) - she eats wet food only, fussy madam. (seems to like it) She is taking 25mg prednisolone twice a day - we go back for bloods in 10 days or so to see if her red cell count is increasing. I just want her to be comfortable, I am coming to terms with it being her last days/weeks, but still - it's so sad.
Aww I'm so sorry xx it's so hard nursing them through to the end. I had similar issue last year with my old girlie , and like yourself many vet visits , meds etc to keep her comfortable . It was all we could do for her . Belle has you to make sure she's comfortable and lots of love to see her through . Big hugs to you and belle xxxxx
I am so sorry to read your post, I am sure we all feel deeply for you. Prednisolone will help to make her feel so much more comfortable and the renal diet will also help. Belle 'might' have got used to Tramadol, my GSP was put on Phenobarbitone when he developed epilepsy and for the first few days he just fell over, it took about ten days for his body to get used to it and then you would never think he was on a drug.
So sorry to read about the problems with Belle, everything crossed that the new diet and drugs have a positive effect. Try not to feel sad, so difficult I know when we love our dogs,but try to enjoy each and every day you have with her xx
Can they not give IV iron to increase her ferritin levels? I know this is commonplace when treating renal failure in humans.
Really sorry to hear about poor Belle - it's so hard for you. I hope the steroids can help and that you can enjoy life together for however long is possible.
That's tough. I bet you had to compose yourself just to safely drive home after hearing that. Our Whisper was on Prednisone for pain (after attacks by two teams of huskies) for about 7 years. Not as high a dose but she had no side effects, no extra drinking, no extra peeing. She did have liver failure, at age 14.5 when she might have had it anyway. Good thoughts for you and Belle.
Sorry to hear about Belle. I hope the steroids and the new diet will help her to enjoy the rest of her life, however much time you have left together. Cherish every day and take each day/week/month as a special gift. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. X
Ah Sue - this is a bitter-sweet time. Bitter because of course these are the last days, weeks or months you'll spend with your girl - but also sweet for that very reason. Cherish her, and your time together. Thinking of you.
Oh Sue I am so sorry to hear about Belle, how is she today? It's a very tough time for you, spend your time being with her to make the most of whatever time you have left with your girl. Thinking of you all xxx
She appears quite chipper today. She did pant a lot during the night. Thankfully, the temperature has dropped to a more comfortable level, and we have had some rain - she was struggling with the heat. Luckily, she is eating her new food fine, and taking the steroids with it.
I'm so sorry to hear about what you're going through. I am thinking of you and Belle, and glad to hear she is quite chipper today.
