Aa
Pain
I wonder when do you know, or how do you know when your dog is in pain? What are some signs to look for? My almost 9 year old collie has been diagnosed about 6 months ago with having Lupus. and she is on a very low dose of Prednisone, which has been helping. But sometimes it seems like she is just uncomfortable and I don't know what to do, I feel so bad for her. She still eats fine, her appatite actually has increased since being on the Prednisone, and she is drinking, in my opinion a really excessive amount of water, she'll be at her water dish drinking water for like a minute straight, and she does this several times a day. I have had her tested for diabetes, and she does not have that, thank God. Is it from the medicine? Please get back as soon as you can!
Oh, and I would like to know, is she old for a collie? she is about 100lbs. (not overweight, just a big collie, had big parents) My vet says shs is at the ideal weight. I struggle sometimes with when is the right time to put her down, because she does have flare ups, and when that happens, maybe it just looks worse than it is, but it just seems like alot to have a dog go thru. I don't know. I love her so much, she is my baby!
Jax
Oh, and I would like to know, is she old for a collie? she is about 100lbs. (not overweight, just a big collie, had big parents) My vet says shs is at the ideal weight. I struggle sometimes with when is the right time to put her down, because she does have flare ups, and when that happens, maybe it just looks worse than it is, but it just seems like alot to have a dog go thru. I don't know. I love her so much, she is my baby!
Jax
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Blujax,
Sorry to hear your boy is not feeling well.
First let me say that increased thirst, appetite and urine volume are all side effects of drugs in the family known as corticosteroids. Prednisone is one such drug.
Second, you didnt specify if your dog has discoid lupus or systemic lupus. The former is much less serious than the latter. Discoid lupus is primarily a skin disease which can be usually controlled with corticosteroids or other drugs.
If your dog seems uncomfortable there may be a second problem or perhaps at 100# the present dose of prednisone is a bit light.
All that said, discoid lupus is not a disease that leads to euthanasia. Its an annoyance but not life threatening and not usually perceived as horrifically painful. There are plenty of pain relief medications available, in drug classes other then corticosteroids, that can be used for pain relief along with prednisone.
On another note, your dog was last seen 9-11-2009. In my opinion, that is a long time for a dog that is not doing well, as you describe and a situation that is leading to anxiety for you. I advise you to plan on at least every 6 month visits, more often if the dog is unstable, uncomfortable or otherwise concerning you.
If the diagnosis is discoid lupus, more can be done with other drugs either concurrently or stand alone, to make your dog look and feel better. If your doctor is not able to take this further then consider seeing a skin specialist. The credential of such a specialist veterinaran is "DACVD", Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. There may be one in your area or if not I know there is one in Madison.
Good luck and let us know how things turn out after your followups.
Sincerely,
Arnold L. Goldman DVM, MS
MedHelp & PDOC
Sorry to hear your boy is not feeling well.
First let me say that increased thirst, appetite and urine volume are all side effects of drugs in the family known as corticosteroids. Prednisone is one such drug.
Second, you didnt specify if your dog has discoid lupus or systemic lupus. The former is much less serious than the latter. Discoid lupus is primarily a skin disease which can be usually controlled with corticosteroids or other drugs.
If your dog seems uncomfortable there may be a second problem or perhaps at 100# the present dose of prednisone is a bit light.
All that said, discoid lupus is not a disease that leads to euthanasia. Its an annoyance but not life threatening and not usually perceived as horrifically painful. There are plenty of pain relief medications available, in drug classes other then corticosteroids, that can be used for pain relief along with prednisone.
On another note, your dog was last seen 9-11-2009. In my opinion, that is a long time for a dog that is not doing well, as you describe and a situation that is leading to anxiety for you. I advise you to plan on at least every 6 month visits, more often if the dog is unstable, uncomfortable or otherwise concerning you.
If the diagnosis is discoid lupus, more can be done with other drugs either concurrently or stand alone, to make your dog look and feel better. If your doctor is not able to take this further then consider seeing a skin specialist. The credential of such a specialist veterinaran is "DACVD", Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. There may be one in your area or if not I know there is one in Madison.
Good luck and let us know how things turn out after your followups.
Sincerely,
Arnold L. Goldman DVM, MS
MedHelp & PDOC
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Oops, girl, not boy! Sorry!
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