relapse?

So, Scout was totally off prednisone for a week and was doing great. We thought her battle with polyarthritis was behind us. But then two days ago, some of the symptoms returned--she went lame in her back left leg, got really stiff and lethargic, her nose started dripping like a faucet. It was quite upsetting. So, I put her back on a very low dose of pred (2 1.2 mg.) and gave her some pain medication. She limped most of the day yesterday, but seems a little better today.

Greg and I wonder if stress didn't set the condition off again (I've read that can happen). We've had good weather--and open doors--the past few days and Scout has been driven nuts by the sounds of spring--the neighbor boy bouncing his basketball in the street, school busses and UPS trucks driving by, even occasional fireworks. Those innocent noises make Scout crazy--she paces and circles frantically for hours on end.

Keep praying and I'll keep you posted. I'm praying she'll be recovered enough to do the Extreme hike in the Gorge this weekend.

Weaned?

Well, this is the fifth day that Scout has been off prednisone! She seems to be doing pretty well, no real symptoms of relapse rearing their ugly heads. I watch her like a hawk, of course, determined not to let that terrible disease take hold of her again. I can truly say that Scout's illness was one of the more stressful events of the past decade . . .

I have a feeling that she'll always be a bit on the fragile side. She's done with vaccinations and we'll try to keep her stressors to a minimum. To me, Scout seems a lot older than her actual 2 1/2 years.

I'm a little stressed about what to do with her when we go to AK for two weeks this summer. We'll be gone over the 4th of July, which is really a bad day for Scout. We live in a neighborhood that shoots off loud and illegal fireworks for weeks before and after the holiday, terrorizing my poor dog. I'm trying to decide if I should kennel her while we are gone or get someone to housesit and stay close to her during the 4th festivities.

Any suggestions?

Mud puppy

Well, Scout participated in her first Extreme Women's event since she got sick today! Yippee skippee!
It was just me, Marissa and Scout, but we hiked to the top of Multnomah Falls in a steady drizzle. I looked like a drowned rat and Scout smelled like wet dog (go figure) by the time we got to the top of the falls. It was so awesome to have her out on the trail again. She seemed just like her spazzy old self!

She's still on prednisone, though. I'm giving her about 2 mg. every other day. It's been such a slow process, this weaning, but we are definitely making progress. Everything I've read on the Internet or heard from dog people emphasizes that fact--go slow with the weaning.

So I am.

One thing I'm a little uncertain about is what to do about her vaccinations. I've heard from several sources--including a vetrinary specialist--that Scout should not ever have another vaccinations because of her condition. But that means I can't every leave her in a kennel, probably shouldn't take her to dog parks, etc. My poor dog has become even more high maintenance than she was before she got sick! But I know we'll figure it out. But I'm already worrying about what to do with her over the 4th of July. She hates fireworks with a passion and we'll be in Alaska that entire week. If you have any suggestions, let me know.