Sunday, July 11, 2010

It's All Good News

Samba has had some changes lately in her treatment and in her condition. So far it's all been good.


First, her left eye is much improved. She can now blink and as you can see above, it looks almost normal. The right eye is wide open. She can't blink and it doesn't even close fully when she sleeps. I'm still putting ointment in both eyes a couple times a day to keep them moist and I've kept her bangs long to provide some protection from the sun.


Although she still doesn't have feeling in her lips, she enjoys playing with the other dogs and here she's ripping up a paper airplane that she caught in mid-flight. The lips cause some problems still when she eats, but she's doing better and drops less food than she used to.


She's on thyroid medicine and her hair has grown in to cover her body. Her legs and tail are no longer naked, but as you can see, her hair is still very thin. Dr B increased her thyroid dosage and a blood test taken a couple weeks ago shows that her thyroid level is now perfect. He says we should see big improvement in her coat over the next three or four months.


As for the MMM, she has been showing no signs of a relapse. The other muscles in her head are taking over the job of the destroyed jaw muscles and the dents in her head are more shallow because of it. She can yawn and move her jaw almost normally.


As of a couple days ago, we've reduced her medication again. She was taking 25mg of Prednisone on odd days and 5mg on even days. Now we have reduced her to 25mg on odd days and none on even days. This is a scary move for me. We're at a point in the treatment where we have to watch closely for any sign of the disease returning.

A couple times each day I have to apply pressure to the points where the muscle is damaged and watch for any sign of pain. Then we have to throw her ball and make sure she can pick it up and carry it back to us. We also try to get her to gently tug on a toy. Samba has never been much of a tugger dog, so that one is hard to do. So far she's doing well.


Our eventual goal is to get her to 20mg of Prednisone every other day for maintenance. We're in the home stretch and this is the dangerous point where the disease sometimes flares up. I have to watch her closely now. With hot weather here, Samba would like to go swimming. I'm concerned about her compromised immune system and discussed it with Dr B. He says she can swim in the lake, but not in any still water such as a pond. We were both happy to hear that and now we're planning a trip to the lake for her to get wet.

28 comments:

SissySees said...

Hooray, Samba! You go, girl! Enjoy that lake swim.

George The Lad said...

I'm pleased for you, enjoy your swim Samba
See Yea George xxx

Anonymous said...

Samba, I sure hope you continue to get better. I hope you enjoy your swim. You deserve the best!

Sam said...

I'm glad Samba's improving. I've been thinking of her and will keep my fingers crossed that you have more and more progress in the coming months. She's a very strong little gal.

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Good news is always the best kind! Have fun Simba!

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Marjie said...

Good luck with the prednisone reduction. Dogs can be even more stressing than kids, because at least kids will holler! I'm thinking of Samba.

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Oops, my mom typed Simba instead of Samba :( she is all thumbs today.
Maggie Mae

The Daily Pip said...

Glad Samba is feeling better!

Your pal, Pip

P.S.: I like to rip up paper airplanes, too - but don't think I could catch them mid-flight!

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

Oh, more commenting problems! Grrr! I just wanted to say how glad I am that the news is good so far and I've got paws crossed that it continues to be all good.

wags, Lola

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We're happy to hear of Samba's improvement....all the medication and therapy appear to be paying off. Hopefully, she'll get better. The swimming sounds fun.

XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

Stella said...

This is good news, Sue, and I know how attentive you have been to Samba during this problem. It all sounds good to me and I know you will remain vigilant! Go Samba!

Cheers and hugs,

Jo and Stella

the many Bs said...

oh we're so happy to hear that Samba is doing well. we would jump for joy if we weren't so tired from playing at the dog park. we will cross all of our paws that the reduced meds continue to work well for her and her ugly mean disease doesn't return. swimming sure would be fun.

woofs.

Zona said...

What wonderful news for Samba! I know it's scary changing medicine regimens but we're all pulling for Samba!!

Wags,
Zona

Lorenza said...

Glad to know Samba is doing so well!
A trip to the lake sounds pawesome!
Happy Sunday!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

How Sam Sees It said...

We will keep our fingers crossed! It is good to hear she is making progress.

Sam

the teacher's pets said...

Enjoy your swim in the lake! We are glad to hear that you are feeling much better!

silfert said...

Six thumbs, six claws, and any number of fins up on this end. Hooray for the good news!

Nicki said...

Yeah, that's great!

Unknown said...

Hi Samba - I'm sorry to hear about your sickies but I'm glad that you're getting better now! You looked like you were having a great time in those photos! I hope you do get to have your swim soon - do you have any "canine hydrotherapy" places near you? My humans took me to that last year - the water was warm and cleaned all the time by special machines - and it was very good for doggies with sickies (although I just went for fun and to learn to swim coz I'm a wimp and won't go in cold water!)

ANyway, hope you continue to get better!

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

♥I am Holly♥ said...

That sounds like great news and we hope Samba continues to get much better! A nice swim sounds great! Lots of love, Debbie and Holly

Thor and Jack said...

Samba,
I'm so glad to hear you're getting better! Have a great time at the lake.

LizzieJane said...

Samba I hope you continue to improve. What a sweetheart you are. I hope you have a wonderful summer.
Hugs.
x

Anonymous said...

All of your dogs are so blessed to have you. You take wonderful care of them. I hope you have a great week.

Molly the Airedale said...

What wonderful news, Samba! Enjoy that cool refreshing lake water!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Mad about Craft said...

So glad Samba is doing well, long may it continue!!!!!

gMarie said...

Oh I'm thrilled for you! g

Lapdog Creations said...

WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!! Yay Samba!!!

Dianne said...

All good news! That's wonderful! Way to go Samba!