| The other day when I got home from work, my doberman did not greet me as usual. I found her in one of her customary 'cool' spots, but there was something dreadfully wrong. She could not move and her breathing was labored, as well as some swelling on one side... we had to carry her into the house. No open wounds or bite marks that we could find. A vet tech friend advised to give her 40 mils of Predisone, which I did, and it made her breathe easier. Her temp was normal, 101.6. I spent the night on the floor with her, since she did not want me to leave her side. The next day she finally drank some water and tho' I had to go to work, my daughter stayed by her side for the day. She also has a healthy appetite and is drinking water pretty regularly. She has urinated, and now am giving her 20 mils Prednisone in AM and PM. She has managed now after 3 days to get on all four feet for short periods of time, and can drag herself around with her front legs, tho' her back legs are still very unsteady and weak and she cannot support herself; I have to support and walk her outside and in. It seems the Prednisone (which I had for my RA) is helping, but how long am I supposed to keep this up and what could have possibly been a cause? I am employed at our local Humane Society, and make just little more than min hourly wage, but our local vet has told me that I can make payments for treatment if need be. What should I look for that would prompt the vet's treatment immediately, or should I go ahead and take her in anyway, even tho' the meds seem to be working to help her?
Thanks.
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