We went to see the veterinarian neurologist today and have started on a course of treatment that is likely to last until 2017. I'm o.k. with this, but it seems like such a long haul for our sweet little Sailor. There is a lot to process from our visit. We will be reducing the dosage of steroids by half to 1-1/2 tabs of 20 mg. steroids once per day for 2 weeks. Then we will up the dosage to 2 tabs once per day for 2 weeks and then 2 tabs once every other day indefinitely. There is something about allowing her own immune system to produce steroids without completely destroying the glands that produce them. which can occur if we keep up the same dosage. We were warned that she might be worse before she gets better. We are adding vitamin supplements and B-12 shots - the vitamins are for her heart health. It is a difficult balancing act between the steroids and the positive and negative effects. We were very thankful to be able to see such a knowledgeable vet who has so much experience with this disease. As always, everywhere Sailor goes, she is loved by everyone she comes in contact with. She is a special sweet dog. We are hopeful this new regimen will work, but know we have a long road ahead of us.

After being back on her previous dosage of 1-1/2 tablets of 20 mg. prednisone twice a day, Sailor has improved, and is at least as good as she was before the reduced dosage. I had called the vet after the weekend passed to notify him of her relapse and to tell him we would like to see the vet neurologist in a nearby town. He was completely onboard with this, as the neurologist did his graduate study on SRMA and has probably seen hundreds of cases, whereas our vet has only experienced Sailor's case. He called the neurologist and now we have an appointment next week. We just would like some answers about her prognosis - and we'd like to get her weaned off the steroids. We want to know if she'll be like this in the future or if she is likely to relapse again.
Sailor went to the groomer today, and she is completely exhausted tonight. It is absolutely amazing how everyone who is in contact with Sailor instantly loves her, as she is such a loving sweetheart. She looks so nice and matt free tonight, but the groomer commented on her excess fat and lack of muscle tone. Last vet visit she was up to 51 lbs. though she gets only 2-1/2 to 3 cups of puppy chow a day (plus treats and a husband who feeds her from the table). We are just taking it day by day and happy for any success, such as Sailor playing with several of her stuffed squeaky toys this morning.
I did purchase pet insurance for Sailor last week. I know that this won't cover any costs from her SRMA (pre-existing conditions), but it seems like every week there is something new. Financially, this has been quite excessive, though we don't begrudge a single penny. My suggestion to anyone with a new puppy is to get the insurance right away. It is relatively inexpensive when the dog is young, and you never know what can happen. Obama Care may have done away with pre-existing conditions, but that doesn't apply to dogs (or cats). I will update this blog after our visit with the neurologist.

Two days after taking Sailor to the vet for the vomiting and infections, she developed a horrible sore on her rear, so it was back to the vet again. This time the vet thought she had been bitten by a spider, and because her immune system has been compromised by the SRMA, it had also gotten infected, even though she was on an antibiotic. The vet cleaned the wound and gave us some antibiotic cream to put on it twice a day. She continued to be so hungry all the time, so we began feeding her a can of unsalted green beans once a day, which had few calories and lots of fiber. Her weight was 47 lbs. at her last vet visit which was about a 4 lb. increase in a month. After a week of treatment, Sailor's conditions improved, and she was doing o.k. on the reduced steroids. Two days before her scheduled check up at the vet, she developed an eye infection in her other eye, and a sore just below the corner of her eye. I began treating it with the medicine that was left from the previous infection.

At the check-up, the vet and I decided to try and reduce her steroids further, as she was having so many problems related to her immune system, suffered more hair loss, and still resisted walking any distance. This was about two weeks after the first reduction. The vet said to call the next week to inform him how she was doing.  After only three days, her stumbling was much, much worse, and her back legs were twitching. So, this morning, I have gone back to the previous dosage  and hope she will not fully relapse. She seems better this afternoon, but still wobbly. Since it is the weekend, I'll wait until Monday to contact the vet. Very, very discouraged today, but hoping and praying for a better day tomorrow.

We are back from our sailing trip. Sailor did remarkably well on the inside passage and also on the first day outside in the Atlantic Ocean where we had seas 2-3 feet and a nice breeze from a favorable direction (10-15 knots) which kept the boat steady. On the last day on the voyage home, the forecast was identical to the day before. However, once we traversed the  4 miles out the channel, the wind quit and the seas were 4-6 feet. Sailor was fine until we tied up at the dock after 5 hours of pounding. Then she vomited, but only once. We were careful with her feeding, small portions that evening, which she tolerated well.
The next morning at 6:30, she vomited again. Then again 15 minutes later. All told, she vomited 6 times before 8:00 a.m. I already had a vet appt. at 11:00 to see about discharge from her right eye, but after calling, they were able to see us at 9:00. The anti-nausea shot was successful, but she had an eye infection and also skin infection from the areas where the steroids had caused hair loss. She just can't catch a break. Back on antibiotic and two meds for her eye.
We have started reducing the steroid dosage by 10 mg. per day and so far so good. She still stumbles, which makes my heart lurch, but usually catches herself.
I have trouble getting her to walk. She balks at walking - would rather just lie around. The vet said she has lost muscle tone, so I am determined to get some exercise in each day. Food (small treats) encourage her to move forward, but sometimes, she is just too stubborn and I refuse to tug her. Today was a pretty good day for exercise, but she is only interested in food. Any comments from those who have dealt with SRMA would be appreciated.