Erratic doodle Help?

Seasoned DKers I need your help.

My doodle Dempsey is acting really strange.

Background: Dempsey had gotten poop stuck in his fur around his bottom and my husband took clippers and shaved the hair off in the immediate area. He then started to drag his bottom on the ground and everytime he walked he woud tuck his bottom under. then he would sit and just look terribly uncomfortable. I really just thought he was reacting to the feeling of short hair (my husband didn't shave it down to the skin just mad it shorter). So after one day of this crazy walk/sit/ drag behavior I took him to the vet. She said that from all the licking and dragging he was doing that he's irritated the area. She shaved off more hair gave me a salve to put on his bum and a steroid to take for the next 7-10 days.

and there lies the problem. He is on day 2 of the steroid and his breathing is so erratic. He's panting like crazy and I'm concerned. He also is VERY clingy, way more than usual. I called the vet and she didn't seem too worried. Does anyone have any suggestions he just seems so out of sorts and I'm only on day 2 of the steroid with 9 more to go...

Would appreciate any input

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Permalink Reply by shelly on February 23, 2012 at 1:56pm

I know! When my kids are on steroids I always get crazy because their heart beats really fast like that - it's scary - I know!

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Permalink Reply by Jayd (Dempsey) on February 23, 2012 at 1:27pm

I think it's definitely excessive panting and lasts for at least 5- 6 hours deminishing somewhat as the day wore on. I called another vet hospital for a second opinion and they would not give me an opinion without bringing him in. So I called my Vet and she said I should stop the steroid altogether and just continue to administer the cream. She said as long as he keeps the cone on (poor doodle) he should ok.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer and Jack on February 23, 2012 at 2:15pm

In humans you can abruptly stop in two days without a problem but that doesn't help any with dogs.... The main reason For not abruptly stopping is because steroids supresses your adrenal glands that normally secrete cortisol among other steroids so the dog or human can go In to adrenal/cortisol crisis if the adrenals have been suppressed and no replacement dose is given. It depends on the dose as to if the adrenals are suppressed or not. That is why only the vet can tell you

That said I take steroids daily and have for years, I drink at least a gallon of fluids a day, I am always hot, and depending on the dose it can alter my mood as well.

My personal opinion is unless it is really needed I would avoid it. Some people or animals are morse sensitive to steroids then others, a topical steroid still has systemic effect but less which might make it a better choice .
sorry your baby doesn't feel good

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Permalink Reply by Jayd (Dempsey) on February 23, 2012 at 2:31pm

I love the DK site. Seriously all of you are always at the ready for support, sympathy and excellent advice. I don't know what I would do without you all. So, thank you!!!

Dempsey is still VERY clingy, not only does he have to be neat me he has to be touching me. Thank goodness it's still relatively cool here in the east coast or I would be going crazy.

he does seem to be in better spirits but is still walking funny, and very jumpy/agitated.

On a light note here are a few pictures of Demps and his cone plight......