I know this is an old thread but we are now going through the same basic situation with our 19 month old Berner. It's been traumatic but she seems to be rebounding and we're cautiously optimistic. Thanks for the posts, they've been very encouraging...also curious if most dogs here remain on prednisone permenately. Our dog is happy and eating well, seems to be comfortable but does not run, jump or tug anymore although that may come back with time...

I am so sorry to hear that you are having to go through this. Riley was 6 months old when he got sick. By the time he was actually diagnosed, he had to have a kidney removed. We really didnt think he would make it to his first birthday. But in just a few months he will be 6 years old ! It has been a while, but I think he was on pred for about 18 months. We had to ween him off very very slowly.

Also, and I am sure that it is different with every dog, but it took Riley several months of being off the pred to start acting normal so to speak. Does he run or tug or play as hard as a Berner that hasn't been sick? Probably not, but I don't know since he is our Berner. But ...he does play, and has a happy, wonderful life!

I guess what I am really saying is that even though it is hard to be optimistic sometimes , this can have a happy ending. The fact that she has been diagnosed is great. That can be one of the hardest parts. AND she sounds like she is doing well. Just give her a little time. Please keep us posted, and if you have ANY questions, please feel free to post or send me an email. I KNOW how confusing and scary this can all be!

ps.... did your vet mention giving her pepcid while on the pred???

Lisa

Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it!! yes we have been giving the antacid too. We just got the news today that the dose of prednisone (80mg/day) has been causing her liver enzymes to go sky high so we're cutting that in half. Hopefully the symptoms don't return but only time will tell...we're only a month into it and when she first came down with this she whimpered and cried in pain all night and would barely get up...it's crazy how fast it came on too, she was a ball of fire one day, then barely able to stand the next...
but now I'm anxious to cut back on the prednisone a little because it makes her pant like crazy and she seems to be a little weak in the hind legs. Otherwise she's doing real well all things considered so hopefully the worst is behind us...

Our 14 month old Berner came down with many of the symptoms that are typical for SRM. She weighs 80 pounds and is being treated with a high dose of Prednisone (40 mg 3x daily), pain reliever (Tramadol) and stomach protectant (Ranitidine). Within a few hours of starting her on the prednisone...we saw a complete change, The yelping stopped (except for a couple instances) she is back to wagging her tail, she is moving her neck again, and she walks carefully (like a much older dog) ... she is definitely not the young girl we had a week ago before all this started. Did anyone else recall needing a pain reliever? She seems to pant less and settle down more with it...but I don't see any other posts that reference this. Also, our Vet thought it best to dose the prednisone in three administrations rather than two. Any comments on this?
Sometimes it seems like we are taking one step forward and then a step back...good days and then a slower one...is the recovery typically this way?

Riley also took tramadol. Not the whole time he was being treated, but when we first started. I can't remember now how long....but it was for several weeks. There is a group on Yahoo ( AMBerners) they have tons and tons of really good info there. I know the whole thing is really scary, but Riley made a remarkable recovery. If you read my earlier post, he actually lost a kidney before we were able to get a diagnosis. After months of going back and forth to the vet, we were finally able to get into to see a neurologist that did a spinal tap. Within 24 hours of starting the pred, Riley was on his way back If you have ANY questions, feel free to ask...Or you can email me. Either way, keep us updated.

We used Tramadol at first too - We also used an over the counter med called Denamarin because the prednisone is so harsh on the liver. We spread the prednisone out rather than hit her hard with one big dose in the morning. Our girl Rosie has made a great recovery, I call her the "come-back kid". She was weened off pred and has been drug free exactly three weeks as of today. I watch her closely to see if any symptoms return but so far so good. She just turned 2 yrs old in June and is quite a different dog than before this whole thing began, 15 lbs heavier and much more mellow, but she seems very happy and affectionate as ever...I exercise her lightly when it's not too hot, nothing strenuous. Good luck to anyone going through this!

I know meningitis but I don't know why your breeder ask you to give him joint supplements considering the fact that meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges and not joints.

__________________
Bernese Mountain dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, filling an emptiness we don't even know we have.

Our girl Rosie just had a major relapse last week after 4 months of being drug free, one day fine the next morning all stiff and in pain and not wanting to go off the deck to do her business. The good news is a shot of prednisone put her right back in action! Now I'm afraid she's going to probably be on a low dose of meds permanently. She was the runt of her litter and I hate to give her such a high dose again but there's really nothing else we can do. She's such a sweetheart, I'm just grateful she's responding to meds.

Don't get too discouraged...Riley was on the pred for about a year and half. They have to been weened off very very slowly. And the good news like you said is that it is she is responsive to the pred. Are you giving her anything to protect her stomach while she is on the pred??? I really does a number on the stomach. Keep us posted on how she is doing,

Given how many AM dogs I am seeing here, I hope this information that I am about to share helps everyone and saves all these Berners:

First, Pred has scores of side effects and given long term, will kill the organs in this breed which is so sensitive. So to respond to the statement above on "nothing else to do" I am happy to share that there is a much safer alternative to pred that should first be tried for as long as possible: NATURAL HYDROCORTISONE. This does not have all of the nasty side effects (thirst, hunger, no hair growth etc.) and does not destroy the kidney and liver. You must go to a holistic vet however to get a prescription for this as regular vets don't have a clue about it. A holistic vet will prescribe it and it is sourced through Pet Health Pharmacy in Arizona in the U.S.

Sorry - not available in Canada and elsewhere unless you source it down here.

Second, I highly recommend anyone with an AM dog to join the AM Berner group who is invaluable in helping you navigate the way - very knowledgeable people who know how this goes for life. Yes - lifetime management.

AMBerners : AMBerners

Good luck everyone!