Does This Medicine Make My Butt Look Big?

Update Note: For those of you who ended up here because you are really looking for a medicine that will make your butt or hips bigger.....  You need to stop that!  There is nothing wrong with you.  You are perfect and beautiful just the way you are!  Now, go eat some ice cream.  :-)


Zephyr:  Mom, is my medicine making my butt look big?

Me:  What do you mean, Zephyr?

Zephyr:  My Butt, is it bigger, fatter, softer, rounder?!

Me:  Zephyr, you look great!  Besides, people don't accuse me of dog abuse anymore.

Zephyr:  Agh.  Mom, look close, see how you can't even see my pelvic bones poking out on my back anymore?  And, look it's all puffy and big on my back above where my pelvic bones used to show!

Me:  Zephyr, prednisone does those kind of things.  It makes you hungrier and it can even make you look all puffy and bigger even when you haven't really gained weight.  I've seen that happen to people.  Plus, you've been very sick and you've had to take it really easy and focus on healing the past 4 months.  Which, you've done an excellent job at by the way.

Zephyr:  Look, even my belly is bigger and wider!  I don't like this, I'm not able to go on the big hikes and run and play like I want too.  And, what's up with the heat this summer?  It seems like it's warmer and I don't like it at all.  Also, I'm worried the other dogs will make fun of me and the girls won't think I'm cute.  Oh ya, and my fur on my arms and belly still hasn't even grown all back from when they shaved it, the fur on my lower back legs has thinned, and my skin has been so dry!  This is so frustrating, I've always prided myself on my nice fur.

Me:  Oh Zephyr, I know, I don't like these things either.  But, I'm thinking these are all normal for a pup who's been through so much.  You've been recovering from encephalitis, through three chemotherapy treatments, getting seizures controlled, and taking prednisone.  You're actually doing so well!  Besides in the past 2 weeks we've been able to reduce your prednisone from 5mg twice a day to 5mg once a day.  We could try not giving you fresh cooked ground beef with your meals as often? That might help with your waistline and roundness?

Zephyr:  Ya, I do feel better, but it makes me feel all achy, groany, and tired for about 4 days after we reduce the prednisone.  I know you tried to make it better by only doing 2.5mg reductions at a time, but it was still yucky.  Very funny about the beef, Ggrrr.

Me:  I know, I'm sorry about not feeling well.  We'll do even smaller reductions next time.  But, don't you feel so much better now?  I don't think you have to worry about the other dogs or girls, Zephyr.  Friday is so happy you're getting better, and Kenda sure was happy to see you the other day. You've actually been able to get out on a lot more walkies lately and they're getting longer.  And, what about our walk down to Pumphouse Wash this morning, wasn't that nice?

Zephyr:  It's true I do feel better now, and Pumphouse Wash was awesome!  I loved being off leash and the water was so nice and cool!

Me:  Ya, and I think I saw you doing some running.  You were so happy!

Zephyr:  It was so fun running through the grass and down the trail!  I can't go at my top speed yet or as long.  But it sure felt great!  Why didn't you bring the camera?  No one will believe I was there, and that's really not good blogging, Mom.

Me:  I know, I've been lame lately and always forgetting the camera.  It's hard because usually I have you and Astro both on leash.  It's not easy holding two Flexi's with moving dogs in one hand and taking pictures with the other you know.
 

Zephyr:  Okay, but I think you need to remember the camera.  People are going to start thinking I'm just being lazy and livin' like a prince or something like that.