Week 2: It's been a week...

May 21, 2025

Seven days ago, Henry came to live with me. We are seeking that comfortable family feeling. I’ve discovered that Henry shows his affection by standing up in front of me while reaching his head forward to give kisses. He will do this despite his shaky rear limbs. Walking is a physical challenge for Henry. He walks about 600 feet and then must rest for several minutes. This type of limited ability surely causes cognitive and emotional stress.

Henry has a bouncy, bunny-hop gait. Albeit cute, it’s a sign of Muscular Dystrophy. His spine/girdle area is hunched. However, Henry does not have the obvious thickening of the tongue or regurgitation; he does drool, somewhat.

On musculoskeletal examination, Henry scores 0/4 on lower limbs. He can jump by propelling with the rear. Walks 600 feet, then needs to rest. All activity is at his pace. Henry has the opposite of Sundown Syndrome!

Henry pants quickly even without activity; chest rises and falls quickly when lying on his side.

Henry is living with a Pug-Chihuahua puppy who is all about play. Henry wants to engage but cannot. He likes soft squeaky toys and the puppy snatches them away; Henry does not get up to pursue her.

Henry’s frame is small with minimal mass to help him carry his body. He receives high-protein kibble twice daily with some wet food on top. Henry drinks and wets constantly. He cools down by lying in a 36-inch kiddie pool.

Lab results indicate that Henry’s liver enzymes are now within normal range. His muscle biopsy was positive for Muscular Dystrophy, but was not type-specific. Assessment of Henry’s progress and deficiencies is continuous. Henry must be kept cool to help prevent labored breathing. Observe regurgitation and eating and drinking ability to help avoid aspiration pneumonia. Henry needs soft landing spots throughout the house and yard. His cognitive growth should be addressed by keeping him stimulated in order to avoid boredom. Supplements and nutrition are dynamic, they will be changed as Henry reaches homeostatis and new deficits and goals are apparent. High protein kibble with wet food on top, medications and supplements (pills and powders) are mixed into food or added to peanut butter, hot dogs, or pill pouches.

MEDICATIONS:

• Pregabalin 75 mg twice daily - central and peripheral neuropathy
• Dispensed pain
• Gabapentin 300 mg twice daily - peripheral neuropathy dispensed for anxiety, completed

CONSIDER:

• Rapamycin (aka Rapamune, Sirolimus) to ‘patch’ cells to prevent damaged dystrophin from leaving the cell. 0.1 mg / Kg (1 mg 11 #) tiw
• Steroids
• NSAIDS, as a non-sedating alternative for pain management

SUPPLEMENTS:

• Started within week ending May 20, 2025:
• Canine Musculoskeletal Support Powder, bovine collagens, fish oil capsule three times weekly
• Vitamin B1 Thiamine Benfotamine 300 mg loading dose twice daily, then once daily
• Vitamin B12 Cobalequin capsules, consider injection 1000 mcg every week
• Vitamin C 500 mg daily
• Dog probiotics soft chews: diarrhea has resolved with Omega 3, 6, 9 (I am still sourcing)
• Rejensa glucosamine joint chews
• Tartar control Arm & Hammer water additive
• Consider Vitamin D3, Quercetin, L-arginine, collagens in foods (e.g., bones and broth)

PHYSICAL THERAPY: ROM exercises, seek hydrotherapy

ALT THERAPY: Red light therapy (blanket)