TL;DNR in bold.    
pics are from the hospital during her stay, then back at home.

Lucca was diagnosed with IMHA earlier this month. And while I'm grateful she made it out of the most dangerous phase of it, the side effects of treatment (steroids) are breaking my heart all over again. Muscle wasting being one of them.   

**I've been told she'll regain lost muscle once she's off the steroid, but what can I do for enrichment until then?** I've been doing lots more training in the house. Kibble folded into cardboard tubes that she can tear apart. Treats rolled up into towels so she can "dig" them out. I'm all ears for anything else.  

The vet suggests very, *very* limited physical activity. Walks to the bathroom and back at most.

Lucca is *miserable*. Practically a different dog in all the worst ways. Always tired, infinitely more anxious, quiet. So, so quiet. I never thought I'd miss the dober kettle as much as I do.  

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Now, everyone here has been extremely kind to me so far. And I'm extremely grateful! That said, I will now answer the questions that have been asked only by my own conscience, which has been torturing me endlessly:

*"How could you let her get so bad?!"*

I had read about the side effects of long-term steroid treatment prior, but I didn't think they would set in so quickly and so aggressively. Hubby and I thought we were being proactive by adding more protein to her meals before any of this, but it was not even *close* to enough.

*"Are you even trying to help her?"* 

We've recently looked into muscle (& joint) supplements. They cost a small fortune so we had to make sure we were 100% when choosing. But they are indeed on the way. Ursolyx and Dasuquin for those curious. We'll switch to Myos if the Ursolyx doesn't pan out. My condolences to folks who recognize the brand names...

Enrichment suggestions for a dobe suffering from muscle wasting?