Side Effects from Treatment

Hi Katherine

Firstly, welcome from us all. We seem to get a lot of cocker spaniels on here as they are particularly susceptible to this horrible disease. You are in good company, for sure!

Great to hear your girl is doing well apart from the diarrhoea. Many dogs experience this with higher dose cyclosporine & it can help to give it with a small amount of food. Pumpkin (100% pure only) & sweet potato will also help if you can add some to her food. Of course it’s vital to make sure it’s not some type of infection as our dogs are prone to catching things with the steroids suppressing their immune system. A course of antiobiotics will sort that out if necessary.

Here is some information on cyclosporine:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/cyclosporine/

Please be very cautious about weaning the prednisone – I am a little bit surprised your vet has started lowering the steroids so quickly – here is how we recommend you safely reduce the dose:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone-dose-reduction/

Our dogs are also prone to pancreatitis – she would feel very rough indeed if it were this, but I want to mention it to you “just in case”. Keep her diet low fat, high protein as much as possible & home cooked is best if you have time to do it. Here is some info on pancreatitis, so you know what to watch out for, “just in case”:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/pancreatitis/

Is your baby on any stomach protector, anti-clotting meds or other drugs apart from prednisone & cyclosporine? It would be great to have more info from you, plus any blood & test results.

If you can upload a photo or two of your girl, that would be great!

Hope this helps a little – ask anything, anytime

Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx