Ashki – new thread

[admin]

Sorry – meant to wish you all the luck in the world for the results of Wednesday’s tests.
Sheena x

[Patrice]

Ashki keeping an eye on the neighborhood

 

 

[Vally]

Tamara, I love that photo!! Someone has to keep an eye on things out there for you.

Lots of love, Vally & Bingo

[admin]

Cute photo of your sweet boy – Nothing gets past Ashki then!
Sheena x

[Tamara]

Now you can all picture when I tell you he’s keeping an eye on things! He’s up there now, lying on the bed.

I did hear back from Jean, and she’s worried about myelofibrosis. She also agreed that we should not add another immunosuppressant as none of the options are safe for Ashki. At any rate, if Ashki does not respond within 2 or 3 weeks we may do a bone marrow biopsy, although I still want to know how the finding of myelofibrosis will change the treatment. Her response was brief as her internet is out, that big storm that hit California last week has affected many.

Still waiting to hear back from Dr. Sykes, I’ll let you know what she says.
love and hugs to you all —
tamara and ashki xoxox

[admin]

Hi Tamara

I can see Jean’s logic about being careful and her suspicions. Myelofibrosis is pretty rare in humans – I would assume it is in dogs too. It can affect the other blood cells, as well as RBCs. It is often accompanied by extramedullary hematopoeisis & sometimes an enlarged spleen. A bone marrow biopsy would confirm/deny it, as you know. Do I remember rightly that you had a scan of Ashki’s spleen earlier on?

There are some great new treatments (new immuno-suppressants) for people & clinical trials ongoing, but it is treated with steroids & immuno-suppressants, like IMHA. In people, the treatment depends entirely on the severity & the cause (which may be a genetic mutation which is not inherited as an example). I bet you’ve done some research yourself already. Because Jean has both human & animal experience, she is a great source of help with anything like this. Hope you get an answer from Dr Sykes too – every opinion is important.

I know how much you want an answer to this complicated puzzle for your own peace of mind – it has been a long & winding road already. I hope you can find the answer soon. I would say that a bone marrow biopsy would be my personal choice in your current circumstances if he doesn’t respond to the new drug regime. In Ashki’s case, there is a good reason to do it. There isn’t always a good reason.You know Worzel had his biopsy because of the rarity of his problem, as with Ashki, & in our particular cases, it is often the right thing to do to. I promise you he had no ill effects at the specialists – he was up & about (a bit wobbly!), even lying on the side they had taken the sample from, after about an hour. It was done quickly & professionally – it is important that the vet is experienced in the procedure.

Tamara, I hope this helps a little – sending more love
Sheena & the boys xxxx

[Tamara]

Thank you Sheena, it does help. Ashki’s spleen was quite enlarged when he was diagnosed, and a biopsy was done. All was fine, with evidence of extramedullary hematopoiesis. The bone marrow biopsy done then showed hypoplasia. We did another bone marrow biopsy a month later, on 30 May and that one showed hyperplasia with late stage maturation arrest. The initial report indicated some fibrosis, but the final report said there was none — not sure what to think of that.

I did find one article today that said myelofibrosis can be the result of cephalosporin administration, although this was not mentioned in other articles I found.

I’ll have the results of the CBC tomorrow and let you know. Ashki seems a little more tired today, but it’s also been rainy and gloomy here. That makes me more tired, maybe it does him too.

Love to you all —
tamara and ashki xoxoxo

[hope]

Hey tamara and sir ashki!!

Sorry to hear about the gloomy weather over there in beautiful CA but i love love love the picture of him standing watch at the window. I’m super glad to hear you’re talking to both Dr. Dodds and the doctor at UCSD.

I need to do a little bit of catching up but have y’all considered a splenectomy for Ash? I don’t know 1/10 of what y’all know but haven’t there been quite a few dogs that did well with it? It seems like maybe something is off with his spleen perhaps?

You’ve been such a warrior right along with Ash this whole way — i’m glad you are taking time for yourself too. Or at least considering it — It’s a lot easier said than done.

Much love and super hugs to y’all!
Hope and the Stinkers