New Thread for Megan & Sophie

[admin]

Megan & Sophie’s Thread got just a bit too long. I would recommend that after about 25-30 entries a new thread is started. It just gets time consuming and confusing. If anybody needs to joggle their memories what has happened, go back to the old thread ( I know I will have to:))
Here is Megan’s last post:

No the vet wouldn’t change any of the meds and said the Atopica was the correct amount…
I wish she would eat, syringing food three meals a day is not enjoyable for either one of us.
– Megan

I just hope by doing this that I am not confusing matters.

Megan, I have been thinking of you and Sophie lots. I hope that Sophie’s appetite is coming back rather sooner than later now.
Best wishes,
Brigitte

[Linda]

Great you started a new thread for Megan.  Agree, was getting long. I remember being told that on VetNet. Maybe by you Brigette!  :)

Megan – post Sophie’s last vet visit please.  “Our” little Sophie may finally be holding…..  :)

Live, Linda

[Megan]

Her last vet visit she held at 15% (same as the week before), not an increase but I’ll take it for now! She’s still not eating on her own, except cheese, and is now breathing fast and shallow. I noticed it when the weather changed (we are in Texas and it has dropped to 25 degrees, we aren’t use to that) and she has had bad allergies her entire life…I have been giving her a natural allergy pill for yrs but since being on so many other things I don’t give it to her all the time (but have the past few days). Not sure what is wrong but I read something about a type of IMHA that is effected by cold weather…does anyone know anything about this? Or could it be the meds?

[Megan]

Also she seems to have some sort of growth on the pad of her front paw…at first I thought it was the her pad but its on the side of her front foot and only on one side…and her sores seem to be spreading a little (she has 7 on her-just around her head, neck and ear). I’m praying these things are from the meds and not a tumor or something horrible. This is an awful disease!!!

[admin]

Megan,
Good for you to think positive! 15 is low, but as you said at least it is not dropping. I am glad you dropped the allergy pill, at this point you don’t want to mess with things, even if it is “natural” it could have the wrong effect. Poor little Sophie sure is riddled with problems. It is hard to say what is the disease and what the medications. Have those sores not improved with the antibiotics? Is the one on the pad like a hardening of the skin? This could certainly be a side effect of the meds.
I really don’t know what else I can recommend to improve Sophie’s condition. But if things are not improving I usually say; if you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten. So something drastic might need to change. Is your vet confident or kind of stumped? Have you considered thyroid medication? This sure made my dog turn around. Is Sophie on petinic? (vitamin B, iron, folic acid) Have you ever considered sending blood to Dr. Dodds? Do you know what triggered the AIHA? Sorry, so many questions. You don’t need to answer them for me, but I would like you to keep asking questions. Only if we ask questions will you eventually find an answer on how to make Sophie better.
Thinking of you, best wishes,
Brigitte

[admin]

Hi Megan

I totally agree with Brigitte – I am totally against adding any pills or supplements that are not SPECIFICALLY intended for AIHA.  You cannot take any risks at this stage – Don’t rock that boat!  You are doing one amazing job with Sophie.  I too would like to hear Dr Dodds opinion – we all value her expertise highly.  Take care & try to get a little rest yourself.  I think we all kept going on adrenaline when our dogs were like this & it is incredibly tiring.

All our best wishes as always

Sheena & the boys – they send cuddles to Sophie

[Megan]

I’m really worried about her shallow rapid breathing, it’s been going on all day…I’m not sure if it’s from the cold weather…afraid of heart failure or lung issues…I bought a humidifier but it isn’t really helping…should I give her a baby aspirin?

[admin]

Megan,
do not give Sophie an aspirin without consulting with a vet. From what I know the shallow breathing is usually because they are too hot, their metabolism is in over drive because of the high dose of prednisone. I have not heard of them being bothered by the cold, but I might be wrong on that. If you are worried take her to an emergency clinic. Go with your gut feeling.
Good luck and best wishes,
Brigitte