Sadie’s PCV results today, pinch me

[Linda]

Hi all. I have been on the road all day, driving around with this absolutely hideous grin on my face, smiling at strangers ( well, I do that anyway, but more today). Okay, I know I can’t be really, really optimistic – ya know, short lived and all, BUT – Sadie’s PCV today was 50. Oh my goodness – 4% over pre-AIHA.

I did ask about the adrenal glads kicking in and how we’d know. She is amazingly smart and said things that I should have recorded. But in a nutshell, you don’t know if they’re working, except to look for the signs – and they are not just signs, but extreme signs.

I discussed Addison’s Disease with her, which could happen, but she feels confident Sadie’s in a great recovery mode. However, if Sadie was to start having problems with further weaning, we would run an ACTH Test. It’s expensive, about $300.00, so it’s not a test to be run unless there is suspect. She’s not suspect at all with Sadie.

Oh, she also lost 1/2 pound. Small amount, but at least she lost and didn’t gain!! A good thing.

Okay – thanks – was so excited to tell you all (my GA twang would say: ya’all, but I’ll spare you). Here’s hoping. Even though it’s one day at a time. Good girl Sadie girl. Must have been the ‘bully stick’. ;)

Love and hugs, Linda and Sadie

[Vally]

Linda, I totally understand that big silly grin. That is fabulous news. Congratulations. Sadie, ya’all, that’s about a quarter of a kilo in my language – that’s wonderful. Bingo thinks you’ll look hot in a bikinis this summer.

Love Vally & Bingo

[Linda]

Thanks Vally. Dr. Reyes and I also chatted about Sadie’s non-traditional weaning approach. She continues to think we’re doing the right thing. I, of corse, am watching her like a hawk and Dr. Reyes agrees, we should.

Sadie seems better every day. She has just recently had more spunk, cuddling (oh, how I missed that), more social with people and other pets ( she was never mean, just a ‘don’t bother me’ attitude), and overall marked improvement in her disposition.

An interesting point Dr. Reyes brought up though, which concerns all our AIHA pups, is one of; which auto immune suppressant of the (usual) two given, seemed to work better? Each animal is different, as we all know. She actually has a cat ( Mary, was thinking of you while listening to all this), with AIHA that did not respond at all to prednisone but did to Atopica (cat version). Where as Sadie, responded well to the combined shot at onset and immediately prescribed oral prednisone, but it was the Atopica added a week later that certainly pushed the new reticulocyte formation. I just thought that interesting.

With that in mind, we discussed; do we keep her on Atopica or prednisone as a maintenance (which Sadie will most likely need). Which does the least amount of damage in the long run, to their already stressed bodies? As Atopica (cyclosporine) for dogs’ dosage is 10mg, lowest, unless we do a ‘compound’ – we’re thinking, no. And as she is now down to 10MG X every 4 days, the prednisone seems to be holding her at 6MG daily. Again, for us all, interesting.

To me, it confirms that each and every dog/cat is different. The core ingredients at onset are the same, auto immune suppressant, mandatory, be it one or two (most often two) but that, coupled with how it/they reacts at onset and how it/they react at weaning, can be different and mentionable.

We all here know it, but again, what you were asking re: at which point in the low-dose weaning process does the adrenal gland know to start producing cortisol again AND how do we know it is ‘awake’ enough are huge questions and concern for relapse. Hence, we are mother hawks.

In researching – our site comes up VERY often. That’s marvelous!!! I so hope we help many going through this dreaded, stinking disease.

Love and hugs, Linda and Ms. Congeniality, Sadie

[Ruth]

That’s fantastic news!!! Go Sadie!!! I’m not surprised you’ve been grinning all day!!! Interesting about Atopica as Nula just started that. Fingers crossed Sadie keeps up the Fab work!! Xxxxxx

[Linda]

Oh Ruth, I’m so glad she’s on another immune suppressant. That’s what we have all hoped for here. Please keep us posted.

Love and hugs to you both, from both of us,

Linda and Sadie

[admin]

Oh Linda, fabulous news! I am so pleased and it’s no wonder you’ve had a great big grin all day! Go Sadie! (I think she deserves a Bully Stick for her excellent test results!)

Thanks for thinking of me re: the vet’s cat. This is a difficult question for sure, especially when we know Sadie hasn’t been so happy with the Atopica, but then the Prednisolone does have it’s long term effects. I wonder if there is any data on this. Molly was on Chlorambucil in addition to her Prednisolone. I remember asking about Cyclosporine and Azathioprine, and from what I recall, the Azathioprine was toxic to cats, but I cannot remember the reason given for Chlorambucil over Cyclosporine, other than it being their protocol. Something for me to research I think.

Again, so very pleased to hear your good news. Keep it up Sadie, you good girl!

Mary and Mable x

[Linda]

Thanks Mary. I do know they use Atopica (cyclosporine) around here for cats. And the two are vastly different, feline Atopica and canine Atopica. I know this only because the doses are obviously lower (size) and I asked. Actually, the canine Atopica is toxic and deadly to felines. Go figure, different animals.

I hope you and Mable are well. Love and hugs to you both,

Linda and Sadie (very much thinking she deserves a bully stick too!)

[admin]

Hi Linda
Oh, I’m over the moon for you & your girl. You deserve to have a celebration, a good rest & Sadie says she deserves an extra biscuit from her Aunty Sheena! You’ve made my weekend even better.
Loads of love from all of us
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie too xxxxx