Almost 6yr old Maltese Coco

[Hope]

1 week ago today my almost 6yr old maltese Coco became lethargic and pale. Hematocrit was 22. We started Prednisone 2mg/kg last Sunday. Her levels dropped to 17 on Tuesday and she was weak, no appetite and turning yellow so she was given a blood transfusion. Her PCV did not increase and stayed at 17 post transfusion. She was given a second drug Azathioprine to take with the prednisone. I was told to bring her home and make her comfortable and that she may not last the night. Suddenly a few hrs later her paleness had a slight pink tinge. We brought her in the next morning and her PCV was back at 22 (2 days ago). Since then she suffered 2 breathing episodes where she went grey and we thought we were going to lose her but the last 2 days she has been stable and has had an appetite. Tomorrow will be 1 week post diagnosis. Any advice would be appreciated. Are there any success stories of dogs that have beaten this and lived a normal life? What should I expect in the coming weeks, months…if we can make it there? Thank you.

[Vally]

Hi Hope, I’m sorry you and Coco are going through this. It’s a terrible time, I know.

Yes, many many dogs survive and it’s often a case of hitting this disease quickly and hard in the early days.

Hopefully the azathioprine will help. It that doesn’t work, ask your vet to add in Cyclosporine.

Is Coco on any other drugs? stomach protection? blood clotting protection like aspirin?

Do you have a copy of Coco’s blood test results. If you send them through on Urgent Advice, Patrice, the site owner can have a look at them. She’s very clever with understanding what is going on and can help you to understand.

Coco will probably get worse before he gets better, I’m sorry to say, but don’t give up hope.

Ask anything.

Regards, Vally