Ashki – new thread

[admin]

Sorry – should have mentioned nicotinic acid is Vit B3 or niacin – I expect you knew that, but thought I’d mention it anyway. It is in my Vit B complex pills.
Sheena x

[Tamara]

Thank you Vally and Sheena. Poor Ashki is disappointed because he’s getting fewer treats now, but it must be done. Maybe I can dry some green beans or something to use for treats?

Thanks so much Sheena for the info re. bilirubinuria. I think it must be something that is causing it to elevate in the morning only, but I can’t think of what has changed other than the increased dietary protein. I need to go back and look at that list you made again and continue thinking about it.

Some better news today, his HCT is only down 1 point from last week so that is a big relief. Reticulocytes are stable at 29k.

Ashki continues to be playful and is working hard at keeping an eye on the neighborhood goings on.

Love to you all —
tamara and ashki xoxox

[admin]

Hi Tamara,
I am so glad Ashki is feeling well! The bilirubin in the morning is sure weird. Maybe it has something to do with him “working it off” during the day and at night, because he pees less it sits there. this is clearly the logic of a totally unscientific person:)

For non protein treats I have done driedsweet potatoe slices, both my dogs love them. Just slice a raw sweet potatoe and put the slices in a dehydrator. I am sure it would work in the oven at low temperature. I have not tried it with cooked sweet potatoes, I think they might crumble.

Best wishes,
Brigitte

[Tamara]

Brigitte, thank you so much for the dehydrated sweet potato idea! What kind of dehydrator do you use?

I talked with Ashki’s specialist tonight and you’re right Brigitte about the bilirubin! She said that because it’s normal in the afternoon that it’s a function of his urine concentrating at night — apparently this happens with some boy dogs, they will have bilirubin in their urine when it is concentrated. And that it is concentrated is also good news because his kidneys weren’t concentrating his urine well until the last few weeks, so it looks like the reduction in cyclosporine was the right thing to do for his kidneys.

We go next Tuesday for a PCV follow up and of course I’ll still be checking Ashki’s urine in my “lab.” :D

love,
tamara and ashki xoxoxo

[admin]

Tamara,
I am pretty happy I was not too far out with my non scientific guess:) Crossing my fingers that Mr. Ashki stops scaring you.
I use a NESCO dehydrator. I bought 2 extra trays and make lots of liver treats. Right now I am going ito real production since all my doggie friends will get liver treats for their dogs for Christmas! I think I payed about $100 but it has been well worth it. Before I had it I used to do it in the oven at low temperatiures. This certainly worked too. The nice thing (especially with stinky liver treats is) I can do it in the garage or even outside.

Best wishes,
Brigitte

[Vally]

Well that sounds better Ashki – now we need to see some higher numbers please.

Love Vally & Bingo

[Vally]

Tamara, how did Ashki go?

Love Vally & Bingo

[Tamara]

Vally, thanks so much for asking after us. Ashki is doing well, I’m doing okay. His HCT is down again, to 27. We’re putting the cyclosporine back up. I had a long talk with the specialist last night and she agrees that he is in relapse from weaning too quickly, however she is going to send his case over to UC Davis and review it with one of the supervising internists there. His bone marrow is trying, there is polychromasia and he is macrocytic. No sign of hemolysis, we haven’t had any for a long while, she thinks that the antigens are targeting the RBC precursors in the marrow which is what we thought before. I also sent her an email last night asking about possibly adding melatonin and/or trying a course of anabolic steroid as I forgot to mention that during our chat.

Ashki’s energy is up and down, mostly up, he’s doing well clinically so that is very good.

I was a bit of a wreck for a day or two but am doing better now. I plan to write an email to Jean Dodds this weekend to get some input from her as well, and I want to ask her specifically if her use of anabolic steroids with non-regenerative dogs has been helpful for cases of late stage maturation arrest as that is what Ashki’s last bone marrow biopsy showed. The specialist did mention that we might want to consider another one at some point, but I would want to know if the results would alter the treatment plan.

I’m imagining that if he is still dropping next week we’ll increase the pred from 20mg SID to 30mg SID.

Right now I am working on staying in the moment with Ashki, doing a lot of deep breathing, and being grateful for him and the time I have with him. And of course doing everything I can to support his healing and recovery from this awful effing disease.

love,
tamara and ashki