- Second Chance AIHA ›
- Forums ›
- AIHA Dog ›
- Heart murmur
Well I noticed Maggie seems to have the exact same issue of facial paralysis but now it’s on the left side of her face as well. The right side, the original side that was affected, is still drooping but it is barely noticeable but her right eye cannot blink. Now her left eye cannot blink! Needless to say I went back to the vet (my vet is in FL now for a month) and saw the other vet there who checked her ears and in fact saw an infection in both middle ears. She prescribed cephalexen (def typo) again. She has been on meds for two full days and today she seems to be having balance issues again. There is no rapid eye movement but everyone now and again she stumbles and loses her balance. It appears she is not feeling like her normal self- a lot more tired although she is still eating and relieving herself as usual. Has anyone had the Horner’s syndrome on both sides? Can anyone help shed some light on what may be going on with her?
I will call the vet tomorrow and let them know she isn’t getting better as quick as last time. Her recent blood work results should be back as well so maybe that will provide some clues as to what is going on with her.
Hope everyone’s fur babies are doing well!
Jen & Maggie
Hi Jen
So sorry to hear Maggie has this problem again – you are really going through it – poor girl, she is. At least you are not away from home this time! With the immuno-suppressants, their immune systems aren’t able to cope with infection as well as they normally should.
I don’t want to panic you but I’m concerned about more cephalexin if it is oral & think you should stop it immediately – I think doxycycline is a safer option instead. I will explain why. I recently almost made a big mistake with Worzel – vet gave us an antibiotic he can’t have, even though the poor guy looked everything up in his drug book – I saw him do it & took his word, but thankfully I did check with Dr Dodds – she told me NOT to give it as it is very risky, and shouldn’t even be given to dogs that don’t have IMHA. Very poor of me not to have done my homework properly for Worzel. Cephalexin also carries some (not all) of the same risks as the drug I was given – so that is why I’m not happy for Maggie to take it – it can actually cause anemia – please don’t panic as it’s only been a couple of days – just discuss this with your vet as soon as possible & say you understand doxycycline would be safer this time because of the IMHA. If you would like me to send them the relevant information on cephalosporins, I would be more than happy to help.
Since this scary event for me & Worzel, I have been adding more information into our glossary:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/drugsantibiotics-can-trigger-aiha/
so we can all look these drugs up on this site. I doubt if it will ever be complete & will take a long time – also some drugs only carry a very low risk. I didn’t do MY homework properly for Worzel & I apologise to you that I did not investigate the side effects of the cephalexin properly when Maggie was first given it – I only checked for interactions – I’m sorry that I let you down on that.
Have you consulted with Dr Dodds previously? Sorry, I can’t remember. If so, could you ask her what she would recommend for Maggie’s ear problem. It is virtually impossible to find an antibiotic that is 100% safe for IMHA dogs (or for anyone!!!), but doxycycline looks like the safest option to me & is used regularly for many types of infection in IMHA dogs – Worzel was on it for 5 weeks, but he did have tummy ache, I’m afraid. Maggie needs to have something – you have no choice – and she can’t have penicillin based drugs either – nightmare! Let’s hope this is only the ear infection causing the palsy type symptoms on the other side, rather than Horner’s Syndrome.
Sending you & Maggie love, profound apologies & big hugs
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx
Sheena you have absolutely no need to apologize to me! I appreciate you checking for the drug interactions! I probably should have investigated the drug before giving it anyway. Maggie is now off cephalexin; however the vet took her off it before I saw your post. The vet switched her to Baytril- thinking maybe the cephalexin wasn’t getting deep enough into the middle ear to improve the infection. I reviewed the components of Baytril and do not see them on the list you provided. If I’m wrong, let me know. I’m just hoping all this is caused by an ear infection and can be treated quickly. She is having more balance issues today and even fell down the stairs knocking over my five year old. Any suggestions on the amount of time an antibiotic should start working?
Thanks!!!
Jen & Maggie
Hi Jen
I feel like I’m always being negative (sorry) – Baytril (enrofloxacin) does have a risk of potential neurological side effects including seizures that you need to look out for – it can cross the blood brain barrier – but the severity of the effects seems to be dose dependent, i.e. higher doses pose higher risk. Has Maggie ever had a seizure at all? If not, hopefully she should be OK on lower doses. Have a look at this, specifically the adverse effects & toxicity:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pharmacology/antibacterial_agents/quinolones.html
The occurrence of seizures is far lower in dogs than in people -it is dangerous for us humans, so don’t touch it if you can help it. Rubber gloves!!!! There is also mention of hemolytic anemia there, but I’ve had a look elsewhere & the risk of that is small compared to some other antibiotics.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_enrofloxacin.html – sucralfate must be given at least two hours apart from the enrofloxacin, also says enrofloxacin can increase the kidney damaging properties of cyclosporine.
From what I’ve gleaned from looking antibiotics up so far (it is a mammoth job), the groups that pose the biggest risks for IMHA are the cephalosporins (including cephalexin), sulfa drugs including trimethoprim-sulfa (accidentally prescribed for Worzel) & the penicillins including clavamox, amoxicillin, ampicillin.
Personally, I would still discuss doxycycline with your vet as a safer alternative in case Maggie develops any problems, even though it does have GI side effects. Because it it so commonly used, especially for tick borne disease, I feel more confident that it won’t affect Maggie’s anaemia.
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pharmacology/antibacterial_agents/tetracyclines.html
I found this article on ear infections which I thought you might like to read:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/eye_and_ear/otitis_externa/overview_of_otitis_externa.html#v3270483
It looks like topical application is very effective, coupled with antibiotics.
I’m sorry to hear Maggie is very wobbly & knocked into your little one – are they both OK? No injuries I hope. That is frightening. Dizziness & loss of balance is really common with ear infections, as it causes vestibular (balance) problems, so Maggie must be feeling horrible. Could you stop her using the stairs without supervision? Easier said than done, I know! The vet could also give you motion sickness pills to help her with the dizziness if it doesn’t settle soon.
How long will the antibiotics take to work? Don’t know on that one. Because ear infections are external to the blood system itself, logically the pills will take longer – do you have a topical application too? That would be quicker from reading the ear infections info in the link above.
Hope this helps – let us know how she’s doing when you have time
Love & cuddles from us all
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxx
Hi Jen. So sorry you are going through so much with Maggie. As you know, Sadie had the palsy on both sides (one at a time) too. It’s called Horner’s Syndrome in dogs. She has actually had it three times. Sadie also had an inner ear infection and was put on antibiotics (will have to check which one…..) and that did seem to help. But this last time, no inner ear infection – although, she may have been in the making of the tapeworms. Some dogs are more prone to getting this, as cocker spaniels are for sure, along with 33% of the dogs with AIHA seem to be cockers.
Sadie still has some paralysis on her left side, her eye especially, but it’s getting better. Yes, the balance was off a bit with Sadie too, but that too, is getting better. Their equilibrium is off from the palsy. I would encourage you to use a lubricating ointment in her affected eye, three to four times a day – two at the very least. And keep her out of the wind as much as possible (hence, Sadie’s red sun glasses!).
I hope this helps a bit. You are continuing to do such a fabulous job taking care of your sweet girl. Please give her huge hugs and smooch kisses from Sadie and me.
Linda and Sadie
Sheena, Maggie has had one seizure that I know of. It was a few hours after eating my guacamole. I must thank you again for researching the drug baytril because I had been administering it to close to her stomach protectant. After I corrected the dosing times ( thanks to you
![bingo-14-5_1200x775](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/bingo-14-5_1200x775.jpg "Vally\'s Bingo \\"Smile\\"")
![Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4.jpg "Brigitte\'s Cleo, Ripley, Enzo and Guest \\"Rockin\\"")
