Lola

[admin]

Hi Ashley

So glad to hear things are looking good for Lola! I am also a little concerned about the prednisone reduction being too fast, even though she wasn’t on a very high dose to start with. Brigitte is right – we are all pretty cautious on here because of experience with other owners who have reduced too quickly, but we are not vets. We all want the best possible outcome for Lola without any hiccups! Some vets do a reduction that they would use for other diseases & AIHA/IMHA is completely different as you don’t want to risk a relapse, although the azathioprine seems to be doing the job so far. Maybe you vet considers Lola was on a low enough dose at the beginning not to have suffered from adrenal atrophy? You need to be aware of the possibilities though, just in case, and discuss them with your vet. The adrenal glands shrink (atrophy) during longer term prednisone treatment & don’t work properly – they need time to wake up again, otherwise Lola could become ill from a lack of cortisol. Please read our AIHA terms on prednisone & hypoadrenocorticism so you will be able to spot any signs.

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone/

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/hypoadrenocorticism/

Please do no get overly worried about this – these problems are treatable at the vets. My dog Worzel had to have a fast reduction for other clinical reasons & I watched him like a hawk. He got through it, but he was pretty rough during the withdrawal process – he was actually sore to the touch & very uncomfortable, lethargic & a bit miserable. Thankfully, this didn’t last too long, but I can tell you it was a stressful time for us!

I hope Lola continues to come on in leaps and bounds & am really pleased things are going well. You have been fantastic, Ashley.

Best wishes from us all, Sheena, Worzel & Ollie

[Vally]

Ashley, I’m thrilled to hear Lola is doing so well.  It’s wonderful to see them feeling better and congratulations Lola on your 6th adoption birthday.

I must also add my concerns about the reduction though.   I’m guessing you have already reduced the prednisone from 20mg because to go from 20mg to 10mg every 2 days is a 75% reduction (yes Brigitte, your maths is spot on) and that is way too fast.

Bingo relapsed twice when doing 50% reductions, meaning we had to go back up in prednisone dosage and do the reductions all over again.  After the second time that he relapsed, we have done the reductions much much slower.  Never more than 25% at a time over a period of 2 months each time.

What is Lola’s PCV?

Good luck with your next check up.

Vally & Bingo

 

[admin]

Hi Ashley.  I too, am so happy to hear that Lola is doing well.  Please, stay with us here and keep us posted.   All here are dealing with the same disease, but each dog responds differently to the medications needed (immune suppressants).  Your story is important, and will for sure help other.  It would be so appreciated if you can keep us posted as to how Lola continues.

As all have said here too, and please don’t be discouraged by us (continually) saying this, go SLOW on the weaning.  There are too many dogs and cats with AIHA that had to pay the consequences of  being weaned too fast (for what ever reason).  Some do okay with a faster wean, but in truth, the majority don’t and you’re back at square one.  Please, keep this in mind.

 

For Sadie, this last weaning since her relapse in June 2013, I go one month with each reduction (at least) and never reduce more than 20-25% each time.  I do a PCV each week and CBC each month.  As the dose has lowered with Sadie, I now do a PCV every 10 days and still the CBC every 30 days.  But that’s me AND Sadie’s wean has been a bit different (no need to go into it, but she had problems with long term cyclosporine).  My point is – SLOW and in smaller increments of reduction.  :)

Again, SO happy for you, your husband and Lola.  I know you both are on cloud 9!

Love and hugs, Linda and Sadie

[admin]

Hi Ashley

So pleased to hear that Lola is feeling such a lot better. That is wonderful news and I’m sure you are over the moon. Since you first posted, have you already reduced her prednisolone? As the others have said, to go from 20mg daily to 10mg every two days seems a big drop and I’d be inclined to go slower, unless maybe it has already been reduced. Brigitte mentioned contacting Dr Dodds at hemopet, which is definitely a great idea and she would also be someone to discuss the stomach/liver protection with.

I hope Lola had a wonderful time at the lake and a great 6th adoption birthday!

Mary and Mable x

[Ashley]

Hello all.

The prednisone was being given twice daily after her initial diagnosis and then after her crash.  Since her crash, she has been to the vet twice.  We gradually reduced her prednisone from twice daily to once daily to now every other day.  Keep in mind that Azothiprine was added to the mix after her crash, and that dosage has not been lowered.  I guess we’ll find out in two weeks how she does on the every-other-day dosage.

In the meantime, I am trying to consult with a specialist just to be extra cautious.  We have looked into Dr. Dodds and are trying to locate a specialist within any of our border states.  I have asked a vet friend for recommendations and asked him about Dr. Dodds.  We very well may end up contacting her.

I also wanted to add that Lola was tested for tick disease when all of this began, but that was ruled out.

That’s the latest, and we’ll keep you posted.

[admin]

Hi Ashley,

thanks for clearing this up about the reduction. I did not realize that you already reduced before. Sorry and also please excuse any thing we repeat on here. We all have gone through this disease at one point and the worry and sometimes fear is still in our bones.

I am glad you had a tick test done on Lola, this is always good to rule out. How is Lola behaving? Are the side effects of the prednisone wearing off? Thanks for keeping us posted!

Best wishes,

Brigitte

[Vally]

Brigitte is right, the worry never goes away.  Fingers crossed and good luck with the reduction.  Sounds like Lola has coped really well wit the past ones.  Yes, please keep us posted.

Regards, Vally & Bingo

[admin]

Hi Ashley

All sounds good! I’m happy to hear the reduction was already under way – we all worry about each other on here and this has put my mind at rest. Please keep in touch & I’m so glad things are going to plan.

Best wishes for Lola’s continuing recovery

Sheena, Worzel & Ollie