New Journey / Off to a promising start

[Alison Kratish]

Sorry…*Azathioprine

[Vally]

Thanks Alison, Atopica is so expensive, I’m sure this will help many others.

Here, in Australia, I eventually found that I could get a prescription from the vet and go to the local chemist and have it filled. The first time I did it, I rang them and told them it was for a dog and they said that’s okay, as long as there’s a script. When I took it in to have filled, the same thing, I said, DUH, “Bingo” is a dog and the script is from his vet. They said that’s okay we can do that. The difference was it was now less than half price. Wish I’d thought of it sooner. It never occurred to me that a vet could give a prescription that would be accepted by a pharmacy.

[Alison Kratish]

We’ve just hit the 1 month mark since diagnosis of this horrific disease and i’m happy to say that Cody is doing MUCH better. We had a CBC and PCV run on Friday, July 1 (he was diagnosed on June 4). Cody’s PCV has been holding steady at 40 for a week now and his CBC values were almost all within normal range, compared to values that were all over the map 2 weeks prior.

We have not yet started the tapering down of the dosages of either the Prednisone, Azathioprine or Atopica, nor am I looking forward to the anxiety that comes along with that not so fun process, but I am still cautiously optimistic that we are headed toward the positive side of the IMHA statistics column. Death is not an option. We are still fighting hard!!

I’ve also just added Denamarin to the regimen to keep his liver in check. We’ll start that med this week, as soon as my delivery arrives from the online pharmacy.

Fingers crossed for continued stability and even the elusive improvement!

[Sheena]

Looking really good Alison! You have been brilliant at getting Cody the right help.

Yes, the weaning of the drugs is scary for everyone – follow the golden rules – prednisone first following the protocol here:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone-dose-reduction/

Great to hear the denamrin is on it’s way – it’s great stuff for bringing their liver enzymes down – these drugs are harsh on the liver.

Congratulations on the wonderful PCV – when is the next test? Good luck!

Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[Alison Kratish]

Thanks, Sheena. For now I have him on a once per week PCV Testing schedule (every Friday since I only work until 11 a.m. on Fridays). I did the CBC’s at two week intervals, but if all stays ok for the next two PCV tests, I may do the CBC’s every three weeks instead.

I do consider myself to be very lucky with the positive progress thus far. I know there are many others who keep up with this just as much as I have but whose dogs just don’t respond so well to the treatment. My heart breaks for those people as there really just isn’t a “one size fits all” treatment plan for this horrid IMHA. I know we are still not guaranteed a smooth sailing from here, but at least I can never look back and say I missed something here or there in the attempt to beat this. IMHA has basically taken over our lives (mine, Cody’s and his poor Corgi sister, Lulu’s) but my babies are well worth the adjustment.

[Sheena]

It’s so nice when dogs respond well – getting the right diagnosis, investigations & treatment helps very much indeed. Most dogs do respond & go on to a drug-free remission. But there will always be stubborn cases & I agree it is absolutely rotten for anyone to go through that. This stinking disease makes me very angry sometimes. But for you & Cody, I am so happy, I really am.

I value & cherish every day with Worzel, but am aware he needs watching like a hawk forever as things can change in an instant. We have to be ultra-careful about weaning the immuno-suppressants, then after that avoiding any drugs or vaccines that can trigger a relapse. And infections need prompt attention. I promise this has taken over our lives too, and that is why I’m here trying to help other paranoid owners like myself! That is life with IMHA – Vally calls it the crazy, paranoid world – too true. Thinking positive & refusing to give in are our weapons of IMHA destruction! Only we can understand each other -no-one else – so it’s a good place to air any worries too.

Sheena & the boys.

[Vally]

Alison, this is great news. Sheena has said it all. Prednisone first, which is good because that’s the one that causes the mose side effects. It is scary doing the reductions, but it’s a good scary really.

Lots of love
Vally and Bingo

Ps Sheena, weapons of IMHA destruction – love it !!!!

[AmyE]

so happy to see good news! Glad things are going in the right direction!!!
Amy & Coal