Newly diagnosed and struggling

[Marie G]

BiBi is a puppy mill rescue, 6 years old Cavalier King Charles, diagnosed 8/6/2019. On August 8th I took her for a checkup and to get a baseline x-ray for a grade 1 heart murmur. They took blood just as part of her checkup. We left and two hours later the vet’s office called telling me to get her back over for a blood transfusion. Her count was 15. After the transfusion she was 30, one week later dropped to 26 and stayed there (tested weekly) for 3 weeks on 5mg prednisone 2x a day and 12.5 mg of Azathioprine 1x a day. Her next appointment was this coming Friday but this morning she had blood in her stools so off to the vet’s we went. She has Colitis and she dropped to 21. The vet increased her prednisone to 7.5 mg 2x a day, kept the Azathioprine the same. She is struggling on the 10 mg a day, I can’t image what the increase will do. Her panting is excessive. Our routine of a little food, ice chips, cold compresses and then a cooling mat use to get her back to normal and now works for less then an hour and she is back to panting even in her sleep. Air conditioning set on 67 at all times.

I am looking for any and all advise, recommendations, anything that could help. Does anyone know of other drug therapy options, anyone have any luck with oxygen therapy, any advice on the panting, diet…. any advice would be appreciated.

Kind regards, Marie

Health: Other than grade 1 murmur and many dental extractions, she has been in fairly good health since rescued November 2018. Some question with her foster care vet regarding giant platelets however her current vet does not think she has giant platelets. She came to me June 1st with no issues before the vet visit on 8/6. The foster Mom I know well, my daughter, so I followed BiBi’s progress since day one.

[Marie G]

Sorry, forgot her weight. BiBi weighs 13.5 lbs

[Vally]

Marie, I’m sorry BiBi is sick right now.

The panting that you’re seeing is a side effect of the prednisone, as you’ve said, but as distressing as it is to see, this will stay until the prednisone dosage can be lowered, when BiBi stabilises. Prednisone has a whole list of side effects, but right now, it’s necessary.

Here is a link to the prednisone topic we have under AIHA Terms.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone

In fact the original dosage that BiBi was on was a little low and the dosage of 7.5 mg twice a day is the correct dosage she needs to be on right now.

I’m worried the prednisone may be causing stomach problems and possibly an ulcer. BiBi should be on stomach protection. Is she on any other drugs other than the prednisone and Azathioprine? Some dogs need to be on a blood thinner to prevent clotting, and we recommend all dogs have stomach protection. My own dog suffered an ulcer from the prednisone – this is not uncommon. The best stomach protection is sucralfate but it must be given away from food and drugs as it stops absorption.

Make sure you always give prednsione and azathioprine WITH food.

Ask anything.

Vally

[Marie G]

Hello Vally,

Thank you for responding. I do always give her meds at meal time and you may regret saying “ask anything” but here I go anyway!

In one of the posts someone suggested pepcid – Thoughts?

Is panting 85% of the time normal? Even when sleeping? Any thoughts on what could help reduce the panting?

I am very disheartened she dropped to 21. Do you think it could have dropped because of the blood in the stools/colitis? Or another reason?

Any thoughts on things like diet and oxygen therapy?

Sorry to blast you but I was handling this fairly well until the drop to 21 today. This poor little girl has lived for 5 years in a cage having one litter after another. She is finally rescued, finally loved and spoiled like she deserves and now this. My heart is just breaking for her.

Any advice would be appreciated,
Marie

[Vally]

Marie, if she is losing blood through stools, then yes, her numbers will definitely drop so need to get that sorted out. Pepcid can be used to help reduce acid, which will help. I personally like sucralfate best because it works to coat the stomach lining and heal any ulcers that may be present. I used this on Bingo after there being blood in his stool and within a day, he was so much better.

The panting does happen and I know it’s distressing. Is it normal to pant 85% of the time, to be honest I don’t know, it was one side effect my boy didn’t seem to go through too much, but I know it’s part and parcel of pred.

Diet, keep it low fat, in fact if you go to the liver cleansing diet from Dr Jean Dodds, it is great to follow that as the liver will also be dealing with the prednisone. See here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/nutrition-resources

Vally

[Vally]

You could also add an iron supplement, such as Pet Tinic.

[Marie G]

Vally – much appreciation for your advice. I will call the vet tomorrow and ask for sucralfate. I will also read the link and research Pet Tinic. Thank you for pointing me in a direction!!

[Linda]

Hi Marie. I am so sorry that you and your Bibi are going through this.

Piping in on Vally’s blood thinner (I used clopidogrel for my Sadie) suggestion, much needed. It will take a prescription, as will the sucralfate (great stuff) for her tummy protection. I buy PetTinic on Amazon or Entirely Pets, but check the internet for best prices.

This is a great group. Vally and Patrice are wonderful and spot on with their advice. Babi is fortunate to have your love and devotion. Sending hang in there hugs. Linda and Sadie.