Nula (5yr old English Cocker Spaniel)

[Ruth]

Thank you Mary :) xxxxx

[Ruth]

Thank you Mary and Linda! Really helped to be reminded that she isn’t in pain! I just rang the vets for an update. She tolerated the transfusion well and she’s more alert. Her breathing and heart rate had been really fast this morning, but they’re back to normal since the transfusion. They’ve put her on a different steroid now (dexomethizone?), one that can be injected into her vein so they’re hoping that’ll act quicker. They’re hoping the transfusion will put her PCV up to about 30 this evening, and they’ll test her in the morning to see if its dropped low again. They gave her more blood this time so if she does take a drop, it won’t make her so critically low. She’s had a little walk and is a bit brighter which is good. So until the morning, no news is good news ♥ xxxxxx

[admin]

Hi again Ruth

You are the greatest Mum – great to hear you are fighting for your dear Nula. I know it’s hard to keep positive when you see them looking so weak. Keep thinking of our lovely Vally’s Bingo & Linda’s Sadie.

Lots of folks on here used Cerenia (contains the drug maropitant) as anti-nausea medication – I don’t know which one Nula is being given, but thought you could suggest it if she isn’t on it already.

Sorry to hear the visit was a no-go – the transfusion will help her feel better. It will take time for these drugs to stop her destroying her red cells as well as the transfused ones. It was a couple of weeks before Worzel started making new baby red cells. It’s a matter of patience & perseverance, I suppose. I was so very upset when Worzel’s PCV kept dropping & dropping & wondered if we were “doing the right thing” at times. The people on here gave me constant reassurance that I must wait & if the azathioprine didn’t work, we had many more drugs we could try instead. I hope the Atopica will do the trick for Nula – it has worked really well for so many people’s dogs on here.

Loads of best wishes for Nula to have a better night tonight – hoping you can see her tomorrow instead.

Thinking of you, Sheena, Worzel & Ollie

[admin]

Hi Ruth
Dexamethasone is much, much stronger than prednisolone & I’m pleased to read this. I think we were typing at the same time, so I didn’t see your last message. I am not going to mention the PCV of 25 rule again, as they maybe have their reasons for giving more now with the new drug.
Love from us all, Sheena

[Linda]

Hi Ruth. You are doing an incredible job with all this. I researched Dexamethasone. Wow – great they’re on top of this – they really do know what they’re doing. Nula is in the best of care.

I know you are so worried, but you’ll see a difference – it’s just not going to happen right away and that’s so exasperating. I know I’m like a broken record, but hang in there. We’re right here with you. Keep us posted.

Love and hugs, Linda

[Ruth]

Thank you Linda and Sheena! Really good to know you guys think the dexamethasone is good stuff! Really hoping it pulls her through this! Hoping for better PCV results tomorrow, and I’m hoping I can talk them into letting me visit too! Thank you so much for keeping me going! It’s horrid you’ve all been through this/going through this too, but it’s such a comfort coming here! Just praying she comes through this! I can’t lose her xxxxxxx

[admin]

Hiya Ruth

You know we are ALL rooting for Nula. Hang on in there for now until the medications start to take effect.

I keep forgetting to tell you that you can look lots of things up in our “AIHA terms” at the top of the page in the blue bar – they are in alphabetical order. For example Dexamethasone is there https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/dexamethasone/
and cyclosporine
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/cyclosporine/
You can look up any of the usual drugs & treatments that are used, how to give the medicines & when, side effects to expect & how to deal with them, also some of the names of things you might not have heard of before Nula got this disease, such as reticulocytes (baby red cells)
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/reticulocytes/
I hope these explanations will help you get to know what is going on inside Nula’s body.

Read them when you have time & don’t worry – there will not be an aptitude test afterwards!!! We’ve just written them to help people get their pet treated properly & to know what to expect with this complicated disease. If you have any questions, you only have to ask though.

You & Nula are in my thoughts – please let us know how she is tomorrow.
In the meantime, I order you to get some much needed rest, relaxation & sleep!
Sheena, Hoppity & Ollie
xxx

[Linda]

Late here and on iPhone, but wanted you to know O’m thinking of you and Na. Hang in there.

co Linda