Rocky — IMHA, day 16

[Lauren]

Thanks again. He is resting comfortably in his bed. He didn’t seem to be breathing heavier, but the discharge bothered me.

Thankful for 24 hour pharmacies. Speaking of pharmacies, where does everyone have their medication filled? I’ve found that for some drugs it’s cheaperat the clinic, while others are better at pharmacies.

For instance, the azathioprine was $64 for 30 tablets, but I was able to shop around and found a manufacturer coupon and ended up only paying $14 @ target.

That is one skill I have is bargain hunting and shopping. If anyone needs help finding medication, I’d be happy to help!

[Vally]

Lauren, I’m glad Rocky is comfortable.

With meds, I don’t count as I’m in Australia and all animal prescribed drugs here can only be issued by vets at a premium price of course grrrrrrrr. Drugs for animals cannot be purchased through pharmacies here. I’ve heard of your coupons but we don’t have them here.

A lady up the road supplies me with thyroxine (which she takes herself) for Bingo. Because she’s a pensioner she gets a box for $7 (subsidised by the Government) or when she’s gone over the annual threshhold for medications, she gets them for free. At the vets I pay over $70 for a box. Of course this is not legal and I ask her not to do it as I don’t want her in trouble, but she just comes down with a box every now and then.

One time I pulled out a cyclosporine capsule from it’s foil pack. I was stupidly standing over the sink and it fell in and went straight down the drain. Nooooooo, that capsule was worth $6. I now open all meds over the counter nowhere near the sink.

Take care,
Vally & expensive.

[admin]

Hi Lauren

I am so sorry I didn’t see your post until just now – I must have a problem with my e-mails. I hope Rocky is improving with his treatment & is soon on the mend. My goodness your drugs are pricey! It does pay to look around. A box of 30 levothyroxine is 2 euros here! Azathioprine 28 euros for 100. But you need a prescription for them, of course, so there’s no way to cheat. On the negative side, Worzel’s mitral valve prolapse meds cost over 100 euros per month. He’s worth every cent though!

Glad to hear Rocky is comfortable now.
Love to you both
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie

[admin]

Hi Lauren

How is Rocky doing today? I’m sorry to hear he has an infection. I agree with Brigitte about listening to your gut. It was my gut that picked up Molly’s IMHA with the tiniest of subtle hints. I think you just know when something isn’t right. I do hope the augmentin is kicking in and doing it’s job.

On the medication front, I don’t really count either as am in the UK and vets have to prescribe brand medications rather than generics. The occasional thing can be bought at the pharmacy in human form but I’ve only over done that with vet approval and information on dosing (we used human chlorphenamine with Molly – a fraction of the vet brand price). Pets are expensive little luxuries aren’t they? But worth every penny.

I hope Rocky is feeling much better today.

Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Hi Lauren. How is Rocky doing?

Of course, as has been mentioned many times above, we are ALL continually paranoid. Alone, you’re not. We all understand totally and right there with you!

It does sound like Rocky is being well cared for by your vet(s), which is great – that’s a huge part in getting him back to health. It’s great to hear that they are willing to explain, listen and help you sort through it all, as it’s all so mind boggling – information overload.

I apologize for not posting lately, I have been out of town and limited time to post. It seems I am on the go way too much and I am continually trying to steal away to check on everyone here, but not often enough.

As far as the medications, I buy all of Sadie’s prescriptions from Costco. They are incredible on their prices for canine and feline medications. In fact, in addition to their already great prices, they also have an additional discount for you pet, should you not have ‘pet insurance’ which really helps too. I buy Sadie’s prednisone, Atopica (which was 1/3 the price of at the vet!), Clopidogrel (generic for Plavix, anti-clotting), Sucralfate (when she took it, I now use Pepcid and slippery elm), Denamarin (when she took it, I now use milk thistle and SAM-e). All prices are a tremendous savings. Just fill out the form and you’ll be assigned a number to all your canine prescriptions (and yours too, if you don’t have insurance) automatically. They have been wonderful. I was going in almost every week and got to know them well – they always ask how Sadie is doing. At their suggestion (thank you Costco!), I now get all her prescriptions for 90 days, but I must say, I miss seeing them!! :) Here’s the link for the discount program:

http://www2.costco.com/Service/FeaturePage.aspx?ProductNo=11772015

I hope this helps. It sure did help me (and Sadie!). Please keep us posted with Rocky.

Sending our best with lots of love,

Linda and Sadie

[Lauren]

Hi All,
Sorry I’ve been MIA. I had a girl’s weekend planned for months, and debated going or not to stay with Rocky, but I ended up going and had a great time. And Rocky had a great weekend too, so that made it even more relaxing.
His appointment was rescheduled from yesterday to today at the Vet, so we are anxiously waiting right now.
The nasal discharge has gone away completely and he is overall doing well. He seems to be very comfortable and happy. His appetite is back to normal, and I almost feel like he is getting that way too.
My only concern today is that he has a new bruise on his belly. I didn’t see it until this morning when he rolled over to have his belly rubbed. Of course, my mind is going crazy with thoughts of replapsing to where we were just 3 weeks ago.
Has anyone else had experience with new bruising on their dogs?
Thanks again in advance,
Lauren

[Vally]

Lauren bruising needs to be checked in case there’s bleeding. You re going to your vet today?

Vally

[Patrice]

You must see the vet immediately

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_dg_petechaiae_ecchymosis_bruising