Romeo (Boxer)

[Colleen]

Hi Sheena,

The only other CBC we’ve had besides the PCV checks I have emailed you :) This is the first one we had on Nov 7 when Romeo was diagnosed. ​Hopefully you can read it as it’s a cell phone picture of the lab report (they are mailing me a hard copy).

I think Romeo was worried we were going to yell at him for his accident this morning, but we do not yell at him for any accidents he has when he is sick. They are far and few between, but this is the first diarrhea in the house (and hopefully won’t have many more). He has had diarrhea and lots of gas but other than that no issues.

Romeo had a tick test done initially so we ruled that out. We don’t have ticks around here however he has been bitten before but not for quite some time, and I understand we ruled that out, also.

Yes, Romeo took the antibiotic (Metronidazole) with the Myco :( I’m sad to hear it shouldn’t be given with anemia or blood disorders…wonder if the vet knows that…

I have heard a bit about Thyroid medication and it really helping IMHA dogs…I’ve brought it up to my vet but she doesn’t agree with it. She said it’s not the underlying issue. Maybe I’ll try again.

Tamara has already been very helpful and supportive – she brought me to your site and I’m so glad for that!!

Romeo is about 69 pounds. He is on half a baby aspirin every other day which is about 40.5 mg every other day. Let me point out that Romeo does NOT have Cardiomyopathy/Enlarged heart nor did he ever have fluid in the lungs or need to be on Lasix. He was mis-diagnosed. So we discontinued the Enalapril and Lasix right away once we got the right diagnosis and a vet who knew what they were talking about! :) Romeo does, however, have a heart murmur as a result of the meds :( They don’t seem too concerned about this and call it “normal” in his condition.

Thanks so much for all the help and support :)

[Linda]

Hi Colleen. I sent you an e-mail – hope you got it. I just wanted you to know that we are thinking of you and Romeo.

Sadie had a few accidents too – it’s the medicine(s). Like Romeo, she always felt so badly, poor girl – it would be right by the front door. I felt as badly as she did. It’s much better now, since weaning off the horrible, but VERY necessary drugs.

In a hurry – out the door – but wanted to let you know – you and Romeo are so in my heart and thoughts.

Love and hugs to you both, Linda and Sadie

[Colleen]

Thank you, Linda :) And Sadie :) :)

[Patrice]

Romeo

 

[admin]

Colleen – He’s a real Romeo for sure – very good looking & charisma too

Thanks for telling us about the misdiagnosis – that must have been horrible for you. If it’s any consolation, Worzel has had a murmur for years & we also went down the path with the vets that it was his heart causing him to be ill – but it was IMHA. Grrrrrr!!!!!

Sheena x

[Vally]

Oh he’s gorgeous!

[admin]

Just a quick note to say I was thinking about you & wondering how you &Romeo are doing?
Love & hugs, Sheena & the boys xxxx

[Colleen]

Thank you, Sheena and Vally!! I contacted Dr Dodds finally!! She is traveling, but got back to me fairly quickly :) This is what she said:

Dear Colleen: Hi – I have read over everything and think that Rome is basically coping adequately with his POCV at 20%. He currently has the “anemia of chronic disease”: brought about by the initial, presumed and likely IMHA plus the side effects of the drugs given to suppress his immune system.

The important thing now is to keep his bone marrow functioning (use thyroxine as described below to stimulate new blood cell production == suggest a conservative dose of thyroxine at his weight of 0. 4 mg twice daily, apart from meals), plus a liver sparing and cleansing diet (see attached).

She attached about 5 documents before – some of which have been shared to me before by other IMHA warriors. My question is, What is Thyroxine? Is this the same as Soloxine? Or different?

Thank you!
Colleen (and Romeo)