Sadie – Relapse….again.

[admin]

Back last night from GA for quick, 24 hour visit for 2year old grand son’s birthday. We stayed at a Drury Inn (awe, okay if you have a pooch, but NOT recommended….). Drank a large coffee and up until wee hours (yikes, the caffeine!). Before going to bed (finally, wide eyed!) I let Sadie out. She was weird, but chalked it up to crazy hour. This morning we slept in (a first in at least 10 years!) until 9:00 AM. But that too was weird because Sadie will usually ‘check me’ with her little nose nicely – she wants to go teetee pretty early. I got up and she stayed lying on bed, lethargic. I knew right away. I picked her up and put her on the floor. She wobbled. I picked her up, carried her downstairs. She would not go outside. Tried to feed her. No eating. Her gums were very pale. My husband and I coached her outside and she pooped and tee teed. Her urine was VERY orange, but she squats si low, I could not get s catch. Gathered up the poop, went to vet.

Her PCV – 22. As you know, she does not bottom out historically. Stool normal. Her standing heart rate was a bit fast. Lying down was fine. On the way out of the vet, I managed to get a little cup under her as she squatted outside before getting in car to go home. Ran it in quickly, it was only enough to run for a stick test – showed HIGH BILIRUBIN. Infection?

Back to 20mg daily on prednisone (only). She typically responds well and quite fast.

Gave her 10mg prednisone at vets (had already given her 3.5 mg, with breakfast before going to vet – which she only took a few bites).

So now she’s on:

20 mg pred BID (10 am / 10 pm)
Ciprofloxacin 25O mg BID
Pepcid BID
Denamarin 225 mg OPD w/food
PetTinic BID

They’re wondering about her spleen…..she just put that out there. Her belly seemed swollen (really, kind of sudden because I checked yesterday morning….). She is wondering WHY Sadie keeps relapsing (other that being allergic to Valdosta, GA!!). I know, I know…..

And also mentioned and I was even wondering about this: Cushings from the long term prednisone. So great, here we go again. She’s been on the 4.5 prednisone daily (only) for almost 6 weeks. I was just going to go to 3.5 mg daily but didn’t do it in the last two weeks due to travel. Oh well……

Her CBC last week, 07/03/15, was pretty normal – her Hematocrit was 49! Today it was 22. Here are the norm/highs on her last two CBC’S:

Note: I forgot urine for urinalysis last week (included in full panel) and traveled next day. Fell through cracks – I feel horrible about that….

07/03/15 CBC NORM/HIGHS:

GGTP: 21 (1-12) H
Alk Phosphaste: 1608 (5-131) H
Cholesterol: 379 (82-324) H
Neutrophils: 80 (60-77) H
Platelet Count: 369 (170-400) N
BUN/Creatinine: 47 (4-27) H

04/27/15 CBC NORM/HIGHS:

GGPT: 11 (1-12) N
Alk Phosphaste: 1301 (5-131) H Cholesterol: 376 (92-324) H
Neutrophils: 81 (60-77) H
Platelet Count: 424 (170-400) H
BUN/Creatinine: 21 (4-27) N

I will scan and send both (07/03/15 and 04/27/15) lab reports to team tomorrow, but pretty much all else was within normal limits.

She ate the rest of her food when we came home. Jumped to the couch and is now resting.
This is nuts. Relapse THREE.

PCV check and urinalysis again tomorrow morning. Will keep you posted. Don’t worry – I’m okay….and Sadie will be too.

Love to you all. Hugs your pups.

😘 Linda

Mary – Sadie’s vet had a cat in there last week with very pale gums. Fur parent had taken him in for yearly physical. After looking at his mouth, vet said ‘no vaccines’ and did a PCV. He was at 8%!!! She could not believe it because he was bouncing off the walls – playful and active. AIHA diagnosed. Poor baby. Thought of you. I will check on him for you. 😍

I HATE THIS STINKING DISEASE!!!!!

[admin]

Hi Linda – really sorry to hear about Sadie’s relapse. But it sounds like you are on the ball, and both of you are dealing with it….. will be thinking of you both.
Yes, it is an absolutely stinking, vile, awful disease – and I wish that we all knew what caused it…..
Come on Sadie; get that PCV up again for your mum!

love,

Lynda, Dora and Bella (Consuelo is in Menorca with her son and his family…… I couldn’t face the heat, so stayed behind with the girls!)
xx

[admin]

Dear Linda,
I am so very sorry. The thing that is so unfair and scary thing is, that even if you do all the right things, it can still happen. I think you need to do some detective work, maybe you can find out what the trigger is. Time of year, exposure to chemicals, change of food, stress? I have a friend who knew the stress of visitors or travel could trigger a relapse and she always gave her dog a bit of a higher dose before such events. I don’t know if that would make sense in your case though. I am sure your head is spinning already and for now the most important thing is to get those RBC’s up again. You have experience now, you are the expert, YOU and Sadie can do this, there is no doubt in my mind!
I have told you about Richard and Dylan, he was on the old vetnet. His treatment was quite controversial and I have heard only a couple of cases being treated that way, all by holistic vets. I still don’t know what I should think of it even though I believe in alternative medicine to some extent. He put Dylan on a high dose of prednisone and as soon as she responded, usually withing 4-5 days, he reduced quickly and got her off it. Long term prednisone use did not agree with Dylan at all. Richard knew that the relapses (I think at least 5 of them) were triggered by sprayed lawn insecticides. The only reason I mention this case is that I want to tell you that dogs can be ok with multiple relapses. You probably know of Meisha from Meisha’s Hope, she to survived multiple relapses. It is just so frustrating that this could happen again!
As for the bilirubin in the urine, I don’t think that is because of an infection but the dead red blood cells being shed. If there would be an infection Sadie would have a high white blood cell count.
I would question the ciprofloxacin, from what I checked it is an antibiotic. Why does she need it? Just because is not a good enough answer. Your vet might have a valuable one. You know how much I am a fan of sucralfate, it is missing form the list of drugs. What about tyroxin, have thyroid levels ever been checked?
Sending best wishes to you, Sadie and your family!
Love Brigitte

[lynn]

Linda, I am so sorry to hear Sadie has relapsed again… Brigitte made good points on her post .
Sadie is a fighter and your quick action got her the care and treatment needed to recover… I will keep you and Sadie in my prayer’s… I have prayed … and, will keep the prayer’s going.Big hug for you and beautiful Sadie. love Lynn & Hayley

[admin]

Oh my goodness, Linda – this is just not fair on you both – you do everything right & this happens – my heart goes out to you, my dear, dear friend. High neutrophils usually means infection, as you said, but bilirubin is from broken down red cells – I know you know that, bless you. She’ll be OK – I hope it’s just an infection that’s caused this & I know Sadie bounces back with upping the pred. If I were you, I’d get an abdominal ultrasound to check her spleen, pancreas, etc, just to be sure though.

You are right – this crappy disease keeps us all on edge – every single minute.

Keep in touch every second you can

Loads, loads, loads of love
Sheena
xxxxxx

[admin]

Me again
Just reading Vally’s suggestion of a tick test – great idea. Also possible PCR test (specific)
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/pcr-test/
Tamara had a few of these PCR tests done

Brigitte raised some great points – I presume Sadie is still on thyroxine? High cholesterol is a massive indicator for hypothyroidism – maybe she needs more? Another point Brigitte made is highly relevant with all the horrible stuff they spray around where you live – maybe Sadie is highly sensitive to something they use there – I know you suspected this could have been the original trigger. And yes – I also am a fan of sucralfate – by far the best tummy protector

She’ll be fine – she’s been through this before & bounced back nicely. If it’s some small consolation, neither of my two have been eating because of the heat here – I’m glad Ollie has been poor on the eating front as he is my “non-AIHA dog” – you don’t have another one to compare eating habits with.How was her poop, Linda? Do you think it could be a tummy upset or maybe another UTI perhaps?

Love, big love
Sheena xxxxxx

[Vally]

This girl of yours obviously felt too much attention went to the 2 year old.

Dear Linda, I can’t believe this has happened to you again. I know you’re watching her like a hawk.

I wonder too if it may have been the spray that’s done something. She seems to be very sensitive to stuff like this. Also the high cholesterol, I wonder if her thyroid is playing up.

Lots and lots and lots of love.
Vally & Bingo (who says, Get better girlfriend).

[Jen]

Hi Linda,
I’m so sorry to hear about Sadie’s relapse. I have been so encouraged by you & Sadie’s success story and just hate that you are going through this again. I know she is such a fighter & hope her PVC starts rising as fast as it did previously. It’s great you are so in tune with her & caught it early. I am thinking & praying for you both!!!!! Were there any new things that could have triggered this? My moms dog just developed anxiety about riding in car, could she get stressed from long car trips to GA?

Jen & Mags

[admin]

Back last night from GA for quick, 24 hour visit for 2year old grand son’s birthday. We stayed at a Drury Inn (awe, okay if you have a pooch, but NOT recommended….). Drank a large coffee and up until wee hours (yikes, the caffeine!). Before going to bed (finally, wide eyed!) I let Sadie out. She was weird, but chalked it up to crazy hour. This morning we slept in (a first in at least 10 years!) until 9:00 AM. But that too was weird because Sadie will usually ‘check me’ with her little nose nicely – she wants to go teetee pretty early. I got up and she stayed lying on bed, lethargic. I knew right away. I picked her up and put her on the floor. She wobbled. I picked her up, carried her downstairs. She would not go outside. Tried to feed her. No eating. Her gums were very pale. My husband and I coached her outside and she pooped and tee teed. Her urine was VERY orange, but she squats si low, I could not get s catch. Gathered up the poop, went to vet.

Her PCV – 22. As you know, she does not bottom out historically. Stool normal. Her standing heart rate was a bit fast. Lying down was fine. On the way out of the vet, I managed to get a little cup under her as she squatted outside before getting in car to go home. Ran it in quickly, it was only enough to run for a stick test – showed HIGH BILIRUBIN. Infection?

Back to 20mg daily on prednisone (only). She typically responds well and quite fast.

Gave her 10mg prednisone at vets (had already given her 3.5 mg, with breakfast before going to vet – which she only took a few bites).

So now she’s on:

20 mg pred BID (10 am / 10 pm)
Ciprofloxacin 25O mg BID
Pepcid BID
Denamarin 225 mg OPD w/food
PetTinic BID

They’re wondering about her spleen…..she just put that out there. Her belly seemed swollen (really, kind of sudden because I checked yesterday morning….). She is wondering WHY Sadie keeps relapsing (other that being allergic to Valdosta, GA!!). I know, I know…..

And also mentioned and I was even wondering about this: Cushings from the long term prednisone. So great, here we go again. She’s been on the 4.5 prednisone daily (only) for almost 6 weeks. I was just going to go to 3.5 mg daily but didn’t do it in the last two weeks due to travel. Oh well……

Her CBC last week, 07/03/15, was pretty normal – her Hematocrit was 49! Today it was 22. Here are the norm/highs on her last two CBC’S:

Note: I forgot urine for urinalysis last week (included in full panel) and traveled next day. Fell through cracks – I feel horrible about that….

07/03/15 CBC NORM/HIGHS:

GGTP: 21 (1-12) H
Alk Phosphaste: 1608 (5-131) H
Cholesterol: 379 (82-324) H
Neutrophils: 80 (60-77) H
Platelet Count: 369 (170-400) N
BUN/Creatinine: 47 (4-27) H

04/27/15 CBC NORM/HIGHS:

GGPT: 11 (1-12) N
Alk Phosphaste: 1301 (5-131) H Cholesterol: 376 (92-324) H
Neutrophils: 81 (60-77) H
Platelet Count: 424 (170-400) H
BUN/Creatinine: 21 (4-27) N

I will scan and send both (07/03/15 and 04/27/15) lab reports to team tomorrow, but pretty much all else was within normal limits.

She ate the rest of her food when we came home. Jumped to the couch and is now resting.
This is nuts. Relapse THREE.

PCV check and urinalysis again tomorrow morning. Will keep you posted. Don’t worry – I’m okay….and Sadie will be too.

Love to you all. Hugs your pups.

😘 Linda

Mary – Sadie’s vet had a cat in there last week with very pale gums. Fur parent had taken him in for yearly physical. After looking at his mouth, vet said ‘no vaccines’ and did a PCV. He was at 8%!!! She could not believe it because he was bouncing off the walls – playful and active. AIHA diagnosed. Poor baby. Thought of you. I will check on him for you. 😍

I HATE THIS STINKING DISEASE!!!!!

[admin]

Hi Linda – really sorry to hear about Sadie’s relapse. But it sounds like you are on the ball, and both of you are dealing with it….. will be thinking of you both.
Yes, it is an absolutely stinking, vile, awful disease – and I wish that we all knew what caused it…..
Come on Sadie; get that PCV up again for your mum!

love,

Lynda, Dora and Bella (Consuelo is in Menorca with her son and his family…… I couldn’t face the heat, so stayed behind with the girls!)
xx

[admin]

Dear Linda,
I am so very sorry. The thing that is so unfair and scary thing is, that even if you do all the right things, it can still happen. I think you need to do some detective work, maybe you can find out what the trigger is. Time of year, exposure to chemicals, change of food, stress? I have a friend who knew the stress of visitors or travel could trigger a relapse and she always gave her dog a bit of a higher dose before such events. I don’t know if that would make sense in your case though. I am sure your head is spinning already and for now the most important thing is to get those RBC’s up again. You have experience now, you are the expert, YOU and Sadie can do this, there is no doubt in my mind!
I have told you about Richard and Dylan, he was on the old vetnet. His treatment was quite controversial and I have heard only a couple of cases being treated that way, all by holistic vets. I still don’t know what I should think of it even though I believe in alternative medicine to some extent. He put Dylan on a high dose of prednisone and as soon as she responded, usually withing 4-5 days, he reduced quickly and got her off it. Long term prednisone use did not agree with Dylan at all. Richard knew that the relapses (I think at least 5 of them) were triggered by sprayed lawn insecticides. The only reason I mention this case is that I want to tell you that dogs can be ok with multiple relapses. You probably know of Meisha from Meisha’s Hope, she to survived multiple relapses. It is just so frustrating that this could happen again!
As for the bilirubin in the urine, I don’t think that is because of an infection but the dead red blood cells being shed. If there would be an infection Sadie would have a high white blood cell count.
I would question the ciprofloxacin, from what I checked it is an antibiotic. Why does she need it? Just because is not a good enough answer. Your vet might have a valuable one. You know how much I am a fan of sucralfate, it is missing form the list of drugs. What about tyroxin, have thyroid levels ever been checked?
Sending best wishes to you, Sadie and your family!
Love Brigitte

[lynn]

Linda, I am so sorry to hear Sadie has relapsed again… Brigitte made good points on her post .
Sadie is a fighter and your quick action got her the care and treatment needed to recover… I will keep you and Sadie in my prayer’s… I have prayed … and, will keep the prayer’s going.Big hug for you and beautiful Sadie. love Lynn & Hayley

[admin]

Oh my goodness, Linda – this is just not fair on you both – you do everything right & this happens – my heart goes out to you, my dear, dear friend. High neutrophils usually means infection, as you said, but bilirubin is from broken down red cells – I know you know that, bless you. She’ll be OK – I hope it’s just an infection that’s caused this & I know Sadie bounces back with upping the pred. If I were you, I’d get an abdominal ultrasound to check her spleen, pancreas, etc, just to be sure though.

You are right – this crappy disease keeps us all on edge – every single minute.

Keep in touch every second you can

Loads, loads, loads of love
Sheena
xxxxxx

[admin]

Me again
Just reading Vally’s suggestion of a tick test – great idea. Also possible PCR test (specific)
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/pcr-test/
Tamara had a few of these PCR tests done

Brigitte raised some great points – I presume Sadie is still on thyroxine? High cholesterol is a massive indicator for hypothyroidism – maybe she needs more? Another point Brigitte made is highly relevant with all the horrible stuff they spray around where you live – maybe Sadie is highly sensitive to something they use there – I know you suspected this could have been the original trigger. And yes – I also am a fan of sucralfate – by far the best tummy protector

She’ll be fine – she’s been through this before & bounced back nicely. If it’s some small consolation, neither of my two have been eating because of the heat here – I’m glad Ollie has been poor on the eating front as he is my “non-AIHA dog” – you don’t have another one to compare eating habits with.How was her poop, Linda? Do you think it could be a tummy upset or maybe another UTI perhaps?

Love, big love
Sheena xxxxxx

[Vally]

This girl of yours obviously felt too much attention went to the 2 year old.

Dear Linda, I can’t believe this has happened to you again. I know you’re watching her like a hawk.

I wonder too if it may have been the spray that’s done something. She seems to be very sensitive to stuff like this. Also the high cholesterol, I wonder if her thyroid is playing up.

Lots and lots and lots of love.
Vally & Bingo (who says, Get better girlfriend).

[Jen]

Hi Linda,
I’m so sorry to hear about Sadie’s relapse. I have been so encouraged by you & Sadie’s success story and just hate that you are going through this again. I know she is such a fighter & hope her PVC starts rising as fast as it did previously. It’s great you are so in tune with her & caught it early. I am thinking & praying for you both!!!!! Were there any new things that could have triggered this? My moms dog just developed anxiety about riding in car, could she get stressed from long car trips to GA?

Jen & Mags