Shih Tzu Diagnosed With AIHA

[Brigitte]

Hi Susie,
I have not read all of your posts but your last one stuck out for the reasons Vally mentioned. A 50% reduction is a bit much I think and I would just ask the vet again why he/she wants to do it that way. I am not 100% sure but I think it would be better to keep it at two doses per day and reduce the amount for each dose (from 7.5 to 5), at least in the beginning. If this is the first reduction I would keep it at two doses per day. You and your girl have come a long way and it would be a shame if Emily would relapse. I would talk it over with my vet and see what he thinks. I might be wrong on this, but this is definitely how we started the reductions and I think it is done that way most of the times.
Best wishes,
Brigitte

[Patrice]

I like both Vally’s and Brigitte’s idea about this. This kind of smaller reduction doesn’t have to be for a long time, but perhaps for 2-4 weeks more. It gives you a little more time to evaluate how she does with the smaller reduction. If there seems to be a problem, the dose increase to get her back to where she was previously stable would not be so great.

The only reason I might urge a 50% decrease is if there are extreme side effects from the prednisone such as serious infections, life threatening stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, development of diabetes, extreme body deconditioning (such that she cannot walk or stand) etc. These may be good reasons to decrease a little quicker.
my best
patrice

[Susie]

Thank you everyone. I thought that but then I thought I was being paranoid! I will give her 5 tonight then 5 x2 daily. Does that seem the safest?

[Brigitte]

Susie,
that does sound reasonable but you have to remember we are not vets, we have never seen your dog and all we do here is give suggestions and talk from the experiences we have and the knowledge we have acquired over the years. Sure, some here know more about AIHA than some vets do but you should still run this by your vet.
Best wishes,
Brigitte

[Vally]

Yes, I like that.

Vally

[admin]

Hi Susie

A slower reduction is safer & most dogs do better this way. There are always exceptions though. I agree that you should discuss with the vet as to why they want to do such a drastic reduction.

Here is our info on the usual reduction protocol
http://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone-dose-reduction/

My dog Worzel was so emaciated, weak & skeletal that we did a 50% per week reduction – it was risky & extremely scary & I would never advise anyone to do this in normal circumstances. He was really ill, Susie, & had horrendous withdrawal symptoms the first week. I must explain that Worzel had a different form of AIHA from Emily & greyhounds are very thin muscly dogs with no fat on them – so different circumstances.

Everyone has given you good advice – please check with your vet as to why they are doing this. I would hate sweet Emily to have unnecessary problems because she’s been doing really well so far. Relapses are best avoided – please be very cautious & take things gently. We have many dogs on here that have relapsed & it makes the treatment much more prolonged.

Apologies for any typos I’m useless on this tablet thingy!

Sending love & hugs
Sheena, Worzel (not so skinny now!) & Ollie xx xx xx

[Susie]

Thank you, Sheena. Part of my apprehension with the weaning is that we don’t know what set her off to begin with. The senior vet and I had already discussed her staying on the Prednisone anyway. A small dose as preventative. She said, as I’d imagine you would agree, it can be harder to get them back if they have a relapse. I was also wondering if keeping her on it might help her as Fall allergies return?
I’m sorry I’ve yet to send the lab results. I’ve had my grandchildren for 10 days! This is my first day off and I couldn’t just send photos because all my storage was used up on my phone. I received a SD card for my phone on Monday and so I’ve moved my videos and photos to my computer :)

Love ,
me and the monkey

[Vally]

Susie, if it’s easier for you, you can just type up the results here in a post. If there’s too many, you can just note the ones that are high or low.

I’m putting a new chart together for Emily because she’s reducing (yippee). I have no idea about Liquid Hepato which Emily’s vet wants her to take. I understand that has milk thistle.

Emily was going to start Denamarin (90mg). Now what do you clever people think is preferable, Denamarin, Pet Tinic, Hepato – all 3?

Is there too much vitamin B being given with both Hepato and Pet Tinic?

Is there too much milk thistle with Denamarin and Hepato?

Should we perhaps drop any of them?

Vally & Bingo
xxx