Split: Nula (5yr old English Cocker Spaniel)

[Vally]

Butternut squash is good for them. You can use the peel and all, boil it up and then mash it. I personally peel it first. Normal pumpkin is fine and also sweet potato (the yellow one though – called Kumara here).

I also found milk thistle upset Bingo’s stomach, but it is very good for them, so lower doses if you have problems.

I still follow Bingo around to check his poos and even his pees!!!

Sheena Yes!!! Why carpets or blankets. Never hard floors!!!

Love Vally

[Samantha]

Sucralfate was a lifesaver for Indigo. She was also on Omeprazole pills (for tummy) daily. Also our vet had us freeze the Atopica for 30 min prior to giving it to her. It helped with upsetting her tummy. It really did work! So glad Nula is home. :)

[admin]

Hi Ruth

It seems from reading a few vet articles that a little bit of cat food is not dangerous for dogs, so we don’t need to worry if they pinch a bit out of the cats bowl. Dogs should not be fed cat food because it’s nutritionally different (higher protein & much higher fat), so it is not a very good idea for Nula to have it . What a shame, as Mary’s idea would have been a good solution. At least Vally has cleared up the butternut squash (& sweet potato) question. I would avoid giving her anything too high in fat as in can aggravate the pancreas as well. So, sadly she’ll have to stick to dog food!

I totally agree with Samantha – Worzel was in pain until he started the sucralfate – it’s really good stuff – it’s action is called the “blanket” effect.

What a great idea chilling or freezing the cyclosporine to prevent upset tummies – it seems to work well.

All of our best wishes to you & your girl
Sheena & the boys

[Linda]

Hi Ruth. Sorry – have not a moment with children here. I think I may have to take my iPad and post sitting in my closet to get a few moments alone. ;)

Yes, Sheena is right. It was Sadie that had some blood in her stool. It did clear up after a few days. She was good again.

As much as the Atopica (cyclosporine), added to the prednisone kick started Sadie regenerating, it also bother her tummy quite badly. So, we started giving her the Atopica FIRST, right after eating and then the prednisone later, SECOND. This did help tremendously. No more blood.

First go around (prior to relapse due to weaning WAY too fast), Sadie did well, but was on Sucrslfate for her stomach protection, Plavix, human grade, for (anti) clotting protection and Denamarin for liver protection, the entire time. The ‘protection supplements’ are a MUST – these drugs save their lives, but doing so in the large doses, plays havoc on their bodies.

I stopped the Denamarin (liver) and Changed 18 drops of Liquid (brand) HerbPharm Milk Thistle and 11 drops of Liquid (brand) CellFood SAM-e. I opted for this, because as great as the Denamarin is for liver protection, it is extremely processed and milk thistle and SAM-e are the two main ingredients, so I duplicated it in a less processed form. Many AIHA fur parents have opted for this and why I use it – it was highly recommended to me. I continue to use this instead of the Denamarin. Amazon sells both, but can also be bought directly from both companies. Just goggle the products.

Also, not related to liver though, I give Sadie Liquid PetTinic (iron supplement), 2XD IN her food. I swear by this stuff. Yes, very processed, but still swear by it. ;)

I still think Nula’s Atopica is high for a cocker spaniel. If she continues to have problems, I’d seriously have a chat with your vet, about lowering a bit. As I said, Sadie seemed to have more problems with the Atopica, than the prednisone.

Also, when Sadie first started with ‘all’ the drugs, she had a few tee-tee accidents too. All the water she was drinking went right through her.

Typically, it was a VERY rare occasion for her to go out in the middle of the night. She got to where she would jump down from the bed and come to my side and let me know she needed to go out. It only lasted a few weeks, and most of the time, just once.

I hope this helps and not add to the AIHA confusion. Sending our live,

Linda and Sadie

[Vally]

Hi Ruth, how is that girl of yours going???

Love Vally & Bingo

[admin]

Apologies – Sucralfate – that should have read “bandage” effect, not blanket! Duh! My brain doesn’t connect with my hands too well when typing these days.

• This reply was modified 12 years, 6 months ago by . Reason: spelling mistake

[admin]

Just to say I hope all is going well
Love Sheena & the boys

[Ruth]

Hello all thank you for the advice!! Her litter tray thing arrived today so hoping that’ll save any midnight carpet cleaning tonight! I’m going to give her some butternut squash tonight as she’s still a bit runny, though she’s more often normal now which is good and no blood since Sunday morning. So that’s good! Re Atopica she is a big cocker spaniel (15kg) as her Dad was from working stock, so it might be ok as she is bigger than the average spaniel? The slippery elm and milk thistle is being delivered today so I can give her that soon too. There’s been no more shivering so hoping that side effect has worn off now. She is still drinking lots and eating lots. She’s on her usual dry dog food (it’s wheat, gluten and dairy free) and I’m giving her some tinned dog food too. Gone for ones with vegetables and red meats to try give her some extra iron there. Her gums are about the same, pink but paler pink than normal. And her behaviour is more playful today, she brings me her toys to play with which has got to be a good sign, right? I keep the games really short though and she still tires quickly. Really wish you could test PCV and platelets at home! I think they may have gone up a little, though I don’t think by much. So still plodding on, one day at time. But I really think she’ll come through this :) I hope you and your dogs are all doing well! xxxxxxxx