Update on Koda

[Terri]

Sheena,
I will look into that. Thanks so much…II’m so worried.
The vet isn’t happy about this latest bloodwork. She still thinks its a tick borne disease ( and the last treatment dropped his WBCS down to 10k from over 20k.) I just don’t have the funds to actually test for TBD. His WBCs seem to be creeping back up and she want to nip it in the bud before we fall back too far. She also is thinking cancer again although the ultrasound looked good according to the specialist.
So I’m treating him daily for ckd and now another monster creeping in.

She mentioned non regenerative anemia…does that mean his marrow will never make new cells? Can he start generating at some point?

Terri and Koda ckd and anemia

[Vally]

Terri, non regenerative is the one we don’t want to hear, but having said that, heaps have gone through it so yes absolutely, they can start regenerating. Koda certainly doesn’t like you relaxing does he. Can you ask for a copy of the blood tests? Post them here or through the Urgent Advice page.

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/urgent-advice/

Big hugs and prayers
Vally & Bingo
xxx

[admin]

Hi again Terri

If your vet thinks it’s a tick borne disease, high dose doxycycline for 6 weeks is the only effective option & Koda may need prednisone again. Is there no way you could get a Snap 4 dx tests done? I know it’s not cheap, but I know it’s much cheaper than over here & would give you a definite answer. Everything is sooooo expensive & I sympathise.

You know we will always have a look at blood tests for you, although I remember some very strange abbreviations on your previous vets ones! I know you realise that the kidneys play a big part in telling the bone marrow to produce red cells, so any kidney problems can affect this. We have always doubted this is AIHA. I still do.

Please, please stop worrying Terri – it really doesn’t get you anywhere – let’s have a look at those blood tests if you would like us to. I hope you are much happier with this newer vet – at least they are trying to find out what is going on. It is really important to treat the cause of this problem – until you do that, you will be struggling on & on. The specialist is the person to help you on this. As Vally says, “non-regenerative” can be conquered – we know that for sure. But you need to find the cause – if you vet is making an assumption it’s a tick disease, then treating it properly would be a good start in my opinion.

Let us know what’s happening whenever you get time

Love Sheena x

[Terri]

I’m going to just bite the bullet and test. one of the fine folks over at the k9kidney group suggest the antech accuplex 4 for reliability but I think my decision will be cost.

He is being treated with minocycline (same as doxy) and ciprofloxacin.
She said if the test is positive, the treatment is the same so right now, he is being treated for TBD. The duration worries me though…she doesn’t have him on it for nearly as long as suggested. I’ll aske her about keeping him on it longer.
His liver took a huge hit through all this also and she calls the mino/doxy a double edged sword, however, he needs it, just like how prednisone is…nasty but necessary. We aren’t dealing with aiha..that’s been determined and ruled out. But you guys are so knowledgeable with bloodwork and so warm and welcoming that I find myself creeping back in when I have concerns…

Yes, Koda woke up one day and saw me smiling…said “Hey Mom, wipe that smile off your face and check my gums!”

I have a bloodwork trend of 5 tests side by side on a spreadsheet. I will try to upload it.
I am happier with my new vet. We have gotten into it a couple times though…and this last conversation she had with me offended me because she said “I want you to go BACK on the fluids once a day, go BACK on the supplements, go BACK on the original diet”
As if his bloodwork was a result of me stopping everything…..well, I never just stopped ANYTHING. I wavered on the fluid amount if he shook the needle out or something, but he has always been on the kidney and liver supplements and diet and everything. Perhaps her own line of expensive supplements aren’t as wonderful as she thinks….off my soapbox….she’s all I have. Stepping back on my box…
Another time, she was wanting me to recap all that we are doing for Koda and I got to the aluminum hydroxide that he gets in his food and I said that I mix it in his vegetables and wait about 5-10 minutes. Oh boy, she said “It wont work if you don’t wait 15, I said 15 minutes” I barked back and said “well gee..from 6.6 phos to a 4.1 phos in a week by the way I’m doing it seems to be working just fine…and I will continue to do it my way.”

She had no defense. She wears me out sometimes.

She’s my prednisone.

Terri and Koda KCD and anemia

[admin]

Hi Terri
Got the spreadsheet & have sent you a little message
Love Sheena x