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Hi dear Tara
I’m really sorry to hear he’s not much better. You must be feeling rotten. It’s only 10 days since this happened I think? If so, it’s early days yet – I looked at a few blogs & some dogs take AT LEAST a couple of weeks to improve, especially the much older ones. Can you tell me about his eye movements now? Have they slowed? That is important.
I have to confess it’s a long time ago that this happened to my old dog – I don’t remember exactly how long it was before Sprockett started to get better, but I do remember distinctly thinking the same as you after a week or so – he’s not getting any better & I can’t stand seeing him like this – & took him back to the vets. All of a sudden he did perk up, but it was certainly not in a few days, more like a couple of weeks at least. I know there is nothing certain in this world, but if this is CVD he should start to improve soon. If this continues much longer, I would think about scans to check it’s not something else – have you spoken to the vet again? From what I’ve read, most vets adopt a “wait & see” policy with these symptoms and then go for further examinations if necessary.
I have been wishing him better with all my heart – I know exactly what you are going through & it’s not easy to watch. Could you have a word with your vet (is your regular one back?) & see what they think? – maybe ask how long these things take to get better in older dogs in their experience?
Brigitte’s food advice is wonderful – I am so glad he is able to eat his chicken – good news indeed.
Please know I am sending all our best wishes to you & Diablo
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie
Hi Tara
I would personally ask for some more Cerenia – getting Diablo to eat is so important & we know Cernia is OK with IMHA, so no harm in carrying on with it. How do his eye movements look now? Are they any slower? Sprockett only started to perk up when these movements slowed right down – I would feel sick too if my eyes were doing that! Is his balance any better? I remember Sprockett was given a heart medication to improve blood flow, but it was a long time ago & I can’t remember what it was. Claire’s mentioning vivitonin reminded me. There is also a drug called adrafinil, but you need to discuss these two options with your regular vet & specialist. I would personally be reluctant to use either of them (they thin the blood) without asking a specialist & being 100% sure they are safe for Diablo because of the IMHA.
You know I am crossing everything for an improvement soon – I am over the moon to hear he has eaten some chicken – that is an improvement in itself, Tara.
Loads of love to you & a cuddle for Diablo from Sheena & the boys
Hi Tara
Someone said to me it was cruel putting Worzel through the IMHA treatment when he was in his worst skeletal state. I didn’t know at that time if he would recover, but had to give him every chance. Most people don’t understand what is going on. It is the same ignorance with CVD & people say these things with the best intentions, I’m sure. They don’t realise how hurtful their comments are. I know you will always do your best for Diablo & so does he. I was talking to a friend in the UK this morning whose dog had the same thing (elderly 16 yr old Jack Russell) & he said it took about 3 weeks for his boy to really improve, but he still has a slight head tilt which is rather cute. He is 18 years old now & still mad as a hatter!
I’m sorry about your usual vet being away – why does this always happen? Sod’s Law I think!
Please let me know how Diablo is getting on – we are all thinking about you both
Love Sheena & Co
Oh Tara I am sorry this is happening. I am no expert on dogs but from reading everything that Patrice and Sheena have said, it does sound like there is a lot of hope that Diablo can make a full recovery from this. Looking at the list of interactions Patrice posted, could there be some interaction between the Baytril and the Cyclosporine? Have you contacted your vet again? To my mind, it is excellent that he is still trying to follow you around, even if he is struggling to do that at the moment. I think that’s a great sign.
On the food front, I know I tried everything under the sun to persuade Molly to eat, and eventually resorted to high calorie prescription foods. I’m not sure where you are based, but we’re in the UK and I used Royal Canin convalescence support (a bit like formula milk) and Hills A/D recovery. I’m pretty sure A/D is available in the US, and both of these are suitable for dogs as well as cats. The A/D is like a pate and you can mash it up with water, to a soup-like consistency which allows them to lap at it. You can syringe feed this too, although hopefully that isn’t necessary in Diablo’s case (and I am not sure about the “rules” on syringe-feeding dogs). Both of these foods are supposed to be “highly palatable” to tempt them into eating.
Hang in there. We are still keeping everything crossed that Diablo turns the corner very soon.
Mary & Mable x
Oh Vally that did make me smile. I love the image of him trying to keep his paws dry whilst rooting out cat poo! Bingo is a character for sure! I’m glad to hear he has a labrador friend, even if it is just a picture. It reminds me of Tigger in the Winnie the Pooh books, who launches at a tablecloth because it tried to bite him when he wasn’t looking.
Keep up the good work Bingo!
M & M x
Hi again Tara
Please believe me when I say this was one of the worst things I have seen my dog go through – it is truly awful & you feel almost cruel. For anyone who has not seen an attack like this, it is shocking & frightening. I will quote my vet exactly & apologise for the swearing! He said “For goodness sake give the poor old bugger a chance to recover! This is my favourite thing to treat because owners are always so surprised at how well they recover, so there’s no way I’m putting him to sleep”. I am going to e-mail Claire as she has been through the same thought process. I know you are worried about triggering the IMHA & I would personally drop the Baytril & stick with the anti-nausea meds. I totally agree with Patrice on this – these antibiotics can have interactions & can stop them having an appetite. Sprockett had no other treatment apart from the anti-sickness drug, it was just an old dog “stroke” which is pretty common. Please be patient – Diablo has beaten IMHA & he can beat this too – he just needs time to get better. I vaguely remember Sprockett not eating much at all until his eye movements slowed down (maybe a week), probably because he couldn’t focus on anything & the dizziness must be terrible.Tara, you know I am thinking of you & Diablo – he loves you so much & wants to be beside you. If you can get him to eat, I know that will cheer you up.
Loads of love to you both, Sheena & the boyz
Hi Tara
My old dog Sprockett didn’t seem to be getting any better for the first week or so when this happened to him, in fact it was so bad I went to the vets to talk about having him put to sleep. The vets told me not to worry so much (ha ha) & to give him more time to recover – they were absolutely right – in a couple of weeks he began to perk up. I know this is horrendous to watch – I found it really distressing & would never let my animals suffer unnecessarily – but it is thankfully something that gets better. He was pooing & peeing anywhere in the house because he couldn’t stand up properly, throwing up & not eating properly, walked in circles & crashed into the furniture. I had to take him in the garden using a towel under his tummy to help him stand up. I promise he made a full recovery. I have 2 friends who’s dogs have been through this & it is terrifying when it happens. Both dogs recovered after a few weeks, although one still has a very slight head tilt, but it doesn’t bother her. Please take comfort from this & know I am thinking of you. If Claire (Ruby’s Mum) is around, her border collie Foster had this too & she is also recovered. Patrice’s suggestion of checking the antibiotics is a great idea too. Keep your chin up – this is a worrying thing to go through & we all feel helpless when they are like that. Let us know how Diablo is doing.
Loads of love from Sheena, Worzel & Ollie
Hi Joe
How is Nauset getting along? And how are you doing? I hope she is still giving you lots of cuddles and curling up next to you on the bed. It’s just the nicest thing. Mable comes up on the bed but once the light goes out, she takes herself off to bed somewhere else. Molly used to curl up on my pillow. It was lovely.
Linda – I love your story about Sadie sleeping on your husband’s pillow! Isn’t it funny how they just seem to know how to melt people’s hearts? 7 children though – wow!
Joe, I do hope things are going well and that Nauset is making good progress.
Our best wishes to you both,
Mary and Mable x
![bingo-14-5_1200x775](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/bingo-14-5_1200x775.jpg?t=1462367720 "Vally\'s Bingo \\"Smile\\"")
![Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4.jpg?t=1409108782 "Brigitte\'s Cleo, Ripley, Enzo and Guest \\"Rockin\\"")
