Forum Replies Created
Hi Adam
This is not what you need right now – I’m sorry you’ve had a fright – I would be furious about this myself. As Patrice so rightly said, the treatment protocol is dependant on the results, so the test MUST be done properly. My specialist was absolutely insistent that Worzel’s blood samples were always taken from the neck & tested immediately by the local vets, without delay. Any anomalies? A re-check straight away & even a manual count. Those were his specific instructions.
I’m really glad the true result was 32 which will stop you worrying, I hope! Give him a big cuddle from me – don’t get too wound up about this as he’s doing fine. I expect he will become less picky as time goes by with the pred & want to eat anything & everything, all at once! But for now, it’s hard finding things they like. Did you know onions are poisonous to dogs? Just wondered if you used them in your sauces – if so, best avoided – stick to the chicken if that’s what he wants. We gave Worzel some horrible stinky Toulouse sausages when he stopped eating – not really good for dogs, but they were all he would eat – I was a bad Mum! Just saying I sympathise. How’s the diarrhoea today?
Love Sheena, Worzel & Ollie x
Wow Alyssa, what a story! You are right Sassy is meant to be with you. Good for you to read the Meisha’s Hope success stories, they are all so positive and can give you hope that Sassy can pull through this and come out the other end happy and healthy. I think you did a great job not falling apart in front of Sassy! I just got back from a phenomenal agility seminar and it was mentioned over and over, that we can not lie to our dogs. They read our bodies so well, they know if we mean it or not. So by you removing yourself when you are down, you certainly can not lie to her. Now you really have to learn to have faith in her recovering. Look her in the eyes and tell her that she will get better and run around like before the illness. When my dog was ill I had a huge problem staying positive. A very clever friend told me to visualize how I want my dog to be healthy, to run around and not have any problems. Maybe that could help?
I just wanted to give you a bit of a warning about trying and exercise Sassy. I am sure you are in tune with her and you don’t push her too much. Muscle wasting just goes with the high doses of prednisone but once you can reduce the dose Sassy will build up those muscles again. Just be careful not to do too much with her at this stage, she still needs lots of rest to heal.
I totally get it that you want to stick with the bio prep. Like I said I used it too, unfortunately our success with it was not as great as yours. My vet was neither here nor there and I believe Dr. Dodds says it can not hurt, so if you see an improvement, go for it.
I am pretty sure Dr. Dodds recommends to use HW meds. We are lucky here in the Pacific North West (Canada) we don’t need it. I only have to use it when we travel. Our holistic vet recommends Sentinel and I think Dr. Dodds agrees with extending the intervals to 45 days instead of 30.
I think it is very important to stay positive with this disease and you are doing just that! Keep it up!
Best wishes,
Brigitte
Hi Alyssa
What a wonderful yet sad story – I knew you were the kindest people – Sassy is in safe & loving hands. What horrible people your neighbours were – good for you for standing up to them & making sure Sassy was rescued from this awful life.
Many of us were on Meisha’s Hope originally, but the forum was shut down. That is why Patrice set this site up, so we could continue to help each other & new owners coping with this terrible disease. I’m sorry you lost dear Sadie – it doesn’t matter how old they are – we wish they could live a happy & healthy life as long as we do & their loss is always heartbreaking. I guarantee she is looking down with pride & happiness at Sassy & you right now.
What a shame you didn’t find us sooner – we could have explained that with right treatment the chances of surviving are much, much better than you may have read elsewhere. Many veterinary studies are extremely positive on the outcome if the treatment protocol is right & those are the ones you need to concentrate on. I’m so sorry you felt very down & sad during the early days & went through this dreadful time without support. I admit I am not a FB fan – there is too much miss-information & heresay on there. Of course, we all like to express our opinions here – but we also like to point everyone toward bona fide research & proven treatments so you have the best information we can give – basically providing you with the facts, rather than the rumours.
I know you may be against chemical options, but I am a great believer in Frontline Combo for flea & tick treatment. For now it is probably the best option for protection against the deadly diseases that can kill our dogs very quickly. It’s not 100% perfect, I admit, but there is nothing better or safer that I have personally seen at the moment. You could also use permethrin, but it is toxic to cats & fish, also some other animals (it’s fine for dogs but you must follow the instructions implicitly). Worzel was a victim of a tick-borne disease called ehrlichiosis even though he was always Frontlined, so I am even more vigilant than I was before about treatment with Frontline, plus checking my two regularly for ticks. I also use permethrin on their blankets. I am dubious about the tablet forms of protection such as Bravecto & NexGard (Nexgard is not suitable – dangerous -for certain breeds of dogs with MDR1 gene mutation, e.g. border collies, german shepherds etc) because of the possible systemic side effects. I can’t help you on heartworm as we don’t have that here (YET!) but I know others will be able to advise you on this. I do remember a heartworm treatment called ProHeart 6 was suspected of being responsible for AIHA/IMHA though. Heartworm is also a horrendous disease & I understand completely that you need to look at how to prevent this too.
You know Sassy has a place in my heart already & you are not on your own now – we all want to help as much as we can – sending big hugs & much love
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx
Hi Alyssa
Just been reading through your story – goodness you’ve been fighting with real determination & am delighted to hear Sassy is getting better & better – she’s had a rough start & you are doing a great job. Glad you found us!
I have to agree with Brigitte & Tamara – I am skeptical about the BioPrep because although there are testimonials, there is no factual medical research that we can find. Also, you don’t want to stimulate the immune system, your need it suppressed – that is the whole point of treatment for AIHA/IMHA. However, Sassy was already getting the right drugs & they must have started to work before you gave her the BioPrep – maybe at that stage it helps? I really don’t know. We all wish there was an alternative treatment for this disease so that we didn’t have to give them all these powerful drugs with all the side effects that come with them. Let’s hope that one day, there will be a simple “cure”. For now there isn’t & this disease is truly horrible.
The jury is out on this BioPrep. As far as I’m concerned, all that matters is beautiful Sassy (LOVE the photos) is getting better & that is the most important thing. Take the weaning slowly as others have said. It’s worth doing things slowly. You can read more here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone-dose-reduction/
Alyssa, it’s a real bug bear of mine that there are still people who use dogs as breeding machines – despicable. Pit Bulls are a much maligned breed & are victims of all sorts of awful people. I hate it because they are the sweetest natured dogs -there are only bad owners, no bad Pit Bulls at all. You are a lovely lady to take her in & give her the best possible chance to enjoy her life from now on. You really have done one amazing job.
Keep us posted as to how she’s doing as often as you can – we will all be thinking of you.
Love Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx
Sorry Amy – just seen your latest post – I like the word encapsulated – always better to see that about any growth. Splenic nodules are pretty common, but because of the position you are in with the IMHA, I understand why you are very concerned. What do your vets recommend? I am not an expert on this – Patrice is your lady – her dog Chance (who this website is dedicated to) had splenic problems & I feel she can better advise you that I can.
In the meantime, here is an article that might help you
http://www.veterinaryradiology.net/153/splenic-nodules/
Is JD in hospital? You must be frantic.
Love Sheena x
Hi again Amy
I’m so sorry JD has been vomiting – he must feel really rotten, poor chap. I’ve just looked at your critical care guy – he is obviously very highly qualified & knowledgeable – again, good hands to be in – when are you seeing him? I’m sure he will do everything possible to help you find out what’s going on. Maybe this is an infection that will need antibiotics & anti-nausea medication until he feels better.
Azathioprine can sometimes causes vomiting & diarrhoea, even pancreatitis during the early stages of treatment (this is treatable – don’t worry – there is a test your vets can do for pancreatitis if they suspect that). Even though it worked well for my Worzel, azathioprine does not suit all dogs & we have a few people on here whose dogs have not tolerated it well & had to change drug. If this happens, the vets may wish you to change to cyclosporine (atopica) which is used more often these days.
Amy, I really feel for you & hope you can get a minute to keep us all informed on how JD is doing – I will be thinking about you & your sweet boy.
Sending love & hugs
Sheena xxxx
Good morning Amy,
I think you and JD are very lucky to have a top notch vet on your side. I know the not eating is stressful, but try and relax. Have you tried to make soup for JD? i used to cook some lean chicken, maybe turkey or chicken necks, you can also add some veggies. Usually dogs like that broth and at least this way he is getting some nutrition and fluids. You know how they say when we are sick, lots of fluids, lots of rest? Well that is true for dogs too. Try to hand feed little tasty bits as I mentioned before. Try and keep it as lean as possible and stay away from commercial food. I loved cooking for my dog, at least that way I could put something healthy into him not just those darn pills. Hang in there, as I said once the prednisone is kicking in he will get a voracious appetite. That should happen pretty soon. If it does not, I would think there is something else going on. Maybe he would need some anti nausea pills or maybe do a stool sample. Once JD starts eating try to get a hold of canned pumpkin, not pie filling just plain pumpkin. You can add a table spoon to his food and that will help with loose stools.
Best wishes
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