Page 74 – Second Chance AIHA Dogs

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Keymaster

Hi Beth. I hope Heathy is feeling better. I think all our pups feel lousy the first few days after reduction (yes, 25% – I go way overboard, every 30 days – Sadie relapsed due to weaning too fast – but it was REAL fast – you’re not doing that). Then they rebound and start feeling better and better, getting off some of the horrible but absolutely necessary drugs.

I don’t know if anyone else here has used it, but I have been giving Sadie Nutramax’s Crananidin, for any urninary problems, which I buy on Amazon. It’s expensive, around $55.00 for 75 tabs, which can be cut in half. If I catch it right away (dark urine and will sometimes even seem thick AND she trys to clean herself (she’s not a dog that licks at all). So, I “clean” her after each time out (with a clean, warm paper towel). Then I start the Crananidin. I give her one tab a day for about 10 days, and then go to a 1/2 tab for a while, until I think she’s better. Some people use it as a deterrent measure and I understand it does great. My vet had recommended it long ago. I would ask your vet and/or Dr. Dodds about possibly using it.

I think our pups are prone to pick up so much having their immune systems compromised. Each pup seems to have their particular “ailment” that comes and goes. But once you know what MIGHT happen, you become a hawk watching for the tall-tell signs so you can jump on it and hope it does not get out of control. That’s the trick, right?! It really stinks and absolutely keeps us up at night, right?!?! And the monitoring thing, to be sure they’re still breathing is the worse. Yep – we too have all been there.

Because of her relapse in October 2014 and continuing to wean (SLOW, SLOW – down to 7.5mg prednisone only, daily), we again are dealing with her usual “ailments” – palsy, urinary upset, tummy upset, darn tapeworms this time (flea).

I have spent the last two weeks dealing with the flea problem – in FLORIDA where they love to live. I have put down Diatomaceous Earth until I’m frosty white, combed with a flea comb as many times a day as she’ll allow AND bathed her in “holistic” flea shampoo (which kills some and only stuns others – then sit there and pick off any “stunned” stinking fleas, put in Dawn dish soap mixture to kill). Well guess what – it’s much better. Thank goodness!!!

So, it’s a continuum – combatting the forces of this evil disease. You are being so diligent and doing such a great job. Heathy is doing well, overall, and that’s because of you. He’s such a lovely, lucky, handsome boy.

Sadie and I are sending our love and kisses his way. xoxo Linda and Sadie

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Keymaster

Hi Mike

Great news on Lola – I’m so happy to hear she’s doing well. Oh, yes, waking up for pee pees was the story of our lives for quite a long time because of the prednisone. As Vally says, the less pred, the less pee pees! And it is really important that they drinks lots to keep them hydrated properly & to keep their kidneys healthy. They are at risk for infections because of the immune system being suppressed & urinary tract infections are really common.

I’m sorry to have to worry you – I have to tell you about the amoxycillin. I recently needed an antibiotic for Worzel & the vet (not his fault) gave me something IMHA dogs shouldn’t have. Dr Dodds told me not to give it, thank goodness. So I have been looking into this in more detail & the following antibiotics should not be given to dogs with blood problems such as AIHA/IMHA because they are known triggers of the initial onset of the disease:

1. Penicillin based drugs (sorry – this group includes amoxicillin) – these are the least dangerous of the 3.

2. Cephalosporins (responsible for 50% of reported cases in humans)

3. Sulfa drugs – Dr Dodds told me NEVER use these drugs for dogs, especially IMHA dogs.

2 & 3 are the worst culprits.

Here is just one an example of a vet site that states this:
http://vetspecialistsofrochester.com/pdf/Internal-Medicine/Immune-mediated%20anemia.pdf
There are many sites that say this, so please could you discuss this with your vet to change Lola to something else. I do remember my French specialist telling me to avoid penicillin drugs too.

Now the boring bit – these types of drugs attach a “marker” to blood cells which targets them for destruction by antibodies & we certainly don’t want to encourage more blood cell destruction in our dogs.

As Vally says, the best thing is to do a urine culture & find out exactly what the bug is – you can then specifically pick the right antibiotic to kill it. I hope your vet is open-minded & will understand why I am concerned. If you or your vet need further information on this, please let me know.

People who take pred long term are told to stick to a high protein, low fat diet. When Worzel was ill, we gave him lots of home-cooked organic food such as green beans & carrots (steamed), lowish fat mince, say 15%, chicken, turkey & lamb. He also ate a lot, lot more than usual, which is normal on the pred! Recently he has had very loose stools, so I have added cooked sweet potato & pumpkin, which have really helped. Some dogs don’t do well with chicken, so turkey is a good alternative. If you are working, it is not always easy to do all this.

Please let me know how things are going – please contact your vet as soon as you can about assessing the amoxicillin risks.

Best wishes as always
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxx

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