Page 83 – Second Chance AIHA Dogs

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Keymaster

Hi Jen – hope I got you before you’re on the road. Sadie is good – thanks for asking. She is teetering between 38-48 (10% gap – weird, 40 today – wa 46 last week, retesting Monday….). But she is acting good and her color is good. She goes for a non-annesthesia teeth cleaning in morning, so a little apprehensive about that….

I am So sorry poor Maggie is deling with paralysis. Did your vet mention Horner’s Syndrome? That is what it’s called in dogs. It can be brought on by many different things. It’s hard to say. Maggie’s high blood pressure, just as with humans, of course, influence this, I guess. I’m glad they are treating it. Better safe. Let me know how this works.

Horner’s Syndrome (paralisis, palsy) is a bit tricky. Apparently, cockers are prone to this. Add to that, cockers with AIHA, on Atopica and wella, it happens. The three cockers I know of that have had (Horner’s Syndrome) palsey, have all had AIHA and on Atopica. This is the reason why, once Sadie was stable, I discontinued the Atopica (cyclosporine) and continued with the Prednisone. Although, now Sadie has it and she’s only on 7.5mg’s of Prednisone daily. Geeze!! ????

And yes, you are right, Sadie’s palsey started on one side (left). Left that side and a few days later, went to the other side (right). She actually, right now, has it back in her left eye.

It is not painful for them. But, as in Sadie’s case, she can not blink that eye. To keep her eye lubricated, I use Puralube Vet Ointment. The first tube came from the vet, but I now order online. I administer it two to three times a day. I’m using it now.

Some dogs (cockers included) totally get over it. It just goes away on it’s own. Sadie had such bad paralysis on her right side, that her jowl still sags a bit. While the paralisis was full fledge, she would drool and food would drop out of her mouth while eating, on the side affected. It’s hard to watch them. Sad.

Also, and I did not know this prior, dogs have an inner eyelid. When Sadie is going though an episode of palsey, I can tell because when she is sleeping, her eye ‘looks open’ but actually it’s the inner lid covering over and it’s pinkish/red. Looks quite disturbing, but I am continually reminded by her vet that it is not painful.

Also, due to the inability to close her eye(s) or blink, Sadie now wears doggie sunglasses when we go for a walk when windy. At first, the glasses freaked her out, but now she is used to them. I know – I owe a pic of Sadie in her shades!!! Coming…..promise!

What can you do for it? The first time with Sadie, we added an antibiotic. But it didn’t help. We did that because we were not sure what was casing it. However, massaging the face, above ear and top of head, down her neck, did help. Be sure you are gentle – always use long motions, no digging in your fingers. You want to massage the muscle and nerve around the eye. I actually found a video on utube showing how to do it. I do this several times a day. When through, Sadie is like puddy. Ha. She loves the massages and will come up and puch her head into my hand, begging for more. :)

I have several articles about dealing with Horner’s Syndrome, but the best advice I got was from a cocker forum. I will look for them and send today. But basically, from What I have read and researched, it will most likely go away on it’s own.

I have no idea what causes Horner’s Syndrome. As Sadie has it now, this will be the third time Sadie has had it. Not to worry though, Maggie may well get over it and that’s it. Just remember though, it’s NOT painful for them.

Will send article soon. Please try not up worry too much about this.

Love and huge hugs to Maggie and hang-in-there hugs to you,

Linda and Sadie

PS – sorry for typos – on phone……

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