Vally

[Vally]

Hi Kelly, I’m sorry to hear about your girl. How is she going?

It really depends on what has triggered the IMHA.

In most cases, yes, prednisone is not enough and a second drug is needed.

If you feel your girl is getting worse, I would go back to the vets earlier to have her blood test done.

The stomach problems could be caused by the prednisone as it’s very harsh on the stomach and we usually recommend that stomach protection be given.

Let us know how you are going.

Regards, Vally

[Vally]

There you go, I just re-read my earlier post. It was 50% at a time!!

[Vally]

Hi Judith

Oh, you have no idea how paranoid I was/am. I honestly can’t remember as it was quite a while ago, but it would have been less than 50% I’m sure and certainly no change faster than a week at a time. I’m sure my vet said it was okay to just stop, but I did it slower than he said.

Having said that, cyclosporine is not the same as prednisone. Prednisone is the one that needs to be reduced very carefully.

If Dr Dodds has said once a week for 2 weeks and then stop, I’d go with her guidance.

All my best, Vally

[Vally]

Hi Kara, I’m so sorry to hear about Wiley.

I know you are very worried but it sounds as though Wiley is doing good. If he’s at 32 after a month, it sounds as though he is stable, although he is still anaemic at the moment.

What meds is Wiley on? The prednisone takes quite a toll and make sure it’s always given with food as it’s very harsh on the stomach and can cause ulcers. Stomach protection is important too.

Pet Tinic is a supplement you could add. Keeping him quiet right now is a good thing.

When the vet feels it’s safe to start reducing the prednisone, be careful not to reduce it too quickly. Unless Wiley needs to come down for some serious reason, keep the reductions at about 25-30% and then wait a few weeks and see how he’s going. I always noticed a drop in blood count on the reductions, but it usually recovered soon afterwards. It’s as though the body needs to work things out again.

Ask anything, we’re happy to help.

Regards, Vally.

[Vally]

Hi Jacqueline,

Welcome to the site. To be honest, I’m not a fan of kibble. Whilst Bingo was sick, I pretty much used Dr Jean Dodd’s liver cleansing diet. We have it under our Resources tab, but here it is:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/nutrition-resources

When Bingo was better, I put him back on his regular diet, which was a raw diet. I didn’t use raw while he was sick though as his immunity was so low.

Regards, Vallyl

[Vally]

Eleanor, I’ve sent you an email. If you can respond with the meds, doses and the times you are dosing now and feeding now.

Vally

[Vally]

Eleanor, I’m glad Snow is on the sucralfate. Make sure it’s given 2 hours away from meds and food. If you need help charting times for the drugs, I’d be happy to help work out a timetable with you.

I hope you do get Dr Dodds on your side, she’s a champion. She’s our angel here on Second Chance. She helped me with my boy, Bingo, and even after he had recovered, I still called on her at different times whenever something came up.

Make certain that prednisone and mycophenolate are given with food. I know how hard that might be right now as Snow doesn’t want to eat, but maybe just a small piece of hotdog as you’ve done. Yes, you’re right it’s not the best, but I understand how anything right now is better than nothing.

Hoping Snow settles with his meds really soon, and can start the road to recovery.

Regards, Vallly

[Vally]

Hi Eleanor. I’m so sorry to hear about Snow and I know how worried you are.

I’m thinking it could be the mycophenolate. It really is not my favourite drug for treatment. It is known to cause serious stomach issues. See
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/mycophenolate-mofetil

Unfortunately, it seems to be the drug of choice with many vets. Ask about swopping it with Cyclosporine.

Trust your gut and I think please do go and see the emergency vet. Stomach protection is really important and Snow seems to be suffering from stomach issues. It’s also vital to check on pancreatitis.

The early days are the worst and Snow will probably look better before he improves, but I am worried about him not eating and certainly not drinking.

Ask anything.

Regards, Vally