Forum Replies Created
Hi Tracy, and welcome to the site. I’m sorry to hear about Bernie. A steady PCV of 20 is good in that it’s not dropping.
It’s not unusual to drop after a blood transfusion because the transfusion is just really there to give them time for the drugs to start working. It doesn’t do anything to correct the problem. The drugs will do that.
The prednisone dose I believe is a little low, and yes I do think the cyclosporine dose is high. The recommendation is 5mg per kg. This is the link to the resources and you’ll see cyclosporine is the second item on the page. If you click on that, it will open up the product insert. 30lb should be 50mg.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/cyclosporine
and
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/medication-resources
I would ring your vet and mention the bad diarrhea and check the dosage – I’m wondering if they are doing a double dose to start with – but ring them. Some dogs do have a gastro effect when starting to use cyclosporine and it does settle. It should be given with no food and away from other meds.
Prednisone should always be given with food instead.
Don’t worry too much about extra supplements for now. You can go to the Dog Aware site which has some fabulous information about feeding. Start here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/nutrition-resources
Please don’t hesitate to call out. Happy to help.
Vally
Hi Drew,
I’m sorry to hear about Sophie, but glad she’s feeling better now.
With diet, it’s usually best to avoid a rich diet whilst on prednisone, as it can cause pancreatitis. I think stick with what you’re doing right now and wait until Sophie is off the prednisone before changing anything.
It looks as though she’s had an infection of some sort, but her WBC is coming down nicely.
All the best, and don’t hesitate to ask anything.
Vally
Hi Chris, I’ve had no dealings really with stem cell treatment for AIHA, other than the post you have found here.
Can I refer you to Dr Jean Dodds perhaps. She is brilliant in this disease and has helped many of our dogs here. If anyone is up to date on stem cell work for AIHA dogs, it would be her.
We have a link to her site from here, but it’s not happy right now. You can try here:
https://www.hemopet.org/holistic-care/online-consultations-with-dr-dodds/
If you decide to go with drug therapy, happy to help you any way I can.
My best, Vally
Hi gg, and welcome to the site.
There are a lot of resources on the site – go to AIHA Terms and you’ll see a glossary with lots of information. If you have any specific questions please ask.
As to freezing, I’m quoting from another forum reply by Patrice, the site owner:
“You know how some things you get, whether food or medications, have storage instructions on the label? Well on the cyclosporin package the instructions are to store it in carefully controlled temperature, neither hot or cold and to avoid freezing.
I also checked with Dr.Dodds who has dosed this to dogs for at least 20years or more. She is a clinical vet so she has plenty of experience treating dogs. She said to follow the storage instructions, don’t freeze.”
Cyclosporine can sometimes cause stomach upsets, vomiting etc and that’s when some people have been told by their vets and others to freeze the drug. Rather than freezing it’s better to give it with a little food – cyclosporine should be given WITHOUT food and away from other drugs, however if you must, give it with a little food only.
Tips, keep the dog quiet, don’t reduce medications too quickly, good nutritional food
All the best,
Vally
Do you know what his PCV is? the percentage of red blood? What colour are his gums?
How long has he been on the prednisone? I’m worried the dose wasn’t enough to start with. The dosage is 1mg per pound divided into two doses, so he should have been on 40mg twice a day.
What are you trying to feed him with?
I’m wondering if he may have pancreatitis. Prednisone usually gives them a huge appetite, but prednisone can also trigger pancreatitis.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/pancreatitis
There is a simple instant blood test to check this. If he does have pancreatitis, he would be in a lot of pain and would not be able to stomach food and would be vomiting – some of the symptoms that you’re seeing.
Brad, I think Max needs hospital care right now and most likely he needs to be on a drip. Is there an emergency hospital you could go to? He really needs to be under a specialist’s care, someone who knows this disease. It’s not very well known and I’m worried that the treatment isn’t really doing anything other than making him weaker.
Please take him to a hospital.
Vally
Hi Brad and welcome. I’m sorry you’ve had to come looking because I know how worried you are right now.
Can you tell me how much Max weighs? The dosage depends on weight. At that dosage he’d have to weigh around the 20lb mark with you dosing about 10mg twice a day.
Yes there are other drugs, the best being cyclosporine. There is also azathioprine. They are often used in combination with prednisone. Prednsione tends to work quickly, at the right dose, but has a lot of side effects, and that could be what you’re seeing.
Prednisone:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone
Cyclosporine:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/cyclosporine
Azathioprine:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/azathioprine
Prednisone must be given with food. It can cause ulcers and therefore, stomach protection should also be given. It’s possible the prednisone is causing stomach issues. The best stomach protection is Sucralfate, but it must be given away from drugs and food as it blocks their absorption.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/sucralfate
but you could also give Pepcid:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/famotidine
Ask anything Brad, happy to help get Max feeling better.
My best,
Vally
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