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Amy, Patrice has just emailed this through to me to post:
Gurgling with oily is often a problem with SIBO small intestine bacterial overgrowth, usually due to being treated with antibiotics. This is covered in detail on this page. You know that I recommend a treatment of metrondiazole along with a very potent probiotic, the one I linked to you Natures way Optima. She needs to use something with 14 probiotic strains, at a dose of at least 35billion. Expensive but worth it.
Low fat diet, as the berner is unable to diet fat properly, enough calories to get to the next meal, just enough protein and easily digestible carbohydrates.
Have a look at this site too:
http://dogaware.com/health/digestive.html
Amy, if pancreatitis, that’s serious and needs to be seen by vet. No food . If you’re going to the vets, no water either.
See:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/pancreatitis
Remember the gums will always go pale when resting and colour returns when they are more active.
Thanks for the update Amy.
Is Dr Jean to call you back? I wasn’t aware she did phone consults. Keep her on your side to get through this. You can’t do better than to have her advice.
I must admit I had a laugh at your getting the big middle finger. I remember some of the times I took Bingo to the vets, and he looked terrible, he would surprise me at times with his results. It’s never every just simple is it.
xxx Vally
Danielle, tomorrow is fine for the blood test results.
As to the ultra sound, I’m not too sure, but if they didn’t see anything the first time, don’t worry too much. Ha, high hopes, right??? I was always such a worrier and will never be different.
While you’re at work, you could set up a camera?? Do you have a spare phone you could use? There are apps that you can use to monitor. That might make you feel better.
The cyclosporine should NOT be given with other drugs. Ideally 2 hours away from food and drugs. Can you maybe give it at 6am and 6pm?
Another thing, is Savannah on thyroid medication? Dr Jean Dodds, who is our site’s Angel, and an expert in this disease, recommends it when treating this disease (even if a dog is not hypothyroid) as it helps the marrow produce red blood cells. Can you ask if they’ve tested the thyroid? I don’t know how easy it is to speak with the vets, but if they could include it in the treatment that would be ideal.
Vally
Danielle, I’m so sorry you’re here because I know how worried you are.
First of all, you’ve done everything perfectly. A quick response is what Savannah needed and you did that, you got her immediate treatment, and that is so very important.
First of all, the transfusions only buy time for the drugs to work, they are not treating anything, and it’s very normal to see the blood count drop after a transfusion for that reason.
It does take time for the drugs to kick in.
If you have a copy of blood tests, can you use the Urgent Advice and attach a copy. If you don’t have a copy, can you ask for a copy as Patrice, the site owner is a real whiz at understanding them.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/urgent-advice
Its good too that they’re not doing huge transfusions because by only doing small ones, it keeps Savannah’s body working to make the blood cells.
Mycophenolate can cause stomach issues, as can the other drugs. Is she on stomach protection? Like Sucralphate? That is the best as it lines the stomach and protects it.
The drop from 24 to 22 is not too bad because it can vary by how hydrated they are, how stressed they are, hot hot or cold – all those things will affect the blood count. If Savannah has drunk more water than usual, her count will be lower for no other reason. If she’s a bit my dehydrated, her count will be higher, so don’t panic over little drops. Progressive drops are more worrying.
She is not in pain (unless her tummy is hurting from the drugs) My vet told me my boy was not in pain, just very tired. Keep her food low fat, white chicken or fish with watery sushi rice is good. It’s very easy on the liver, which will be effected by the drugs, but the liver recovers as the drugs are reduced. If her liver count goes up too high, there is another drug which works wonders.
I know you’re terrified right now, and we all understand and can remember that, so yell out whenever you need to.
The drugs will be making her feel sick, that’s what you’re seeing. Her oxygen is also lower because of the low red blood count, so keep her quiet. She won’t have much energy right now.
If you have a regime of medications, I’d be happy to help with a chart.
See if you can get those blood tests.
Vally