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Hi Amy, I’m sorry you’ve come looking for help because I know how worried you are.
A couple of things. Don’t reduce prednisone and atopica together. It’s really important to only reduce one at a time, preferably the prednisone because that is the one that has a lot of side effects. We recommend super slow reductions of not more than 25-33% of a drop in the dose, after checking that blood levies are holding.
Amoxicillin is NOT an antibiotic our dogs should be on as it can be a trigger for the disease. See here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/drugsantibiotics-can-trigger-aiha
You’ll see that cephalosporins, sulfa drugs & penicillins are to be avoided unless there is no choice.
The better drug would be doxycycline if possible. If they’ve done a test and found that the UTI is resistant to different drugs, that will make choice harder.
Is your dog on stomach protection? Sucralfate is the best as it coats the lining of the stomach. Prednisone is very hard on the stomach.
How are you dosing the drugs. Prednisone always with food, atopica away from food. Can you give me a list of all the drugs being given at the moment.
Do you continue with the atibiotic? I’m worried that if it is a penicillin, then it’s not good for him, unless there is no choice in antibiotic. Can you raise this with your vet.
I used to carry a list of the drugs which can’t be given, and I would always have that on hand whenever Bingo went to the vets to be sure they weren’t used.
Ask anything, I’m in Australia, so being a different time zone, could be a delay, but I’ always checking.
Vally
Terri, I’m so so sorry. This is a miserable disease and sometimes no much how much we fight, it just won’t be beaten.
Give yourself time to grieve. We live in a world where we’re expected to just get over it, but I know how impossible that is.
When you feel ready, visit the Bridge page. It was written by one of our ladies and it’s lovely and I know it will help you.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/the-bridge
My deepest condolences.
Vally
xxx
Terri, Mycophenalate is known to cause stomach problems in some dogs, so perhaps that’s the problem, although I would not expect to see red blood for stomach issues. Stomach blood is much darker. Red blood usually indicates a colon problem.
Her blood count is still at a safe level, even though not normal. I suspect when the diarrhear is stopped, her count will be good.
I’m so glad she’s on thyroid and liver medication. I’m sure you’ll see a different.
My best, Vally
Kerrie, I’m thrilled that there has been a bit of an increase. 17% is a good jump from 12%. It’s even above the 3% give or take to allow for whatevers.
No, Bristol and you aren’t by any means out of the woods yet, but I’m so so so hoping that she’s turned a corner.
I mean this from the bottom of my heart, having Dr Dodds on your side, is a really good thing, and if you vet accepts her advice, you can’t go wrong.
I’ll be hoping and praying for Bristol that her number start to climb.
Vally
xxx
Marie, some dogs can cope short term with a PCV of 16 and some dogs not. How is BiBi coping? That’s the most important thing. My Bingo had a PCV of 15 but we didn’t transfuse. He did pick up on the drugs by the next test.
If the second transfusion is done – it MUST be properly matched blood. The first one can be any type of blood, but a second transfusion MUST BE MATCHED.
They should not transfuse above a PCV of 25 otherwise the dog’s own body won’t work to make more red blood.
See here for more information from our glossary
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/transfusion
![bingo-14-5_1200x775](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/bingo-14-5_1200x775.jpg?t=1462367720 "Vally\'s Bingo \\"Smile\\"")
![Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4.jpg?t=1409108782 "Brigitte\'s Cleo, Ripley, Enzo and Guest \\"Rockin\\"")
