Forum Replies Created
Hi Kerrie, and welcome from me. Hi Bristol.
Patrice is the expert here and knows her stuff. Just letting you know I’m here too. I don’t have Patrice’s expertise in all of this, but I’ve lived the disease and I’m a great hand holder.
I’m in Australia, so another time zone, but always happy to help as much as I can.
My best, Vally (Angel Bingo) and Saba.
Hi Terri, with communication with Dr Dodds, did you do the full consultation? The one that allows attachments? As far as I know it was always possible to reply. Let me know if you did the full one, and if so, I’ll ask Patrice, the site owner, to see if things are still the same.
Heartworm medication, we always used Dr Dodds’ protocol, which is here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/hemopetresources
The last item on the page.
Dosing is done every 45 days if needed and you’ll note she uses different dosing for different States of America. You have to be strict with the dosing days though, the monthly dosing is just to make it easier to dose. I mark it in my calender and I send myself a message on the phone on the date it’s due so as not to go over 45 days.
What brand are you using for heartworm. Don’t do anything that is for fleas, ticks and heartworm. Stick to just heartworm medication.
I believe it was more likely the vaccinations that has triggered this. Was it a full set of vaccinations? They are known triggers. I’m not sure about the birds – if it were me, I would probably put the feeders away for now until Ginger is better.
The gum colour is affected by what they are doing. The body is very clever, when they are resting, the gums will be much paler and pinker when they are active. The spleen releases the blood that is needed as it’s needed, so don’t check gums when she’s lying around.
Vally
Marie, if she is losing blood through stools, then yes, her numbers will definitely drop so need to get that sorted out. Pepcid can be used to help reduce acid, which will help. I personally like sucralfate best because it works to coat the stomach lining and heal any ulcers that may be present. I used this on Bingo after there being blood in his stool and within a day, he was so much better.
The panting does happen and I know it’s distressing. Is it normal to pant 85% of the time, to be honest I don’t know, it was one side effect my boy didn’t seem to go through too much, but I know it’s part and parcel of pred.
Diet, keep it low fat, in fact if you go to the liver cleansing diet from Dr Jean Dodds, it is great to follow that as the liver will also be dealing with the prednisone. See here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/nutrition-resources
Vally
Marie, I’m sorry BiBi is sick right now.
The panting that you’re seeing is a side effect of the prednisone, as you’ve said, but as distressing as it is to see, this will stay until the prednisone dosage can be lowered, when BiBi stabilises. Prednisone has a whole list of side effects, but right now, it’s necessary.
Here is a link to the prednisone topic we have under AIHA Terms.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone
In fact the original dosage that BiBi was on was a little low and the dosage of 7.5 mg twice a day is the correct dosage she needs to be on right now.
I’m worried the prednisone may be causing stomach problems and possibly an ulcer. BiBi should be on stomach protection. Is she on any other drugs other than the prednisone and Azathioprine? Some dogs need to be on a blood thinner to prevent clotting, and we recommend all dogs have stomach protection. My own dog suffered an ulcer from the prednisone – this is not uncommon. The best stomach protection is sucralfate but it must be given away from food and drugs as it stops absorption.
Make sure you always give prednsione and azathioprine WITH food.
Ask anything.
Vally
![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\\"")
