Vally - 19. page

[Vally]

Hi Allan and Zoe and welcome.

I’m sorry you’ve come looking because I know that means how worried you are about her. She sounds like a miracle dog though.

First of all it makes sense her regeneration has slowed because she is only a little short of normal. The body is realising she doesn’t need heaps of new red blood cells, and so has slowed down production. It’s all kept in check by the spleen.

It’s possible the infection has interfered as well and brought the numbers down.

What dosage of meds is she on right now. Staying on high dose can also start to cause a slight decline as they become over immunised, however we recommend slow reductions only when stable and not more than 25-30% at a time, one drug at a time, usually prednisone first as it has the most side effects.

If you’d like to send a copy of her blood works through, her latest two would be good, use the urgent advice:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/urgent-advice

Patrice is very clever at understanding these.

Dr Jean Dodds, who is this site’s angel, recommends the use of a hematinic like Pet-Tinic (Zoetis/Pfizer), Lixitinic, or Hi-Vite to help stimulate the bone marrow.

Heartworm medication, please check the Hemopet Resources page.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/hemopetresources

Fleas and ticks, I stopped using anything for Bingo. Everything can have a side effect, even natural products. Patrice, I know, uses bandanas such as Doggles Insect Shield Bandanas.

If the numbers do not increase, it may be an idea to include thyroid supplementation at 0.1mg/10lb given twice daily. You’ll see this is in Dr Jean’s protocol, also in the Hemopet Resources page (above).

Yell out for anything. I’m in Sydney Australia, so most likely a different time zone to you, so may always be a delay in a response, but I’m always about.

My very best, Vally (angel Bingo) and Saba.

[Vally]

Do as Patrice says, don’t change anything so make sure you get the extra stomach drugs.

[Vally]

Have they done blood tests or just a PCV test? If they’e done blood tests, can you send them through the Urgent Advice
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/urgent-advice

Patrice can have a look at them.

When does she get checked again.

I would want to keep her on stomach protection for now. Can you ask for more?

I’m thinking switching from azathioprine to cyclosporine, which targets the cells doing the destruction. Its much more expensive though.

Regards, Vally

[Vally]

Jenny, We all HATE drops, but I really don’t think you need to worry. The numbers can change up or down daily and it often has a lot to do with how hydrated they are. The more dehydrated, the higher the result, the more hydrated they are the lower the result. It can change depending on how stressed they maybe, or anything at all can change it.

I know how paralyzing the worry is and there’s no avoiding it until Zoey becomes stable, even then, this horrible disease scars you and for that reason, welcome to the Paranoid Pet Owners Club.

Keep an eye on her gums, if you think they are suddenly very pale, I would go to the vets for a check. Don’t check her gums though when Zoey is just lazying around as they are always pale at that time, check them when she’s being more active, waiting for food if she’s a food scoffer, or walking about. The spleen releases blood as needed, so when she’s just lying around you won’t see the pink gums.

Vally

[Vally]

Hi Jenny and welcome.

What medication is Zoey on? The transfusion doesn’t treat the disease, it’s only there to buy time for the drugs to work, so while the body is still destroying red blood cells, it’s not unusual to see bloods dropping after a transfusion.

I’m hoping Zoey is on prednisone and another immunosuppresent.

Regards, Vally

[Vally]

and what a handsome boy he is !!!

[Vally]

This is Leo

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[Vally]

Hi Nina and Leo and welcome. Wow Leo you are a little one.

Nina, you did the most important thing and that was to react quickly. The quicker the drugs are started, the best chance our dogs have.

It’s not unusual at all for bloods to drop after a transfusion because the transfusion is only there to buy time for the drugs to work.

I also remember reading only bad news when Bingo was diagnosed and I was forever grateful in having found a site with people experiencing the disease. That site has closed, but Patrice started this site to help.

Bingo was 7 when diagnosed and he lived to enjoy many more years, staying in remission. In fact, as he relapsed a couple of times, it was decided to keep him on a very low dose of prednisone for his life.

The notes you’ve sent through explain the drugs very well. You can also use the AIHA Terms which is a glossary of all the terms you will likely come across:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/aiha_terms
for example, prednisone
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone
or transfusion:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/transfusion

Ask anything at all.

If you’d like a chart for the drugs, let me know.

Vally (angel Bingo) and Saba