Vally - 217. page

[Vally]

Bunny, Westie Wendy is just beautiful.

None of us had ever heard of AIHA before we received the news at the vet. I don’t believe it is very common at all and that’s why it’s better to be under a specialist. If your vet is consulting with a specialist, that’s great.

As Sheena mentioned, the prednisone seems low for the weight but perhaps that’s because of the diabetes, I’m not sure. She seems to be doing very well though and she has just moved back into the normal range with a PCV of 39.

The reduction of 50% in prednisone is a big reduction, but again, I’m wondering if that’s because of the diabetes. Dropping the prednisone quickly can cause a relapse so it’s usually better to drop down no more than 20-25% at a time with checks before and after and waiting at least a month before any further reductions. Bingo, my boy, did relapse twice when reducing, because we did it too quickly, so keep an eye on Wendy, but I can see you’re already doing that. Does the vet check the PCV also when Wendy goes in to check her urine?

Ask anything at all. The people on this forum are wonderful. Patrice and Sheena are brilliant at interpreting blood results, so if you post them, they can help you to understand them.

My very best, Vally & Bingo

[Vally]

Hi Bunny, welcome to the forum. I’m sorry your Wendi has been diagnosed with this disease. Sheena and Patrice have asked some good questions to help know what’s happened and happening. They are great with interpreting blood works and know their meds. Please post when you can.

Regards, Vally & Bingo (diagnosed Nov 2011, in remission)

[Vally]

Lauren, don’t rush the decrease in the prednisone. What dose was Rocky on and what is being suggested. I’d prefer to wait a bit until he’s had a couple of steady results, even if it’s just a couple of weeks.

With reductions in prednisone, don’t do more than 20-25% reduction at a time. I think the standard reduction with prednisone is 50% for other problems, but that always causes problems here and all too often we see them relapsing. Bingo did relapse when reducing prednisone and we had to go back up in drugs again and take it down much much slower.

It’s only if there are major side effects happening because of the prednisone that you would risk a faster reduction.

Love Vally & Bingo

[Vally]

Sheena, I am the QUEEN of arthritis supplements (and Ebay) !!! Yes you may all bow.

I have a list of everything that gets added to Bingo’s food and I’ll email that to you over the weekend (I’m out tonight) with the dosages I use. There’s (sit down everyone) green lipped mussels, gelatine (thank you Lynn) , vitamin C (BUT I believe this is only for rheumatoid – some discussion about it making osteoarthritis worse), turmeric, ginger, msn powder, blackstrap molasses. I think that’s it but I need to check.

Now of course I wouldn’t suggest you add all these at once or Ollie will have tummy problems.

I really really recommend the green lipped mussels, although they’re not cheap. Bingo gets 1 capsule (500mg) twice a day. I’ve recommended these to heaps of people and dogs and everyone admits I am QUEEN!!! Lady at work, her dog had hip dislapsia and vet was suggesting surgery. She could hear his hip clicking when he walked. I suggested she try the GLM and her dog is now doing fabulous. No issues, no clicking. She still gives 2 a day but he’s a springer spaniel. Bingo probably gets more than he needs, but I’m too scared to change anything. She has recommended it to someone she sees in the park (can’t remember details) but he’s better AND labrador down the road, only a 2 year old (bit overweight), was becoming very reluctant to walk anywhere, had trouble getting to his feet. They had been to the vets about it and were discussing going to a specialist. I suggested the GLM but I knew they weren’t going to try it. I had a small bottle that had come free with the larger bottle that I buy and I gave that to her. I saw the dog about 2 weeks later chasing a ball in the park. She came and told me he was fabulous. He plays basketball with her kids now, goes for walks, really great (still overweight).

The others that are my favourites and should not cause any issues are the gelatine and turmeric. Knox gelatin brand is cheap as in USA, but I can’t get that here so I’m not sure in France. It has no preservatives. I pay a fortune for Great Lakes Gelatin which I can get here (imported from USA) which is the only one available here with no preservatives.

I know you’re not keen on supplements, so do your research, but I’ll email you. I make them up in little pots as Bingo is somewhat impatient at meal times. Whenever he hears me making up the pots, he smells the GLM and thinks it’s a treat for him.

Love Vally & well oiled.

[Vally]

Ruth, the ladies are right, don’t panic.

Bingo the wretch did exactly the same thing to me in the early days. He went from a PCV of 31, to a week later a reading of …..47!!!! Of course we lowered prednisone and of course just one measly week late, he was back down to 32. We ended up putting the prednisone back up again just in case the 47 had not been a mistake in which case there had been a big drop, but his vet agreed that he thought the results of 47 had probably not been accurate possibly due to dehydration. He went on to say that when they have dogs in hospital on drips, they find that their PCVs always drop because the dogs are kept constantly hydrated.

Waiting on tomorrow’s results.

Love Vally & wretch.

[Vally]

Hi Tara, glad there’s a diagnosis to deal with, at least they now know what they’re fighting. I guess if they are going to test after the 4 weeks to check he’s clear, that should be a safeguard. Someone probably knows more about it.

I’m thrilled your level-headed little devil is doing better though.

Have we seen a photo of Diablo???

[Vally]

Lynda, I too am really pleased you were able to come back. Please know you are always welcome here and, yes, your experience, I’m sure, would help others.

With Mary’s help, I too found Honey’s photos on Consuelo’s facebook page. The one of her flying is amazing. What a girl!!!

As the others have said to have fought so very hard on Honey’s behalf, shows a love which is above and beyond. Honey, I have no doubts, knew that.

Love to you, Consuelo and Dora.

Vally

[Vally]

Oh Lauren, Congratulations on that fabulous PCV result.

I’m glad the bruising was checked with an ultra-sound. Your vet sounds really great. Alarms go off when you hear bruising and action needs to be taken quickly in case something is going on inside.

And yes, Rocky is absolutely gorgeous and there is no doubt he’s grinning at his results.

Love Vally & Bingo