Vally - 221. page

[Vally]

47 – grab it. I never ever trust those ultra high PCVs. They’re just there to make you worry the next time. Sadie girl you’re just awesome. Linda, you’ve done okay too :)

It is fabulous to see all those little things getting better and better.

Lots of love Vally & Bingo

[Vally]

Hi Ashley, wanted to get a quick link up to the forum for you.

Can you tell us about Lola:

What weight is she?
Is she on any meds yet?
What sort of tests has she had. If you have a copy, you can post them through the urgent link, the same way you sent the urgent advice email or you can list them here.
Do you know what her present PCV is (her blood readings).

We’ve all been through this and it’s terrifying and very draining. There are some fabulous people here so I hope we can all help you and Lola through this.

My very best, Vally (& Bingo – diagnosed Nov 2011 in remission)

[Vally]

Hey Aunties Mary and Sheena and all

Bingo has survived another no-dose day (yippeeeee). Didn’t get his 1/8th yesterday and he was great last night. Running around like a lunatic, humping (trying to anyway) his blanket, grabbing and dropping his ball so he can chase it.

I was very nervous and woke several times during the night to poke him to see if he was okay, but he’s great. My day off and he was happy to sleep in and laze around in bed being scratched. I’d say come on, we have to get up, and he’d just wave his arm (which is dog’s language for scratch some more). It’s a gorgeous day here too and because we got up later, and the Council has mowed the grass in the park, meaning he doesn’t get his little feet too wet, he was happy to do an inspection of the park today. Walked all over. He says he’d be happy to do that every morning if he only had his special french blue shoes Auntie Sheena (but to be honest I don’t mind as if we did that every morning, I’d be late for work EVERY morning).

I can postpone some worrying now for a few more days. I won’t be convinced we’re good until at least a month has passed. Been there done that. Got to 3 weeks once before and trouble hit.

Lots of love to all
Vally & Inspector Bingo

[Vally]

Hi Ruth, how is that girl of yours going???

Love Vally & Bingo

[Vally]

Hi Lynda, Just wondering how Honey going?

Love Vally & Bingo

[Vally]

Sheena, how’s your grinning goofball going with his foot. Still showing off his fancy shoe?

Love Vally & Still Waiting

[Vally]

Oh and the dope fell off the bed last night!!! Why does he love to terrify me sooooo.

[Vally]

First of all, Bingo is great this morning. No issues other than having an mum who is too slow to get his food down on the floor for him. I’m very relieved this morning as yesterday morning he had the smaller dose of 1/8th of a 5mg tablet. Today is big dose day!!! So I will go ahead and skip it tomorrow and see how he copes overnight and into the morning before he gets his big dose again.

Patrice, I am completely okay with him remaining on prednisone. His vet and I are both of the opinion that it’s important that he be comfortable and happy. If that means staying on the drug, so be it! It’s just a matter of seeing where we stop. His vet’s words “A little prednisone keeps an old boy happy”. The original intention had been to stay on 2.5mg daily, but as he looked so good at that, we thought we’d try and take it lower, then lower. So I’m thrilled at this point that he’s now on 0.9mg (average) without taking into account the current skip a day testing which brings it down to a whole 0.8mg (average).

Licorice – I found that it stops cyclosporine working – so that’s out in any event.

Kelp – He does take a supplement which contains kelp and spirulina. The spirulina I had read was a problem with cyclosporine, so I cut this supplement down. I didn’t know about kelp though, so I may just drop the supplement completely now.

Perhaps we need a herbal warning set up somewhere here too because I know that’s one of the first things I look to for help with any problem, dog or human. We all want the miracle cure and be able to ditch the drugs but the herbs themselves need a lot of research as (as you point out) they can, on occasion do more harm than good.

Ruth, thank you so much for your comment. Yes it was a lovely day. My nephew was totally relaxed the whole day and enjoyed himself.

This disease has certainly left a scar which hurts at times. Any little thing (and it is minute when compared to the early day battles) and it’s panic stations again. Yes Sheena we would have paid anything to see them bounding about and grumpy because he’s NOT getting his sixth treat for the morning.

Lots of love, Vally & Happy – or maybe that’s Happy & Happy