Vally - 23. page

[Vally]

Hi Augusta, yes that works, but doesn’t show much information. This is what it would look like.

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/medical-tests-resources

When you next go ask if you can have a copy of Leo’s blood test results. Most vets don’t mind at all. You can say you’d like to understand what’s happening.

Don’t blame yourself. You were doing what you, and so many others (me included) do and make sure our dogs are protected. I noticed my boy started having seizures about a month after his annual injections about 2 years before he developed AIHA. I asked the vet about it but they said it had nothing to do with it. Anyway, I started researching and found a lot of reference to seizures and reactions after injections. In Australia, for years after they stopped doing annual injections in other countries, it was still promoted here. I would never go 1 day over that yearly date to get injections for Bingo. After doing lots of research, I decided to titer test instead of the annual injection. I was the first person to ask for this in Sydney and it took 20 minute on the phone for the vet to let me know that they could in fact do this. They actually said Bingo’s bloods would have to be sent overseas for testing as it wasn’t done here and it would take a month for the results. In fact they were wrong and results were back in a few days saying he had heaps of immunity.

So what I’m blabbing on about is that you were doing what you thought was the very best for Leo, so really, don’t blame yourself.

It’s important to keep up heartworm protection, especially if you’re in a heartworm area. We all follow Dr Jean Dodd’s recommendations, which are here – last item on the page:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/hemopetresources

Regards, Vally

[Vally]

Hi Augusta and welcome.

I’m sorry you had such a scare but it sounds as though your boy is doing so much better.

The drop to 40 is, I know, scary, but he is still in the normal range, which means he’s doing good.

The funny thing about test results is that it can be different on different days, different at different times of the day. Getting stressed will affect the readings, how much water he has drunk, or how hot or cold it is. The more he drinks, the lower the reading will be, so don’t panic.

Your vet is doing a good safe slow reduction. We recommend no more than a 25-30% reduction at a time, and no faster than 2 weeks with a check of the PCV before doing a reduction and a check up soon after. There are exceptions when a dog is having serious side effects from the prednisone. I used to find that Bingo’s bloods would often drop after a reduction and then start to climb up again. I always thought it was his body getting used to the lowering of the drug. It used to terrify me every single time.

Here’s an explanation from the AIHA Terms section of the site on reductions:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone-dose-reduction

I would make sure he never has any vaccines again, unless they are required by law, as I am pretty sure the vaccine is what has triggered the reaction.

I always say, welcome to the Paranoid Pet Owners Club. No entry fees.

Don’t hesitate to ask anything at all. We love to help.

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

[Vally]

Hi Betty and thank you for your post. I am thrilled to read that your boy is doing so well. We never say “cured” because we’re all too scared to say that but “in remission” is the best news ever.

Its very common blood counts to go down after a transfusion, because, as you rightly said, it is the drugs that have to do the work. The transfusion is to keep them alive to give them that chance.

Mycophenolate is sometimes used for the ones who are not responding and sometimes it works, but it is a drug that scares me when I hear that it’s being used. The side effects are very scary. You might want to look at our glossary on the topic:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/mycophenolate-mofetil

I’m so very glad you stuck to your guns and insisted. You saved your boy’s life. I hope he is truly appreciative.

My very best wishes for you, your family and of course your boy.

Vally (angel Bingo) and Saba.

[Vally]

Hi Andrea, thank you for letting us know how Bobby is doing. It is common for ulcers and even for a dog to develop calcinosis cutis when on prednisone. What a wonderful vet you have to come to you in the night. That doesn’t happen in Australia absolutely. If there is an emergency, we have to take the dog or animal to an emergency veterinary hospital.

Here is some information about calcinosis cutis:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/calcinosis-cutis

I hope Bobby continues to do well and his medications can be reduced.

Regards, Vally

[Vally]

Claudia, I’m so sorry to read this. What drugs are you using right now?

Is he on any thyroxine? I would ask to introduce that into the regime. It needs to be given at least 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after. Thyroxine can help the marrow to produce red blood cells, even if he is not hypothyroid aren’t low. It has helped a lot of our dogs and it’s in Jean Dodd’s protocol to treat AIHA. That’s the first thing I thought of.

Also timing of drug dosing is important. Prednisone always with food, Atopica without food.

The automatic emails when someone responds isn’t working just now which alerts us to posts on the site, so I’ll keep popping in to check.

Vally

[Vally]

Claudia, I’m so sorry to read this. What drugs are you using right now?

Is he on any thyroxine? I would ask to introduce that into the regime. It needs to be given at least 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after. Thyroxine can help the marrow to produce red blood cells, even if he is not hypothyroid aren’t low. It has helped a lot of our dogs and it’s in Jean Dodd’s protocol to treat AIHA. That’s the first thing I thought of.

Also timing of drug dosing is important. Prednisone always with food, Atopica without food.

The automatic emails when someone responds isn’t working just now which alerts us to posts on the site, so I’ll keep popping in to check.

Vally

[Vally]

Hi Haylee, I’m so sorry, I have somehow missed your message and only seen it now.

I’ve very sorry to hear about your little boy. How is he going?

I honestly don’t know anything about liver problems, but Dr Jean Dodds has a liver cleansing diet which many of us have used for our dogs because the drugs cause such an overload on the liver. You’ll find it on this page – its the first item:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/nutrition-resources

There is a drug also used which helps the liver to recover called Denamarin, but again that is used by our dogs who have been diagnosed with AIHA, so I’m not really sure this is appropriate for your boy.

My very best, Vally

[Vally]

Hi Andrea, just wondering how Bobby is going.