Vally - 24. page

[Vally]

Andrea, that’s fabulous news. What a wonderful Christmas present.

We prefer to do the reductions a bit slower. No more than 25-33% at a time and a minimum of 2 weeks, with a PCV test before. Reducing prednisone by 50% is a standard thing for allergies and other issues, but unless there are serious side effects, it’s better to do it a little slower to help prevent a relapse. My boy Bingo did relapse twice, once, certainly, because of a quick reduction, so quick reductions always makes me very nervous.

My very best,
Vally

[Vally]

Cate and Danny, I am so very very sorry to hear this. Our dogs are so special, they can never leave our hearts, even though they have left our worlds.

All the fighting you did to help Leila fight, is a huge sign of your love for her.

I hope all the wonderful times you all had together shine forth and help you through this present time.

When you are ready, and it may not be just now, there is a page written by one of our ladies, after losing her own dog. It’s truly beautiful and I hope it helps you.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/the-bridge

My deepest condolences.
Vally

[Vally]

I’m glad to hear Bobby is on omeprazol.

Again, it’s different, some dogs, there is always a risk once a dog has contracted the disease that it an come back, and in fact my boy had to remain on a small dose of prednisone for the rest of his life as he relapsed twice. Some dogs just seem more susceptible to anything which can upset the immune system, and maybe the stomach problem was the cause of it. Other dogs are just perfectly fine.

Your feeding of natural foods is excellent.

I would certainly stay out of the forest for now until Bobby is much much better. Then, because I am very very paranoid, I would probably hesitate to expose him to the bacteria there.

Regards,

[Vally]

Hello Andrea and welcome. I’m so sorry your Bobby is not feeling well right now.

First of all, it’s very normal for the PCV to drop after a transfusion. This is because the transfusion doesn’t treat the disease in any way, it is only to buy time for the treatment to work.

If a future transfusion is required, and I hope not, make sure they don’t transfuse over 25 as Bobby will think he has plenty of red blood and his body won’t work to make more. See here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/transfusion

The Atopica worked quite quickly for my Bingo, he improved in about a week, but some dogs respond quickly and others more slowly.

Is Bobby on anything else besides Prednisone and Atopica? Prednisone is very hard on the stomach and can cause ulcers, so stomach protection is very important.

You are wonderful and Bobby is very lucky to have a mum who will drive to another country to get him help.

Ask anything Andrea, we’re happy to help. I’m in Australia, so I can be a little slow sometimes to answer due to the different time zone.

My very best, Vally

[Vally]

Hi Cate and welcome.

It’s never too long a post. There is always so much to explain, so don’t apologise.

First of all I totally totally agree with you that you know Leila best. I loved my internal specialist, he was a great guy and he helped caring for my Bingo. He was a big believer in listening to a fur parent, even if said Bingo was happy to make an idiot of me because I’m explaining to the vet, this is happening, and there are no symptoms and no blood results showing it. He always said he believed what he was told and said in his experience, the clinical symptoms showed up well after it was noticed by a pet owner.

We also decided to keep Bingo on low dose prednisone for the rest of his life, more for his arthritis than anything else. Whilst he recovered well from his AIHA, when taken off the prednisone, his PCV would drop and he would develop polyarthritis. Specialist said he thought we should keep the “old boy happy and keep him on the low dose”, so Bingo ended up on 2.5ml (he weighed 7kg), which I would lower to 1.25 every now and then but as soon as he showed any type of symptom, I’d put it back up to the 2.5 and he stayed on that.

Yes, it did leave him with very bony hips and weak legs, but he was happy, and I don’t regret it. I just put runners throughout the house.

I remember one vet, when I brought him in urgently and his regular vet wasn’t there, told me he was in terrible condition due to him being on the prednisone, and I was a mess when I walked out and burst into tears. I later discussed this with his regular vet and the internal specialist, who said she was an idiot. In fact my vet ended up sacking that particular vet, not because of her comments to me, but this was her attitude to too many people.

Yes, it does leave them with long term damage, but he was comfortable and happy.

My very best,
Vally

[Vally]

Sylvia, also check out, and keep handy, Dr Jean Dodd’s Vaccination Protocol. You’ll see it here.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/vaccine-resources

[Vally]

Good luck Zeus !!!

[Vally]

Patrice is having internet issues at the moment and cannot get into the website.

Her message is she suspects puppy has had a full load of vaccines, including leptospirosis, often given as a nasal vaccine. Guessing he had a rabies plus his second set of puppy vaccinations: DHLPP, a full load.

If you are struggling, you could contact the breeder for help and the breeder may take the puppy back and nurse it to health.

How is Zeus going?

Regards, Vally