Vally - 3. page

[Vally]

Lucy, I’m so very pleased to read this. It’s just great to hear your news. Thank you for taking the time to update us.

My very best and your boy.

Vally
xxx

[Vally]

Sarah, you may notice that after the transfusion, his blood levels will be suddenly good, but then they may drop again. This is because the transfusion is only given to buy time for the drugs to start working. The steroid treatment may take a little time to kick in.

[Vally]

Hi Sarah, I’m so sorry to hear about Clifton. He’s where he needs to be right now and I know you’re terrified. We’ve all been there too.

The clotting risk is correct, but I’m sure your vets have put Clifton on anti clotting medication to take care of this risk. The first days are the worst and you’ll see Clifton looking worse before the medication can help him to recover.

Any questions, please just ask.

Big hugs.
Vally

[Vally]

To be honest, right now, her staying home is probably safer. However, I totally get quality of life. If it were me, I’d likely do 5 minutes outside for a sniff, rather than a walk. Sniffing takes up a lot of their mental energy. It’s good for dogs that can’t exercise after surgery and the like.

[Vally]

Hi Michelle,

I know your girl looks a mess right now, and that is the drugs, as you’ve said, but they are saving her life. She sounds as though she has improved though and that’s great.

I probably wouldn’t be doing the walks right now, or if she really wants to go out, maybe do really short trips. Also, her immune system is being kept in check with the drugs right now, so it could leave her at risk of picking up any sort of infection.

In most cases, prednisone is lowered first, as it has the most side effects. Reducing the dose doesn’t normally happen until the PCV has reached 35 and has stabilised there. This has some information that might help:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone

It’s important to reduce the dosage slowly and a reduction of no more than 25-35% at a time with checks before and after.

Yes, it does happen sometimes that a dog will need to stay on a small dose of prednisone. My boy Bingo was one of them. However it was a very low dose.

Ask anything, happy to help.

[Vally]

Oh Kat, I’m so sorry to read this. This is a horrible disease that hits so hard and so fast, and sometimes it just can’t be beaten.

When you feel ready, you might like to go to this page and have a read. I know it will help you, or maybe come back in a few days to have a read.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/the-bridge

My condolences.
Vally

[Vally]

Hi Kat, I’m sorry you’ve had to come looking for help because I know how worried you are right now. We’ve been there too.

The first days are terrible, and the medications will make Z look even worse, but let the meds do what they have to do.

Call out if you need help or just want to cry or rant, we’re here.

Vally.

[Vally]

Hi Hope, I’m sorry you and Coco are going through this. It’s a terrible time, I know.

Yes, many many dogs survive and it’s often a case of hitting this disease quickly and hard in the early days.

Hopefully the azathioprine will help. It that doesn’t work, ask your vet to add in Cyclosporine.

Is Coco on any other drugs? stomach protection? blood clotting protection like aspirin?

Do you have a copy of Coco’s blood test results. If you send them through on Urgent Advice, Patrice, the site owner can have a look at them. She’s very clever with understanding what is going on and can help you to understand.

Coco will probably get worse before he gets better, I’m sorry to say, but don’t give up hope.

Ask anything.

Regards, Vally