Vally - 7. page

[Vally]

Oh, and no walks right now. You’re right, with a low blood count, it would be too much for her. Also, immunosuppressants lower resistance to any other disease, so it’s best to keep her quiet and at home for now.

[Vally]

Hi Tharin and Milk

Welcome to the site. I know you must be very worried right now.

Do you have a copy of blood test results? If you do, can you send them by attaching to the Urgent Advice link.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/urgent-advice

Patrice, the site owner is very good with understanding them and she can help you to understand what’s happening.

What does Milk weight, how old is she and what is her breed?

Also can you list the drugs and doses she’s on right now. I’m not sure if I understand if she’s still on the cyclosporine or just the mycophenolate. Mycophenolate is not a favourite of mine because it can cause a lot of gastro problems. Cyclosporine is the drug of choice (that’s my opinion anyway – also, it’s what worked with my dog, so I’m biased). Is Milk still on prednisone?

Prednisone is what usually starts working quickly. Cyclosporine usually takes a bit longer to start to work. Prednisone has a lot of side effects though, so when it’s safe, it’s better to start to reduce the prednisone and leave the other immunosuppressants.

Also, has Milk’s thyroid been tested. Dr Jean Dodds, who is a specialist in this disorder, recommends using thyroid medication (even if a dog is not hypothyroid) as it helps to stimulate red blood production and platelet function. The dose is 0.1mg/10lbs given twice a day.

This is a link to her protocol for treatment.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/hemopetresources?mgi_25=17007/dr-dodds-imha-disease-and-bone-marrow-failure

Tharin, ask anything. Happy to help.

Regards, Vally

[Vally]

Hi Chantelle, I’m so sorry your boy is sick.

Yes, my boy Bingo, survived this, as has many others. The early days are the worst as they will always look worse before the drugs start to kick in. The drugs themselves are harsh, with lots of side effects, but it’s only for a while. Once they start to work, you can slowly reduce them.

This is Bingo’s story:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/our-stories/bingo

Is your boy still in hospital? The transfusion is there to buy time for the drugs to work. The transfusion itself doesn’t do anything except give the drugs time. It’s the drugs that can turn the disease around.

Ask anything at all. Happy to help.

Regards, Vally

[Vally]

Amanda, I’m so sorry to find you here because I know how worried you are.

I agree with Patrice, I think you need a second opinion quickly. Please do go to an internist for help. Your boy is not stable right now and, yes, I also think he is much to sick to be home.

Mycophenolate can make many dogs feel sick as well. It’s not a favourite of mine for our dogs. If your boy does have AIHA, then cyclosporine is a better second drug to prednisone.

Please let us know how he’s going.

Regards, Vally

[Vally]

Hi Nicx, I’m sorry you’re going through this. Have the drugs been reduced from when your girl was diagnosed, and transfused?

What drugs and dosage was she on and what is her weight?

I’m wondering if her medication has been reduced. We see quite often that when the drugs are reduced too quickly, then some dog’s do relapse again. My dog was one of these and did relapse. Had to go back on high dose prednisone and reduce the dosages much slower the second time.

Ask anything.

Regards, Vally

[Vally]

Hi Lucy, Jean Dodds has some informatio on her Blog on Bordetella. You can read it here.

https://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/148259661186/know-your-bordetella-vaccine#.X02fIXkzaM8

In particular she says:

“So, as you can see, I do not suggest parainfluenza, adenovirus-2, Bordetella, or even canine influenza, Lyme and leptospirosis vaccines, unless a local endemic or other high exposure risk circumstances exist. I certainly do not want a dog given all of these vaccines in one veterinary visit. ”

Regards, Vally

[Vally]

Lucy, thank you for the update. You have both done so so well. The fear with reducing is so so normal. Fingers, toes and paws crossed for you.

[Vally]

Hi SC, thanks for your post.

It’s amazing how this disease leaves us all so paranoid. Even with my now dog, Saba, I use the absolute minimum, heartworm and stomach worms only, and she gets her gums checked, well just because.