4mo pup IMHA

[Vally]

Hi Terri, what is going on with the 4 month olds ???

I’m so sorry and I know you’re out of your mind with worry. If you don’t mind, I’m going to set you up with your own Forum entry for Elvis. I’ll do that shortly.

Just wanted to say you’re very welcome here and as Amy has said, ask a million questions. We just want Elvis better and you happier.

The first days are the most terrifying and scary and sleepless and lots of other things. We all know that. So don’t worry about yelling out. There’s usually someone around.

If you can give us as much information, that would be great. Ask for copy of blood tests, some of the ladies here can help you understand what’s happening.

More prayers for you all.

Vally & Bingo (diag Nov 2011, in remission)

[Vally]

Terri, as I mentioned, I’ve made up a new topic for Elvis. You’ll find it here:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/forums/topic/elvis-4-month-old-dachshund-puppy/

Vally
xxx

[Sheena]

Hi Amy

I was just thinking about you & Coal, so I thought I would drop you a quick line – how are things? Hope all is well & her PCV is good.

Love & hugs
Sheena xxxxx

[Amy]

Sheena you are too sweet!! We are doing well. I am finally not afraid to go to sleep at night out of fear of her dying while I am sleeping. She is back to her old self but I am noticing increasing clumsiness. I am wondering if that may be a muscle thing from the steroids. Her RCV was 46% on the 14th so the vet decided to give her two weeks and we will check her again this coming Monday 3/28. We are still on 20mg of prednisone -5mg of aspirin – 2.5 mg of melatonin and 20mg of famotadine. She has gained back all of the weight she wasted while being ill. Thanks to excellent high calorie dog food and a laundry list of supplements. We added pharmaceutical grade fish oil, Hemp protein and chia to her food as well. All of these will help with her immune system. Once again a big huge thank you for everyones support here. I feel comfort in knowing I can come here and freak out or celebrate my dogs condition/progress and you are all right there with me. Wishing you all a very Happy Easter. Blessings, Amy

[Sheena]

Hi Amy

That’s really good to hear about her PCV – 46 is fanstastic! I remember vividly how often I woke up thinking Worzel had stopped breathing – it was horrible. I slept with my hand on his chest so I could always feel his heartbeat. I’m glad you aren’t worrying so much now.

I think you have done an amazing job – I am certain it’s the side effects from the drugs (pred especially) that makes them weak-muscled because it’s “catabolic”, maybe that’s the “clumsy” problem? Even if you get the weight back on them, it takes a while for those muscles to get back to full srength. Worzel had horrendous muscle atrophy (stick legs, skeletal frame, pred head & a barrel belly), but he was soon back to his old muscular self after we got him off the pred. I wouldn’t let him do anything strenuous until he recovered – how on earth you’ll do that with a lively puppy girl, I don’t know – good luck with that!

The melatonin – I know it’s excellent for many dogs who get stressed, have noise phobias such as fireworks & seizures too. I am really interested as we have had a couple of dogs on here on melatonin. There’s not a huge amount of doggie research (yet) & I was wondering why your vets recommended it – let me know when you have time! We all learn something new just about every day on here & the more we learn, the more we can help others. It might be worth asking the vets if it can cause clumsiness though – I have only found these which are quite informative but don’t mention that:

http://www.veterinaryplace.com/dog-medicine/melatonin/
and
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/Melatonin_info.htm

Lovely to hear from you & with such wonderful news. You enjoy your Easter too – now you can get some well deserved sleep & rest. I will enjoy Easter knowing that Coal is doing so well – you’ve made my day.

Love & hugs
Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[Vally]

Amy this is wonderful news and GOOD LUCK for Monday and the testing.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[Amy]

Sheena, My Vet was in touch with an internist and they suggested the Melatonin. This is what I copied from her e-mail to me. It is what the internist sent to her…..

Melatonin (pineal gland hormone) has been shown to stimulate platelet generation, probably by promoting megakaryocyte fragmentation as well as by altering the cytokine network involved in platelet production. A human study has shown that melatonin (20mg/day) rapidly and significantly increased the mean platelet count in 72% of patients with ITP. No veterinary studies have been performed, but a suggested dose of 3-6mg PO q12-24 hours has been recommended by some clinicians, and melatonin seems like a low-risk and potentially helpful adjunctive therapy for ITP. The main side effect is drowsiness.

SO that is why she is taking it… to generate platelets …basically can’t hurt… might help! :) Its a very low risk so we said ok.

Thank you Vally! Blessing to all of you! <3

[Sheena]

Ahhhh! I see – I didn’t realise Coal had low platelets as well – maybe I missed that in an earlier post from you – sorry if I did. So it’s Evans Syndrome then?

Thanks for that – very useful & interesting & a great idea to use it in my opinion too. I like anything low risk. There you see- we do learn something every day!

Sheena xxxx