Abby, the Shih Tzu

[Cindy]

Not sure why all those definition came up on that post………It might have something to do with posting from a nook…sorry :-(

[admin]

Hi Cindy

I am very concerned. Abby needs to be hospitalised right now in my opinion – she’s not coping well at this low PCV. I’m sorry to have to say this. I don’t like what’s happening with her breathing either. It is vital that she drinks plenty & she must have food with the azathioprine to prevent/lower pancreatitis risk. And she must have her medication, especially the cyclosporine. She is a very sick girl & needs 24hr care, I believe. I know you have confidence in your vets, so that is GOOD. They may need to rehydrate her with a drip & can investigate things fully to find out why her breathing is so poor – and give her some oxygen when necessary.

Let us know as soon as you can what’s happening. I’m so sorry Cindy – this is a horrible stage to have to go through, but I know you will keep fighting to get her back on track.

Much Love & hugs
Sheena xxxxx

[Alyssa]

I would encourage you Cindy to push for a transfusion at this point. Some dogs can hold out until 9-11% (like my dog), but some dogs can barely tolerate 15%. Being that Abby is a Shih Tzu, I think she is just too small to handle the level she is that. She needs a transfusion, in my opinion., as soon as possible. I would go so far as seeking out a vet that will do it, if your vet refuses and keeps waiting. This is not a waiting game, at this point, and your vet needs to realize.

Also, my dog was also on Aza and Pred. She would not eat, AT ALL, for nearly two weeks. She is a pit, and was impossible to pill – even the vet tried for half an hour and could not get her to swallow pills. It also left her exhausted.
So, heres what we did: crush the aza & pred with something like a spice grinder. Add a tiny bit of wet dog food, and water, enough to make a slurry of sorts. Use a baby/oral syringe, and squirt it slowly into the mouth (place the syringe behind the canine tooth, there is a small gap so even if they hold their mouth shut it goes in). Just go very slowly so they lick. I am suggesting this because you must get the meds in, and it was the only way I could do it, and Abby is on the same meds as my dog.

[Vally]

Cindy, yes I too think she needs hospitalisation at this point. If she won’t take meds and especially if she’s not drinking, then I think she probably needs to be on a fluid drip and that way she can get her medications – which are so important right now.

Also, it’s true, whilst some dogs cope with a low PCV and you can play the waiting game for a transfusion in the hope that their next result will be better, but some dogs just don’t cope with the PCV being on the low side, as Alyssa said.

Keep us posted.

Love Vally & Bingo
xxx

[Cindy]

Update on Abby. Just got home from emergency clinic. They initially put her on IV fluids and put her in an oxygen cage. They started the transfusion at 10:00 while still receiving oxygen. They were able to start her off on carafate (which was her first dose of this medication) and able to give her the rest of her meds an hour later. She missed two doses though. Her PCV was 13%. I certainly hope it goes up to at least 17-18. The highest it got was 19 last Friday and she was alert at that number but still not really moving….but I will certainly be soooo happy if we can get her to that point. I will give another update tomorrow. As always, please say a little prayer for sweet Abby !

[Vally]

Cindy, she’ll feel much better with the transfusion. A transfusion always sounds scary, but as Sheena says, they’re a good thing and they’ll make Abby feel much better.

In my prayers.

Vally & Bingo

[admin]

Hi Cindy

I am so relieved Abby is getting the help she needs. I know it’s horrible having to leave Abby at the vets, but it really is the best place for her & she will be feeling much better with some oxygen, fluids & a transfusion. I am thinking about you every moment. It is not unusual for the PCV to fall a little bit after transfusions, so do not worry if this happens. Transfusions are life savers & make our dogs feel more comfortable – sometimes they need more than one before things settle down.

Sending love, hugs & all the positive thoughts in the world for your little sweetheart.

Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx

[admin]

Dear Cindy

I’m so sorry to read what you and lovely Abby are going through. It is absolutely a case of peaks and valleys and yes, it does seem to get the “special” ones. We often refer to this disease as a rollercoaster because it is so very up and down. You did absolutely the right thing to take Abby in and I am sure that her transfusion will boost her up. It’s amazing to see the difference it can make to how they feel. Some animals are able to tolerate lower PCV’s much better than others, for various reasons, and it sounds like Abby was struggling. Please do let us know how she gets on, and I hope she will soon be home with you.

Best wishes,

Mary and Mable x