Ashki – new thread

[admin]

Hi Tamara,
I am so happy to hear Ashki is doing so well! The changing of the gums from pink to pale and back is absolutely normal. Before this disease we just never noticed:) Patrice described a couple of times what exactly happens, I will try and explain. When a dog rests, some of its blood is stored in the spleen. When the dog wakes up and has to be alert immediately (because someone knocks on the door or the postman walks by) the blood is very quickly pumped int circulation. This is why at rest the gums are paler than when your dog exercises. I am sure it could be explained much more scientifically, but this is how I understood it.
There is a little test that you can do that might be interesting, unfortunately I forgot the proper name for it. If you push on Ashki’s gums with one finger for a couple of seconds, remove it, it will be pale where you pushed but it should be pink again fairly quick. If that is the case, that is good. Silly me, I have no idea if it has something to do with anemia, I just know it is good:) So if that is the case with Ashki, it should make you happy!
About Cockers getting this disease, I certainly have seen many. Johnny from Nova Scotia had two that had it. If you go to the Meisha’s Hope Success stories, there are many of them too. But then there are a lot of Cockers, I don’t know if that is taken into account when they give you these percentages. I don’t think there is a dog or mix that I have not seen getting this disease. But it would make sense that you will see more Cockers that for example Pharaoh Hounds. It does seem to come up more in certain breeds though, Poodles unfortunately one of them.
Best wishes,
Brigitte

[Tamara]

Ashki is 36 today!!! On my phone, wanted to share the great news ASAP!!
Xoxo Tamara and mr amazing :)

[admin]

Hi Tamara

How did Ashki get on today? I’m glad to hear he is watching the cats! Mable says she feels she will be ok at this distance. We used to have a Golden Retriever next door who hated my cats. I’m sure they used to tease her from a height so she couldn’t get them. She was (and still is) a lovely girl. Mable is feeling somewhat violated after her cat friend William popped over into HER garden this evening. He’s a huge thing, but terribly sweet. I think they probably hate each other, but I like to think they are friends ;)

The test Brigitte mentioned is called capillary refill time, and should be less than 2 seconds. Certainly a useful little test. I too notice that when Mable is resting, her tongue is paler than when she is running about, so I assume this storage of blood in the spleen is the same in cats. It’s interesting that you’ve noticed such a big difference when looking at the photos. I remember when Molly was poorly and her little tongue was the colour of strawberry milkshake. Horrid. Its great that Ashki’s gums regained their normal colour once he was more active – I’d take that as a good sign.

Fleas are a difficult issue and I remember posting about this before, if you look back some way there is a thread about Routine Parasite Treatments. There were some great suggestions about natural products to try. I didn’t get on with Frontline: it just didn’t work. I use Stronghold on Mable which works a treat, but she hates it and I hate putting such strong chemicals on her. We tried Comfortis but she vomited with that. I completely understand your reluctance to use Frontline again and I think in Ashki’s case I would probably avoid this type of treatment too, at least for now.

Fingers crossed for good results today. Give Ashki some ear rubs from us.

Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Tamara

I think we were posting at the same time. FANTASTIC news! You must be thrilled! So, so pleased. Give him EXTRA belly rubs from us!

Mary and Mable x

[hope]

Go go go Ash!!! Keep going, mr. man!! So happy and grateful and thankful to hear the news– you two have been fighting this for so long and it seems like he’s turned the corner!!

Super hugs and lots of love!
xoxo Hope and the Stinkers

[Vally]

YAY!!!!!!!!

[Tamara]

Ashki continues to feel well, keeping an eye on the kitties and the activity outside. He got lots of belly rubs yesterday and this morning and says thank you all!

I am very happy but still worried, hard to trust when we’ve had all these ups and downs. However, I’d much rather have ups and downs in the 30s/20s than the low20s/teens like we did for so long!

Even with the worry I am so incredibly grateful and cherish every moment with my sweet Mr. Puppy.

Brigitte and Mary, thank you so much for the reminder regarding the capillary refill time and the info re. cockers. It seems like on the fb page there are many spaniel types, but you’re right Brigitte, they are also popular dogs.

much love and many hugs to you all –
tamara and ashki xoxoxo

[admin]

Dear Tamara and Mr. Amazing (aka Ashki), This is incredible news!!! 36 – that’s awesome!!! I know you are so dog-gone happy – smiling ear to ear! Me too!

My vet used that test on Sadie even at the vets and showed me how to do it. I had forgotten about it – capillary refill time. I have done it on occasion – good to know right?! Thanks to both of you for the reminder (Brigitte and Mary).

Poor little cockers – I’m telling you – seeing one, I want to tell the owners about AIHA, but what a downer right? I keep telling my vet, if ANYONE comes in with their pet having AIHA, please let me know and let me be supportive. I don’t think they are too keen on the idea. Since they have sold and gone corporate, they are not the same around there. Too bad. I keep my ears open for anyone having a pet with AIHA, but I have not found anyone. It it seems they keep this disease hush-hush. That’s just stupid because support is such a huge part of the healing and wellness. Too, maybe that’s what they’re afraid of, comparing notes, not agreeing with the protocol being used, etc. Like I said, stupid. And sad.

But on a good, great note again – Well done Ashki!!! You and Tamara are an absolute awesome team!!! Keep up the great work!

Love and huge way-to-go hugs, Linda and Sadie