Ashki – new thread

[Tamara]

Thank you all, so very much. I will pass along your condolences to Kim and tell her about the Bridge here.

I’m feeling a little better but the recovery is going much too slowly. I am resorting to throwing and hiding treats all over the house for Ashki to have something to amuse him, thankfully he really enjoys sniffing them out. He continues to do well.

Ashki thanks you for the cuddles; we’re sending love and cuddles back to you all.

love,
tamara and ashki xoxoxo

[admin]

Hi Tamara. I am so sorry to read about poor little Roxy and Kim. It’s the cruelest of animal diseases I think. I bet it did mask itself. So very sad.

And in the same breath, it is wonderful to read that Ashki is holding. Sadie is doing the same, not going up, but holding. She’s having some issues this time with the prednisone, but hopefully, with both our pups, as we decrease the prednisone, we’ll see a rise in the PCV AND they’ll stay, healthy and stable. Actually, like Bingo and I think Sheena said this too about Worzel, I saw a marked improvement in Sadie’s PCV when we lowered the prednisone. So, here’s really, really hoping!!! What a Christmas present that would be right?!?! :)

Hang in there fur mom extraordinaire!!! Much love and huge hugs,

Linda and hanging in here too, Sadie

[Tamara]

Thanks so much Linda. Yes, this disease is just awful, so very cruel. I am active on the IMHA fb page and there are two dogs I’m especially attached to; one looked like she was starting to recover and then she got a clot (pulmonary, even though she was on aspirin) and died. The other is not doing well either. It is heartbreaking.

Took Ashki in yesterday and the nurse said his blood was nice and thick! Waiting for CBC results today. I thought he might have a UTI but no bacteria, thank goodness.

We have a big weekend, I am feeling confident enough to take Ashki and go see a very good friend so I am working on packing up all of Ashki’s meds, supplements, and food. I am nervous about it but also hoping it goes well because I would like to drive to go see my family around Christmas time so this will be a trial run. There’s a family gathering mid-December but dogs aren’t welcome so I think I won’t go to that, I’m just still too nervous about leaving Ashki somewhere since he is still taking meds several times a day.

Sending you all many hugs and much love, scritchies and ear rubs to the furred ones —
tamara and ashki xoxoxo

[Tamara]

Well, I’m freaking out a bit, Ashki had a dip and there was bilirubin in his urine. We’re increasing the pred back up to 20mg daily. There were no other indicators of hemolysis, his serum was clear and the lab did not report any abnormalities with his CBC but the vet is still worried and so am I.

I’ve decided to cancel my weekend, I struggle with anxiety and this is really activating me so I need to stay close to home.

Love to you all —
tamara and ashki (keeping us all on our toes)
xoxox

[Vally]

Tamara, what do you mean he had a dip??? Where was his pred before the increase? I’ll bet you’re freaking out and I’m pretty sure I didn’t suffer from anxiety before all of this started. I do now.

Forgive me, I don’t remember so remind me. Does Ashki use SAMe or what to protect his liver?

Ashki, give your mum a break. She needs a holiday!!!

Love Vally & Bingo

[admin]

Hi Tamara,
did his PCV take a dip? Ashki is a big boy so 20mg is not a huge dose, where was it before this? How big was the “dip”? I am a bit confused, but I am sure you are scared and confused. Let us know more so we know better what is happening.
Take a deep breath!
Best wishes,
Brigitte

[admin]

Hi Tamara

No wonder you are worried – I am so, so sorry this has happened & I really thought he would be on the up with his tests being pretty good until now. BUT it could just be a one-off, so as Brigitte rightly says, try not to stress too much for now (easy for me to say, I know). What a shame about your weekend, but I don’t blame you for staying home. I would too.

Maybe a re-test is in order? Is it a small dip? Can you remind us what doses of everything he’s on now? Is the bilirubin just high (how high?) on the blood test & is there any in his urine? His retics were so much better – how’s Ashki in himself? Send us /me a copy of the blood test if you want – I still have all his early ones printed out here. I know you “know your stuff” really well now with this disease, but a problem shared ….. Goodness, I’m a pest with all these questions!

Sending loads of love, hugs & best wishes
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx

[Tamara]

Hi all, thank you so much. I’m sorry I’ve been MIA I collapsed and have been sleeping, the anxiety was very bad, almost a panic attack.

His HCT went from 34 to 31. We didn’t do a chemistry, just a CBC, I had taken in some urine because he had a couple accidents in the house, very unlike him, and I was worried he might have a UTI. They found high bilirubin in it, but his urine was also discolored from his B12 shot the night before and apparently this can bring about a false positive for high bili so I am going to talk to the specialist about that possibility. His retics are still good for him, 28k. He’s feeling well, keeping an eye on the neighborhood from his window, eating well, good poo, etc.

His current meds are 20mg pred SID (we had cut to 20 one day, 10 one day 2 weeks ago on the 7th), 250mg mycophenolate SID, 100mg cyclosporine SID, 0.4mg soloxine BID, 10mg enalapril BID (for the proteinuria), denamarin SID, 1gm sucralfate SID. Several supplements.

We go back Tuesday and I think I’ll want another urinalysis — it’s only money, right?

We did do a chemistry the first week of this month and it was beautiful, perfect. The vet is always surprised at how well his liver copes with these drugs.

Love to you all —
tamara and ashki xoxox