Charlie's IMHA – Page 2 – Second Chance AIHA Dogs

Keymaster

Ramona, don’t project yet (Vally laughs at self – never could not do it myself). Charlie hasn’t needed a transfusion yet so fingers crossed, the meds will start to do their stuff. It’s worth ringing around if a transfusion is required, you may find different prices, or even ring Dr Jean’s offices at Hemopet. She’s in Garden Grove, California – no idea how far away that is, but they would certainly have contacts. She operates a not for profit canine blood bank. But as I said, we’re not going there now, Charlie won’t need it !!! You hear me Charlie !!!

If he’s excited about his food that’s great. He’s feeling better and prednisone turns them into food monsters. You’ll be worried he’s eating too much soon. I know his falling over upsets you, Bingo did he same. He really really looked so very bad, I thought it was his “time”. I didn’t want to just drag him through with no quality of life, but his specialist said to wait, let the drugs do their thing and he was right. I honestly thought he was stringing me along to spend more money there, but he WAS right, the meds did start to work, I love this guy and he gets Christmas presents forever.

Dr Dodds will get back to you very quickly. She is a practising Jew, so the only time there is a delay is over the Sabbath. She doesn’t use a lot of words, so don’t be put off if she simply sends you her protocol and answers with few words. She is a marvel at her stuff and very thorough. Once you’ve heard from her, don’t hesitate to email back if you have questions, she’ll answer quickly again. I can’t say enough good about her. Sorry I should have warned you, it’s hard to attach stuff to the online consult form. I usually suggest putting everything together into one attachment and sending it, but as I said, if you have more to send, wait for her email and then reply to that.

I’m never brave enough to say “recovery”. I say “remission”. He’s at least 12 now, possibly older. He also had Auto Immune Polyarthritis (rheumatism) . That has flared up whenever we’ve tried to completely take him off the drugs, even trying every second day (which usually works for most dogs who need to stay on meds), so he has stayed on 1.25mg of prednisone daily (1/4 of 5mg tablet). He’s a lazy boy, always was and has a “wonky” (medical term) back left leg with pins in it (which never really did anything) and some spinal issues now, so he has a funny walk now – his front legs go at twice the pace of his back. But he likes his food, endurs my many helpful supplements, loves his treats, naps between sleeps and enjoys his lazy life.

Let me know once Dr Jean has been in touch.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

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Ramona

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Hi Vally– sorry for the delay. It’s been hectic trying to get more meds for Charlie, cook for him, and maneuver through some other bad news from family and friends.

Anyway, trying to put a positive spin on it, Charlie’s PVC with the specialist was 24% which is the best he’s had in a several weeks. I shared Dr. Dodd’s suggestions of adding thyroid pills and liver cleansing diet. Our vet was somewhat hesitant about the thyroid pills because Charlie did not have thyroid issues pre diagnosis and thought it might speed up his metabolism and he’s already lost so much weight. However, she said she would do it if that’s what I really wanted, but she wanted to run a thyroid test first. When she called me later after our appointment with the results, lo and behold he had low thyroid. She called in prescription to our local vet, but getting meds from my local vet has been a whole other obstacle course of its own. Luckily I have Soloxine already because my other Beagle takes. I’m using those until our mail order ones arrive next week.

In addition to the above, our specialist is also reducing the Prednisolone and Leflumonide. And because the lab work showed high billirubin, today she called and added another anti-biotic, Batryl. This too was not available at our local vet. So I had to run across town to another place and pay too much for it. This too causes tummy issues and loss of appetite. Ugh! But at least it’s chewable and beef flavored and apparently not bad tasting given that Charlie ate it with no problem. I wish all his meds were that way.

Specialist also ok with the liver cleansing diet. A friend of mine has been using this diet for one of her dogs that has liver issues, and she gets it from a commercial company not too far from our area. So I called her up, got the info, and went online to place an order. It arrived today via FedEx on dry ice. We haven’t tried it yet because I tried to make a batch on my own yesterday after our vet visit. I was so tired after making it that I asked my husband to go get take out for our dinner. He said you did all that for Charlie? I thought you were making us dinner! Men . . .

I had to use frozen cod because my market didn’t have any fresh. I guess it wasn’t too bad as Charlie ate it right up. So did brother Ramsay who seems to be gaining every pound that Charlie is losing with all the human grade food and snacks I have to use to get Charlie to eat.

Our vet/specialist also said blue algae may be something we want to try for the liver cleansing. I haven’t looked into it yet. She also did another ultrasound and didn’t find anything remarkable and gave Charlie his Vitamin B shot for us. So we will check PVC at local vet next week and discuss with specialist via phone to see if we do any medication adjustments. In 2 weeks, we will see specialist again.

I felt a little bit better after we got back from the specialist, mentally at least. But not physically–I strained my back getting Charlie out of the car. He’s so weak he can no longer jump in or out of the car. For a minute, I thought I was going to get stuck bent over in the parking lot. But after a few minutes of cursing and praying, I managed to stand up. After the appointment, the office staff came out to the car with me and put Charlie in my car. So my next shopping trip is to buy a step ladder of some sort for Charlie to get in/out of the car.

In the meantime, I am desperately hoping/praying Charlie will do ok without the high doses of meds and gain some weight back. Despite the increased PVC #, he is wasting away. It also seems like he is most miserable in the morning, lots of tremors/panting and wanting to be left alone. How I wish I could use my sick time at work to stay home with him until he got better.

Thank you so much for offering to make a med chart, so sweet of you. I made one a couple weeks back because I was afraid I might make a mistake with so many meds, or in the event that something happened to me, my husband would need instructions. So, the chart is on the fridge and I carry one with me to work.

I will try to upload Charlie’s picture. He’s looking more and more emaciated, but still my handsome boy.

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