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I ache for what you’re going through. It’s all dejavu for me, reading all this. I know it is for most here.
Sadie had many of the same reactions – she was on the Sucralfate, cyclosporine when she started with the Horners Syndrome (palsey in people). It also affected her walk, walking sideways. She has had palsey on both her left (first) and then right side. Her left side of her face is still sagging a bit and she makes a bit of a mess drinking water, her eye still does not close all the way at times when sleeping (looks very strange indeed).
I stopped the Sucralfate and started with the slippery elm cocktail (I can send the recipe, thanks Callie!). I had to tweak it, because, like so much that goes IN Sadie, it messed with her bowels. I had to lower the slippery elm, use ‘pure’ water instead of aloe and lower the pro-biotic (Sadie has the WORST tummy ever – always has, AIHA and the drugs made it much worse). But the cocktail DID/DOES help. Although, Sucralfate is an awesome drug. That, and the Pepcid.
I like that you’re feeding Diablo ‘real’ chicken and beef (lean, of course). I found that Honest Kitchen has some great products. Maybe you can check out their website. It’s dehydrated meats/vegetables. I mix some with the ‘real’ meats.
Baytril got to Sadie too. Just as with you and Diable, the vet thought Sadie had an ear infection. But she was fine. I swear, if Diablo has been on Cyclosporine for a long time – that may be the culprit. I have heard that too many times…..
For the tummy, as Patrice mentioned, the yogurt (Greek, plain) is wonderful to coat the tummy. And I add just a pinch of an opened capsule of Slippery Elm powder to it. On those occasions, I watch the amount of SEC (Slippery Elm Cocktail). It really does help Sadie.
I think maybe we need a list of what our dogs/cats are on, drug wise and supplement wise. Only the AHIA needed basics: Pred (or whatever), Cyclosporine (or whatever), and then the drugs that protect the bad things these good/bad drugs do to our dogs/cats – tummy protectant, liver protectant, heart protectant, kidney protectant, anti-blood clot medications. Not all the supplements, which are good, only the basics to counter-react the AIHA drug therapy. Maybe helpful?
PLEASE keep us posted. Thinking of you and Diablo and so hoping he feels better.
We are sending our love. Linda & Sadie
Diablo seems less wobbly so I am hopeful but still has a severe head tilt. When you pick him up you notice it most….he is almost like a baby and you have to support his neck or his head is flopped over to the right…when he is walking it is just tilted and he is managing much better. He is eating on his own now too. We go back to the vet tomorrow. I will write some more after that appointment.
Tara
This is really positive news – I am so glad. It sounds exactly like what happened to my old dog Sprockett, so I’m crossing everything Diablo will slowly start to improve day by day & make a complete recovery. If he is left with a bit of head tilt, well so be it. It doesn’t seem to bother them at all. Good luck at the vets tomorrow – I will be thinking of you
Love from Sheena & the boyz
Thanks Sheena!! The head tilt is actually cute….a little less severe would be nice but I can definitely live with that :)
Hi Tara,that sounds really positive! It’s not easy to be patient-especially when we’re watching their every move and hating seeing them poorly. But it sounds as though Diablo may be coming through the worst of it. Fingers crossed for you both!
Claire
x
Yes, sounds like Diablo has turned the corner. Fingers, toes and paws crossed.
Love Vally & Bingo.
Feeling a little discouraged today. Diablo’s head tilt is much worse so causing him to be more unsteady. The vet feels he is improving though……his eyes are only shifting a very little bit…he is not on nausea meds and has an appetite and has not vomited. He can no longer to stairs of any sort :( For those that recommended plain or greek yogurt how much do you give your dogs? Diablo is only 18 pounds. That is another disturbing thing….he can’t seem to gain weight anymore either :( Sorry to be such a downer today.