Doberman with AIHA – Page 11 – Second Chance AIHA Dogs

Linda

Guest

Hi Karyn (sorry for the misspelling of your beautiful name last post, typo).

I am so sorry you, yourself are feeling so badly. It must be horrible what you go through when you have these attacks. And I know this with Louis is taxing, both emotionally and financially.

Believe it when we tell you, we have been there – thinking that we are at the end and may need to make that dreaded decision. I was there in July with Sadie. I am not saying this is wrong, I am saying…..we know. It’s the worst place you can be in your heart and in your mind.

I think what we are all trying to say is not to prolong Louis’s suffering, but now, today, make sure that he is on (how much Sucralfate is he on?) the right medications and OFF the wrong medications.

We have all given you our recommendations, as has Dr. Dodds. Personally, I would pull him off this second immune suppressants and put him back on cyclosporine, immediately. I think it is this drug, that has built up in his system, that his body is having a hard time accepting.

Yes, the liver values climb astonishingly high. Sadie is off the charts, still. BUT it is immune induced and it will and is coming down as we have reduced the medications. This was July that she relapsed, and just now are we seeing her liver values come down. Bless her pea-picking little heart, she is alive, she is thriving, she is happy. It is a constant check – Sadie is an exception with her recurrent relapses. And Sadie did not wait to collapse at a low PCV, she collapses at 21% – which may be a good thing, because we are able to catch it. But when she relapses, back on the horrible, but life saving drugs we go.

I tell you this so you realize that getting the right mix, is key. You put them on the immune suppressants, you tweak, you hope with all your heart that THIS is the cocktail that works. It’s frustrating and exhausting. And when you have an illness as you have yourself, that will manifest because of all you’re going through, decisions you’re trying to make, it makes this so much more complicaited because it’s difficult to even think.

We are with you – you know that. You just wrote that you are feeling better – I was so very glad to read that. I had to be reminded continually to take care of myself (thank you dear friends here). We let us go, we forget that we are their only advocate and we let this entire fiasco get to us, as well as them. But Louis needs you to make what ever decisions you make. YOU and your vet need to work together as a team. YOU and your husband know him like no one else. Obiously, he is a fighter – fight with him. Get the vets to listen to YOU.

I wish I was there to give you a soft, gentle it’s-going-to-be okay hug. Sadie sends sloppy smooches too .

Much love, Linda

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