Doberman with AIHA

[Vally]

Hi Karyn, I’m so glad he’s on tummy protection at last. I have no doubts this will help enormously. Yes the PCV will drop a bit because, as Sheena said, he’s flooded with fluid right now. All very very normal.

There are politics in Australia with vets and specialists, but to be honest, my specialist has always been amazing and I’ll be eternally grateful for his really putting Bingo’s care above the proprieties. My NEW (well 18 months old new) vet is also lovely in that she has no problem in my going to the specialist to second guess her opinions, for the sake of MY sanity and my boy’s life. The regular vet hasn’t been through what I have, and she realises that. She has no problem with me saying I want to double check that this is okay for Bingo. When a locum was there one day and I asked them to double check a medication for an infection, she came back and said penicillin is okay. I KNEW that was NOT correct, so I wouldn’t allow the injection. Double checked with specialist and NO it should not be given. If not for this site, I would not have had any idea of this. I probably would never have questioned what the vet said, but there are some things I now know more than the vet – absolutely no disrespect meant towards my vet, but I’ve lived this disease. She has not treated any case of it.

One time the specialist removed 2 of Bingo’s teeth, which were so loose and ready to drop, but with all the dramas of who’s doing what, and the worry about anaesthetics, these 2 stupid teeth were causing problems and just sitting there JUST loosely sitting there. The specialist took him out the back, and just “popped” them out with a little local anaesthetic. He’s an internal specialist, nothing to do with old doggies loose teeth, but truly an incredible vet who cares about his patents and their nutty mums.

I seriously cannot fathom that you do not automatically have a right to see what your dog’s bloods are doing, saying nothing of the fact that you have paid for these tests.

You have truly been amazing dealing with your sick dog and just trying to understand and cope with what’s happening. To be honest it makes me very angry that you have to beg to simply get a copy of his results to understand what’s going on.

Very very best of luck with your beautiful boy.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[jill]

Hi Karyn, just been reading about Louis having to stay in at vets, im so sorry to hear this, but mayby its best to help him improve, at least they have put him on tummy protection now,and im so hoping he does improve so you can take him home on Sunday. I hate leaving my dog if he needs to stay in to , its heart renching! Its a shame those vets wont give you the information about Louis, I don’t know whats wrong with some of them ,if I were a vet I would do anything to help any animal! And that means talking and liasing with there owners about there concerns , working together for the good of the animal! Sorry to rant, but its frustrating sometimes we all wants whats best for our pets don’t we. thanks to this site ive met some lovely people who have managed to tell me what to expect , about different drugs and there side effects,correct times to give them, and much more, cant thank them enough , love and hugs to everyone and there doggies, thinking of you Karyn and Louis , Jill & Snoopy xxx

[Sheena]

Hi Karyn

How’s Louis doing today? Hoping he can come home tomorrow.

Jill is right – none of us understand why any vet is obstructive. Just watched Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick on TV – he said that all information & new techniques should be shared freely between all medical professionals, vets & human doctors etc. The whole point is to cure illness, but accompanied by a big hug. He only hires people with big hearts. Shame he doesn’t treat this disease.

So I am sending a big hug for you all, plus an extra special massive hug for Louis.

Love Sheena x

[Karxlee]

Just heard from Rutland, Louis has eaten a little bit but not much, his PCV is still 18% and they have now put him on Sucralfate thank god!

Hopefully that will start to work very soon – does anyone know how long it takes to start working?
So he won’t be coming home this weekend and if they cannot get him to eat then I’m so scared they will say enough is enough 😟

[Sheena]

Hi lovely lady

I know you are feeling a bit down – a drop to 18 is not significant, especially as he has been rehydrated. And it’s not danger level.

Here’s the but. BUT I think you must push for introducing Jeans Dodds protocol & suggestions as soon as possible. You have to – there is no choice now. There is nothing to lose doing this & everything to gain. I understand the doubts your vet may have, but please get him to look into her profile further as she really is a wondrous woman.

I can only say that she has helped so many of on here when things seemed completely hopeless – please read Chance’s story if you haven’t already. Patrice was absolutely at her wits end until she found Dr Dodds. She saved Chance’s life without doubt. This may sound like an admiration society – actually it is as far as I’m concerned. Much as my Specialist was fantastic (how lucky was I) I always ask Dr Dodds for help now. Always. And yes I would take her advice over his. She has helped the most serious of cases because she has so much experience with this disease – she has been qualified since before I was born & is also a human haematologist – plus she has a big heart & never gives up on us. We are highly priveleged to have someone so highly qualified on our side – she responds quickly to any cry for help, unlike my specialist who takes at least a week to get back to me & you cannot get past the gestapo at the reception to talk to the guy.

So, no it’s not time to give up – that sucralfate may take a few days to heal up the damage caused by the drugs – please read :
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/sucralfate/

I found Worzel instantly out of pain the first night I started it – no word of a lie. It is very important to give a 1 gramme dose last thing at night, 2hrs away from other meds. It has all night to do it’s healing job. It is unique & essential.

Getting Louis to eat – what have they said they’ve found? Any test results – we are desperate now for some additional information as we can only guess what’s happening with him.

I apologise for being blunt – you have to go for the thyroxine, giving the drugs exactly as Dr Dodds suggested, including splitting the pred into 2 equal doses. There are good reasons for doing things this way. We are in the dark, but there is a ray of light.

Have you seen Louis? How’s he acting? This is so important. Worzel was in a terrible state & it was pitiful, but from talking to my wonderful & close friends on here, I knew this was the way it is with the disease & that I must not give up unless he no longer had any fight – many of us have been through this & come out the other end with happy results. We all want this to happen for Louis. With all my heart, I beg you to insist that they now follow Dr Dodds advice to the letter. And please get as much info as you can. Louis is not dropping into danger level & it has been some time since the last transfusion – this is such good news. We just need to give him that kick start into making more blood cells. Thyroxine, correct drug protocol & some good nutrition, maybe B12 injections, he may need iron – who knows as we have no blood results.

Talk to us, please.

Much love & supporting hugs
Sheena xxxxx

[Linda]

Hi Karyn. I am SO glad he is on Sucralfate – awesome!!! You will see a difference righ away and as Sheena said, it will even heal the damage in a few days. This could be the reason he is not eating. I hope so, anyway, because this is an easy fix.

I am angry for you too. If they print it and give it to you, it’s not ‘data’ anymore, it’s a copy of a test result that you paid them to do. Tell them ahead of time, any more tests, you want and insist on getting the results ON paper!! That way you can scan it to your computer and send it to us AND Dr. Dodds via e-mail. Maybe it was that they don’t want to e-mail it? They may go for a paper copy. You have a right to this information. Is it that way everywhere there? Crazy is an understatement, right?!

I know you want him home. Here’s hoping he is home tomorrow. Hang in there awesome fur mom!

Sending love and hugs,

Linda and Sadie

[Karxlee]

Hi Sheen

We haven’t seen Louis but the nurses have said he is bright and they have taken him out in the garden for a walk.
I know what you mean about getting him onto Dr Dodds protocol but getting a UK vet to follow it is proving beyond difficult, some of it maybe the godlike syndrome but they other is because they don’t believe there has been enough research done.
I am trying my very best to get you all some info but it’s like talking to a brickwork which makes me even more frustrated because I,m asking you guys for help, but not being able to give you anything to work with.
I feel like I am wasting your time which I apologise for.
I will keep trying to ask them to read the protocols but without falling out with every vet I fear the worst again.
Kx

[Sheena]

Hi my worried friend

Hey you! Don’t ever say you are wasting our time. That is not true. We have all the time in the world for anyone in this terrible quandry, especially YOU. I will be honest here, with the exception of Nula & Ruth who went to Dick White Referrals, this attitude of being a god & a knowall exists amongst all the vets I have come across on the site & a previous one in England. Theirs was the ONLY protocol for IMHA that I’ve read that is actually very good. Some others are actually diabolical. Remember this is NOT YOUR FAULT sweetheart. None of us blame you for anything – we admire your perseverance. I certainly do – you are amazing & so is your husband. We have also found our group is not considered credible in England either. Believe me that is frustrating too. Jill is also faced with the same problem, but thankfully Snoopy did get the right treatment to start with & is doing well so far. You are not in the fortunate position, so we need to work harder to help convince your vet. Is there any way he would talk to me? I expect he would refuse as I’m not a vet. I could try. Or better still, could he contact Dr Dodds – Sabbathy today, but she is usually around the rest of the time. Maybe speaking to her would convince him, is she would be willing to do that for you.

Is it just the thyroxine that is an issue? That is the impression I got – this is very old research actually, nothing new or weird. Well, if it is the thyroxine, let’s forget that for now & at least get the pred split into to equal doses. I have NEVER heard it being done this way. I promise it is to maintain a more constant level in the blood to suppress T-lymphocytes. This practice of 12 hour dosing is done for humans nowadays too – gone are the days when us asthmatics are given a whacking dose of pred in the morning – I get twice a day& find I don’t need such a high dose that way. It makes perfect sense to me as the pred can be gone from the bloodstream in as little as 18 hours – so that leaves 6 hours with no immunosuppressant in effect – hope that makes sense. That is why we use to be worse at night – I’m much better on pred this way.

Am I right in saying Dr Dodds said he should be on atopica (cyclosporine) as well? If so, there’s something else they can do. No need to fall out, surely – I know from mtalking to you what a reasonable, intelligent & sweet person you are – no way would you upset someone – I have faith in you diplomacy. This Stefano sounds like such a nice guy & they all love the dog, so you already have a good relationship with them. But it needs to be said nicely that his blood aren’t coming up yet & I don’t personally think they should be waiting any longer without trying something else. The previous vets already messed up the drugs & this has set Louis back somewhat – that is in no way Stefano’s fault. And it’s not insurmountable. He’s stable for now – stable is good – a higher PCV would be even better of course.

What plans have they got now?

Don’t stop talking to us whatever you do- I can phone you if you like

Or I can book a flight over & come & kick some English butt – they way I feel at the moment, it would be my pleasure. I am furious for you. Absolutely furious that anybody should have to go through this.

Love Sheen x