English springer AIHA Bone Marrow Aspiration

[Vally]

Hi Sara

Your Flossie is a beautiful girl.

Bingo was on the first dose of pred for about 6 weeks until he finally got into the low 30s. He’d been there for a while and whilst not yet in the normal, we started lowering by 50%. After the second 50% reduction, he relapsed and we had to go back up in the dose again.

So as Karyn said, don’t worry about the side effects. Yes you will definitely see them and you’ll be worried about them, but the disease is worse than the side effects.

Agree 100% with Sheena, ultra-anti-splenectomy.

I like your idea of speaking to your personal vet. I’m assuming you mean to get them to contact and discuss the matter with Dr Dodds?

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[Sheena]

Just seen the photo – she’s a beauty & I love the trolley – a great idea. I had a hell of a job lifting Worzel in & out the car, so I sympathise – this makes it much easier.

Sheena xxxxx

[Sara]

Vally, is it possible for you or one of the other gals to e-mail directly. I would like to talk about a situation in private. or I do have a FB Page where you can message me if that makes it easier.

[Sara]

Yes Sheena .. with us being in a hotel ..on the 2nd floor .. I used to take her up and down the stairs or the elevator.. so when you add up how far it is just to the lobby and then as I mentioned previously I take her as far away from the building as possible since it’s a dog friendly hotel and I don’t want her going where all the other’s do (fleas sickness etc.) In her state I knew we couldn’t make it that far .. so I had remember Costco carrying over the years folding wagons for the beach, sporting events etc ..and thought that’s the perfect thing .. and I trained her from a puppy to ride in shopping carts so she loves it. She rides along like a princess .. I’ll tell you though just lifting her in an out .. in 11 days I have lost some weight .. LOL !

[Sheena]

Hi Sara

E-mailing you privately

Love Sheena x

[Sara]

Thank You Ladies,

I have replied to your email and copied each of you for whom an email was attached.

[Sara]

Hi Ladies .. Thank you for your personal e-mails they are so very much appreciated !!! I have been going through them and reading everything this afternoon .. getting a little sleepy so sent my dad out to get me a chocolate shake and fries .. I know not the most healthful choice but it will perk me up LOL !

Flossie is home from her transfusion .. They finished it around 9:30 p.m. my time and then did a PCV around midnight and she was at 20..then they did another PCV before I picked her up this morning about 9:45a.m. and she was still at 20 ..so she picked up 5 pts.

She came home exhausted .. But she already ate 3 bowls of food over the last 4 hours. I think she wasn’t thrilled with their food options last night. Now her tummy is full she is resting.

They started the cyclosporine last night .. so I am hoping after reading a few of your stories and that being the one thing they added that helped you see the turnaround in 10 days to 2 weeks .. I am holding out much hope.

Right now I am going to go forward with this Vet.. and not change mid-course since I see things going in the direction they should be (and I want them to) ..and if there is a change of thought or no willingness to try other avenues again ..then I will once again move in the direction of seeking someone willing to help fight for Flossie by trying Dodds methods. I won’t give up !

She goes back in on Monday for another PCV .. so I’ll keep you posted ..

Sheena, Linda, Vally and Patrice, I am so grateful for your help thusfar ! Patrice thank you for all the medical info you sent on the bone marrow ..it’s invaluable to know and is a huge help moving forward .. I love learning what cyclosporine was,how it’s made, used and why Dodds likes it. I’m very much an information freak .. I love learning .. so don’t think you are ever sending me too much. Sometimes being tired I need a day to digest it all .. but it’s like a candy for me once I get in there and start reading and understanding it.

Quick Question .. now that she is on the cyclosporine (ATOPICA) is there any concerns for side effects that I should be watching for carefully ?

Great Big Hugs to you all !
Sara

[Sheena]

Hi Sara

Tired? I think you are making light – you must be exhausted more like. Try & get some rest while little miss is full of food & resting happily. You are probably seeing the start of a voracious appetite with the prednisone – I honestly think Worzel ate 6-8 times more when the pred kicked in. So high protein, high energy but low fat is best. After eating nothing at all, it’s actually a huge relief to see them hungry!

One of the most common things with cyclosporine is throwing up at initial higher doses. This can be combatted with Cerenia (a commonly described drug for sickness) or giving the cyclo with some food. Strictly speaking, it is best to give away from food, but some dogs do cope better with food or when the initial dose is reduced, they settle:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/cyclosporine/

We also occasionally see skin problems like staphylococcus (staph) infections, which are easily treatable. Nothing to worry about at all:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/staph-infection/

I know you will fight Flossie’s corner – being an information absorbing person is a big advantage – learning as much as you can is the best way to help her.

When do you go back for a PCV check next? 20 is a good level for being out of trouble – if Flossie can stay there, that would be so great! But if she drops, it’s no big deal as this is very early in the treatment – never be afraid of transfusions – if our dogs need them, that’s fine. Think of it as topping up that tank until a new supply comes along.

I have no doubt you will continue to find Flossie the right help, even if you end up having to look further afield. I hope you don’t need to though.

When Flossie is better, I will tell you about our stay in a less than average hotel near Bordeaux, France, when I went to the specialists – yuk!

Love & huge hugs (gentle ones for Flossie)
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxx