Hector

[Clara]

One thing of note, I think?, is that his reticulocyte count went up with the drop in RBC’s, PCV, HGB. I think that’s a good sign, right? Just when I think I am understanding things, I feel confused by something again.
His reticulocyte count last Monday was 64.4 and his % was 1.8%. They also noted polychromasia.
This was on 8/25.
Yes, his spleen has changed quite a bit through the course of this. A few times it has been so large that it causes discomfort. When we checked it on 7/28 it was normal sized with an area of infarction.
I am not completely against the immune suppressants. It’s just that his terrible skin and his recent coccidia infection are sort of making me hate the drugs a lot.

[admin]

Hi again Clara

I’ve had a quick chat with Patrice. We both think that you should contact Dr Dodds about her cyclosporine pulsing protocol which Patrice used for Chance under her recommendation & dosage instructions. This protocol has been used in humans since 1988 and Dr Dodds’s human knowledge has since helped to treat dogs too. We are so lucky to have someone with extensive human AND canine experience to contact for help. Chance was also in a very poor state of health at this time too. I think you already know he had his enlarged spleen removed due to a large growth (7lb)?

Here is what Patrice did: Cyclosporine pulse dosed at either 10mg/kg or 5mg/kg once a day (her protocol mentions 10mg but for Chance it was NO MORE than 5mg/kg), Monday to Friday, weekends off, for up to 4 weeks. Then re-evaluate. Along with soloxine & transfusions.

I understand completely why you are at your wit’s end with all this – Hector has really had a rough time. I hope you will contact Dr Dodds again – I personally have absolute faith in her.

Love Sheena xxxx

[Clara]

I will ask Dr. Dodds about it. What do you mean by “pulse dosed”?

[Vally]

Clara, I believe pulse dosing is where the drug is not given for 1 or 2 days per week. For example given Monday to Friday and skip Saturday and Sunday.

Love Vally & Bingo

[Tamara]

Hi Clara, very good news on the retics! Generally speaking anything over 1% is considered a regenerative response, so it’s really really good that those reticulocytes go up when the HCT goes down. I only read this one note, going back to read what you wrote on the other page.
hugs,
tamara and ashki xoxo

[Tamara]

Clara, just read the path report. First of all, that is a great report, in the sense of a really good pathologist. Second, the findings are so similar to Ashki’s, it’s spooky. I would strongly encourage you to think about anemia of inflammation being a factor in this. I can provide a whole heck of a lot of reading material if you’d like it, or chat by email. The good news is that Hector is recovering — he is regenerative when there’s dip. But he’s struggling, just like Ash. We just need to find all the pieces. Today I started reading specifically about maturation arrest and plan to continue that reading. I was ready to buy a veterinary pathology text and may still do so. I understand completely your feelings about the meds. Ashki’s specialist wanted to add azathioprine or another immunosuppressant but I am very very skeptical that is the way to go. I think if we had not had a recovery today I would have set up a conference call with Jean Dodds and the specialist if the specialist is willing, and/or taken Ashki to a teaching hospital. I am just hoping that I am right and it was increased inflammation in his kidneys with possibly slight hypothyroid (Ash is due for a check on his levels) that shut things down.
Sending you and Hector love and hugs —
tamara and ashki xoxox

[Clara]

Sure, Tamara. Please do send me whatever you have. I’m sure Hector has anemia of chronic disease or inflammation or whatever it’s called, but I don’t really get what that means or what to do about it. I hope we both figure out our dogs SOON.

[Clara]

I asked Dr. Dodds about her Atopica pulsing protocol and she had no idea what I was talking about.