Just Diagnosed and starting treatment

[Vally]

Oh, don’t you want to just squeeeeeeze her. She’s gorgeous.

Bingo thinks she’s hot.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[Sheena]

Hi Kristal

Lovely photo! She’s absolutely beautiful.

We got the complete test through – thank you – no additional comments from what we said before.

It is a real worry when they won’t eat with these drugs are the beginning – Worzel was the same, I promise. We ended up trying so many things & we fed him small bits of chicken or turkey by hand. It was horrible. But soon, the prednisolone kicked in & his appetite grew to about 6 times his normal! It is best to avoid red meat at this stage because Shelby has haemolysis (the high bilirubin shows that) – adding red meat means her poor liver is overloaded with trying to break down red blood cells, so white fish (Worzel likes that), chicken, turkey for now. Pumpkin, sweet potato, green beans all cooked & mashed are good if she’ll eat them. Organic rice would be good too.

If you are in any doubt about pancreatitis with the azathioprine, you must stop it immediately, no food & water, pop straight to the vets – this what my specialist told me to do as he was aware some dogs can be ill on it. You can always change to cyclosporine if necessary, which is what we would have done. Worzel was absolutely fine on the azathioprine, but I always got him tested each check-up. A blood test will tell you how she’s doing – raised lipase & amylase, plus your vets have done a precision psl test too. And throwing up/diarrhoea is a pretty good indicator – plus pancreatitis is painful when acute, so she would be uncomfortable. Let’s hope she’ll be fine & will start eating & we can forget about this scenario!

Do you think she is drinking enough water? It’s really important to keep them hydrated. I always put quite a lot of water in Worzie’s food, if that’s any help.

Let us know how Shelby is doing – anythin else we can help with, just ask away.

Love & hugs
Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[Amy E]

When we have pups who have failure to thrive and will not eat ANYTHING they will rally for rotisserie chicken from he super market. I am not kidding even the ones who are on their death bed with lift their heads to get at that chicken. So give that a try and the worst that can happen is you have a nice yummy chicken for dinner! :)
Amy & Coal-who is volunteering to eat any left over chicken!

[Kristal]

Hello all!

A brief note to say that I had Shleby’s PCV tested today and she is now at 28 – up one from yesterday. And Shelby has been eating small portions since last night.

I have asked for full blood work to be redone tomorrow but I am feeling very optimistic that we are on the right track!

[Sheena]

Hi Kristal

GREAT to hear Shelby is eating a little now – what a relief – I remember that well!

Good luck with the next test – the last one really showed the need for antibiotics.

Come on Shelby – let’s have an even higher PCV next time!

Sheena & the boys xxxx

[Vally]

Good luck from me too. I’m so glad she’s eating something too. I know that will make you feel better. Nothing so worrying (well there are lots, but you know) as a dog that won’t eat.

Vally & BIngo
xxx