My 13 yr old just diagnosed

[Terri]

Thanks everyone
Koda is home. I’ve been trying to upload the files and it keeps telling me my emails don’t match but they do. After the 6th time I gave up.
I’ll try again after I get home tonight.
He came home with
Zeniquin 100mg SID
prednisone 10mg SID
sucralfate 1 gm BID

I’m taking him back in on Monday to recheck bloodwork.
I’m also going to include:
Dasuquin am &pm
Longevity (springtime inc)
Renal support
Denamarin
She said I can include pepcid but I didn’t ask her the dose so I’m not sure how much.
I wish I could just stay home with him but I’m headed out. I’ll try to get those images loaded.
Terri and Koda

[Linda]

Hi Terri. I hope Koda is continuing in the right direction. I just wanted to pipe in too – we are so with you at this time. Had it not been for the people on this forum, I would have totally lost my mind AND Sadie would not be here today. Koda too, can get through this.

The advice and compassion here on this forum is incredible. This is a horrendous roller coaster and is crushing – the questions spin. Any questions you have can be addressed here – never worry about you thinking they are trivial – nothing is trivial – it’s all important and always worth addressing. You will find the answers you need here and the comfort of those of us that have gone and are going through it.

Just a note, my cocker spaniel, Sadie, just relapsed last October 2014. She had been doing awesome, down to 2.5MG Prednisone alone, daily. Have not a clue what happened but she relapsed. The first question my vet asked was if I was still giving the Pet Tinic. I had actually stopped. Ta-da. Restarted immediately. I will keep her on it as long as they’re making it. May be coincidence, but I think there is merit in the suggestion.

She’s doing well today, responded immediately to being put back on 20MG of Prednisone a day. Now we’re weaning (AGAIN), which you will learn, is necessary to be a VERY SLOW process. Bless her heart, she has quite a bit of atrophy in her legs again, but we’ll deal with that (AGAIN) – just STAY at a good PCV Sadie! :)

Here’s to moving forward with Koda. It sounds like you are already doing an awesome job. Koda is a very lucky boy to have your love and diligence. You take care too – that’s monumental (as I was reminded by my dear friends here at Sadie’s onset of AIHA in 2012…..) – Koda needs you strong.

Much love and huge, hang-in-there hugs,

Linda and Sadie

[Linda]

PS – On the Pepcid, Sadie is about 36 pounds (big cocker girl!) and I give her 1/2 of a 10MG pill. I just buy the generic from Publix, use a pill cutter (at any pharmacy) and cut them in half. BUT the Sucralfate is wonderful, if you can get that. I had Sadie on Sucralfate for a long time and ran out – now I’m using the Pepcid (she’s down to a low dose of Prednisone, 7.5MG daily).

Also, I DO request my vet to write or call in prescriptions for Sadie to Costco. If you have one near, this could possibly help tremendously (it’s been almost 1/3 the price of the vet). If you or your animals do not have insurance, Costco has a discount program that greatly helps. They have been wonderful to me in helping with Sadie. They even suggested I get a 90 day scrip (as opposed to the traditional 30 day scrip). Just ask your vet – they should be glad to do this without reservation. It’s a small way to help with the costs.

Also, I just got the Pet Tinic (4 oz.) from my vet yesterday, at the price of $34.00 – and they give me a 20% discount (you might as them about this too – no harm in asking….). I had to get it because I ran out (yikes!) and as I mentioned earlier – it’s needed. Amazon has it for anywhere from $12.00 to $16.00 – and I will be ordering it today!!!

Again – sending our love and hugs,

Linda and Sadie

[Terri]

You guys are so great. I read each and every story last night and went to sleep all teary eyed. Your support means so much.
I ordered the pet tinic. Gave his first dose today.
I thought I’d add some numbers from the lab work. Riding in the car, doing nothing anyway.
WBC 32
MA 4.7 (.3-1.5)
GA 23 (3.5-12)
HCT 24.9 up from 22 yesterday
HGB 9.6 up from 8.7 yesterday
RBC 4.03 3.7 yesterday
PLT 161 139 yesterday
Aspt .34
BUN 62 112 yesterday
CREA 1.7
ALP 477

I hope this helps. Evidently she never did a pcv.

[admin]

Hi Terri

What other immuno-suppressant (& what dose) apart from the prednisone is Koda on? Forgive me, I seem to be chasing my tail tonight!

It must be lovely to have Koda home – PCV or/& HCT are just different ways of measuring red cell volumes – pretty much the same thing, so good enough for us to see that things are really improving on the red blood cell front. I’m sorry I don’t know what the GA abbreviation means, or Aspt. ALP is a liver enzyme – this & other liver enzymes are raised by the drug treatment – getting Koda on some Denamarin will help to bring that down.

Koda’s WBC is a bit high – I would like to know the values particular white blood cells are – what a pain not being able to upload the tests – e-mail them to me if you find that easier & I will pass them around.

You are doing such a great job, Terri. Koda will be so much happier to be at home with you – let us know how you’re both doing

Love & cuddles,
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxx

[Vally]

Terri, I’ll just bet Koda is as thrilled as you to be home.

Can you list the times you’re giving the different meds and supplements.

The Longevity, I noticed contains spirulina – this can work against immuno -supprements. I would leave that out for now.

Regards, Vally & Bingo

[Terri]

Sheena,
He is not on anything else and only on the prednisone for 2 weeks and then an every other day wean.
Will try to remember everything:
Denamarin he starts in the morning. It says 1 hour before food.
The other ones just say am and/or pm but from what I been reading, the sucralfate should be given 1 hr before meals also?
I would love to know the best times to give these. Or which ones to space from others.
I won’t give the longevity…thank you Vally for telling me that.
Also, the pet tinic, how much to a 55 lb dog?
If he’s on the sucralfate, does he need the pepcid? Would both bbe
3 meds for 2 weeks and he’s done….I don’t know what she thinks is going on with him.
Oh yea, I’m waiting on the renal support supplement. He will be started on that as soon as it comes in.
Also, oh the questions!! I really need him to be on dasuquin, the joint spplement. Will that interfere with anything?
Again, I’m probably all over the place. Feeling a bit overwhelmed. I’m sorry for that.
Sheena, I emailed you the files.
I think that’s it for now….phew…as if that’s not enough.
Terri and Koda

[Terri]

Me again…with a couple more thoughts.
His wbc was 42 Tuesday…when she was giving up on him. Gradually declining now. Monday I’ll post his new number. He still looks pale. I’m sure from his low rbc. Can I be doing anything else for him? I also don’t want to do too much.

 

Terri and Koda