My 13 yr old just diagnosed

[Vally]

Terri, I’ll have a fiddle with the times and post them here so they can be checked. I’m always nervous of interactions and times.

Ummmm, with the prednisone, we’re all super paranoid here about reducing it. Whilst a 50% reduction is normal for most OTHER problems, it’s not a good idea here as it increases the chance of a relapse. It did with Bingo, and it has with others, which means the dose needs to go back up and the weaning needs to start all over again. Most everyone here does it much slower, no more than 25%-30% reduction at a time for at least say 3 weeks, and then check bloods. So instead of doing 10mg once a day, perhaps do 7.5mg once a day. Can you get some 5mg tablets and cut some in half and give 1 and 1/2 tablets. Bingo actually uses prednisolone so the smallest mg tablet available is 5mg. Prednisone, I think, comes in different doses. Anyone???

Pet Tinic, the bottle says 1/2 teaspoon per 25 lb of body weight twice a day, so I would probably do 1 teaspoon twice a day.

I can’t see any interaction problems with Dasuquin. Bingo has had joint issues for ages (he’s almost 11 now). I swear by green lipped mussels and gelatin as my 2 favourite supplements.

Love Vally & Bingo.

[Vally]

Just saw his picture – he’s a beautiful boy!

[Terri]

Vally, Thank you! That was taken in August.
I will ask about getting more prednisone to wean slower. I’ve heard of green lipped mussels. I used to feed my horses plain gelatin. He ate some chicken tonight and perked up for pizza. I don’t want to give him to much too soon. He hasn’t eaten since last Tues. He is keeping it down and resting comfortably for the night. I’m finally relaxing a bit. Tiny bit.
I had to give him his sucralfate with a little piece of cheese. I hope that’s ok. He clenches is mouth closed when trying to pill. The clinic used mostly injections because of it. He’ll take anything hidden in something however providing the appetite remains good. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Vally]

Can someone check the timing of the drugs for me. Terri, not sure what time your day starts, work etc so it may need adjusting:

6am – Sucralfate 1gm
8am – Food with Prednisone 10mg, Dasuquin, Renal Support (not sure what this is Terri).

5pm – Denamarin
6pm – Pepcid
6.30pm – Food with Dasuquin
8.30pm – Zeniquin 100mg
10.30pm – Sucralfate 1gm

Vally
xxx

[admin]

Hi Terri

Yes – totally agree with Vally – don’t use the Longevity – you don’t want to stimulate the immune system at all – it still needs suppressing.

Terri – I wonder if your vets think that this may not be IMHA and may be just a case of very severe anemia? It would be nice if it was, because the treatment is so much easier! I desperately need your complete blood tests & any pathology results to see what’s happening. Can you e-mail then to me privately somehow? My reasoning – Koda’s bloods must be better for them to allow him to come home to you & he certainly has a small improvement in PCV,even though he’s still low. IMHA requires an additional immuno-suppressant on top of the prednisone & they haven’t given you one. Have they definitely told you he has IMHA?

My neighbour up the road who breeds dogs had a problem with one of them who was bitten by a tick. He was terribly anaemic & was treated with antibiotics & prednisone only. The owner came to me in a panic as she thought he had the same as Worzel, IMHA, but he didn’t. He fully recovered really quickly too.

I bet Koda is really happy to be home with his Mum – give him a big cuddle from me!
Love Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxx

[admin]

Terri
Sorry – should have said I received one complete blood test from 8th Jan – need more – & 2 partial ones – it says at the bottom about slide evaluation – any chance of getting that for me?
Love Sheena x

[Terri]

She isn’t telling me what he has. I don’t think she knows. All the tests run were all she gave me. Should I ask for a full panel taken on Monday?
They shorted me some sucralfate so I’ll be calling them when they open. What should I ask? If she read slides?
She must just be assuming it’s severe anemia.
Do you want the blood tests from the 7th and 6th?
I’m sorry but that’s all I have. :(

[Terri]

Vally,
The renal support is standard process renal support. Apparently, they are cutting the sucralfate in two days. Then he goes to pepcid ac 10mg BID