My dog just diagnosed

[admin]

Hello Jen – welcome to our site, although I’m so sorry to hear about the reason why you contacted us. I think the others have all given you excellent advice. Anticlotting medication may indeed be necessary, and I agree that it is very important that they aren’t transfusing when her PCV is still relatively OK.
Getting advice from Dr Dodds is really important. Even with the time difference (I live in England) she got back to me really quickly. It sounds like you have a vet who is willing to work with you and find out about this disease, which is crucial; as the others said, too many vets don’t know enough about it. It is a real rollercoaster – and, as you mentioned, it is expensive. Linda’s advice about finding alternative sources of the drugs sounds good – it all helps!
Please try to stay positive; you are doing all the right things to help Maggie – but the most important thing is love. And you obviously have that in spades.

Lynda
xx

[Linda]

Hi again Jen. Lynda is spit on. Some of the best advice I got from this crew, that has been there and knew/knows, try very hard (yes, it’s difficult) to stay upbeat around Maggie. They pick up and are keen to our emotions. I certainly saw that with Sadie.

Thanks Lynda for comment!!! Really seems like a small thing, but huge in their wellness plan. :)

Love and hugs,
Linda and Sadie

[Linda]

Yikes – that should have been ‘spot’ on, not ‘spit’ on. Sorry Lynda ;)

[admin]

Hi Jen

I’m really sorry to hear about Maggie – she’s beautiful! I’m glad you have found us though. It’s a very difficult time in so many ways – certainly financially, and of course also the emotional rollercoaster side of things. It is very frightening and every one of us here understands.

I’m pleased to hear that your vet is familiar with this disease, as it is rare and many vets encounter few if any cases. I am surprised to hear that the internist assumed it was cancer – do you know the reason for this? My Molly (a cat – I’m the random cat owner here!) had a rare form of AIHA in her bone marrow, but part of her diagnostic workup was to rule out cancer. This included bloods, but she also had ultrasounds and x-rays, followed by a bone marrow biopsy which led to her diagnosis. If there are no signs of a tumour or a blood cancer (leukaemia/lymphoma) , I am unsure why the internist would would have jumped to this conclusion.

Anyway, welcome aboard and please feel free to ask anything you like. I’m really pleased to hear you are thinking about contacting Dr Dodds also, as she is a wonderful source of advice and information.

Much love, Mary and Mable x

[Anne]

Hi Jen,

Sorry to hear about your dog. This disease is terrible, but it’s great that your vet seems to be familiar with it. I’ll second what everybody has said so far. This is a great community, and you’ll find here a real community of people ready to helps you and support you. I’m still in the fight along with my dog Bilbo, and we are with you!

[Tamara]

Hi Jen, just checking in on you and Maggie. I also use Costco for meds and it has saved me so much money, I pay half there what I was paying at the vets and they do have brand names, my vet only wanted me giving Atopica, not just generic cyclosporine.

I’m surprised too at the $125 cost, although if you’re keeping a close watch on platelets that would explain it. Because Ashki’s platelets have been normal I can get away with a PCV only and that costs about $25 here.

Thinking of you and Maggie and sending you big hugs and much love.

tamara and ashki xoxox

[Vally]

Hi Jen, how is Maggie going?

Love Vally & Bingo

[Jen]

Hi Vally,
Thanks for checking in on us! She’s been doing good- acting a bit more like her normal self & her counts have been holding at 35 for two weeks so that is encouraging. She has a recheck in two days so I’m hoping things continue along positively.
Is bingo in remission or still battling this disease?
So thankful for this forum and everyone’s support!
Hugs!
Jen & Maggie