Odie – cocker/golden mix

[Sheena]

Hi Melissa

A huge welcome – I know Vally has been looking after you – just wanted to say I’m so pleased you’ve found us. Vally’s drug charts are legendary & a big help.

My dog Worzel also didn’t eat – we were hand feeding him bits of mince, chicken, fish & were lucky if he took a couple of mouthfuls. He lost weight too, not surprising! It was very worrying, but after about a week on the pred, he became absolutely ravenous. These drugs are not pleasant for the stomach at all & it’s a matter of trying different things until Odie does feel like eating something.

If he continues to be sick (vomits), you could ask your vet for some Cerenia – lots of people have had to do that in the early stages of treatment.

Can I just ask you to check two things:

1. Check your peanut butter doesn’t contain xylitol (an artificial sweetener) because it is toxic to dogs. If so, do not use it & maybe try & get some pill pockets? It’s really hard getting the meds down them, I know.

2. The baby food/organic chicken is a great idea, but please check it doesn’t contain any onion. Onion is also toxic to dogs in larger quantities, but I would avoid it completely.

If you can send us any tests, that would be wonderful. As Odie is on doxycycline, your vet must suspect an infection – did they say anything about what it is? If it’s a tick borne disease, they need doxycycline for a long time – Worzel was on it for 5-6 weeks as we all were convinced he had ehrlichiosis from his symptoms, even though the blood test came back negative.

Great to read your vets have done scans, x-rays etc & haven’t found anything. I’m also thrilled to see the aspirin as our poor babies usually need this because of the clotting risks. Your vets have done a really good job.

I know you are worried & stressed – it’s really hard seeing your Odie so poorly. This is the toughest time for them, but once he starts eating & his PCV goes up, he’ll be feeling much, much better – and so will you.

Sheena, Worzel (diagnosed Dec 2012, in remission) & his friend Ollie xxxxx

[Amy]

I am so sorry you are going through this. Unfortunately I don’t have much to offer in the way of advice as I am in the same spot as you are. But I do know one thing that you can try. When we have rescue puppies that have given up they will perk up for rotisserie chicken. The kind you buy at your supermarket. We don’t know why but what ever they do to that chicken it has magic and most dogs will eat that even if they refuse everything else. It’s worth a try. I hope it works and I am praying for you and you dog. Warmly , Amy

[Melissa]

Hi. Odie is back in the hospital. His heart rate had increased and his breathing was more labored this morning. He was so lethargic that he couldn’t even lift his head. I had to carry him to the car and into the vet. His PCV was still at 19%, but the vet said that two of his liver test results were so high that they wouldn’t register on his CBC done this morning (birbilian (or however you spell it) was one of them, but I forget the other). Vet suspected fluid in lungs, but found none after scans were done, but because he is having trouble getting enough oxygen himself, he is on oxygen now. The vet also suspected little clots, although there’s no way to be sure, so he has moved from aspirin to heparin injections three times a day. I am waiting to see what happens overnight, but I am not hopeful that he’s going to recover at this point. My oldest sister is travelling here tomorrow to be with me to make decisions. I am absolutely heartbroken…

[Vally]

Oh Melissa I’m so sorry Odie is having such trouble. Do you have a copy of any of the results at all? I know you’re stressed to the max right now and it’s probably the last thing you’re thinking of, but they hold so much information that it helps to understand what’s happening. Is it possible to have them email a copy of the results to you at all? I’m not sure what time it is there now.

Had the liver been checked with scans at all? If the liver was okay, then it’s the drugs that are most likely causing the raised enzymes. Your vet may know more from results but we’ve all had test results where liver enzymes have been off the chart. The medicines being thrown at Odie for now, the pred and the Mycophenolate, are doing damage to the liver, but it’s the most clever of organs and despite what is thrown at it, it has the capacity to heal. Most of us have used liver protection – the best is Denamarin as it’s dose precise, but good quality milk thistle is also used by some. You’d be amazed at how quickly this can turn results around.

I’m wondering if the Mycophenolate could be a problem. It has some serious side effects. Not too much is known about this. In people though lung problems are a side effect
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/mycophenolate-mofetil/

In my mind, I’d prefer to see Odie on Cyclosporine. It has much fewer side effects.

Again, I know you’re in such turmoil right now and wondering what the right thing to do is. Dr Jean Dodds is an expert in this disease and many of us have contacted her for help. Her protocol in treatment is actually Prednisone and Cyclosporine as the two immunosuppresents to use.

Melissa, let us know if you can get those blood test results.

Praying for you and Odie.

Vally
xxx

[Sheena]

Hi Melissa

This is rotten news – I’m so, so sorry he’s back in hospital, but is the right place to get him back on track. The heparin injections are a great idea if Odie is having problems – some dogs need them at the beginning of treatment. Transfusions are a wonderful life saving option, so if Odie needs more, please don’t worry – that’s what they are there for.

I would also like to recommend you get in contact with Dr Jean Dodds. Mycophenolate is not always well tolerated (GI issues/breathing & some dogs & people had to give up taking it because of this) & I agree with Vally that you & your vet should consider cyclosporine instead. You can also get cross matched packed red cells (and other blood products) from Hemopet (Dr Dodds).

Love & hugs
Sheena xxxx

[Sheena]

Dr Dodds:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/hemopetresources/

[Linda]

Hi Melissa. So sorry Odie is back in the hospital, but good catch on your part, to get him back there.

Just so you know, some dogs are very weak at this PCV, 19, that Odie had when you just brought him back to the hospital again. Sadie collapses at 21. Some dogs are running around with a PCV of 21! It just depends. And as you are finding out, there are some new other complications. So, let them get to the bottom of this, but you too, stay involved, ask LOTS of questions. It helps me to write it down. Or better yet, they will most likely give you a physical copy of his chart. They may even e-mail you a copy too. Tell them you need it for his ‘file’ so you can keep track of everything.

I agree totally with the others, and recommend changing the second immune suppressant to cyclosporine (Atopica).

And, I ALWAYS give both prednisone and cyclosporine (Atopica) WITH food. Otherwise it really messes with Sadie’s tummy. This way, we’re good, no problems.

You are whirling right now, I know. You have so much going on with school and a crazy schedule. But, you are doing an awesome job. Odie is a very lucky boy to have you as his loving fur parent.

Stay determined. Don’t be meak. Insist on copies of everything. Hang in there.

Sending much love and big hugs, Linda

[jill]

Hi Melissa, so sorry to hear what Odie and you are going through, he is at the best place possible to be sorted out, im sure they will , its also great advice from everyone on here, me and my dog Snoopy have learnt many things, always ask these lovely people on here anything, anytime. I found it hard at my vets appointment to rememder everything so I wrote it down when ever we went with Snoopy, I also give Snoopys meds an hour or two apart thinking is it must be bit gentler on his Tum and I always give food with Snoopys predonisilone and his autoimmune suppressant. Im glad your sister will be there with you it gives you support. thinking of you, love and hugs Jill and Snoopy, xxxxx