Ty

[JoAnne]

Hi Everyone! We’ve been offline for sometime, but I wanted to give you an update and ask for some advice.
Ty is doing ok, he is currently taking:

10 mg Famotidine 2x day
30 mg Cerenia 1x day
10 mg Prednisone every other day
75 mg Atoicpa 2x day
180 mg Mycophenolate 2x day
35 mg Plavix 1x day

and now we have added 480 mg SMZ 2x day
PCV staying steady at 33, this is tricky because we never knew what it was when he was at his strongest. He has so much energy and is feeling much better since the prednisone reduction. It was like he was back to his old energy level then…

2 weeks ago on Thursday, he stumbled in our driveway and when he stood up he had partial facial paralysis. It has effected the entire right side of his body, he is weaker on that side and is stumbly, fumbly. We have been watching him carefully to make sure he doesn’t break anything, but over all the symptoms have bothered us much more than him. His eye is a little weird now, the third eyelid keeps flicking up, his ear is a little droopy and the side of his mouth doesn’t smile as much as it used to. I’m wondering if this is something that will pass for him, why did this happen?
Our vet can’t really give us any insight, but he doesn’t think it is cancer or a stroke, he think it may be bacterial infection so we added the SMZ sulpha antibiotic. His blood is tested every other week, and everything is normal. Poor guy, he can’t catch a break. Once he finally starts feeling better this kind of stuff happens!
I’m also looking for advise on tapering of both the mycophenolate and the atopica. My vet is pleased with Ty’s blood results, but I want to make sure we are going to taper correctly to avoid any more calamity.
Thank you –
JoAnne and Ty

[AmyE]

I have no alive but I wanted to let you know you are in my prayers.
XOXO Amy & Coal

[AmyE]

alive= advice

[Vally]

Hi Joanne,

Sheena has pointed out that “SMZ sulfa drug is a no-no – as per Dr Dodds & numerous other vet sites & our
glossary”
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/drugsantibiotics-can-
trigger-aiha/

I think it’s very important to stop the SMZ immediately.

They always do this to us. Just when you take your eyes off them.

Two thoughts sprung to my mind, Horner’s Syndrome. Linda’s dog Sadie has experienced this and this sounds very similar to what her dog experienced. The other thing possibly vestibular disease, which leaves the dog very dizzy for a while.

I’m sure you’re right and this has you much more anxious that Ty.

Another thing, there’s no mention of thyroxine. Particularly since Ty is not quite in the normal range, it would be something I would ask to have added to the drug regime. It’s been shown to help produce red blood cells and is particularly important for our AIHA dogs.

Let us know how Ty is going.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[JoAnne]

Thank you all for the support and advice. I will be sure to ask my vet about the Thyroxine on our next visit. And I’ll take him off of the SMZ starting today. I’ll keep you posted about his progress.
Love, love, LOVE-
JoAnne and Ty <3

[Vally]

That would be great JoAnne. It is on Dr Dodd’s protocol to include thyroxine so it would be good to include it. It has made a difference to lots of dogs. Hoping to get Ty’s numbers up.

How is he looking now?

Good luck on the next test !!!!

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[Sheena]

Hi JoAnne

Mycophenolate can suppress bone marrow – worth discussing with your vet about a reduction as you have the atopica to hold steady – Worzel was suppressed on azathioprine, but we stuck to the get them off pred first rule. Thyroxine stimulates bone marrow,as our wonderful Vally says – and dogs stuck on the low-mid 30’s usually respond well . Also, choosing a better antibiotic (ask us if you need to) – what kind of infection is suspected? I agree about Horner’s Syndrome possibility, as doggy strokes are not generally one sided,although head tilt can end up one sided.

Sorry – very raw just now after losing my boy Ollie, so not on top form. Want to help though.

Keep us posted

Much love

Sheena & Worzel xxxxxx