when is enough, enough?

[My Dotty]

We are almost 4 months into this battle and these last couple days have been the worst. I’ve read so many stories about dogs that appear to be taking their last breaths and then make a miraculous turn around.

I feel now that my dog is suffering and I’m not sure if I should carry on with treatment and diagnosis or if it’s time to let her go. I’m truly at a loss.

[Vally]

Hello and welcome.

Dotty is your girl? This is always hard. Has Dotty improved in the 4 months? The drugs are terrible with the side effects so they always look so very bad until you can start to reduce them.

How old is Dotty and what are her blood levels now?

What drugs and dosages is she still on and what is her weight? Do you have a copy of blood test results? Patrice, the site owner, is a wonder at understanding them and it may be able to help work out what is happening now.

We’ve all lived this here so understand what you’re going through. Ask anything at all.

Vally

[gg]

can anyone give me tips on this disease?
also to freeze or not cyclosporine?
thank you

[Vally]

Hi gg, and welcome to the site.

There are a lot of resources on the site – go to AIHA Terms and you’ll see a glossary with lots of information. If you have any specific questions please ask.

As to freezing, I’m quoting from another forum reply by Patrice, the site owner:

“You know how some things you get, whether food or medications, have storage instructions on the label? Well on the cyclosporin package the instructions are to store it in carefully controlled temperature, neither hot or cold and to avoid freezing.

I also checked with Dr.Dodds who has dosed this to dogs for at least 20years or more. She is a clinical vet so she has plenty of experience treating dogs. She said to follow the storage instructions, don’t freeze.”

Cyclosporine can sometimes cause stomach upsets, vomiting etc and that’s when some people have been told by their vets and others to freeze the drug. Rather than freezing it’s better to give it with a little food – cyclosporine should be given WITHOUT food and away from other drugs, however if you must, give it with a little food only.

Tips, keep the dog quiet, don’t reduce medications too quickly, good nutritional food

All the best,
Vally