Zorro the Corgi

[Stacey]

Hi everyone! I stumbled upon your site and have been stalking and reading all the threads :) So happy I have found people that are going through what I am going through, sharing the same pains I have and supporting each other.

My almost 10 year old, 28 lbs Welsh Corgi– Zorro is somewhat stable now, but I thought I’d still share my journey and provide/receive some supports from each other. :)

1st Hospitalization:
Long story short, I had been fighting a custody battle to see my dog Zorro, finally settled and within a day I had him, I found him eating dirt and his gums were pale. The vet was very concerned, his PCV was 18 and diagnosed IMHA through Coombs test on 9/26. Right away he was put on Doxycycline, Prednisone and Cyclosporine. 4 days later for recheck, his PCV was 10, sent to the emergency room for a blood transfusion (his PCV was 7-8 at this point). He was in the hospital for 3 days and the PCV was 22 when discharged on 10/3.

2nd Hospitalization:
The next morning after his discharged, he was really not himself. Even when his PCV was 8 a few days ago, he still had a good appetite and with decent energy. But this morning he would not eat and was awfully lethargic and mentally not present. I took him back to the hospital right away. His blood pressure was going up and down between 80 and 200. Through ultra sound, his chest and abdomen were full of fluids, the internist suspected he had a blood clot(s), and told us to be prepared for the worst, my ex came to see him in case he wouldn’t make it. The last thing they were going to try was the injectable blood thinners. However before the procedure, Zorro started eating again and his energy came back. What a miracle! The internist discontinued Doxycycline and Prednisone, continued Cyclosporine, added Dexamethasone, Plavix, Amlodipine, and Metronidazole for his diarrhea. He was discharged the following day with PCV around 22 on 10/5.

3rd Hospitalization:
2 days later on 10/7 we went back for a recheck. His PCV was 16 and the internist decided Zorro needed another blood transfusion and suspected his abdominal fluids are preventing the absorption of medications, they switched Dexamethasone from oral to injectable. They also did bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. To this day, the doctor still can’t figure out what is triggering IMHA, all I know is that Zorro’s bone marrow is trying very hard to produce red blood cells so it’s regenerative. However his platelets are low. My ex gave up on the ownership due to financial burdens and disagreed with the treatment plans from the beginning, I’m so glad I get to take care of Zorro myself!

Most recently:
Zorro vomited blood for the 1st time 2 nights in the row over the weekend (only in the middle of the night). I suspected it was Plavix that was upsetting his stomach because Plavix and Amlodipine are the only medications he takes at night time? Took him back to the hospital yesterday, his PCV is holding steady around 25. We added Sucralfate to the mix (the doc should’ve done this from the beginning!), and Zorro did not vomit last night. Yay! And his stool is normal, not black or tarry (sorry I have to share:)) His platelets are still low according to the doctor and his hepatic veins are still distended, although abdominal fluids are gone.

Currently he is on:
– Sucralfate (1gr) : 1/4 tablet 3 times/day, 1 hr before or 2 hrs after food and medications)
– Dexamethasone SP (2 mg =0.5 ml) injectable in the morning
– Cyclosporine (50mg): 1 capsule twice daily, one hour before or 2 hours after meals.
– Plavix (75mg): 1⁄4 tablet at dinner
Amlodipine (2.5mg): 1⁄4 tablet at dinner
– Milk Thistle: I just got this in power form. 80% and 150 mg per capsule. I’m not quiet sure about the correct dosage however…

From reading old threads, it seems like low platelets often come with IMHA?? Is this something I should be concerned about? And what’s your thought about feeding him freeze dried raw food? It’s supposed to be better for dogs I read. Zorro adjusts to new food pretty easily, and he’s been alright after being on partial raw diet for a few days now.

Sorry this is long…. for all of you that are going through the same IMHA trouble with your doggies as me, don’t give up!! There’s hope! :)

[Stacey]

Here is a picture of Zorro during his 3rd hospitalization a week ago, he’s such a trooper!!

• This reply was modified 8 years, 1 month ago by Vally.

[Vally]

Hi Stacey, welcome to the site, although I’m sorry for the reason you’ve gone searching. Zorro is a very handsome chap and you’ve done great with him (I love his name, loved the tv show Zorro as a kid (the original, not the movie) – that’s showing my age!!!).

Don’t worry about long posts, they’re important and help us understand what’s happening. You’re doing a really really great job and it sounds as though your vets know what they’re doing too.

Many of us will never really know what has triggered the AIHA. I believe it was because Bingo’s thyroid was low, but there are no real answers for us.

Regenerative is the best word in this disease, so that’s great.

Sucralfate is great stuff too. The drugs do a lot of damage, and it’s possible the prednisone may have been causing ulcers. If you like I’d be happy to make up a drug chart for you. Just let me know.

It’s funny, low platelets are seen with AIHA, but at the same time, you can have abnormal clotting, which is very dangerous. You’re doing exactly right, if you see any signs of abnormal bleeding get help.

About the food, I was told to stop raw food for a bit. In fact Bingo has ended up in hospital twice with bad cases of gastro. Dogs can normally eat anything and they have few issues, but whilst on the high dose immune suppressants, if they pick up any bug at all right now, it’s very hard to fight it. This is only temporary until the drugs can be reduced.

Just one suggestion too, Dr Jean Dodds recommends in her protocol to fight this, using thyroxine to help stimulate bone marrow production. That has helped many dogs get their numbers up. You might raise this with your vet. It might be worth checking his thyroid in any case, but even if he’s not hypothyroid, the thyroxine just seems to get their blood production up.

Oh, okay another suggestion. The drugs will be doing a number on Zorro’s liver. If the enzymes of the liver start to go up, and they most likely will, the best you can use is Denamarin. You can get this from Amazon or others I think (I”m in Australia, I get Denosyl (similar) ). It takes the guess work out of the milk thistle dosing.

Ask anything. You’re right, there is absolutely hope.

Vally & Bingo (diag Nov 2011, in remission).

[AmyE]

I am so sorry your pup is not well. My girl is in remission. I hope forever! I come from a very different place than Vally regarding the food. I am not sure what is available outside the US BUT here we have Bravo freeze dried raw and it is completely safe. That is what I fed Coal as the steroids were causing massive amounts of muscle waste and she was falling all over the place and with in two weeks of putting her on the freeze dried raw she was no longer falling all over the place. Food is an amazing medicine for our pets and I would with out hesitation put your boy on Bravo to help him heal through this. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please continue to keep us up to date.
Warmly,
Amy & Coal the wonder poodle

[Stacey]

Hi Vally,

Thanks for all the information! I wonder if ALT in the test result is what tells you about liver damage? If so, Zorro was 192 which was super high a week ago, but it came down to 105 two days ago before I even started giving him Milk Thistle! However, I still purchased Denamarin to help. I’ll be sure to talk to the doctor about Thyroxine. I don’t think we’ve checked his thyroid, unless it’s something you can tell from the blood work?

I’ve also started giving Zorro liver rich food because the doctor mentioned that his iron was low somewhere along the way so I guess that also wouldn’t hurt. :)

Amy,

Thank you for your recommendation as well. I live in Los Angeles, so I have a lot of options and Amazon has been amazing. I’ve been feeding Zorro the brand Stella and Chewy’s freeze dried dinner patties and he seems to be doing fine. I was just very concerned about the raw aspect of it and wasn’t sure if that was the best for his health, so thought I would ask around :) Seems like the company goes through many steps to make sure their foods are not contaminated (high pressure and etc). It seems harder and harder for Zorro to get up and down the stairs, so I’m guess it’s due to muscle wasting…

Thank you Vally and Amy for your wonderful feedback. I’m obsessed with checking Zorro’s gums several times a day. Hopefully he will be in remission like your babies soon enough!!

Stacey

[Vally]

Stacey, yes the ALT is one of the indicators. We’ve had dogs with a reading into the thousands and the Denamarin works magic. The liver is a marvelous organ though and despite what we put it through it can recover. Zorro really sound as though he’s doing just great.

Thyroid testing is not usually done unless there’s a reason for it. Seniors should really be checked though because, as I said, I’m not certain, but I suspect Bingo who we discovered was hypothyroid just before he collapsed, so symptoms don’t show until there’s a lot of damage. But Dr Jean has said to use the thyroid even if dogs aren’t hypothyroid as it helps them make red blood cells. This is a link to her information on the site here https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/hemopetresources/
and
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/canine-hypothyroidism-resources/

Welcome to the Paranoid Pet Owner’s Club Stacey.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[Sheena]

Hi Stacey

Sorry you have been through so much – Vally is spot on as ever – contacting Jean Dodds & following her protocols, thyroxine is a game changer for so many, are great suggestions. Important actually.

Liver enzymes – you may think this is high but we have seen enzymes literally in the 8 thousands – reversible with denamarin/ milk thistle. Persevere & they will come down. The drugs are a necessary evil & cause side effecrs we have to deal with as well as we can!

Best wishes
Sheena & Worzel xxx

[Stacey]

Thank you Vally and Sheena, I will contact Dr Jean. I also saw Vally’s tips regarding contacting Dr Jean on Kara’s post, thanks ;)

I wonder if Dr Jean offers ongoing service or it’s a one time kind of thing? The reason I’m asking is because I have the last lab results but we’re going in for a recheck on Sunday and I wonder if I will be able to show her the updated results when the time comes?

We’ve been treating Zorro for almost a month now. It worries me that his PCV is still in the mid 20’s and his gums don’t seem to get pinker :( How long does it usually take to get to the normal range like 30’s I wonder??

And how do you guys feel about taking Zorro to work? There are other dogs but his doctor said it should be fine because those dogs are most likely vaccinated, just don’t take Zorro to the dog parks. It would be so much easier if I can bring him with me so I can fee him medications at the right times and that also takes care of his frequent peeing :)

Thanks!!
Stacey & Zorro