Zorro the Corgi

[Stacey]

Good news! Zorro went back yesterday for the weekly recheck and his PCV was 34!! It went from 24 to 34 in a week. Woohoo! What a relief. He’s slowly back to himself again. What a month we’ve had!

His doctor reduced his Dexamethasone SP from 0.5 to 0.4 ml. I was wondering what the recommended reduction dosage/schedule is? Or maybe someone can point me to an article or thread??

Currently he is on:
– Sucralfate (1gr) : 1/4 tablet
– Dexamethasone SP (0.4 ml) injectable
– Cyclosporine (50mg): 1 capsule twice daily
– Plavix (75mg): 1⁄4 tablet
-Amlodipine (2.5mg): 1⁄4 tablet

Thank you!!
Stacey & Zorro

[Vally]

Stacey, that is fabulous news on Zorro.

I’m sorry I’m not too familiar with dexamethasone. Often dexamethasone is used in the acute stages and then swapped to prednisone.

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/dexamethasone/

Usually with prednisone, the reductions don’t start until a dog has been stable for a little while and over the 35 mark. At that point reductions start and we usually recommend no more than a 25-33% reduction. The 0.5 to 0.4 sounds like a nice conservative reduction, but I think I’d like to check Zorro again in the next days to be sure he’s keeping those good numbers.

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone-dose-reduction/

This is the pred reduction information.

We’re all a bit paranoid about reducing too quickly to prevent relapses.

Let us know how your super clever boy goes.

Vally and Bingo
Xxx

[Vally]

Stacey, how is Zorro going?

Vally and Bingo

[Stacey]

Hi Vally,

Thank you for checking in!! I was going to post an update yesterday but I got busy at work!!

So very good news, Zorro’s PCV was 40 on Sunday (34 a week ago), so the next visit is in 2 weeks. Seems like he’s adjusting well to the reduction. The doctor wanted to reduce his dexamethasone injection again from 0.4 to 0.3 ml in a few days. We’ll see…

As for his other medications, we’re discontinuing Sucralfate which I’m a little concerned, but I guess since he’s not on oral steroids so that should be ok?? But then I wonder what made him vomited blood a few weeks ago? Can Cyclosporine or Plavix upset his stomach?

The doctor also wanted to discontunue Plavix in a week when his pills run out. Her reason behind this was because Zorro’s PCV is now in the normal range so it should be alright. What’s the standard in most cases??

Thank you for checking in on us!! :)

Stacey & Zorro

[Stacey]

Oh and I noticed the banner on the right hand side—>
Amazon donates when you shop at small.amazon.com. What a great way to support Hemopet for shoppers that shop on Amazon all the time (especially for Zorro)!!!

[Vally]

Hi Stacy, well done on the 40 result. That makes Zorro, boringly NOT ANAEMIC yayyyyyyyyy.

Not being on the oral, that makes sense to me, but I don’t honestly know. I’ve never had any dealings with the injection. No more tummy issues?

Good luck on your next check up.

Vally and Bingo.
Xxx

[Stacey]

Hi Vally,

No more tummy issues until…… today! He just threw up but no blood. Not sure if it’s related to medication or something he ate, otherwise everything is good. Going back for a checkup on Sunday. Will give an update! :)

Stacey and Zorro

[Stacey]

Zorro is doing amazingly! His PCV was 50 on Sunday! The only 2 medications he’s on now are Dexamethasone injectable reducing from 0.3 ml to 0.25 ml & Atopica. I was a bit concerned about another reduction but the doc said she’s starting to see muscle wasting on Zorro.. Will go back to check his PCV in a week.

However, we decided that it’s ok not to resume Plavix since he’s PCV has such a great number and instead of going back to oral dexamethasone, we stay on injectable since his tummy is somewhat sensitive from time to time (diarrhea or soft stool)

Forgot to mention about his platelets last time, it went from 76 K to 568 K within 2 weeks. I guess too high is better than too low? Haha. His WBC was a bit high as well. But then this was 2 weeks ago.

I hope everyone else is doing well too! :)

Stacey & Zorro