admin - 23. page

[admin]

Hi Wendy

Cephalosporin works well for staph infections, even though it’s on the list of no-no antibiotics. Many people on here have had to use it for a short time – sometimes you have no choice, I’m afraid, as you cannot let this take hold. Keep the course as short as possible. If the chlorhexadine isn’t keeping it under control, you will have to get an antibiotic that will kill that particular bug off. Your vet needs to take a sample & find out exactly what it is – I bet it’s staph as so many of our dogs get this problem.

Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[admin]

Sent you a DIC vet protocol by e-mail too.

[admin]

Sorry Cindy – links you need:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/transfusion/
Just in case this is serious: https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/dic/
Blood products
http://www.hemopet.org/canine-blood-bank.html

[admin]

Hi Cindy
I’ m so sorry Abby is not too good today – she sounds very weak & in need of veterinary care immediately. Never fear a transfusion – they are there to support our babies & get them through the worst times. She needs help & I would take her in right now – don’t wait, please.

The first transfusion is “free ” in that you can give unmatched blood, but it is better to get properly matched blood as there are less risks. Remember small transfusions are best – have a look at our info on transfusions – feel free to print anything from our site & take it with you. Crossmatched blood & blood products can be obtained from Hemopet.org for future use, but I hope your vet has supplies – they normally do.

Most vets will let you stay with your pup as long as you promise to be calm & quiet. I would hate to leave mine & understand your wanting to be there.

I promise lots of dogs on our site have needed transfusions – sometimes quite a few. We would NEVER give up on a person because they needed a transfusion – we would carry on until we found drug (s) that made them better – don’t ever forget that & take comfort that transfusions make them feel better very quickly.

I really want you to take Abby in immediately, so signing off for now. I will stay awake as long as I can – let me know as soon as you can what the vets are doing for Abby.

Love & hugs by the bucket load
Sheena xxxxx

[admin]

Hi Pam
Just a quick note to say I have been thinking about you & Emily – how is she doing? Any news on the medications?
Love Sheena xxxxx

[admin]

Morning Cindy

Sorry – yes I went to sleep! You are right & I am wrong – my mistake – the 14th test was 54, not 70 – skelly eyes here looked at the next one down – apologies – good job YOU are awake!

Thanks for the info on the written bit – I am very happy to see “platelets adequate”. Sometimes the readings from the machine are not exactly right – there are reasons for this such as platelet clumping & abnormal sized platelets (too big or too small), so the machine doesn’t recognise them properly. What they have done is a manual check on a slide – exactly what should be done – and seen what is going on properly. Again, good vets. This can also happen with red cells as the baby red cells are much bigger than the fully developed adult ones. I’d still like to be sure about the results from the 19th when you get a chance. I would also be very grateful if they could do a reticulocyte count – it gives us a good idea of how Abby is responding on producing baby red cells.

I was having a look round last night through some info – found something that could be interesting here
http://www.2ndchance.info/dxme-Platelets.htm
At the bottom of why your dogs platelets could be low, this lovely vet says he has seen something similar to this after leptospirosis containing vaccines have been given. Has Abby had any vaccinations recently? Vaccinations are a known trigger of IMHA/Evans.

I agree with Brigitte & Vally – I always held Worzel while they took the blood – he was relaxed with me there & stressing them doesn’t give good results. We ALWAYS used his neck as recommended by my specialist as the results are considered more accurate, BUT leave the decision with your vets because if there is any risk, they prefer to use the leg. That means shaving. They never shaved Worzel’s neck, but he has very short hair. The alcohol or whatever they use before the needle is to make sure they don’t infect them taking blood. The main point is to use the same point for the blood taking, so the results can be compared properly.

I saw you mentioned PCV/TS 19%/6.8 – I think the TS should actually be TP = Total Protein. This is done partly to check the accuracy of the PCV as it indicated how hydrated or dehydrated they are as this makes a difference of a few points sometimes. Total protein range should be about 5.0-7.4, so Abby’s figure is fine.
(see http://www.2ndchance.info/dxme-TotalProt.htm)

So, hoping all goes well today & you see another improvement in her results – please send them to us as soon as you can. I am thrilled that Linda & you have got together – she is the most lovely person & has become a very close friend – she has a heart of pure gold. Abby couldn’t be in better hands than yours & hers, Cindy. You are doing such a great job getting your head around this stuff – it is not easy. It took me quite a while to really understand things fully & I am lucky enough to have a medical background. I learn something new every day!

Sending huge hugs (gentle though!) to Abby & you
Love, Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[admin]

Hiya Cindy – no worries! I got the resends – only problem is I can’t read it at all. Writing is diabolical & it goes off the edge. When I enlarge it, it just goes blurry. Could you just type what they’ve written by hand please? Did you get my e-mail OK with Dr Dodds stuff?

Had a look at the photos (I have ways!). Linda rightly suggested a possible blood draw injury – it does look like a bruise though. Do you know where the blood was taken from, Cindy? I would strongly recommend they take blood from the leg, rather than the neck, with a low platelet problem. It certainly looks like a bruise to me – she will bruise very, very easily. Please could you check her gums & her eyes – make sure there are no pinpoint type little red marks. And give her a gentle look over again. If there is nothing else, I think she’ll be OK until tomorrow, but if you are worried about anything else, just take her in to the vets to be on the safe side. If there is any bleeding from eyes, nose, mouth or gums, then that is a real emergency – straight in you go.

I would really love to see that latest test with the PCV of 19 – mainly to see the platelets – I’m sure they will give you a copy if you ask – or maybe you could phone them & ask right now? Basically if platelets are about 50 or below, that is dangerous. The test on the 14th was up to 70 though, which is still not ideal, but better. Don’t forget platelets can easily be transfused, so again nothing to panic about.

Let me know as soon as you can – I will be in bed with my tablet thingy (so forgive the rubbish typing) waiting for you to reply – don’t worry – it’s biscuit time again, so you’re not keeping me up! The boys are quite happy being spoiled.

Love Sheena xxxxx

[admin]

Hi Cindy. Great talking with you. You know, you mentioned the ‘mark’ on Abby’s neck – if this is Evan’s Syndrome, you really should let the vet know about this then. Good call Sheena!!! I was thinking, blood drawn from neck, and it may be that, but still, maybe worth a call? Not to freak you, but better safe, right?

See, we all told you that Sheena (Patrice is SUPPOSED to be on vacation) would explain the blood work. Thank you Sheena!

Love and hugs, Linda