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Hey Wendy
Good to hear that Frank is continuing to do well, although I am sorry to hear about the skin infection. Fingers crossed the shampoo will do the trick and you won’t need to give antibiotics.
I agree with what everyone has said – I think it might be a bit soon to start tapering, and I would also continue with the sucralfate for now.
Well done Wendy. You are doing an awesome job with beautiful Frank!
Mary and Mable x
Hi Pam, Linda and Lynn.
I’m sorry I didn’t see these responses until now. Lynn – you are awesome for saving all those cats. Thank you for all you have done. Thank you Linda for your offers of help. It is really much appreciated.
Pam – I have just sent the report to Sheena and Patrice to see if anything jumps out at them. Patrice is the queen of spleens so to speak, and I hope she will be able to give you some indication as to your question about the splenectomy and PCV staying the same.
There are very many causes for an immune mediated condition. I am wondering if the hepatitis is related in any way. IMHA/NRIMA can also result from toxins, infection, vaccination, stress, and no doubt many other causes. I know that there is some question of anemia of chronic disease, but of course this depends on identifying the chronic disease. I completely understand why you went ahead with the surgery. Emily didn’t eat for days, which I am sure you know can be dangerous for cats (risk of hepatic lipidosis) and you had little choice but to take her in. I’m so happy she is feeling reasonably well and managing to eat at least some of her food, and I am certain she is very happy to be resting at home with you.
From what I have read, 2mg/kg/day seems to be a fairly standard dose of pred for immune mediated anemia, so Emily is on roughly half this. I would ask your vet if the 5mg is an immunosuppressant dose – Mable is on the same dose for a mild skin allergy. Have the vets talked any more about chlorambucil or another immunosuppressant, or are they wanting to focus on the pred alone? I still wonder if it might be worth trying Emily with a stomach protectant too. I’m not sure if a liver protectant would be beneficial or safe with the hepatitis but I would definitely ask about this.
I’m so sorry that there are still no answers, but I suppose at least things are being ruled out. I don’t know how you have remained so patient, as this must be so very worrying and frustrating for you. I think it is worth asking the specialist why they want to do a bone marrow biopsy now when they didn’t before, and why they now think it might show something different to the spleen biopsy. And, again, listen to your instinct. If you don’t want to opt for a bone marrow, don’t, and trust what your instinct is telling you. Emily is your dear cat and no-one knows what is best for her more than you do. As you know, Molly had a bone marrow biopsy. I don’t regret it particularly and I am neither for nor against them per se, but I think each case is different and if it feels wrong for Emily, then it probably is, for the moment at least.
With our best wishes,
Mary and Mable x
Hi Wendy
I think the shampoo is called Nolvasan which is great as it contains chlorhexadine. That should do the trick nicely & you can avoid the need for antibiotics, which is good. Don’t use the povidone iodine as well – apparently the chlorhexadine & iodine cancel each other’s good effects out (my vet told me that when Ollie had ringworm).
Good on you for keeping the tummy protectant going – we carried on with it until Worzel was off the pred as that is the safest way. I prefer sucralfate, but it’s awkward if they are refusing to prescribe it. We can’t get it without a prescription here either.
Cephalosporin is often prescribed for BAD cases of staph infections – it is on our list of antibiotics you should ideally avoid though. Some of our IMHA pups have had to take it – no choice in bad cases of course. If you can possibly avoid antibiotics, that would be better. In view of Frank’s parvo history & the IMHA, you need to be extra careful what you give him & I’m really happy you’re getting a copy of what he had at the rescue place that made him ill.
Lastly the pred – I wish they would just leave Frank on the same dose until he has had a normal, stable PCV for a while. It needs to be a bit higher – but he’s getting there nicely! Well done, supermum – you are fighting Frank’s corner magnificently.
Lots of love
Sheena xxxxx
Oh Melis, that’s so sad – I’m very sorry to read about your poor rottie passing away, I really am. You’re right about the medications – maybe the combination of these things was the cause. Heartworm medications can certainly cause problems & none of us are convinced that NexGard is safe either. Thank you so much for letting others know. As Vally says, please visit The Bridge – our dogs are so precious to us & you must be hurting. It’s heartbreaking to lose a pup that you love so much because you were trying your best to protect them from all these horrible diseases.
Worzel also has a heart problem (mitral valve prolapse) which he has taken pimobendan for for many years. That, plus his previous bone marrow failure problem makes me completely paranoid about giving him anything we’re not 100% sure about.
Again, I am so sorry this has happened – sending you my sincere sympathy, Melis. Terrible for you.
Love Sheena xxxxx
Hi Wendy. You are so on top of all this!! Way to go.
I hope in infection clears with the Shampoo. Yes, what is the name of the shampoo?
I agree with Vally about holding on the weaning for the moment. Sadie just hit 38% and we started the weaning. I’m glad she was up, because the weaning helped with the incontinence. So, yes, these drugs get to them. But do get him to a low normal, which with a few more points upward, will be perfect.
I would not stop the Sucralfate. Frank is still on high doses of the immune suppressants and his tummy is still in need of protection. I don’t get the vets reasoning for stopping…..
Sadie is on Doxycycline (antibiotic). Her urinealysis and culture actually came back negative, but we’re continuing with the antibiotics (thank you Auntie Sheena and Auntie Vally for your input!!!), because we, quite honestly, don’t trust the results. And she has had little to no side effects from it. So, I understand your caution on what to give him with his history. But find out which one was given that caused so much trouble (that’s terrible!) and use the shampoo and go from there. So sorry you’re dealing with all this. You are a super fur-mom!!!!
Sending love and huge atta-girl and atta-boy hugs!
Linda and Sadie
![bingo-14-5_1200x775](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/bingo-14-5_1200x775.jpg "Vally\'s Bingo \\"Smile\\"")
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