Forum Replies Created
Megan,
never apologize for asking lots of questions! Nobody has all the answers, but between all of us we know A LOT.I am so glad you are considering switching vets or at least consulting with a specialist. Linda mentioned Dr. Dodds. You or your vet can make contact with her through hemopet. She will get back to you pretty fast if you call or sent her a short concise e mail. Her consultation fees are VERY reasonable, I think around $50. It could be the best $50 you have ever spent.
Not eating is NOT a side effect of prednisone. It is actually the opposite, pred makes a dog ravenous. This is why there is something else going on. I am glad you finally got the sucralfate. How many times a day are you giving it? Make sure it is away from all food and meds by at least 2 hours. I know that is a juggling act because you are giving so much medication. The bruising does concern me a bit, it could be that Sophie also has problems with clotting. Does the bruising, when you look close look like little pinpricks or just like a big red/blue bruise? Is she on aspirin? I think I would want a vet to have a look at it. the same with the sores on her head. This could definitely be a side effect from the immune suppressants. Many dogs get infections that need to be controlled by antibiotics, just cleaning will not do the trick. I think you are not getting around seeing a vet rather sooner than later.
Best wishes,
Brigitte
Thank you, thank you, all my dear friends for your kind words. Vaccinations are a controversial subject indeed. Forgive me if I’m not around much today, but Worzel had diarrhea twice during the night – he was stressed out big time (as usual) when we were at the vets – trust me to open my big mouth & say how well he is. Tempted fate, I suppose. Needless to say he is being watched like a hawk & will be taken back if he doesn’t perk up in the next few hours. This bloomin’ disease means that we can NEVER stop worrying. I am worried, yet again.
Love to all & thanks for the information
Sheena & Sick Note
Of course it is not available in Canada:( I have looked into pet insurance. After doing lots of calculating I figured I am better off to put some money away every month, into the poodles vet account. Our biggest vet expenses are titers and chiro treatments. Both are not covered by the basic insurance policies. But I would definitely go for the 25% off!
Best wishes,
Brigitte
Here it is Sheena:
http://www.weim.net/emberweims/Vaccine.html
Patrice, is this something that could go on the website, since it keeps coming up?
Best wishes, Brigitte
Brigitte
Thank you for your wonderful advice. Please could you send me Dr Dodds protocol – I would really appreciate that. You, Lynn & Vally were the first to reply to me on VetNet when Worzel was diagnosed – I can’t tell you how alone, frustrated & sad I felt until I read your kind, knowledgeable & supportive words. I will never forget that. It’s thanks to you guys & Patrice that Worzel got the best possible chance & good treatment. The vets were pretty good most of the time (sometimes we disagreed), but nowhere near as knowledgeable & experienced as the people on here.
Worzel is so very well – full of cheek, happy & cuddly – no side effects at all from the azathioprine that we are aware of, although his skin went black with the prednisolone. That has started to slowly return to normal – much paler & pinker – it shows how shockingly long pred hangs around in their system for! He was completely weaned off the pred in February. It is a year on the 6th December since he was diagnosed. Unbelievable!
Sheena & Worzel
Hi Sheena,
titers are a great thing for peace of mind. You do have to have a vet that knows what they are looking at to read them though. As Patrice said, Dr. Dodds would be the expert. Rabies was a huge danger in Europe before I came to North America 30 years ago. In Switzerland and Germany they poisoned thousands of foxes, thinking they could eradicate rabies. Foxes were almost extinct but are now coming back. I don’t know what the situation is now but it can’t be as bad as it was 30 years ago. People were so terrified. We are lucky here in British Columbia, Canada, even though there are some cases recorded, rabies vaccines are not mandatory. In our region they find rabid bats every once in a while. I have done the vaccine once to be on the safe side and now we will do titers. I am sure you have seen Dr. Dodds vaccination protocol. If not, let me know and I will send you the link.
I really don’t know what I would do about the azathioprene. I see why you would not want to rock the boat, but then 50mg is still a large dose for Worzel to absorb on that one day he gets it. I assume he has no side effects that you can see. Could you reduce this dose, or spread it in two 25mg over the week. I really don’t know, maybe just go with your gut?
Best wishes,
Brigitte
![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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