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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Shadow's First REAL Progress
| Shadow's had ups and (mostly) downs since she contracted this dreadful disease. But, once we "lost" the cyclo (to which she had a bad reaction; but she had to keep on taking it because the pred caused her to develop internal bleeding, tarry stools; we reduced the pred, increased/decreased/gave cyclo to Shadow as she cou8ld tolerate her 'til the internal bleeding resolved itself when I then (with the advice and consent of Shad's local vet)cut it out and upped her dose of pred (only by 5 mg a day; initially, her 20-lb terrier-mix body had been put on 40 mg of pred a day/divided into two doses. When she developed abdominal bleeding, the vet (in consultation with specialists) immediately backed the pred back to 10 mg once a day, added cyclo (25 mg of Imuran once a day had always been part of Shad's cocktail) @ 100 mg twice a day, and I thought I was gonna lose my rescue girl overnight - her reaction to the cyclo was that severe. Still, trusting in the vets, I continued to give it to her (although I persuaded them to back her off it, and follow Dr. Dodd's protocol of five days on, two days off, of cyclo that she started to improve. It was during the two days that Shadow had off of cyclo that I noticed an increased "joy" to her step; a more alert look to her eyes; a genral, "Hey, Mom! It's not the quality of life I'd choose (gotta sail over those fences), but it's a better quality of life than I've lived since Oct. 19.) So, Shad's not on cyclo. And, she's jumping. Every dog is different. Every dog reacts differently to the AIHA cocktail. I thank Dog as My Co-Pilot, God and Shadow for speaking to me, and for telling me that THIS is when I need to be Shadow's most fervent advocate. (My avocation, out here in rural Utah, is to be every dogs' (and cats') advocate. My "job" is to fight for Indians' rights. My mother's never learned the difference.) But, now more than ever, my advocacy really matters: I'm close to losing Shad. EXCEPT that she jumped today! Take care, all, and your fur-bearing, four-leggeds. Sandy P.S. Tell me if I'm wrong in relying on my detection of Shad's reactions to the meds; or if I need to take her to Fort Collins (CSU's VTH) |
| Sandy Utah |
| I don't think there is a right or wrong when you are deciding what to do or not do for your beloved pet. None of the treatments come with any guarantees, there is probably as much mystery involved as to why some dogs survive and some don't as there is to why some dogs are stricken and others aren't. I know a number of posters have had a lot of success when dealing with the Vets at Ft. Collins perhaps they will check in with their opinions. Best to you and Shadow. Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| my dog also has horrible side effects w/ cyclosporine. do what you think is best and keep dr. dodds advice as your guide. dont give up on em' ... shadow will pull through :) |
| josh california |
This thread was discussed between 25/11/2007 and 26/11/2007
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