Dog Community

Re: IMHA

Posted : 5/4/2010 8:53:32 PM

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to finally give an update on Pooky. Sorry we have been soooo out of the loop the past couple weeks, just dealing with this one day at a time which I know you ALL know how tough and frustrating it it. Last we posted Pooky was at a PCV of 18 and had just started his Atopica and changed from 50 mg to 25 mg. He very slowly started to climb. It was stable at 18 for a few days, then 20 and we stuck at the 20-23 range for several weeks fluctuating slightly up and down. This last week he seemed to be acting great...still eating and drinking great, playing with toys, and feeling pretty good. Last Friday we took him in to check his PCV and I was shocked to see it had dropped down to 18 again :( We were doing so good, but asking why doesn't help. I then started to notice this red bubble on his front paw and showed it to our vet, they first thought it was a foxtail and told me to soak it in water to see if it will come out. The next day I came home from work and it had popped and was slightly bloody but did not see anything in it. We thought might as wll check PCV...it was now 17.5 :( Of course I went back to the vet, and searched inside the wound but could not find anything and said that it was infected....great all we need!. They started him on Simplef, as the next few days went on it did not get any better. Yesterday he started limping on it and his paw and leg started swelling slightly. On Sunday he wasn't acting good at all and we were considering another transfusion if his clinical symptoms didn't improve....as the day went on he seemed better and more stable, so we held off on the transfusion. Today he still seems ok, obviously not perfect but not scary bad. I took him back to the vet since his whole arm is swelling now and the would is not healing...since we are trying to suppress his immune system. They just started him on ammoxycillan for 7 days to hope that helps and avoid surgery to attempt and fix the problem. We are trying to avoid surgery as he is already so anemic, and hoping the new antibiotic works. We also got his CBC back today with signs that his regenerative level has dropped as well, but is still holding his PCV of 17. We are hoping and praying this is just another bad wave and that he is starting to come out if and starts climbing...and that his paw issue works out.

I hope everyone's pups are doing well, as well as everyone in here. I know how hard this is and how much of an emotional rollorcoaster it is. Stay strong everyone!!

Shireen :)

calliecritturs

Posted : 5/4/2010 10:33:58 PM

Shireen -- are they certain what's going on? There are times when blood clots can form in a blood vessel -- I haven't seen it personally but it can happen.

Off the top of my head I can't remember where you're taking him -- but please -- if you aren't using a vet school for primary care, honestly you may want to do so. This is in the territory of VERY SCAREY STUFF --

We had someone just a couple of months ago lose a dog in a situation that is similar. Very often vets are super reluctant to admit a problem has gone further than they really can handle. Please -- consider ZOOMING to a vet school. Like TOMORROW. This would scare me to pieces. When you get swelling in a limb like that it's not good.

Good luck -- please let us know. I've still got Pookie's pic on my desktop and I was thinking of you just tonight.

Johnny&Tessy

Posted : 5/6/2010 7:42:27 AM

Shireen, so good to hear back from you and Pooky. Sorry you have to deal with these setbacks now.

calliecritturs
There are times when blood clots can form in a blood vessel

That was my initial thought. Keep it wrapped and well clean to avoid any more problems.

Do they have Pooky on low dose aspirin? Lots of dogs get this in the beginning of treatment and it improves the odds of survival. Also, I can't remember but did you ever have a FULL thyroid panel done? Being hypothyroid can affect hematopoiesis (blood making ability) AND also you can add low dose thyroid supplement REGARDLESS the test results to help stimulate the bone marrow...since you were saying it isn't as regenerative as it was. You'd want to use 0.1mg for every 10 pounds of weight. I'd actually INSIST this be done. Lots of vets think this is controversial...just so you know....and some probably would look at you and think you're cRaZy!!!

I also can't help but wonder if Pooky is getting the proper nutrients for the bone marrow to actually MAKE the blood....proper B-vitamins, folic acid, iron. Pet tinic is a wonderfull product for this. I use it daily for this and when I started it I saw an increase in the crit within a couple weeks!

calliecritturs
We had someone just a couple of months ago lose a dog in a situation that is similar. Very often vets are super reluctant to admit a problem has gone further than they really can handle. Please -- consider ZOOMING to a vet school. Like TOMORROW. This would scare me to pieces. When you get swelling in a limb like that it's not good.

DITTO DITTO DITTO! A vet school would be your best bet!!!

Feel free to post any results you might have.

I'll be keeping Pooky in my thoughts and Prayers.

Keep us posted.

jessies_mom

Posted : 5/6/2010 7:07:32 PM

I'm so sorry Shireen. I'll be praying for Pooky.