Cuddles and ITP

    • Bronze

    Cuddles and ITP

     Hi, I am not sure where to go to read or get support on this site. I have been keeping in touch with Callie (who has been amazing in helping me) I am very scared of this ITP disease. Cuddles has been in and out mostly in the icu at OSU. She finally got her counts up high enough to come home however her white blood count is lower than they liked. So we have to be very careful to keep her away from anything that can cause infections. Day one at home and she doesn't seem so great to me, maybe I was to hopefully to see I fully motivated cuddles. She has a track/bladder infection too so she acts like she has to pee every 10 sec. I know that is driving her crazy. I have to give her 7 different meds right now and the only way to get them in her is forcing them down her throat -she will not eat them no matter what or how I put them in something. She has not ate since she has been home. I was wondering if anyone else that has been dealing with this, started off the same. She is now in her room sleeping hopefully while I have to be at work(hating not be there) She seems to be weak.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Hi --

    Since Cuddles actually has something called "Evan's Syndrome" where she has both IMHA and ITP (or most people call that IMT as immune-mediated thrombocytopenia rather than "idopathic thrombocytopenia purpurus" you'll find more under IMT than ITP usually) the big thread on here starts at Click Here

    At the top of the thread on the right you can also then click "last" to go to the last page (it's 514 pages long I think).  But the reason I linked in the first page for you is because in that FIRST post the moderators put in a link to an Index I did.  That index comes up with TONS of topics that will help you -- about things like giving meds, side effects of the drugs, etc.

    As for eating.  Did they send Cuddles home with an anti-nausea drug?  If not CALL THEM and ask for one.  A lot of these dogs have nausea as a side effect and need to be on the anti-nausea drugs (Reglan you can actually inject as a shot, but it also comes in pills).

     But while she's suffering so from the nausea you will need to syringe feed her.  Literally mix up baby food meat or canned dogfood with water (in a blender if you need to) and use a baby's medicine syringe to squirt it in her mouth.  If you put the tip of the baby syringe behind her big canine tooth, there is sort of a gap there so you can hold her mouth shut loosely and squirt that food into her mouth so she can work her tongue to swallow it.

     You may have to syringe feed her for a WHILE until those side effects diminish.  You can *NOT* let her go without eating.  You literally have to syringe feed her to get her thru this difficult time. 

    These are TYPICAL side effects -- but you *must* get food into her.  But **ASK** for those anti-nausea drugs -- they help.  but until she starts wanting food, don't even stress her by trying to get her to eat.  Just plain syringe feed her several times a day until she feels better.  Don't make her say 'no' to you-- just do it.

     I'll email you my phone number -- you are welcome to lean on me all you need to.  But post on the other thread.  You'll get lots of good support from the others.

    today the last page is CLICK HERE (that's just the end of the same thread to make it easier but DO look at that Index - it will help you).

    • Gold Top Dog

    I have no advise for you just wanted to send Cuddles healing vibes and calming vibes for Cuddles' human mom :) 

    We have formed many special bonds here that began with the health issues of our furr babies.  Support is the best thing

    Candle Lit

     

    • Gold Top Dog
    I know Deb will really appreciate this -- I spoke with her again last night and Cuddles is home.  She's still a very very sick doggie and Deb TRULY covets your prayers!!  But Deb is really in there trying and doing ALL she can. 
    • Bronze

     Thank you for the support> I am still not sure how to post on these forums. Update on Cuddles-She has been home since Mon. She is still very weak but is showing some improvement. I am feeding her by syring and placing the med all the way done her thoart to get her to take them. She is walking but very slowing. She fallows my husband around the whole time he is home. She went to the vet wed morning for retest of blood work. Her platelets are now at 495,000. her RBC 40 and WBC 36,000. Liver enezym still high due to meds. I was eating a hot dog for dinner and she seemed interested so I started to give her some, she was eating it however a half hour later she puked it all up-I felt horrible for giving her it, should have stuck to baby food. I was just so excited that she wanted to eat on her own. I am waiting on Dr. from OSU to see if we are going to stay on all the meds or change them some. She is currently taking 7 different meds not including the milk thistle, sam-e and occasionally passionflower I am giving her. I am very happy that her numbers are up but very scared they are going to take her off the meds to fast and they drop. I am also waiting on some info and meds from a friend, who is friends with a DR that works on cancer treatments. He has a drug(don't know a lot about it yet) that is suppose to help regenerate the white bloods cells while fighting off the bad ones. I will post more about it once I get the info and all it is actually ment to do-Praying it will help and be able to help all those dealing with these horrible diseases that are poor furry babies are going thru.

    • Bronze

     Thank you-I am a believer that all prayers and good wishes are heard, and help.