AIHA or IMHA

Lori,

That pred is really something isn't it?  I bet you were really worried about Willow!  

You are definately the forum Pred expert, having gotten Willow through the whole thing on Pred alone.  

I think you're right about what is going on with Bucky.. at least I hope so.  Would rather have it be Pred reaction than Cushings disease for sure.

 I've got an email into OSU to ask about the ultra-low dose of Aspirin.

I got an email back from OSU.  She said to put Clop on 20mg (1/4 of a baby aspirin) - that she personally didn't think that the platelets were unreasonable and but that if it made me feel better to give the ultra low dose then do it.  She said the platelets fluctuate a lot.

She said to keep the Iron suppliment the same for now and check again in 1 month.

She was very happy with all the improved liver functions.

 I am puzzled by something she said in her email.  She said that if I gave the Aspirin to put her back on famotidine.  She apparently thought I discontinued the famotidine when we stopped the Prednisone.  I wrote her back to clairfy - told her I thought that Cyclosporine was just as bad for the stomach as Pred is and that I've never discontinued the famotidine. 

Every reference I do find to stomach protectants though, the dog is usually on Pred.  I haven't really seen anything saying that people use it when the dog is on Cyclosporine only.. maybe I was just assuming it this whole time?  Don't want to stop and then have the Cyclosporine give her an ulcer.  But read the package inserts and it does not mention stomach problems as a side effect.

They had me keep Billy on Prilosec the WHOLE time -- and that was like a year after he was weaned off the pred.  And by "they" I mean the University of FL at Gainesville.  It was when Billy was on Cyclosporine alone that he developed the ulcer (when we started using the slippery elm/chlorophyl/probiotic/aloe cocktail).

I think generally vets don't even *think* about putting the dog on stomach protectants.  The one they're most familiar with is the sucrylfate (carafate) and that tends to inhibit cyclosporine absorption -- so I think they HOPE you won't need it (which is kinda silly and short-sighted).

You haven't been just blindly using it - I strongly suggested (who?  Me??  bossy??? naaaaaaahhhh!!! *grin*) that you use stomach protectants all the way thru back when you started all of this.

She just messaged me back and said that Cyclops does not need famotidine unless I put her on the Aspirin.  She said there is no reason to have her on it if she is not on Aspirin or other NSAIDS. 

I mean.. I do plan on putting her on the Aspirin so it doesn't matter for now.  But would like to get some more opinions on if its really necessary to have her on it when on Cyclosporine alone.  I generally am of the mindset that the less chemicals the better.. so I wouldn't mind taking her off of it if it wasn't necessary to be on it.  But I won't change anything for now because I'm going to put her on 20mg of Aspirin.

I would vote keep her on it throughout. 

With *Billy* it was definitely cyclosporine that was hard on the gut -- it is absorbed IN the stomach.

Yeah, on the other forum that's all IMHA they all stay on either the Pepsid or Carafate whatever they are using regardless of what they are on for medications.

I think it was pepcid that Hunter was on, but without idgging ut the records, I do not remember for certain.  I just remember my vet said that pred was so hard on the stomach and Hunter had to have protection.

I emailed Dr Dodds and she said

"There really isn't any reason I can think of to continue famotidine now that she only takes cyclosporine -- unless she has gastric irritation.     Jean        "

Since I have her on Aspirin I'm going to continue the Pepcid anyway.  

GratefulDawg

-- unless she has gastric irritation.     Jean        "

*chuckle* and it always comes down to "the individual" I guess LOL -- Billy never had any gastric problems at all while on the pred -- but this should give some peace of mind to some folks!!  Thanks for finding that out!

Yeah, I never did quite understand the mentality of wait until she has the irritation then use the protection.  That's like saying wait until the liver values are off then start the milk thistle. 

I'm just happy with my vet at OSU and happy that what she is saying isn't considered "wrong" by Dr Dodds.

Some dogs stomachs are more sensative to others.. just like some people can tolerate things that others can't.  

calliecritturs

Add some tea tree oil to the final rinse water after the benzoyl peroxide baths.  BP is great (it actually helps wash mites down the drain) and the tea tree helps better than anything else I know to help ward off mites and help the skin stay staph free (i'd also be using tea tree on that bad spot as well).

Callie,

I've been out of town, and then running around like crazy but the Benzoyl Peroxide shampoo I ordered arrived so when I get time today, I'm going to bathe him.  I also found the Tea Tree Oil at Walmart, and have been rubbing it onto suspicious areas. I suppose I should find a spray bottle for it, since it makes a greasy patch when I just rub it in.

Meanwhile, I just cleaned up the arm wound.  So close to healing!  THere's literally a hole smaller than a pencil eraser, but it's got lots of scar tissue.  If I can't get it to close up by the end of the week, I think I have to take him in for debriding.

He has shown not signs of anemia and I watch him like a hawk, but I think just for peace of mind I'll get his PCVs tested next time I'm at the vet.   If I understand correctly, once his arm heals, he can resume normal activities.  It would be so nice to take him on walks again.  I'm starting to suspect that the ticks that he picked up on walks were the start of all the problems.  I'm now very concientious about tick prevention, but I used to pull a dozen ticks off of him at a time.  What a way to learn my lesson!