CrazyCresties

Oh no Pass my condolences onto OzJen. RIP Jenna

Hope she's back to her usual self soon RosieFT :) Thanks Tassie :) we had another slight dip in his PCV but the good news is the trend has continued upwards and today's count was 34 Since Saturday he has been down to 10mg twice a day of the pred, and he has been so much brighter the past couple of days. I'm cautiously optimistic at the moment. His 3-4 times a night pee and drink breaks have dropped to one a night at about 5:30am, so I'm almost getting a full nights sleep as well :D He's at home tomorrow and then a CBC on Wednesday.

Fantastic news RosieFT

Oh no! hope Rosie is back with you very soon Also shared on fb.

Ugh that sucks mirawee hope all has gone well for Varda today :) Nothing was found in the ultrasound Louis had yesterday, so it confirms we are dealing with a primary IMHA. We're adding in melatonin at the vets recommendation - it's supposed to work alongside the Cyclosporine to aid the immue suppressant properties. We're also starting to reduce his Pred, as although his blood is still agglutinating, he is on a really high dose and I think the side effects will kill him before the IMHA does at this rate

Oh ness, so sorry Poor Kenz

Lovely to see all the dogs having so much fun :D Louis update - He had a bit of a relapse and stopped responding so well to the pred, so another immune suppressant drug, Cyclosporine, has been added. Hopefully as a result of this his PCV rose from 24 to 28 over 3 days. He's having an abdominal ultrasound today and getting the results from the latest full blood count. The worst thing at the moment is seeing his muscle wastage from the high pred dose. He now has little chicken legs and I'm feeling the bones in his skull - hate seeing him like this

Have you seen the Urine-Off type of products? http://www.thevetshed.com.au/buy/urine-off-dog-puppy-500ml/URINEOD500

ok, thanks SnT :)

Congratulations to you and the gorgeous Scoota :) If Louis can get through this initial period, then I believe we also have many months of treatment and care ahead of us I hate seeing my little boy like this

Thanks for the warning Jules, my vet is happy with the use of milk thistle with the meds he is on. Thanks, but would rather not buy overseas due to shipping time etc. Cheers, will have a look around that site :) Thanks Ptolomy :) I got some capsules from the health shop, which also has some other ingredients which are good for liver support, but wondered if I could find a 'purer' source online that could be bought in larger amounts. Do you think it helped Scoota?

I'm looking for a recommended online supplier for good quality herbs, milk thistle in particular. Louis is suffering from IMHA and milk thistle has been recommended to help protect his liver whilst on a high pred dose. TIA :)

RS - Chidlow :D It's our winter weekend stomping ground as we can usually have a 2hr walk without seeing another sole apart from the odd cyclist. As you approach Chidlow from the great eastern highway there is a roundabout when you hit the town, the heritage trail starts on the right there and is a defined track through the bush. We won't be going for a while due to Louis's illness He's doing pretty well and has a good appetite, the steroids are making him so thirsty at the moment so it's a constant cycle of drink/pee/drink/pee. He's back for more blood tests next week and I'm just trying to research and find out the best diet/treatment for him.

Those are gorgeous FM What an expression!

Thanks trifecta, I'll have a look at those :) I found a shop that had some of this in stock and it actually has a good calcium level due to the dolomite. http://www.vetsallnatural.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=eny_fly_default.tpl&product_id=30&category_id=11&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=124 So I'm cooking him up a mix of meats and I'll add some of this supplement to it as a starting point. I been feeding him Natures Gift tinned for the last few days but wanted to get him back onto something more 'meaty'. The worse thing at the moment is his excessive thirst and level of urination due to the Pred dosage he is on - 40mg day, but this will hopefully be reduced soon, depending on the blood test results next Weds.

Yes that was the reason given HW and I can see why they think it is sensible. I'm loath to go down the kibble route as haven't fed it to my dogs for years, I'd rather find something I can add to home cooked fresh meat, but thanks for the suggestion :)

That's very encouraging ness

My little Louis was diagnosed with Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia on monday - it was a very scary day for us He is responding well to treatment and is now eating well and is so much brighter. My question relates to diet - he has been fed raw for years, but my vet said it would be sensible to take him off raw food for the moment. I'm happy to buy him some good quality meat and offal and cook a batch up for him, but as he can't have bones either what should I add to make sure he gets his calcium and full range of vits and minerals etc? I looked at the VANs complete mix, but that would mean adding grain back into his diet. I see they do a health booster supplement, but that doesn't have the calcium component. Help - I've got so many questions flying round my head now after this horrible diagnosis and would appreciate some sensible advice. Do I really even need to stop feeding raw - is it just a knee jerk reaction from my vet?

Oh ness, I've just caught up with all the latest on Kenz What a nightmare for you both! I'm afraid I have nothing useful to contribute, but just wanted to add my support and best wishes, and hope that you start to see some light at the end of tunnel soon

Oh no! Poor Ziggy and how dreadful for you Will have everything crossed for you guys

Thanks everyone :) He's been home the last two nights, but back in during the day for observation today and tomorrow. They are culturing his urine as looks like an infection of some sort in there, which seeing as he has been on AB's since last Friday they were a bit surprised with. He's is eating well and is so much brighter, so very happy with that :D I need to go and read up on the management of this condition now, diet and supplements that can maybe help strengthen him against infections now he is on a high dose of steroids, 40mg a day to start with.

I use it in a different way - it's fantastic as a moisturiser for Louis's skin. He gets a massage with it after he's been washed :D and it makes him smell yummy :laugh:

One hour until I can pick him up I don't think he had a transfusion in the end LR, but I'll get all the details when I collect him. He'll hate going back in tomorrow, but it's best for him and they want to run more bloods. It will be weekly blood tests after that for a while and then dropping down to monthly. Poor Zola, glad it's healing now and hopefully she can run soon :)

He's doing well this morning, eating on his own and has been out to toilet I'll be bringing him home tonight, but he will go back in tomorrow for more fluids during the day. My awesome vet texted me a pic of his urine to show the colour difference :laugh: It was dark tea coloured on sunday eve, but pretty much back to normal today :D Can't wait to bring him home

Thanks emery :) Cheers Ptolomy, he's still at the vets though as it's tonight he's staying there. My super duper lovely vet sent me a text not long ago to say he was looking good when she stopped by this evening. He has eaten well this afternoon and is looking much brighter :D :D :D