[spoospirit]

He looks soooooo much better! I am so happy for all of you. I love his pic under the tree. He looks like a very content boy!

 

[Trillium]

Truth be told you guys are responsible for saving his life as I would never have thought to take him to the vet if it hadn't been for all of you. It simply didn't occur to me that there could be a serious problem with his health. I want to thank you all for your input and timely advice. It sure has made a difference in our family. Its a wonderful gift to be able to keep Sport with us for longer.

 

[plumcrazy]

Hey, Trillium... a tip to help prevent a lot of weight gain on a prednisone medicated dog... when Meika was on higher doses of pred, she was constantly telling me that she was starving and hadn't had anything to eat for YEARS!!! I got tired of looking at those sad weiner dog eyes telling me how hungry she was - and I didn't want her to gain a lot of weight because overweight in dachshunds is a receipe for back problems... I asked my vet what I should do and she suggested bowlfuls of steamed green beans and mini carrots!! I bought fresh or frozen (never canned - too much sodium) and put them in my steamer until they were cooked but still crisp and put them in a bowl to cool for a few minutes... she would sit at my feet, salivating because she knew what was coming! Meika got to have a full tummy without all the fat and calories that she would've gotten had I kept feeding her all the kibble she could eat. She always got her normal kibble meal every day, but any extra food would be steamed veggies!!

Just an idea in case Sport continues to tell you how starving he is!!

 

[Trillium]

Well I heard back from the vet today about Sport's latest blood work. The news is not good. His platelet count is down to 33. It was at 55 last week. He isn't responding to the pred. They are going to try another drug in addition to the pred. I have to take Sport tomorrow to have more blood work done and get the new prescription. The problem with he new med is that it is apparently hard on the liver. I don't know the name of it yet but will tomorrow. They still don't know what is causing all this but the word cancer is coming up more frequently now. Frankly its not looking good. We are all pretty upset. Any thoughts

 

[bigredpoodle]

I am so sorry that the news is not better

 

[Cdnjennga]

Oh I'm so sorry Trillium, I really thought Sport was on an upward swing. Are they thinking something like hemangiosarcoma or something that causes internal bleeding?

 

[ArreauStandardPoodle]

I am so very sorry Trillium, and will continue to pray that this dear soul will improve and surprise everyone. Having met him and grown to love him, my heart is aching for him and all of his humans!! HUGS!!!!

 

[Trillium]

Oh I'm so sorry Trillium, I really thought Sport was on an upward swing. Are they thinking something like hemangiosarcoma or something that causes internal bleeding?

They haven't specifically mentioned hemangiosarcoma but are definitely worried about internal bleeding.

 

[Marian]

Makes me feel sad to hear this. Sending warm thoughts and hugs your way.

 

[cash]

Sending prayers for Sport your way!

 

[jester's mom]

Ohhhh, I just found this thread as was thrilled as I read each post to hear that he was doing better and was ready to add my congrats. I am sooooo sorry to read that things are heading in the wrong direction again. I hope that whatever is wrong is something that is treatable! Sending *HUGS* to you and your buddy, Sport.

 

[bigpoodleperson]

Im so sorry to hear about this recent update! It seemed like he was doing so well and was really going to come through this without major problems.
Has your vet talked about doing an ultrasound to look at the spleen and liver (the most common organs involved with internal bleeding)?
Just remember that this new drug Can be hard on the liver. Doesnt mean that he will have problems with it. I hope it does the trick and helps Sport with no side effects! HUGS!!!!!

 

[Trillium]

The blood work that we are going in for tomorrow is to check on the liver.

 

[bigpoodleperson]

Good. At least you will get a baseline before starting the meds, or you will know that you cant start them because of this liver. Keep us updated!

 

[Buck]

I want you to know that you, your family and Sport are in my prayers. I know that you are going through some difficult and emotional times. But remember that you have a internet family that is here for you. And most of all, Sport is a very lucky poodle to have a family that loves and cares for him. :hug:

 

[BFF]

Sending lots of ((Hugs)) your way. Thanks for keeping us updated. Sport is an important part of our community and I wish him a speedy and full recovery.

 

[Trillium]

So the new medicine is Azathioprine 50 mg. According to the vet things are a bit better then I thought yesterday. Apparently its not uncomman for a dog to not respond to the pred. Sometimes they respond to the combination of the two. She said that statistically there is no difference in survivability rates between the dogs on pred. only and those on the two meds. So I'm feeling a bit more optimistic today.

 

[plumcrazy]

Hey, Deb!!!! That's what Meika was on for 4 years for her Canine Lupus (prednizone and Azathioprine) Her capsules were compounded here at a local human pharmacy because her dosage was so small (she was only 9-10 pounds) She did BEAUTIFULLY on the combination of those two meds for years!! It was the onset of bladder cancer that caused us to make the final decision to let her go (there was nothing I could do to manage her mulitple illnesses/diseases anymore)

We did have to do frequent blood tests to check her liver in her early stages of higher dose meds, but as we weaned and her liver functions were still good, we cut down her regular blood tests to once every six months!!

I'm optimistic now, too - I'm hoping that Sport responds as terrifically to the med combo as my Meika-Meika did!!!

BIG HUGS!!

 

[Trillium]

Plumcrazy thanks for the information. It sure helps to make me feel better.

 

[jester's mom]

OH, GOOD! I am glad to hear that at least there is a glow of light to look to. I hope it all works out perfectly for Sport. Sending good vibes your way!!!!!