CIMDA

It's been such a long time since I contributed to this forum and I hesitate in posting about my current 'problem' as though it's not necessarily an A.I. problem, it is relating to a dog that has been prone to Colitis episodes and I know this topic has been covered in the past (sometimes due to side effects?)
Briefly, Jazz is 13.  Has undergone two cruciate ops in the past 12 months and has been doing incredibly well but ever increasing effects of arthritis are causing a concern.    We used Metacam post op and then stopped it but a hiccup about two months ago meant we needed pain relief and he was put on a maintenance dose again.   He had remained on it, as both Vet and I felt some pain relief was needed - as he was getting a little stiff.  A few weeks ago, I noticed that his stools were getting a little darker and rightly or wrongly I decided to stop the Metacam - still giving half a Tramadol at bedtime.
A chat with the Vet last week, had led to us trying pardale V - giving lower than the prescribed dose (two a.m.  and two p.m.) whilst continuing with half a Tramadol at bedtime.   He has been fine on the Tramadol BTW>
He has been on the Pardale for 5 days now but the past two days it has been hard work getting him to eat his full amount of food.  He eats but leaves about a third and he is what I'd describe as a 'reluctant' eater - taking a long time.  He is currenty being fed his staple Royal Canin Sensitivity but I have been successful in mixing in a small amount of a new food I use called Greendog - which he loves.   Thought about changing him over completely to this but when we get to the 75% sub stage, it seems to trigger a tummy upset.   The same applies to Lily's tinned food (Fish) - he will pick this out of his food when I add it but again, he can't be fed this entirely for the same reason.
I am happy to provide completely home cooked but worry about nutrients.
Any advice on (a) Pain remedies for arthritic dogs  and (b) food would be gratefully received.
Also, has anyone heard of Galiprant being used on dogs?
He also has homeopathic tabet Arnica/Rhus etc.    He has two types of Joint Aid (Ymove/Synoquin and sometimes Joint Aid).
Many thanks

One thing that I am always learning about and also getting so frustrated about is the way in which these drugs are no difference to the 'fine-tuning' of a car (a horrible analogy I know).     

Frustrated, because when you reduce the meds (even gradually it seems) and are doing well at a particular level - then, you drop the dose and you have a relapse.     These A.I. diseases are really THE most difficult things to get on top with - you just don't know all the time, what you are dealing with and as it is the most intricate parts of the dogs body that come into play - things that are not obvious, you are really using trial and error means.

Over the past few days I have been going through the reams of records I have kept since Harley was diagnosed six years ago - hoping that I could find a common factor.   Perhaps, I thought, it is a seasonal 'thing'  as I have to admit a few of the relapses have occured during the latter part of the year/very early spring  but not always.    Could it be the inter-action of drugs at various doses - it certainly seems that when we take Aza's away, we do see a change in his platelets and certainly, on a couple of occasions when relapses have occured, it has been when we have stopped the Aza's.
Perhaps he has an absolute minimum dose of Preds he needs to keep him stable -  records have shown that problems seem to occur when we reduce beyond 15mg but then, he was on 10mg EOD at one stage and seemed to be stable for a while.
After this last relapse, which followed a very brief period (6 weeks) when we were off  steroids and Aza's but kept the Melatonin going, we thought we had cracked it.....the Melatonin had worked and though expensive, had far less side-effects than the other drugs.      No, that wasn't to be and the relapse was very sudden -  from mid-300's to  25 !!!!

So, we are back again, very gradually reducing the Preds.    Even now though, we had a slight hic-cup when his platelets started to drop a bit and the Preds had to go back up.  I have chosen to re-introduce the Melatonin, as it seems (only guesswork at this stage) that the combination of Melatonin with the other drugs, help.    Every reduction we make now, makes me much more nervous than ever before and I am now almost thinking, that if we reach a stage when Harley seems to be better and the side-effects are at a minimum, then that is the dose we will remain on until blood tests tell us otherwise.

I wondered if there would be any merit, in inventing a questionnaire-type form, asking a few questions, that those of us who have dogs with Immune issues, can complete and maybe, just maybe, we may pick up one or two commonalities that could give us some food for thought?
A  simple questionnaire, asking about Age, Historical info on breeding lines, Food, Water, Environment, Exercise, Vaccinations, Wormers, Drugs etc.
I'd be happy to draw up a format but have no idea at all how I would transfer to this site !!!   I spoke to the AHT recently,  as I had heard they may be looking into A.I. disorders as a whole but unfortunately that isn't the case, they are looking at one particular disease (I think it may be SRM) but I suppose the cost of research has to come into play as well.

Just a thought

One thing that I am always learning about and also getting so frustrated about is the way in which these drugs are no difference to the 'fine-tuning' of a car (a horrible analogy I know).     

Frustrated, because when you reduce the meds (even gradually it seems) and are doing well at a particular level - then, you drop the dose and you have a relapse.     These A.I. diseases are really THE most difficult things to get on top with - you just don't know all the time, what you are dealing with and as it is the most intricate parts of the dogs body that come into play - things that are not obvious, you are really using trial and error means.

Over the past few days I have been going through the reams of records I have kept since Harley was diagnosed six years ago - hoping that I could find a common factor.   Perhaps, I thought, it is a seasonal 'thing'  as I have to admit a few of the relapses have occured during the latter part of the year/very early spring  but not always.    Could it be the inter-action of drugs at various doses - it certainly seems that when we take Aza's away, we do see a change in his platelets and certainly, on a couple of occasions when relapses have occured, it has been when we have stopped the Aza's.
Perhaps he has an absolute minimum dose of Preds he needs to keep him stable -  records have shown that problems seem to occur when we reduce beyond 15mg but then, he was on 10mg EOD at one stage and seemed to be stable for a while.
After this last relapse, which followed a very brief period (6 weeks) when we were off  steroids and Aza's but kept the Melatonin going, we thought we had cracked it.....the Melatonin had worked and though expensive, had far less side-effects than the other drugs.      No, that wasn't to be and the relapse was very sudden -  from mid-300's to  25 !!!!

So, we are back again, very gradually reducing the Preds.    Even now though, we had a slight hic-cup when his platelets started to drop a bit and the Preds had to go back up.  I have chosen to re-introduce the Melatonin, as it seems (only guesswork at this stage) that the combination of Melatonin with the other drugs, help.    Every reduction we make now, makes me much more nervous than ever before and I am now almost thinking, that if we reach a stage when Harley seems to be better and the side-effects are at a minimum, then that is the dose we will remain on until blood tests tell us otherwise.

I wondered if there would be any merit, in inventing a questionnaire-type form, asking a few questions, that those of us who have dogs with Immune issues, can complete and maybe, just maybe, we may pick up one or two commonalities that could give us some food for thought?
A  simple questionnaire, asking about Age, Historical info on breeding lines, Food, Water, Environment, Exercise, Vaccinations, Wormers, Drugs etc.
I'd be happy to draw up a format but have no idea at all how I would transfer to this site !!!   I spoke to the AHT recently,  as I had heard they may be looking into A.I. disorders as a whole but unfortunately that isn't the case, they are looking at one particular disease (I think it may be SRM) but I suppose the cost of research has to come into play as well.

Just a thought

One thing that I am always learning about and also getting so frustrated about is the way in which these drugs are no difference to the 'fine-tuning' of a car (a horrible analogy I know).     

Frustrated, because when you reduce the meds (even gradually it seems) and are doing well at a particular level - then, you drop the dose and you have a relapse.     These A.I. diseases are really THE most difficult things to get on top with - you just don't know all the time, what you are dealing with and as it is the most intricate parts of the dogs body that come into play - things that are not obvious, you are really using trial and error means.

Over the past few days I have been going through the reams of records I have kept since Harley was diagnosed six years ago - hoping that I could find a common factor.   Perhaps, I thought, it is a seasonal 'thing'  as I have to admit a few of the relapses have occured during the latter part of the year/very early spring  but not always.    Could it be the inter-action of drugs at various doses - it certainly seems that when we take Aza's away, we do see a change in his platelets and certainly, on a couple of occasions when relapses have occured, it has been when we have stopped the Aza's.
Perhaps he has an absolute minimum dose of Preds he needs to keep him stable -  records have shown that problems seem to occur when we reduce beyond 15mg but then, he was on 10mg EOD at one stage and seemed to be stable for a while.
After this last relapse, which followed a very brief period (6 weeks) when we were off  steroids and Aza's but kept the Melatonin going, we thought we had cracked it.....the Melatonin had worked and though expensive, had far less side-effects than the other drugs.      No, that wasn't to be and the relapse was very sudden -  from mid-300's to  25 !!!!

So, we are back again, very gradually reducing the Preds.    Even now though, we had a slight hic-cup when his platelets started to drop a bit and the Preds had to go back up.  I have chosen to re-introduce the Melatonin, as it seems (only guesswork at this stage) that the combination of Melatonin with the other drugs, help.    Every reduction we make now, makes me much more nervous than ever before and I am now almost thinking, that if we reach a stage when Harley seems to be better and the side-effects are at a minimum, then that is the dose we will remain on until blood tests tell us otherwise.

I wondered if there would be any merit, in inventing a questionnaire-type form, asking a few questions, that those of us who have dogs with Immune issues, can complete and maybe, just maybe, we may pick up one or two commonalities that could give us some food for thought?
A  simple questionnaire, asking about Age, Historical info on breeding lines, Food, Water, Environment, Exercise, Vaccinations, Wormers, Drugs etc.
I'd be happy to draw up a format but have no idea at all how I would transfer to this site !!!   I spoke to the AHT recently,  as I had heard they may be looking into A.I. disorders as a whole but unfortunately that isn't the case, they are looking at one particular disease (I think it may be SRM) but I suppose the cost of research has to come into play as well.

Just a thought

Has anyone got details of a bona fide website where I can obtain, in lay man's terms, a better understanding of blood tests.

I seem to constantly be worrying myself on things showing up on the blood results and even though my Vet is good and does her best to allay my worries, I am one of these people that have to understand things as well.
This week Harley's bloods (to check his platelets) were not a worry at all but RBC's showed a slight decrease - this week they were 5.62 and last week
they were 5.91 (5.79,  5.90, 6.01, 5.97, 5.84, 6.19, 5.75) the few results before that.  The result of this recent drop means that he has fallen out of the 'normal' range (although it has been the lower end of normal a lot of the time) into the 'low' column.
My Vet has said that they have to take into consideration the HCT and HGB collectively and as these two are still well in the 'normal' range (though they have dropped as well from prev.week) they are not concerned.

I keep getting myself in a state over the possibility of H.A. or a bleed somewhere etc.

Thanks for any advice.

Hi
I wonder if I could ask a question about stools (sorry).....

I am worrying more at the moment that I am not missing any signs that can give an indication that Harley may be having problems (bleeds).
No reason at all for my anxiety, other than the fact that my Vet had put the fear of god in me by suggesting that scan several weeks ago when she thought his tummy was swollen.    His tummy doesn't feel as large but he is still on 25mg Preds daily (blood test today and I am hoping we will be able to come down to 20mg).

About 6 weeks ago, I decided to try and change Harley's dry food to Lily's Kitchen - he has been on R.C. Sensitivity for many years, not because he needs to be on it through sensitive tum problems, but because he was such a fussy eater as a youngster and wanted what Jazz had !!!!!   Jazz has this food for Colitis problems.
I have noticed on occasion his stools seems to be darker than at other times but assumed this was just down to the food he was having at the time.
Sometimes he has a bit of Spinach or Asparagus or other greens and that can make a difference, plus he is now having one third of his food replaced with Lily's.    I sometimes also use Lily's tinned food to mix, for a change.

This morning, his stools were quite a lot darker (not black) and formed totally but I am getting worried that this may mean he has a bleed somewhere?   Perhaps Liver or Spleen or from an ulcer?


Gwyneth

I always said, when I joined this Group that, for the sake of the other Members (some going through far worse than I am) that I would, as much as possible, remain positive - though it has been sooooo   hard and I am now finding I can't do it any more.

Since he relapsed again in December, we have achieved optimism 'again' when his platelets rose i.e. responded to the Preds, even though it didn't rise as quickly as it did the first time round.   A month a go, we had reached almost 400 !!    We had concern at the 2nd blood test, as the RBC's were low but these too have slowly increased and were at around 42 at the last full blood test.   His ALP had improved as well but the rest of the results relating to Liver were still a worry (Liver Enzymes off scale etc).

Today, we have been for another blood test and they have dropped, again, to 192.   Not necessarily a problem when you look at just numbers but over the past two tests, we have since drops of 100 - .   He is currently on 15mg Preds a day (10mg a.m. and 5mg p.m.)  and we have been dropping the Preds quicker than we have in the past (10 day/14 day periods) as he seems not to be coping quite as well as he has in the past.   This is his third relapse.

Added to all this, the Vet has now also said she is worried about the feel of his tummy and feels that it isn't down to meds - she says it is in a different part of his abdomen she is feeling and has said she would like to run a scan, as it could be a growth on his spleen or liver !!!!!!
I am devastated and really scared - more than I have ever been.       Up to now, I have said that I don't want him scanned yet, hoping that as we reduce the Preds, we may see an improvement in the 'feel'of his tummy but as the platelet count has dropped, I don't know what I am doing.

One of the reasons I was worried about doing the scan, was that IF he had got a growth, then removing the Spleen would be the only thing available and I just can't see how Harley would benefit.   They don't give a good prognosis on spleen removals and if it is Cancer, then the chances are it may have spread or will spread.   I would be putting him through major surgery for just a few months possibly, extra life  and for whose benefit? mine?
But by leaving it, I am also scared that he may be in pain or what if he has a spleenic bleed.   There are no signs I gather.
Harley is eating and drinking well.   He has also gained weight now (a previous worry, as he was losing weight as well).

I am so sorry that this is a garbled message   I just wanted to let it out !!!   Vet has said she wants to run another test in two days.

I have just had another blood test done, as I was going to the Vet anyway to check that Harley's  temp was o.k. following the UTI.   His temp was fine, heart rate o.k.    Pleased to say that the Platelets are now 420 and the RBC problem seems to have righted itself a little, they are now 43.9 higher than they were at the start of the relapse.    A few little areas that weren't as they should be but felt that too was down to the Preds.   Liver Enzymes around 400 but I am not sure how high that is in relation to a dog on steroids.   I know that his Enzymes came down to around 80 when he was on single doses of Preds.  He has been on Milk Thistle from the start.
The Vet wanted to do a scan but I think this might have been Gwyneth-led, as I had said that I was concerned he was panting a little more than normal - at times this is moderate but on the odd occasion it is quite rapid (this may be down to heat as well I suppose as it is unseasonably warm?) anyway, she felt his tummy and she felt it was a bit pot-bellied.  I have to say I didn't think it was too bad, it can vary sometimes but as a result, she said it may be a good idea to have a scan and check that Spleen etc., was o.k.?   This is another newish and young Vet and I am pleased that she is so interested in his case but I am always a little guarded on how much is being text-book led if you know what I'm saying.   I am reluctant to put through a stressed dog through unnecessary tests.    We had this before if you remember, about the sore in his mouth when the young Vet suggested a biopsy and said she was concerned it might be something nasty.  I wasn't prepared to do anything, not least because he was on quite a high dose of Preds I felt but also, i honestly felt that it might be as a result of muscle wastage and as his cheeks had suffered from this as well, he might be catching the side of his mouth when he ate.   I was right.

I don't want to ignore what she has said completely but thought I would ask your opinion as well.    She said she thought he was producing symptoms of Cushings  and was worried about the risk of clotting, a risk with Cushings?
Rather than suggest Asperin she mentioned something called Clopidogrel (hope that's how you spell it) but she wanted to have a word with the senior Vet who looks after Harley first.

I can recall this question coming up in the past when Harley's platelets shot up to 600+ for a short while and the Vet asked Andrew if she should prescribe Asperin but I seem to remember that he said no, that he wasn't alarmed at 600 unless it had been that for a while.   Sure enough, when we reduced, so did the need for Asperin !   I don't want to doubt too muc this Vet and I think it is wonderful that she is so interested in Harley - she is even going to call a 'Case Meeting' with the other Vets to discuss him......but I do need to try and get things into perspective a bit I feel.

I can't scan the print out I asked for (we did more extensive bloods today) but if I tell you what fell out of the 'Normal' panel, you may be able to tell me if there is anything to worry about.

Here is the result of the tests:

Low:  ALKP very Low but she said she wasn't taking notice of this too much as there was a reason why it wasn't registering (can't remember the reason though).  The M'c didn't produce a result           on this.
          EOS  =  0.00   this might have been the same or instead of the reason given above.

High:  ALB/GLOB  = 0.9
          GGT            = 87 u/l
           MCV           = 75.7 fl
           MCH           = 26.4 pg   
           NEU           = 12.24
           MONO        = 1.33

Thank you for any advice, as always
Gwyneth

Having now realised that Harley (if we are fortunate to regulate his platelets this time round) will always have to be on some form of medication or other, I have been wondering what dose of Preds could be given (lowest) to maintain a static level.

I know that this is probably an impossible answer in one way but looking back through the records I have kept, problems seem to have started when we have got down to the 12.5mg/10mg dose daily.   My gut feeling is that any lower than 10mg wont sustain a remission and I wonder if there is a dose that is known to have an effect in delaying further relapses.

I hope this doesn't sound a silly question (I suppose by now, I should know the answer) but if say, platelet count seemed to stabilise at 10mg daily, would keeping the dog on that amount, prevent a relapse and if not, would it be only the IS dose that would do this.

Gwyneth

Has anyone heard of using Dandelion as a way of  aiding the Liver/Kidneys and to help Cushings symptoms (not as a cure of course).
I wonder if it would help to give whilst on high-dose steroids?

I am so very sad to have to report that Harley has relapsed, again, the 3rd time !!

I have been sticking so rigidly to slow come-downs on the Preds and Aza's  on this last course of treatment and with the help of the Melatonin, honestly thought that despite an early prognosis that Harley was 'one of those dogs'  that were a difficult case and would likely have to be on meds for life, we had cracked it.     I had never, on the other occasions, been able to get off the Aza's and at the same time reduce the Preds below around 12.5mg before the platelets started to drop.

In fairness, we knew when we embarked on this trial with Melatonin that there were no guarantees (never expected them) but I could be forgiven to thinking that just maybe, we were heading towards finding a drug that at least, even if he had tio stay on, would produce the least side-effects, if any.    They didn't, apart from a little drowsiness sometimes and a touch more hyper possibly.
Just two months ago, after taking the final reductions much much slower than even the vets recommended, we finshed the Preds and then, go to a place I never thought we would reach.......off both Preds and Aza's.
For two months we maintained 300+ and though I never ever take this horrid disease for granted, I was elated that Harley was holding his own.
Then, on Thursday we took him for, what was going to be, the last of the monthly blood tests (I had decide to go two monthly and then quarterly if things continued well)......I couldn't believe how low they had dropped.......25.     In the space of  5 weeks, they had gone from 300 to 25 and even the Vet was shocked at this sudden decline.....total disbelief.

The bloods had been taken from the jugular but what was strange was that there was no bleeding.   Harley wasn't symptomatic at all.
No bleeding, no bruising etc.

The reason I have shared this is that in fact, if I had thought about things in the same way as I had been doing all along when we were reducing the preds, i.e. not, not, to drop the doses of meds unless we saw an increase in his platelets or that they had stayed the same.
I appreciate that all dogs are different and the fact that platelets had been dropping, provided they were within range, it just meant that Harley was perhaps coming down to what his 'norm' would be.   This is what I kept in mind when, during the counts since January, we had seen more small drops than increases but still maintaining an averake of around 280/300.

What I now feel is that, as Aza's take several days/weeks to achieve their full benefit, it also seems that the wind down could, conceivably take the same time and that whilst Harley was coping with the lack of Preds when we stopped them, the Aza's were providing the crutch and continued to do so, even though on reducing amounts - this reduction was obviously reflected in the platelet count and so, when we stopped completely, there was still a residual amount in his system.

We hit this before, when he was given Antepsin (when it was available).   We hit problems with possibly a residual build up,  stopping the Preds reach their full capacity.  (Guess work by the Vet but very plausable and  when we stopped the Antespsin, we did see a hike with the platelet count....this could have been because of another reason of course).

I have now learned that if  Haley wasn't symptomatic, I need to look for other signs outside the box.    This gradual drop in platelets may just have been something I overlooked.
He has never presented with the usual symptoms but this time, there were absolutely none.

He has now been put on the ID dose yet again, I feel desperately sad for the little lad who, since 15 months, most of his life, has fought so very well.  I appreciate he is no different to all our dogs suffering from the many forms of IS disease, I pray, really pray that one day we will find a cure.
Today, another blood test, only two days on and done with the intention of ensuring things weren't worse.    Thank goodness they aren't, they are 52.  A small increase but only two days on.

I can be forgiven for a teary message.

I wonder what experiences others have had and what the did/how they resolved the problem.

Sadly, Harley has relapsed but I will write about this later......my main concern being that we are using Omeprazole daily.
Previously, we had used Antepsin along with Rinitidine with no problems but harley has started to have loose stools.
Not watery diarrhea but barely formed.   There is no blood present - colour quite pale.

I am also giving Rinitidine with twice a dayl
Have others had this problem and can you suggest other alternatives.    I know that in Horses they sometimes used Gaviscon for Gastric Ulcers but this is syringed and what may be suitable for Horses won't necessarily be o.k. for dogs.

Thank you for any help.

Gwyneth

Has anyone experienced any Peripheral neuropathy when using Aza's long term?   Harley's  hates having his  nails trimmed and I have tried everything including manual
nail filing but he just draws away at any prolonged contact with his toes.   He does allow me to stroke his paws gently but this takes time even to get him to trust I am just trying to stroke him.
Whilst he is not on this drug anymore, the problem continues and I wondered if anyone has any suggestions or if I can hope that this may improve as time goes on.
Vet's nurse (who is really experienced with difficulties like this) is going to have a go - even if by just doing a couple this week and a couple later etc., but I am trying to avoid sedation if I can help it.   He is getting more road work these days which does at least keep them down a little bit.

Well, we are at a place that I would never ever have thought we would arrive at.........approx 4 years since diagnosis and we are now at the heavenly stage that Harley has been off Preds completely for two months and his Platelet count this week was the same as last month 320 !!     Yes they have come down by about 40 since May but I honestly believe (have faith) in the fact that he is now finding his own level. 
I am writing this basically to report on our experience with Melatonin, which may be useful to others.

We are still taking Azathioprine but have now reduced this as well to every 3rd day and will review in one month.   Hopefully, we will find that Azathioprine is not the governing control
drug and we can stop those as well.    Harley will remain on Melatonin - certainly for the immediate future.   We have experienced little side effects from this drug, although he is
more 'sleepy' at times and there are times of the day that we have noticed this more.   However, we know that Melatonin regulates our Day and Night sleep profiles/cycles.  We produce more Melatonin when it's dark and this sends a signal to our bodies to sleep.   Less is produced during the day, so the process is reversed - we are inclined to stay awake.
I am not surprised therefore, that we are noticing this, more sleepy, change in Harley.    However, he is not at all lethargic and when he is awake...oh we know he is awake believe me and it is wonderful having a mischievious, handful of a dog to contend with - compared to what he was.   
Another issue, possibly nothing to do with the Melatonin - is that I feel his hormones have been affected in-as-much as he has become more 'bonky' with my older boy.   Bless him, he is a total pacifist and just stands there with this 'Oh God I wish he'd get a life/or a woman' look on his face.  He has the sense to immediately lie down when he suspects he is about to jump on him and Harley just walks away.  There is no aggressiveness at all and it isn't something that happens too much but he didn't used to do this at all before.  Most of the time, we are able to do some diversion therapy....it seems a ball is preferable to a bonk !!!!!

We have also noticed that his appetite has changed and although some of this has to be down to the fact that Harley's appetite was much improved in any event, whilst on steroids...as a puppy, he was never a 'good' eater and of course the Preds reversed this completely.   Now he is 'off' the steroids, in part, he has returned to old ways...however, we have noticed that he eats better as the day progresses and I am almost certain this may be one of the finding of Melatonin - a possible side-effect.     
There have been times when I have been on meds that have made me suffer from Nausea early in the morning and I have a feeling this is what is happening here.   He needs time to come round.     Supper is eaten with gusto.   I feed supper, as he has his final dose of Melatonin around 10.30 p.m.

Last week, I had a word with the Vet that prescribed the Melatonin and asked if it could be possible that this was happening and if so, could we look at changing to a once a day dose (possible reduced).    We are very much at a suck it and see stage with this drug and he didn't have a definite answer but intimated that we should continue as we are for the time being.   I have contacted a friend in the US (where I understand this drug is used for IMTP more) and they also feed 6mg twice daily - though for other problems,  a once a day dose has been used.

I also believe that by going out on a limb with Harley and insisting that the Preds were reduced even more slowly than advised in protocols, has had a positive effect.
We have reduced by .5mg for some time and only reduced if we had seen an increase in Platelets or at least that they had remained the same for two months.    I know that many have thought this was OTT but I just felt that this was  something we hadn't tried with Harley and also, it had always been at the stage when he reached a reduction to 10mg daily that we starting to hit problems.

I don't know, like all of us, how long we are going to enjoy this period of remission but I am not thinking about that too much - rather enjoying the moment and being so grateful that I have had the help and support from this Group, particularly Jo but all the Members that have offered advice throughout.   A huge thank you to all of you.

I will update as we go on, so that I can pass on the results/effects of Melatonin but hope this is of some help to others.

Hi, I just need some reassurance !!!!  (Again)

We are doing well with Harley and he is off steroids and just on Melatonin/Aza's.      I don't use insecticides but instead spray with the oil mix I use and this has been really effective.
I must have missed his inside legs though and tonight I removed a Tick from behind his hock on the rear leg.   I am now really worried that this may cause Harley to relapse and wondered what the likelihood is of this happening.    We don't know that it was a tick that caused the onset of IMTP but it could well have been.   I removed the whole of the tick and bathed the area with dilute Hibiscrub.

Has anyone ever had this happen or been told that it is likely?

Gwyneth

I would be so glad of advice from others on this problem - I'm sure it has been experienced by one or two...

Prior to diagnosis, Harley was always a fussy eater.  Find the food he liked and he ate but would quickly 'go off' that and it was a constant struggle trying to get him to eat.   I have since read that this could have been one of the many pre-cursors for IMTP but hope it isn't, as I fear that we may be heading for relapse !

Harley's appetite has very gradually slowed and though I am getting food down him and his weight is around 32kgs (he is only a small-built retriever), it is a huge struggle.
I am currently giving a mix between home-cooked food (Fish mainly/Turkey/Vedge/occasionally Beef etc) and he alsohas R.C. Sensitivity, which, though he doesn't need to be on a prescription diet - he took a liking to my other dog's dry food that we need to use as he has sensitivity issues.
He looks well, they both do - coats shiny and Harley has plenty of energy but his appetite is getting a real problem again.   Breakfast today was mixed fish,
Asparagus(he loved this)Yam etc., and when I put it down he just went and sat in the corner of the kitchen.    Eventually I tempted him by adding some grated cheese on the top but he didn't eat with his usual gusto.

I am wondering if I should try raw?   What do others think?  I have always been anti feeding raw to dogs with A.I. issues I have to be honest but I am starting to re-think.   Also, if others do feed raw in the U.K., what do they feel is the best?
I won't feed raw bones.


Thanks for any help
Gwyneth

I'm sometimes a little reluctant to write in with an update when things are looking more positive for us at a time when some are just starting out with their problems or struggling but I just hope that in my doing so,  may give a little bit of hope.    I took so much comfort in the early stages, from what I read - not about the troublesome cases but those that seemed to be recovering or improving.  I clung on to those.....a lot.

If you had asked me four years ago, when Harley was first diagnosed, if we would be at the stage we are presently or indeed, if we would be here at all...
I would have not thought it possible but yesterday, after keeping Harley on such a strict reduction of his Preds, we received the news that his platelets are 352.   Two months ago,we were concerned that they had dropped by 60 (though still within range) but they have increased again.   I know feel brave enough to drop him by 1mg rather than the .5mg we have been doing latterly.....so, we are now on 1mg of Preds,  50mg Aza's EOD and 6mg Melatonin twice daily.
Vet doesn't want to start reducing the Aza's until we have dropped the Preds completely.

Rightly or wrongly, and certainly against the suggestions made by my Vet and the specialist Vet - who were trying to encourage me to drop the Preds a little quicker, we have stuck to reducing by just .5mg each month from when he was on 7.5mg until last month.    I know that this is probably totally OTT and not necessary for the vast amount of dogs but Harley is a little unique in that we have been trying to get to this point for over 4 years !!!!!
One step at a time but I think I can safely say that the Melatonin is having an positive effect but whether he will ever be able to exist on it solely,  it's still too early to say - as we don't know how he is relying on the Aza's as well.

Some have written in really concerned about all the side effects that Preds bring and wondering if their dogs (and they) will cope.   We have been so very fortunate, I appreciate that although Harley has really gone through the mill, ie. three times having been put on the I.S. dose of Preds, trying different drugs that haven't had an effect, facing really gloomy times when his platelets weren't improving, excessive muscle wastage that has completely changed his head shape and left him with hardly any muscle mass, terrible sores on his back and excessive dandruff, increased hyper etc.,  but I suppose if I am honest,  the fight has been totally Harley's and we are just so lucky that he has come through the other end.   
Still a bit to go but I am just so pleased we have arrived at this point.  I hope this brings just a little degree of optimism to others.

Gwyneth

I have just received a really disturbing mail from a friend who has recently heard of a young Golden Retriever who has sadly died from digesting Lantana.
This is such a common 'annual' (I believe) that many will have in their garden or pots.    I had just bought some a few days ago unaware of their danger.
Please pass this on to as many people you can with pets.

Here is a useful link for a list of poisonous substances:

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/factsheets-downloads/factsheetpoisonoussubstances09.pdf


Gwyneth

This is a question for both my dogs....they are related by their Sire, who, like Harley had IMTP when he was older and recovered.

Firstly, I have gone ahead and asked for a Thyroid function test to be carried out on Jazz  who is now almost 10 years old and has (touch wood) been relatively healthy other than a tendency towards Colitis.  This has been managed well and over the years, has lessened.   We have had a worrying few weeks with him though as  he had been booked in for surgery on his gum/tooth and to remove some awkward tags, we had to cancel the op as he had a bad tummy upset.  We got over this with just the use of Promax and Treebark Powder and a further appt made two weeks on.    He had two complete weeks of normality, then, the day before his op date - was squitty again!!
This time I was unable to get it under control and had to resort to Metronidazol.   Eventually, he had his op last week.
I have been concerned for some time at the fact that Harley constantly tries to lick him and mount him.  Harley isn't aggressive at all and Jazz isn't bothered about it but it concerns me.  Also, Jazz has had two moults fairly close together and I just feel that his coat generally is poor and dry but at the same time a bit greasy (if that make sense) and if I'm honest, he is a little more lethargic - which I had put down to the fact that he is getting a wee bit older.
Because I was concerned Harley may be reacting to a 'smell' that I am not picking up on, I decided to have his thyroid function test and results should be in this week.

The second concern is Harley, who - although we are doing well as far as his IMTP is going, has been showing lameness in his rear paw.    Vet has checked his leg and can't find a problem and he certainly shows no sign of discomfort when examined.  Vet thinks it is a soft tissue problem and because of the suggested tendon/ligament issue, I have started him on Synoquin but I am also considering, instead of/as well as  Cortaflex.     The hobbling is a little better - he isn't holding his leg up and on grass shows no sign at all but when he steps on to tarmac on a walk, he's 'tender' on it.
I have had a good look and I have to say that his central pad on the left hind foot seems marginally larger than on the right.  Not significant but definitely a little bigger.
No sign of an entry wound,no foreign objects, no lumps etc.   
I just wonder if I should also have Harley's thyroid tested too - after reading the mails from the lady with the Labradoodle??

A friend who has similar lines, has a thyroid problem in one of her dogs - hence my question.    I don't want to over-react.  Harley has loads of energy, a bit too much if I was honest, he takes effort to calm down sometimes and is/always has been a little hyper.   
The problem with licking Jazz, may be his own problem and nothing to do with Jazz - as we don't know what side effects he may be experiencing from the drugs he is on:
2mg Preds daily,  50mg Aza's EOD and 6mg Melatonin twice a day.

Thank you
Gwyneth

Hello
Can anyone offer advice.    I am ashamed to say that I am way way behind in worming Harley.  No signs of physical worms but I recall someone saying (possibly Vet) a long time ago, that there is a line of thought that regular worming can assist with IMTP as it avoids risks associated with  worm infestations (or words to that effect).

I haven't wormed Harley for 9 months and I was wondering if there was a natural, safe alternative.   I have heard that Turmeric is sometimes recommended but in the doses recommended it is also known to thin the blood, which concerns me.

Any advice I would be grateful for.   Also, I have heard that Pumpkin seeds are good.  Has anyone used these and in what form/how many?

Gwyneth