CIMDA

Would like to give hope to all those doggy mums and dads out there whose poor fur babies have IMPA. Dollie ,our four year old Cavachon was diagnosed with IMPA in April 2018. She was bright ,bouncy and full of vitality . Suddenly she just lay in her basket, refused to move or eat and would yelp if you tried to pick her up. Her temperature was plus 40c.Our vet did all the usual tests, nothing found.We thought she was going to die. She was referred to a vetinerary specialist who, after blood tests, mri scans and joint taps diagnosed IMPA.They put her on a massive dose of steroids , 20 mg to be monitored and gradually reduced over six months. She gained over 6 kilos,two thirds of her body weight, drank water like a fish ate everything in sight and weed for England. I was getting up five or six times in the night to take her into the garden. All she did was sleep, eat and wee.She still had her sweet temperament, fortunately. The steroids were very gradually reduced  over six months until she was only on half a tablet every two days. Dollie had responded well to the steroids. She was taken on slow, short walks five or six times daily.The distance we went was gradually increased. Although she was ok generally she had lost her zest for life and her sparkle and bounce had gone. We finished the steroids, I was so scared the IMPA would come back. The vet said if it came back it would hit her like a train, it would not be a gradual onset. Well, fingers and paws crossed!it is now three months since she took her last steroid. By December, the Dollie we once knew came back to us and life is wonderful again. Just had to tell her story to give some support to those of you whose poor babies have this awful disease! When she was ill I'll I was in the depths of despair;I was convinced she would cross the rainbow bridge. My heart broke every time I looked at her. Please do not give up on your baby:God willing , they can and do get better.

Hi. I am mum to a beautiful female Cavachon called Dollie.We live in Falmouth, Cornwall .She is four years old and was so full of life until three weeks ago when she wouldn't get out of her basket and wouldn't eat or drink and when taken to our vet had a high temperature and was depressed and lethargic. She had blood tests and scans and was put on IV to dehydrate her. She did not pick up and thankfully was referred to Cave, vet specialists at Taunton where  after extensive tests and scans she was diagnosed with primary IMPA . After four days she was allowed home and here we are. Thank God we still have her. I am sure we will get through this.

 Hi.My cavachon Dollie was diagnosed with primary IMPA one week ago after referral to a specialist vet.She is only four and is my whole world. She is so beautiful and has such a sweet and gentle nature and has suffered so much pain with so little protest. It is heartbreaking to look at her.The specialist vet was wonderful. She was put on Prednicare 20mg daily. At first I was horrified as I abhor steroids as they are such scary drugs. But I have come to realise also how fantastic their powers are in treating this awful condition. I just want my little fur baby back how she was before this awful condition attacked her. I miss our lovely walks and playing with her ball and squeakies. Without steroids I know she would have not been with us for much longer. As you can tell from the time of this post we are up several times in the night as she drinks like a fish and wees for England. Also she is going through food like a dog possessed. Just been reading posts about feeding her green beans to bulk out her meals. At first it was great as before diagnosis she hadn't eaten for ten days and was on an IV for fluids. It worries me as the vet says she will be on steroids for approx six months . If she goes on like this she will be as big as a house. Has anyone any experience of this and will her hunger moderate as the steroids,are reduced?Also, has anyone invested in a doggy pushchair to help get the dog out and about? She can only tolerate five minute walks but loves the fresh air and we live by the sea.