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Messages - Angela

#1
Well here we are.  Grace (Bearded Collie) & I are long time members of CIMDA going back to the YAHOO group.  Grace was diagnosed with AIHA at the age of 16 months in Nov 2007; we got through that with a Specialist & CIMDA.  Just after her 2nd birthday & 3 months post end of treatment, Grace was spayed in hopes that would protect her from future triggers but it appears the operation, the anaesthetic or just fate intervened & she came out of remission. Again we fought this awful disease & with expert help & CIMDA Grace went into remission again April 2009. We have continued with 2.5mg pred EOD ever since to keep her immune system in check.  At 15 years old, a little night blind, a little selective deafness & a few lumps & bumps which appear to be slow growing, soft & floating lipomas, we make the best of each day as it comes.  Grace can still jump on the bed & still comes for walks when her old bones allow.
#2
Hi Kathleen,  so sorry Ralph is so poorly.  Half the battle is a correct diagnosis so I am hoping things will improve for Ralph soon.
#4
General doggy chat / Re: Just dropped in to say Hello
August 24, 2015, 11:35:38 AM
Hi Brooke,

I spoke to two local Vets a few months into Grace's treatment (which began just prior to Christmas 2007 - that was a Christmas with floods of tears) and was told by both they hadn't seen a case of Heartworm for 10 plus years. One of the Vet practices I spoke to is also the Vet used by the RSPCA, so this also included no cases of Heartworm seen in strays.  To be honest I don't get them tested for it either; both are healthy at 9 & almost 14 years.  I do use spices such as Turmeric, Cinnamon & Ginger in their food and have read that Cinnamon deters intestinal worms and have also read on some natural treatment lists that Black Stout and a couple of other things deal with Heartworm but haven't tried it.

I also had much trouble with getting a diagnosis for Grace, with several Vet appointments with no results.  I ended up diagnosing Grace myself thanks to one of Jo Tucker's articles in the Beacon archives I stumbled across in eight hours of internet research, went back to the vet the next morning & demanded a blood test where my suspicions were confirmed.  It was three months or so later that I finally found the CIMDA group.

Again, with Merlin's Addisons I had three trips to the Vet before getting a diagnosis, I'd been told the blood results were all normal.  He was close to death that last time and I asked to see the blood results; as the Vet read through them with me looking over her shoulder I saw the potassium results and knew immediately it as was Addisons thanks to an article I'd reaq & filed; written by DVM Linda Aronson.  I raced home and emailed the article to the Vet and that information saved his life.

#5
General doggy chat / Re: Just dropped in to say Hello
August 24, 2015, 09:45:51 AM
Hi Jo & Penel,

I keep meaning to tweak my old files on Grace & Merlin to send to you but always seem to get side-tracked :)

Lovely to hear from you & I'll try to stay in touch more frequently.

Lots of love to you & the group <3
#6
General doggy chat / Re: Just dropped in to say Hello
August 24, 2015, 09:40:36 AM
Hi Brooke,

Once I had a diagnosis (& that's a long story in itself) I had a referral to ARH Strathfield (I think they've moved now).  To be honest, I had to ditch one Vet there as she missed Grace's UTI resuls even though it was done at the ARH and I ended up dealing with Nigel Swift; he was one of the Directors and actually did know his stuff but they are very expensive and want every test possible done.  To be honest I ended up having a large say in her treatment, guided by Jo Tucker, Jean Dodds and this group.   These days she is on maintenance dose of 2.5mg pred every other morning - no vaccinations, no flea meds, heartworm or worm meds whatsoever - I manage her & my other girl with weekly baths, vacuuming, lawn mowing, washing dog beds etc with hot water & Borax and keeping our walks as strictly as possible to the concrete walk/bike path.  Fortunately I have several kilometers of concrete walk/bike path very close to where I live.

I live quite near Wollongong
#7
General doggy chat / Just dropped in to say Hello
August 22, 2015, 01:16:16 AM
Hello all,

I don't post regularly now but dropped in to say hello.

Grace is doing well (in remission from Non-Regenerative AIHA)and turned nine recently.

Probably, not many on the list will remember us but I wish you all well and pray for good outcomes for all your dogs.

Back to the house work now, it's Saturday in Australia :)

Angela & Mops with Grace
#8
Oh Annee,
I've just logged in "out of the blue" to read this.

I'm so very sad for your loss of Pru but very proud of both of you at the same time; I remember her and you very well. 

Almost 15, WOW.  What a girl, she lived a full life with you at her side.

Run free Prunella
#9
I agree with Penel  as I am also reluctant to use chemicals of any kind on my girl. 

Vacuum the house thoroughly, wash all bedding in washing machine with hot water and add two tablespoons of borax with your usual washing soap.  Mop any hard floors with hot water and borax and let dry completely before you let the dogs back in. 

Bath the dog with soap - I use Cousins Oatmeal Soap, starting at the neck & head wet the dog and get a good lather up, then do the rear end (this stops any fleas crawling into hiding places such as the ears, nose, anus and genitals) and then do the body and tail, finally do the legs and feet.  Leave the soap lather on the dog for 10 to 15 minutes to make sure you have drowned all the blighters, then rinse thoroughly.  Mow the lawn and sprinkly food grade diatomaceous earth lightly over the lawn, particularly around where the dog likes to lie AND as Penel wrote, you can also sprinkle DE over any indoor carpet and vacuum up 24 hrs later.

Repeat the house vacuum two days after the first to pick up anything hatched after the first vacuum.

You will need to repeat the vacuuming, bed washing, mopping, bathing dog, mowing lawn on a weekly basis at least until the flea situation is under control again.  It is a lot of work but well worth the peace of mind & knowledge you aren't putting anything unnecessary into his system.

I also like to lightly spray my girls legs, feet, belly and tail with an essential oil mix of lavender, lemon and citronella to deter anything jumping on board when we go out for walks etc.  When mixing up the combo the general rule of thumb is no more than 16 drops combined of essential oils in 500ml of water; I add a little conditioner to the mix as I use this as a grooming spray as well.

Hugs
#11
Hi Cherryl,

I remember Paco to.  I am so glad you have him sorted and on the mend again.
Milk thistle is wonderful combined with a liver friendly diet.

Hugs old friend
#12
General doggy chat / Re: Stay safe Elisabeth
July 31, 2013, 10:13:13 AM
Hi Sylvia,

I have been thinking of you & Egypt in my thoughts also.

I pray for peace, harmony and abundance for all every day.

Stay safe.
#13
Thanks for the birthday wishes for Grace, and yes, may she long continue <3

If anyone is interested you can search through the old CIMDA group for us, and there is an article in the BEACON archives titled "Advocacy" which includes both Grace's & Merlin's stories.

I should really send through files to Penel for the new CIMDA's records.
#14
Many of the new members don't know us at all and many may have forgotten our story and journey but my darling Grace turns seven tomorrow.  I am so so happy to say she is looking fabulous and full of bounce - perfect behaviour for a Bearded Collie!  I hope the attached photo has worked properly :)
#15
General doggy chat / Re: SURVEY for BEARDIE OWNERS
April 11, 2013, 04:12:37 AM
Are the surveys for Beardies in the UK only?