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Messages - Catherine

#16
Screwdriver syndrome?! We are not allowed to e-mail members on here (confidentiality) but I am in touch with Jo so hopefully she will be back on here soon.

Seems to be still working for me...... :)
#17
So all works okay for me, John. I am using a desktop computer if that makes any difference.....?
#18
Back on Microsoft Edge. Actually I can preview it....I had not scrolled up..... :-[
#19
Well, I shall try this out, John, on Internet Explorer now. I have not had any problems in the past with posting.

I can preview it.

Going to push "post" now.....

#20
Well, I shall try this out, John, on Microsoft Edge. I have not had any problems in the past with posting but usually use Internet Explorer.

I can not seem to preview it.

Going to push "post" now.......
#21
Vaccination / Re: Core vaccines?
February 13, 2022, 08:39:15 PM
Your post seems to have been cut short again, Erica....
#22
Vaccination / Re: Core vaccines?
February 13, 2022, 03:28:15 PM
Aah...your longer post gives even more support (in my view) to not vaccinating Elsie again. As for worrying about her not having a third dose I would suggest you have her titre tested. One of my dogs had a bad reaction after the first vaccine dose so my vet suggested we have a titre test. It came back with all levels fine and some quite high. I do not think they did Lepto though, perhaps they are unable...it may have changed over the years. Anyway we did not give her any more vaccines, not even the second dose and she has been fine.
#23
Vaccination / Re: Core vaccines?
February 13, 2022, 12:40:45 PM
I can understand your worry, I was in a similar position. Used to dogs having annual vaccinations I was advised not to have my AIHA dog ever vaccinated again. A vet told me that hepatitis is very rare and even distemper tended to be only in some (usually deprived) areas. There was still a worry about parvo and even bigger one about lepto. But even that has been exaggerated and as Jo says not every rat will have the disease.

Living on a farm I can see why you would worry about lepto more but you could try to reduce the risks by not letting Elsie into any streams, rivers or drink from any puddles, water outside where rats could have urinated. Also if you have any other dogs vaccinated keep Elsie away from where they urinate for a few days after their vaccination.

I must admit it was very difficult in the beginning thinking my AIHA dog was going to get all these diseases but she never did.

Even if your non-vaccinated dog became ill with one of these diseases I think, probably, they would have a good chance of survival with today's medication etc. Maybe the same could be true about if the vaccine triggered an AI disease, it would depend on which one. Bottom line though, in my opinion is that something triggered Elsie's illness and so she is vulnerable to it happening again so it is best to reduce the risks.

It is difficult when vets disagree. You could ask your vet, though how many confirmed cases of distemper, hepatitis, parvo and lepto they have had at their practice. Indeed, you may be able to ascertain some of this information from various vets/ organisations etc. about number of cases they have seen, in your area. This may help the decisions. I should avoid media information or any vet advertising, you really want, if possible solid facts.
#24

I am glad you have some idea now what you are dealing with. Yes, it is a good idea to keep it clipped  as fur seems to grow so quickly. I have not experienced an abscess on a dog. Skin problems are so much more complicated on a dog because of the fur and because a lot of the time the dog wants to lick/bite the area.
#25
Sorry I have not been reading your original post again otherwise I would have known the answer to my questions. ::)

The trouble is, that on steroids, a simple bite or sting can have a much bigger impact and takes longer to get better. It will be interesting what the vet thinks and the best way to treat it.
#26
It is like an indentation but swollen around it. Did it happen suddenly? Has she any other ones? I think it could be a sort of pyoderma that has swollen for some reason, infection maybe? Is the swollen surrounding hard or squishy?
#27
Hopefully your vet will know. I have experienced various skin problems with my dogs, some when they were on steroids so I know how difficult it can be. Keeping her from even licking around the area and keeping it clean etc. is a problem and so some sort of medical head "cone" or body covering may be necessary. Is it on her trunk or leg or...?
#28
Is it possible to put a photo of it on the site? Whereabouts on her is it and is she trying to nibble it?

There is Fuciderm (Isaderm) but the sore/lump really needs to be identified first.
#29
Thank you for setting all that out, Erica. I must admit it can all be confusing at times especially when an owner is very worried about their dog.

As I understand it 1.0mg/kg twice a day is the minimum for an immunosuppressive dose. Unfortunately, some vets still do not understand autoimmune diseases and their correct treatment. The idea, as you know, is to suppress the immune system which is attacking itself. A certain amount of time has to be allowed for this, but then when the dog's system begins to right itself it still needs time to stabilize. All dogs are different and I also think the 10- 28 days is in case the dog starts to suffer with the medication and has to reduce sooner. I think generally, if the dog is coping on the medication, it may be best to aim for the longer time or something like 21 days each time and then towards the end of the reduction to take it very slow just for the system to adjust.

It can be so frustrating to have a dog relapse, nothing is certain from dog to dog. I am certain Jo can explain it better. She is aware of your posts and I am sure she will be along soon when she is able. I am afraid I do not know much about CRP.

How is Elsie? Has she been on a gastroprotectant?

#30
I am a bit confused with the dosages. When she was started on 2mg/kg was that once a day or twice.....what was the total mg she had daily?