CIMDA

Thank you all so much! I appreciate your support, , all I can do is pray and be thankful for the extra days I still have!

I feel heartbroken for you. Give Georgia lots of hugs.
You are both in my thoughts.

Hi and welcome

I am so sorry your whippet is not doing well.

As Catherine has asked, what pred protocol has she been on since the beginning of her treatment? 

Has she been on a gastroprotectant? 

What clinical signs are you most concerned about? 

Sometimes even if the AI disease is still active a dog has to be weaned off the pred and a different immunosuppressive drug has to be given, especially when treating a muscle AI disease.  Long term pred use can cause muscle weakness and often when treating MMM it is better to use a different immunosuppressive drug.   Have your vets considered drugs such as mycophenolate or leflunomide?

Are you in the UK.  Can you take her to a veterinary college or referral practice?

I apologise for all the questions.

Jo

I am so sorry to read your posting, and know your pain is so real.

I still hope that with the increase in meds Georgia will rally.

Hoping for the best.
Jo

Despite the hiccups Louise, Keeper is doing really well.

 Pancreatitis is an unwanted nuisance and it is not uncommon when a dog is on steroids.  In particular, Cockers are prone to pancreatitis even without all the steroids. My grand-dog was a blue Rhone cocker spaniel and he ended up at the Royal Vet College for one month after a bout of pancreatitis.

So I can see why you may have more grey hairs - but he is worth it!

Great news overall.  Thanks for the update.

Jo

Hi Jo,

All systems go he’s been on 2.5 per day and back next Thursday to Andersonmoore for another drop to every other day, he’s a real fighter unfortunately 4 weeks ago he had another bout of Pancreatitis 3 nights in hospital!

He’s no not allowed any fat probably my fault as I didn’t really understand Pancreatitis which I do now..

All I can say is he’s a naughty ,funny and bouncy cocker spaniel who has used up 3 life’s so far and given my to many grey hairs...

Louise X

If Georgia has been on a too low dose of Preds then the PCV will have continued to drop. But hopefully, if she is now receiving the right medication it will start to increase soon. There are no guarantees, but I do know how the correct medication can turn a dog around. My AIHA dog's PCV was down to 13% because her dosage was too low. Luckily we did not need to give her a transfusion, but on the increased dosage (and some Azathioprine and some gastroproctectant )her PCV started to increase again.

I can understand your reluctance to leave her at the vets but perhaps it will not be necessary or if she had to have a transfusion you could care for her at home afterwards.

Thank you for your responses, as far as the transfusion, I keep thinking am I buying time for me or Georgia, there has been no indication at all that the meds has helped in anyway, I see her body their is Not much spark left, I feel she is only still here because she doesn’t want to hurt us, I have read hundreads of stories now, and I have learned there is usually more then one transfusion needed, the hospital stay can be lengthy, this is a dog who would follow me into the bathroom just to be with me, and not to be left alone, I also read stories of transfusions having a catastrophic result, is am in for multiple thousands and that’s not even counting the meds, I don’t know anymore, all I do is cry when I’m not with her.. I appreciate all your well wishes and encouragement but I just don’t see her coming out of it, a lot of your stories are very similar but yet so different , I guess I’ve finally lost hope

Following on from BrookeR's good idea of trying to find a cheaper blood transfusion do you have any charity funded vets you could ask for help? Or would the Boston Terrier clubs or even Georgia's breeder help a bit?

 What dosage of Preds is she having?