holly

[Penel CIMDA moderator]

Hi Christina, I haven't been on here for a few days and I'm so pleased to see there's good news xxx.
One of mine was on crate rest for weeks and weeks - it is really difficult I know. 

[christina]

Thanks penel
Yes really hard going re crate rest when holly had go vet to get stitches out she went crazy and jumped front paws onto table at vets
I was upset as it dangerous her doing that re bolts screws but hapoened so fast and shes strong abd frustrated
Worried as hollys sickness in night detetiating again since stetoids halved
And no antepsin available as peoduction problem
And gaviscon makes worse
And zantac not enough
Normally we would up steroid dose again ..but cant as leg needs to heal
Shes moaning bringing up fluid ,clicking noise last night and today her urine smells bad
Her immunity not doing good
And shes getting very stressed re cage which will be exacerbating things
Im massaging herdigestive tract
On hypoallergenic food
On oxycare and flagyl antibiotics usually they help
But its getting worse :-(

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi Christina

Sorry to hear that Holly is not so good.  How about using Omeprazole to help her tummy?  It is prescription only so you would have to get it from your vet.

Jo

[polly]

So sorry to hear that Holly is in such distress.

[christina]

Thanks jo and polly
Had to take holly in energency apointment as she was really unwell in the night
Bringing up bile constantly
And shes really upset
Vet said we cant up the steroid to herusual stabilized dose of 5 mg as it too early re the leg and we need several more healing weeks
But she gave me enteric coated 2.5 mg pred hoping that be gentler on her stomach and 2 weeks doxycycline as it has helped before and her urine very off
It,was awful as she shook and cried all the time at vets
Shes only been like that since her leg was done ..traumatized going to vet now on top of being stuck in a cage
Hope to god these steps help
I never asked re omepazarole
I could if things dont improve
Also the orthapeodic vet said hollys skin very thin n skin tags with steroids and that there are other meds can be used in the stetoids place
Do you know which ones would be suitable for holly ( steroid substitutes which help immune disease as well as inflamatory digestive system).
Feel soo sorry for holly shes really sad its been an awful time for her)
O massaged her last night and tried to talk to her like ahypno therapy person to relax her incase part of it is emotional,but it didnt help :-(

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi Christine

I hope Holly improves soon.  I suppose the most obvious drug to use instead of prednisolone is Cyclosporin or ciclosporin (Atopica).  Azathioprine is another one, but there are many more these days but they are quite expensive.

If you can control the stomach acid then Pred is the best, I think, and omperazole is also the best gastroprotectant.

Fingers crossed.

Jo

[Penel CIMDA moderator]

How is Holly today?

[christina]

Thanks jo and penel
Unfortunately holly is still gagging ,bringing up bile abd of course she cannot exercise to release pent up feelings,and relax her body so by being cooped up in cage is making it so much worse.
And her intermittent crying and temper tantrums ..shes sad
I put in a wee soft toy mouse and squeak toy and have been hugging her as much as able to soothe her and try relax her.
Im hoping the doxycycline will kick in.
Sounds like the other 2meds instead of pred are very expensive so probably not an option.
I would,need to ask the vet.
Will see how,she gets on next few days
Im.pretty upset as shes upset and unwell  though when we cuddled it did us both good.
I miss her snuggling into my legs at night and her just being beside me.
But to just,get her through this difficult time ,i know i will never be able to let her off lead again which really makes me sad,and will have to limit her jumping and running incase she has stress fatigue and breaks screws and bolts in leg as WE CANNOT GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN
Financially or holly physically or emotionaly and today i watched a springer jumping about and felt sad i will have to restrict her
But..if she,gets through this and she can go 3 walks a day on lead and im strict with her but also give her loads of love..we will both be lucky girls !x

[Jo CIMDA]

You just have to believe that Holly will improve over the next few weeks and will end up with a reasonable quality of life.  Week by week she will make improvement.

Chin up Christina.

Jo

[christina]

Thanks jo,
Shes still gagging,still miserable and hyper trying to pull get to garden and wee leg almost buckles im very worried how fragile it still is,only been 3 weeks ..im very careful,wee holly is so NOT careful,
Tis a nightmare trying to protect it..
Hope to god its ok i was worried tonight it seemed very fragile
Only been 3 weeks and she has awful time at night still with bile despite meds,and tree barks powder and probiotics and coconut oil
Day,at a time i guess
Poor wee sad girl that she is
X

[christina]

Hi there
Just ti say  there is an improvement ,holly has improved on the doxycycline ,still some gagging but she is better !!!!
Now she is losing her fur ,it started falling out quite rapidly all over last few days to the extent that i can see her skin underneath her fur most places,will speak to vet today
Poor holly she goes through the wars!
X

[polly]

Good to read that there is some improvement on the doxycycline. Keep strong.

[Jo CIMDA]

Yes Christina, it's good to read that Holly is feeling a little better.  Don't worry about her hair.  It will grow back in time.  You may need to get her a winter coat.

Jo

[christina]

Thanks polly and jo.
Just noticed hollys 40 quid waterproof matress not waterproof at all.
She peed ( despite gets,out a lot)
And it went through the cover..ugh
Cleaning it up best i can!
See if can salvage it for a little longer.
We need it just now!
Fur falling out,rapidly now ,i was thinking it may be falling out because of a mixture of steroids and cage stress as read that lots of mammals get alopecia when caged
A friend of mine felt trapped in his job and all his,hair fell out
And holly,really struggles with cage situation
Spoke,to vet last night ,she doesnt believe its the cage
She thinks stetoids,are mimicking cushings disease and wanted me to again cut hollys steroid to one every 2 days...2.5 mg every 2nd day
But we only dropped from 5 mg to 2.5 mg 3 weeks,ago and shes been struggling hugely with the bringing up bile..yes doxy finally helped
But she only will get that till next monday
I said im not comfortable dropping pred again until shes out the cage
I want to deal with leg and have her as comfortable as possible while in cage
Though the hair really is coming out and its,a concern
Any views on this?
I dont want to contradict the vets expertize but i feel we are dealing with too many issues at once x

[christina]

Hi
I took holly to another vet who thinks its nkt the,steroids causing the fur loss.
Im now washing her in masaleb shampoo but fur still falling out
This vet not sure whether stress,hormones or infection causing it
Will have to see if it improves,and hope not need blood tests and / or skin biopsy
Now she has blood and mucous in urine since yesterday
Havent rushed to vet as shes on oxycare antibiotic and flagyl anyway so hope it improves next few days
Poor holly having tough time of it
Though good news is her elbow is getting stronger and we are hopeful re that,so thats good !x