Guest lorbug Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 For the past two months my husband and I have been tirelessly trying to get a diagnosis for our sick greyhound, Tabora. We did a whole host of tests with our regular vet and no diagnosis. They referred us to an internal medicine specialist at Cornell University who did more tests and even exploratory surgery. They took biopsies of many of her organs and diagnosed her today with immune mediated vasculitis. She was started on a regime of prednisone today. Tabora is on a high dose, which will be tapered based on her response to the tapering. I am wondering if anyone has a grey that has been diagnosed with immune mediated vasculitis??? If so, what has been your grey's response to treatment?? This has been such a long and emotional process, we are happy to have a diagnosis and a dog that finally wants to eat and that does not have a constant temperature....but we are concerned with long term side effects of steroids and if anyone on this site has experience with this disease we would appreciate hearing about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 How old is she? Sending prayers! Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lorbug Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 How old is she? Sending prayers! Tabora turned five in May. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Tabora is so lucky to have such dedicated people! I don't have any experience, but wanted to send along some good thoughts. Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhndz Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I have an iggy with immune mediated polyarthritis, so I've become familiar with the immunosuppressive treatment involved with any of the autoimmune diseases. I did find a couple of interesting links below. the first is quite technical, but the second two are very interesting and readable. Lecture at WSAVA Vasculitis in greyhound correlation with rabies vaccine? I'm less familiar with the protocol used for vasculitis, but with polyarthritis, the vet managing Lexi's care started her on a 6-month taper of steroids as soon as her diagnosis was made. (and it took 3 months before she was correctly diagnosed by a specialist, during which she had fevers, lethargy, migratory lameness and was just overall miserable.) She started on 40mg of prednisone and now, 6 months later, is a week away from taperering off steroids entirely. Unfortunately about 50% of polyarthritis dogs will relapse when steroids are stopped, and we'll deal with that if it happens. Usually, the goal is to get the dogs with immune-mediated diseases onto an immunomodulatory agent like azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine, or cytoxan, among others. It appears that pentoxyfilline (Trental) is also routinely used with vasculitis dogs. So it's hopeful that your pup will be able to be slowly tapered off steroids and onto a long-term immunomodulating drug. We tried starting Lexi on Imuran in hopes of decreasing her steroids (due to kidney and liver disease which the steroids exacerbated) but she developed drug-induced hepatitis and had to be taken right off it. OTOH, her litterbrother has had immune mediated thrombocytopenia (low platelets) and has been on Imuran for many years without problems. Please do keep us posted!! Jordan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lorbug Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 I have an iggy with immune mediated polyarthritis, so I've become familiar with the immunosuppressive treatment involved with any of the autoimmune diseases. I did find a couple of interesting links below. the first is quite technical, but the second two are very interesting and readable. Lecture at WSAVA Vasculitis in greyhound correlation with rabies vaccine? I'm less familiar with the protocol used for vasculitis, but with polyarthritis, the vet managing Lexi's care started her on a 6-month taper of steroids as soon as her diagnosis was made. (and it took 3 months before she was correctly diagnosed by a specialist, during which she had fevers, lethargy, migratory lameness and was just overall miserable.) She started on 40mg of prednisone and now, 6 months later, is a week away from taperering off steroids entirely. Unfortunately about 50% of polyarthritis dogs will relapse when steroids are stopped, and we'll deal with that if it happens. Usually, the goal is to get the dogs with immune-mediated diseases onto an immunomodulatory agent like azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine, or cytoxan, among others. It appears that pentoxyfilline (Trental) is also routinely used with vasculitis dogs. So it's hopeful that your pup will be able to be slowly tapered off steroids and onto a long-term immunomodulating drug. We tried starting Lexi on Imuran in hopes of decreasing her steroids (due to kidney and liver disease which the steroids exacerbated) but she developed drug-induced hepatitis and had to be taken right off it. OTOH, her litterbrother has had immune mediated thrombocytopenia (low platelets) and has been on Imuran for many years without problems. Please do keep us posted!! Jordan Hi Jordan. I think you replied to an earlier post of mine on immune-mediated diseases. Thanks for all the info., it helps to know the experiences of others. Lorri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgreys Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 No experience with this diagnosis, but sending prayers and wishes to your baby girl. Quote Jeanne with Remington & Scooter the cat....and Beloved Bridge Angels Sandee, Shari, Wells, Derby, Phoenix, Jerry Lee and Finnian.....If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhndz Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Hi Jordan. I think you replied to an earlier post of mine on immune-mediated diseases. Thanks for all the info., it helps to know the experiences of others. Lorri Uh-oh, I'm getting predictable! In all seriousness, once Lexi started on prednisone, within 48 hrs she'd improved dramatically, and was happy, trotting around and jumping again. Outside of a few setbacks, mostly due to her kidney disease and the hepatitis from the Imuran, she's stayed well. And once she got beyond the first couple of weeks on high-dose pred, I haven't noticed any side effects at all. But hopefully your vet will be able to wean Tabora off steroids in the near future and get her onto a different long-term med. She's just a baby, so I understand your reluctance to keep her on lifelong steroids. BTW - PM me if your vet wants to put Tabora on Imuran, as I have an unopened bottle that Lexi won't be using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lorbug Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Hi Jordan. I think you replied to an earlier post of mine on immune-mediated diseases. Thanks for all the info., it helps to know the experiences of others. Lorri Uh-oh, I'm getting predictable! In all seriousness, once Lexi started on prednisone, within 48 hrs she'd improved dramatically, and was happy, trotting around and jumping again. Outside of a few setbacks, mostly due to her kidney disease and the hepatitis from the Imuran, she's stayed well. And once she got beyond the first couple of weeks on high-dose pred, I haven't noticed any side effects at all. But hopefully your vet will be able to wean Tabora off steroids in the near future and get her onto a different long-term med. She's just a baby, so I understand your reluctance to keep her on lifelong steroids. BTW - PM me if your vet wants to put Tabora on Imuran, as I have an unopened bottle that Lexi won't be using. Thanks Jordan, I will keep in touch about this and let you know if the vet puts Tabora on Imuran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paulamariez Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Keeping your precious Tabora in my prayers for a complete healing! Tiger, Bueller and Domino are sending get well doggie kisses as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Sending prayers for your sweet Tabora. Hope the steroids give her immediate relief and that a long term treatment will be viable for her. Please post a picture when you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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