Guest Alexandra_W Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Not much help, just a thought and sharing an experience. My boys problem started back in december, but we had no clue what was going on by then. Anyway, in january he broke one of his toenails, and it got infected. Was put on broad spectrum antibiotics (can check the type later on). And the problems that started a month before, was actually easened up during the antibiotic course. And was worsened again when he was off the antibiotic. That was what made us take new test for TBD (we only have two in Sweden), who came back negative. No antibodies. But still, he was obviously more comfortable when on the antibiotics... And nobody has really been able to explain that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FullMetalFrank Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Well, I am glad you have a tentative diagnosis but sad it's not better (although I am still holding out hope for something fixable like a TBD) and if it's not that, for remission of the IMPA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alexandra_W Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 If it is of interest, my boy was started on the medrol today. The dose is 1.7 mg/kg for started, I was a bit stunned over the dose, but hopefully it helps. It will be SLOWLY apered down, starting in 2 - 4 weekks when the dose should be very gentle increased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 That is what Becky, the greyhound WAG has been taking care of has. She is 56#'s now and is on Pred and something else I can't remember. Good thoughts for Beau. Becky is also on leflunomide. Robin, if they did a joint tap and it shows inflammation and they think the diagnosis is IMPA, Beau just might need to be on a higher dose of immunosuppressant meds, or different meds. It can take a lot of tweaking to get the levels right. With Becky we also treated for TBD's until the tick panel results were in, just in case. Best of luck. Oh and listen to Jordan, she knows what she's talking about. ~Lindsay~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tennesseegrey Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Prayers and warm thoughts for Beau in hopes that he stays pain free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhndz Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Becky is also on leflunomide. Robin, if they did a joint tap and it shows inflammation and they think the diagnosis is IMPA, Beau just might need to be on a higher dose of immunosuppressant meds, or different meds. It can take a lot of tweaking to get the levels right. With Becky we also treated for TBD's until the tick panel results were in, just in case. Best of luck. Oh and listen to Jordan, she knows what she's talking about. ~Lindsay~ but I don't think anyone else does! I can get a little too medicaleesey sometimes. Luckily, this is counteracted by my true personality: Lindsay, don't you bring Becky to Angell for her care? (I seem to remember your saying that at some point.) I don't hear of leflumonide being used that often, except for Dr. Sisson (for GME and other inflammatory brain disorders) and the other Angell staff. And Lexi's IM vet in Woburn is also comfortable using it. It seems that Imuran and cyclosporin are the first "go-to" drugs, but Lexi didn't tolerate Imuran, and cyclosporin is not an option because of her renal disease, so leflumonide it was. you're absolutely right about it taking quite a bit of time to find a "cocktail" that will work for an individual dog. It's a fine line between a therapeutic dose and a toxic one, and sometimes a dog will have an idiosyncratic reaction to a drug that most dogs can handle without problem. You just go with the flow, and find an experienced specialist whom you can trust to manage this for you. Update us on Beau when you can.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygang Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Sending well wishes for Beau.... Quote Run free our beloved Sir Snowy, Pip, Queenie, Sadie, Tess & Rosie until we meet again......I would rather feel the thorn than to never see the rose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 Beau saw our regualar vet yesterday for recheck when Teddy has his annual. She stands firm on her diagnosis and said that the reason he might have had a flare during the course of the pred with imuran -- she couldn't explain although he is on a very low dose of pred (30 mg ) right now. However, we didn't do anything but add doxy and (GULP) a shot of metacam that one time and it seemed to resolve. Since he is "OK" (KNOCK WOOD) right now, there is nothing to do. Tomorrow, his labs etc are being sent to the specialist for review. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Lindsay, don't you bring Becky to Angell for her care? (I seem to remember your saying that at some point.) I don't hear of leflumonide being used that often, except for Dr. Sisson (for GME and other inflammatory brain disorders) and the other Angell staff. And Lexi's IM vet in Woburn is also comfortable using it. Yes, Becky went to Angell. We still get her leflunomide from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhndz Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Yes, Becky went to Angell. We still get her leflunomide from there. Me, too -- no one can come close to matching their price. Robin, I'm so glad Beau is better. Everyone in your house could use a little respite right now! i'll be interested to hear what the specialist has to suggest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 Yes, Becky went to Angell. We still get her leflunomide from there. Me, too -- no one can come close to matching their price. Robin, I'm so glad Beau is better. Everyone in your house could use a little respite right now! i'll be interested to hear what the specialist has to suggest. I am interested in what she has to say, however being that things are calm at the moment, I don't want to do anything. Don't you agree? Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ullaluv Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I agree. As long as things are calm, I'd just keep doing what you're doing. Hugs to Beau. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 (edited) My Keno had it. Too lots of tests to finally come up with an answer. I hope Beau continues to do well. Edited March 29, 2009 by galgrey Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm glad to read things are calm for the moment. I think of Beau frequently and hope he gets well soon. Quote Beverly. Missing my happy toy-flinging boy Sammy (Where's Mandrill), (8/12/2009-9/30-2021) Desperately missing my angel Mandy (BB's Luv) [7/1/2000 - 9/18/2012]. Always missing Meg the Dalmatian and Ralph Malph the Pekeapoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhndz Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I am interested in what she has to say, however being that things are calm at the moment, I don't want to do anything. Don't you agree? I think it's great that Beau is feeling good now, after a horrendous couple of weeks. You can catch your breath (and start thinking about your new moo-girl) and not feel pressured into making decisions under fire. It gives you all a little down time, and just as important, time to do your research, and learn about the different types of treatment being used for IBD and IMPA (and the reasoning behind them). See, Robin, the thing about many autoimmune diseases is that they can be unpredictable, and flares can come down fast and furious. The theory behind managing autoimmune diseases has changed over the years from the "stomping out fires" approach (usually involving high doses of steroids when flares occur) to taking a proactive stance, and moderating the immune system to try to prevent flares altogether, and thus avoid the need for steroids (dirty little beasts that they are). I'd not only be interested in hearing the IM vet's recommendations, if I felt she were knowledgeable and her recommendations correlated with what I'd read in the veterinary literature, I'd thank my lucky stars that I'd found a great vet to manage his very complex conditions. And I'd jump on whatever she suggested. Managing autoimmune diseases is a challenging subspecialty, and I to those who do it well. And I've been humbled into not second-guessing them. So although I risk sounding like a stick-in-the-mud, I'd not sit-back-and-wait; if the IM vet reviews Beau's chart and confirms the diagnosis, I'd let her "drive the bus" and tell you how best to prevent any future flares. Just to throw in a personal note (and the reason I'm so passionate about this subject), were it not for my having connected with the right specialists at the right time in 2006, I would likely have lost most or all of my vision in one eye. I would probably have been kept on steroid drops indefinitely, and/or been on oral steroids for a very long time, if not for life. (Yup, an autoimmune disease.) Steroid eye drops generally cause cataracts and/or glaucoma with prolonged use. And long-term oral steroids? Oy. Instead, my care was managed by someone whose goal is "durable remission off all steroids". I went onto methotrexate for 2 years, remained in remission that entire time, and was able to come off it just a few months ago. All without any steroids. No cataracts, no glaucoma, and no loss of vision. You want someone who knows how to get Beau into remission, and keep him there. If this IM vet knows how to do that, give her the keys to the bus. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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