Going down hill - Advice needed

[Archie bean]

Oh this is so awful for you all. I have everything crossed that it will never come to you having to make such a hard decision. As we all know and love the cocker zest for life, it really is such a hard thing to have to think about but if it does eventually come to that, you know your boy better than anyone else and you will know what is the absolute best thing for him, even if that is the worst thing for you. Sending you all lots of positive thoughts and lots of  and 

Absolutely agree.
I'm so sorry things haven't been going so well. Sending lots of positive thoughts and hope that things improve with the new drug. 

[Pearly]

I echo Emma's note above

So very sorry to read that Jethro's current regime is not doing what you all need it to - really hope he turns a corner on the new medication x

[julie1]

Over 40 years ago a dear friend of mine was very, very ill, the medics said her white blood cells were attacking her red blood cells;   In recent years (the past 10 years ) it was discovered that she had severe  LUPUS an autoimmune condition, she is now much better now that they know what they are treating.

I am wondering if your young dog  could have something like this  only because of the blood cells first being thought to be the problem for her.    It may be "clutching at straws" but anything is worth looking into.

Hope you find the answer soon.    Julie.

[8 Hairy Feet]

  I don't really know what
to say

[Poppsie]

So sorry to read this I had hoped things were stabilising, I don't really have any advice but just wanted to send love and say I am thinking of you. 

Wasn't expecting to be reading this Bec's  I can only echo what Ben's mum has said  really hope you can find some meds that will help your boy    x x x

[Geordietyke]

I know first hand what it is like to have a very poorly youngster and I'm also sending you lots of   

[Mudmagnets]

Just want to say how sorry I am to read of about Jethro, no advice but some gentle hugs for you all. I hope his new medication does the trick.

 

[dawn]

What a heartbreaking time. Hopefully the vets at Edinburgh will be able to advice you more. How long will you know if the new drug will work?  I think you are right though,  in that the quality of life for Jethro is also very important. Cockers were born to run wild!

[MacTavish Boys]

Thinking of you and Jethro  and praying, that his new medication does the trick 
Stephanie, George and Hamish xxx

[Sheryl]

Try not to see the addition of another immunosuppressant as a last resort. It's merely an addition to help control what's going on. This is the usual protocol for dogs who cannot manage on steroids alone. They used them with my dog Chloe and it gave us another 7 wonderful, happy years with her. I'm not saying dealing with AIHA isn't a struggle because it does change your life but it is doable.......once the drug regime stabilises things xxx

[Pop-Star]

I too was not expecting to read this
No advice but I am thinking of you and Jethro  , willing his medication to work, and know that you will do what is the very best for him 

[Chocolate Hero]

Thanks everyone for the support it means a lot. We had a nice walk at the beach this evening with fish and chips in the car, Jethro got a sausage so is a very happy dog. Cant say he isn't spoilt.

No news from Edinburgh, The message the vet was saying yesterday made it sound like this is the last option and not to get our hopes up of it working, and to consider the effects on his bone marrow. It wasn't our normal vet though as ours is on holiday. It sounds like they would like to be seeing an improvement either in levels or stability within a couple of months and ween off the steroids if they can. They still sound like aiming for a maintenance dose of one or the other drug is the plan if he takes to it. 

Im still hopeful, husband on the other hand is needing a bit of a push to keep the hope up.

[Ben's mum]

Im still hopeful, husband on the other hand is needing a bit of a push to keep the hope up.

It must be so hard to remain optimistic all the time so I can quite understand it. On COL people who have been here a while will know that while we have seen some sad losses over the years of cockers taken too young  but we have also seen lots and lots of occasions where against all the odds cockers have pulled through from some difficult situations, I am constantly amazed by the fighting spirits of our little cocker dogs and how many times we follow a cockers progress and just see things pick up and improve even when you think it is impossible.  If the power of good wishes and love on here helps recovery then you can rest assured that at the moment it is all coming Jethros way 

[Chocolate Hero]

Just a quick update. Edinburgh have got back to us, the specialist doesn't think the dip is due to the IMHA and is possibly a consequence of the drugs. Were awaiting a full haematology to be able to see for definite what is going off. The other possibility is he has a minor gastric bleed. The specialist wants his steroids reducing as apparently they should have been kept high for so long. We have started a second gut preserver while waiting for the other medication and blood results, apparently his response to drop his blood levels like he has is unusual, with us keeping fairly stable. If we can get the medication reduced and him get back up and stick to the 38% the specialist will be happy with that.

[Lottielove]

I do hope this is the beginning of good news and they can find a level of medication to stabilise him.