The Specialist vet had asked me to call back and update him on Milo to see how he was doing after changing his diet protein to fish., so yesterday I rang him.
Milo has not done well on it at all and has lost even more weight, he has had more days anemic than not, has been trying to eat soil still and actually snapping and growling at me when I try and remove him from it. He still wants to go for a walk but 15-30 mins lead walk depending on how good a day he is having is all he can manage, an he is exhausted.
So specialist now wants to try him on Atopica along with the Zantac to see if he can tolerate that as he can't have steroids because he reacts badly to them and comes up in mouth and internal ulcers.
I am worried about the Atopica because the vet said it is known to cause tummy upsets but we are now running out of options for him, so have to give it a go.
If it doesn't work, then not sure where we go from here. Opening him up to look for further places he may be bleeding, as well as his inflamed stomach and intestines, where the endoscope couldn't reach is one option he has mentioned, but personally I can't see the point of that as we already know its happening , its why and how to treat it I want to know.

Hi Bev

Sorry to read about Milo.   I can only tell you what I used to do if it helps.

Has your vet tried Aziathroprine as an option to Cyclosporine?  I never tried Cyc because of the side effects. 

Unfortunately their personalities do change,  Billy went from being quite snappy to an absolute honey really, but when Lily had it she went the other way and was a nightmare to everyone but me.

Is Milo eating the Dr Dodd diet - white fish/sweet potato/white potato?

As for eating soil (Pica), Billy used to do this, he used to love licking our tiled floors - they're trying to get nutrients.  I used to give Billy Nutrigel Plus, it's normally given to lactating bitches but it is full of nutrients and vitamins.  It was suggested to me by a gent who also was caring for an AIHA dog, it didn't work wonders but it made him a little more sprightly I think.  Also I used to give a combination of Milk Thistle and vitamin B. 

I never exercised Billy outside of the house/garden at all during his illness due to him having a compromised immune system and vulnerable to infections and then only for a few minutes at a time. 

I have copies of info sheets from Dr Dodds i can send you if you need.

Steph

So sorry bev.

So sorry Bev, I'm new so this is my first read, but my thoughts are with you, sounds like he's in the best hands with you

Hi Bev

Sorry to read about Milo.   I can only tell you what I used to do if it helps.

Has your vet tried Aziathroprine as an option to Cyclosporine?  I never tried Cyc because of the side effects.

Unfortunately their personalities do change,  Billy went from being quite snappy to an absolute honey really, but when Lily had it she went the other way and was a nightmare to everyone but me.

Is Milo eating the Dr Dodd diet - white fish/sweet potato/white potato?

As for eating soil (Pica), Billy used to do this, he used to love licking our tiled floors - they're trying to get nutrients.  I used to give Billy Nutrigel Plus, it's normally given to lactating bitches but it is full of nutrients and vitamins.  It was suggested to me by a gent who also was caring for an AIHA dog, it didn't work wonders but it made him a little more sprightly I think.  Also I used to give a combination of Milk Thistle and vitamin B.

I never exercised Billy outside of the house/garden at all during his illness due to him having a compromised immune system and vulnerable to infections and then only for a few minutes at a time.

I have copies of info sheets from Dr Dodds i can send you if you need.

Steph

Hi Steph,
No he is not eating the Dr dodd diet, but has been on Fish and potatoe although it did have some rice in, so I would like to hear more about the Dr Dodd Diet please, although I do have an inkling fish doesn't suit him very much at all.
I would love to see the info sheets please.
No we havn't tried Aziathroprine, if the cyclosporine doesn't suit him I will mention it to the specialist.
I don't suppose you have any idea how long it takes for the cyclosporine to work and for me to see if there is a difference do you?
Thanks everyone for thier support its much apprreciated as I am so worried for my little man.

Sorry to hear Milo's not improving Bev, I've no advice I can offer but I hope you start to see some signs of improvement very soon.  Poor little guy.

Hi Bev

Echo the others.  Such a shame for little Milo so do hope things improve soon bless him.

Snowflake (Mary)

Hi Bev

I've pm'd you.

I found the "Dr Dodds Diet" very good, Billy loved it.  It's a bit smelly though!!

The Azi takes around 6 weeks to kick in, I've no experience with the Cyclo as I had heard about the side effects but I would think it is about the same.  There has to be weekly blood tests to check other levels as it can knock other things out of kilter but you do see differences in them. Once levels start to stabilise, then your vet will start to reduce gradually and eventually you may just be on a maintenance dosage (or none at all) but this could be a long way off yet - don't rush anything.  In a way you are fortunate that Milo is no good with steroids as these can cause real problems in long term use. 

Billy took zantac with his azi but it didn't really agree with him so I gave him a cheaper own brand one and he was ok on that.

Watch for any changes in wee and poo and tell your vet if you see anything different at all in Milo, you will become a pain in the bum basically, but sometimes it is important.

Try to treat Milo as normal as possible, try not to stress too much (easier said than done I know only too well).

Steph

He told me he may get dire rear but he wanted me to work through that and keep him on them and hopefully it will eventually subside.
He didn't say anything about weekly blood tests though he just asked me to ring him back with an update in 2-3 weeks time.
Not so sure I am happy with this.

Been wondering how things were going for you and Milo and am so sorry to hear things aren't more encouraging.  Must be so hard for you to know the right way forward.  My thoughts are very much with you.