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Originally Posted by Lolasmom1211  I've just had a chance to read this thread in full. It makes me very sad to see how both Brandi and Dawn must be suffering.
Just to clarify, a specialist is totally different than a general vet. They see these difficult presentations all the time and know how to deal with them. Seeing a specialist for this problem is no different than a human seeing an oncologist for cancer rather than their family practictioner. The OP could take Brandi to a specialist while on the present antibiotics and steroids and the specialist, most probably, from Dawn's oral history and her vet's records, along with his/her findings, could formulate a better organized plan for this pup than to just "guess and see" which medications and dosages might work. If the present medications are correct and the dosages are what Brandi needs, then Dawn can rest assured that she is doing the right thing. If not, then take the specialists, expert opinion and try that. This certainly seems like a win-win scenario for everyone to me. I don't understand why this would cause anyone added stress. If it were me, this would be the way to alleviate stress.
In light of the fact that AID is a lifetime disease, my thoughts would be that the sooner one figures out the best way to deal with it and it's flare ups, the better off one would be. I know you love your baby - my prayers are with you and Brandi.... |
Yes, and that is what we are trying to do . . it just so happens that during that process of trying to find out the proper dose of the steroids it became apparent that going from 15 to 10 mlg was not enough. Which caused the flair up. She in now on a larger dose of 25mlg including the antibiotics until the flair up is over and than we go back down the to 15 mlg. Once we get her on a regulated dose of steroids we move on to the next best treatment which would include additional medications so that the steroids would not have to be taken on a daily basis. We just haven 't gotten to that point yet.
Update: She is eating, taking meds with no issues. the swelling is not as bad to day as it was on day one.
I also just got of the phone with Dr. Breen's office (
thank you for the link Carolyn) to see if they had any other insight that would help me better understand our options. They confirmed that yes the steroids can cause issue in getting a correct diagnosis if not read by a Dermatophytosis. Plus any ANA blood work would only help in keeping track of the disease as it progresses and would eventually affect her internal organs. We had the blood work done on the third visit to the vets office and it showed only a slight elevation in her kidneys. They also said exactly what my vet said that there are other drugs that can be added to the steroid so that they would not have to be taken as often because of the damage that can be done from prolonged use. They said that they normally subscribe a med called Imuran. Not sure if that was the one that my vet mentioned but more than likely it is.
Speaking with them reassures me that we are on the right track !! We go back in two weeks for a check up.