Canine Vasculitis and Pentoxifylline-need advice

[dottiesyrky]

So far so good! She will probably be ok with the drug now, and I agree with LJ, give her the increased dose as the vet says. Hope Jenna is improving with the meds and that the diagnosis and treatment will make her well soon.
Even though it is a holiday, please don't worry as your vet will still be available to help if need be.
As for the sucralfate, it never occurred to me to just add water to the pill portion. I am sure the instructions were to crush first and then add water. Now we know. LOL! Hope your baby will not need it.

[Jenna AK]

Oh she's been on the sucralfate again now for the last few days. The vet wants to be sure we keep her tummy happy during the pentox therapy,oddly enough it can cause nausea and vomiting, so it may be what's given her these gagging episodes. She seems to be doing okay with that today though, not as many as yesterday. I think giving it two hours before any other med or food has made a difference.
Poor thing. Any time I eat something her nose is in the air. I have to have food away from her so she doesn't get tempted to poke her snoot into anything she shouldn't have.
Is the skin healing where the rash is if it's starting to peel off? She seems to have a bit more of this every day now. It really resembles a sunburn, not something one would expect.

[dottiesyrky]

I am sorry, I knew you were thinking of giving the sucralfate but did not know that you had definitely decided to. It will hopefully stop the new meds affecting her tummy. It was very effective when I gave it to my baby! With no side effects luckily, and now you seem to have the timing adjusted, she will hopefully be ok too. Poor baby, not being able to taste the lovely people food she smells. But the good news is, at least she has interest!
I know nothing about this nasty disease and cannot comment on the skin lesions. We just pray that the rash will go away and the skin heal, as it does with human sunburn. Wishing Jenna and you well and a peaceful night.

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by Jenna AK

Oh she's been on the sucralfate again now for the last few days. The vet wants to be sure we keep her tummy happy during the pentox therapy,oddly enough it can cause nausea and vomiting, so it may be what's given her these gagging episodes. She seems to be doing okay with that today though, not as many as yesterday. I think giving it two hours before any other med or food has made a difference.
Poor thing. Any time I eat something her nose is in the air. I have to have food away from her so she doesn't get tempted to poke her snoot into anything she shouldn't have.
Is the skin healing where the rash is if it's starting to peel off? She seems to have a bit more of this every day now. It really resembles a sunburn, not something one would expect.

It sounds like things are a little better for Jenna. Keeping her in my prayers today.

[Verbena]

I am so sorry to hear she is sick. Good thoughts and blessings to you both

[SusieQ36305]

So sorry you and Jenna are going through all this. Maybe this is the right meds for her condition. Thinking and praying for you both.

[bobohyde]

Originally Posted by Jenna AK

Thanks so much everyone.
Boy do I feel like a dumb cluck...what on earth kept me from doing the sensible thing of just adding the water instead of smacking it to break it down? >_<
Sometimes the obvious is just....not. (headdesk)
As of this evening, dr. wants me to up her dosage to the .8 ml twice a day. Very nervous about doing that, but he feels we need to get this therapy ramped up. We were supposed to wait for four days of dosing at the .4 mls.
All on a holiday weekend too. *sigh* I would hate for her to suddenly react overnight. Is it likely she might have a problem after only two days of treatment so far or has she had enough at the low dose so that she should tolerate the higher one? Or can it wait till morning do you think?

Just looking for opinions, not trying to cause controversy.

Columbo's sucralfate is dissolved in water. The vet's office told me warm water works best. I always use filtered water from the frig, which is chilled, so I would drop the half tablet in the prescribed 6mil of water 30 to 45 minutes before it was time to give it. It was always dissolved when it was time to use it. All I had to do was shake it up, put it in the syringe and give it to him. His directions say at least 2 hours after a meal and at least 1 hour before a meal.

[kimp5]

how did our girl do for easter?

[Jenna AK]

Thanks so much for asking.
She's done pretty well on the higher dose of pentox, but is a little shaky this evening. I know this stuff can give dogs a good case of nerves so I'm hoping she's simply adjusting to the new amount.
Her appetite is also increasing. And to smell food cooking for the family definitely agitates her. We might have to give her a bit more of her kibbles than the doctor prescribed just to keep her happy.
She's also starting to walk some distance again. All the way to the end of the street tonight. A few days ago she could hardly toddle around the front yard.
The rash seems to be dissipating more. Her leg where the IV went in is much improved. I will probably be checking in with the vet office tomorrow to see if there's anything else we need to do, but I am optimistic. Taking it one day at a time.
I hope everyone else had a lovely Easter Sunday.

[dottiesyrky]

Thanks for the update. It sure is looking good on many fronts, the rash, appetite, and ambulation are all improving. You must be happy with the progress and more comfortable with the vet, diagnosis and treatment. It seems like the higher dose of Pentox is reasonably tolerated and working, and i am sure the shaky symptom will decrease in time. So dear Jenna is getting better and we pray she is healed very soon. So less worries for you now and you can now look forward to a recovery and less vet visits for more tests and diagnoses.
Take care both of you and get well soon Jenna baby.

[Lisa and Pic]

Your update sounds positive for Jenna!

[bobohyde]

Wow! That is such good news! I've been so worried about poor little Jenna. Hoping her improvement continues.

[ladyjane]

So happy to hear that Jenna is improving!

[AllDogBoots]

I've been reading this thread but haven't been able to offer any input. I'm so glad to hear Jenna is improving. I know this is so hard for you. Keep up the great work taking care of her.

[kimp5]

How's Jenna?