Discussion
Jasandjules said:
R300will said:
I have a very open mind about medicine because i am still learning new and exciting things almost every day, i was only joking with you.
Glad to hear it. And also ask your professors how much money is made from vaccinations etc.. Usual rules re: follow the money apply!?!? I would say also that medicine has been found to be one of the most corrupt professions by some independent reports IIRC, I so hope that vets are different!And yes, I apologise, right now I am awfully touchy because my beloved dog has bone cancer and frankly I am just basically waiting for the time to make the call. So I am a most unhappy camper.
I think vets are different, we like to distance ourselves from the medics because they only have to know 10% of the stuff we do, and dentists? don't get me started
Jasandjules said:
She was 12 in January. She's had cancer since just after her 12th birthday.
So worrying. Amazing that you've managed to fight it for this long already. I hope she has many more months yet. I've seen dogs on chemo do really well and gain a year they otherwise wouldn't have had.bexVN said:
So worrying. Amazing that you've managed to fight it for this long already. I hope she has many more months yet. I've seen dogs on chemo do really well and gain a year they otherwise wouldn't have had.
She is being treated purely by homeopathy. We decided that she had been through too much in her life (3 major ops) to put her through anything more.I hope she has too (hell, I hope we can beat it) but frankly every now and again I wonder whether it is kinder to let her go. But then she jumps up and is all excited and rushing to the kitchen (at a speedy limp) to get food etc.. and trying to push past the other two. The vet is happy with her quality of life but I am not.
I'm not suggesting chemo for her. Most dogs tolerate it very well but they need to like the vets. I just meant it can be amazing how well animals can do compared to expectations. Knowing the time can be the hardest of things.
Op sorry for the thread derailment but I'm sure you'll understand. Hope your four legged friend is feeling better.
Op sorry for the thread derailment but I'm sure you'll understand. Hope your four legged friend is feeling better.
bexVN said:
Op sorry for the thread derailment but I'm sure you'll understand. Hope your four legged friend is feeling better.
No Worries, It is interesting to read the info about homeopathic medicine, We have had recomended Chris Day as a complimentary speciallist, aparrently he works wonders with horses. http://www.alternativevet.org/As for scepticism, I do find it difficult to believe that the more you dilute a drug with water, the more effective it becomes. Also the name that science gives to Alternative Medicine that is proven to work, is,,, Medicine.
However, as things stand with Basil.
He is not much better, We have been prescribed Virbac Cortavance steriod spray, untiol they can create the specific alergens he needs, and in the meantime we are doing walks away from grass, as much as possible, but this is cruel. as all he wants to do is be of lead and beagle his way round teh park,field.
He is still scratching and managed to draw blood, so the steriod spray stings him. Its all a bit nasty at the moment.
As for Petplan, They have recieved the claim, and are chasing the vet for more info before agreeing the claim. Grr Bloody Insurance.
Jasandjules said:
bexVN said:
I'm surprised, we rarely get a problem with insurance for this sort of thing!
I thought as a general rule if a vet says it is necessary then an insurer will pay out!??! Certainly we've never had problems with whatever the vet has said the animals need.OP if the Cortavance spray isn't doing the job, might be worth asking the vet for steroid tablets instead. Long-term they will have side effects but in the short term whilst your waiting for the allergy vacs to get sorted should give your dog some relief from the itching.
Jasandjules said:
I thought as a general rule if a vet says it is necessary then an insurer will pay out!??! Certainly we've never had problems with whatever the vet has said the animals need.
Insurer's usually want the animal's clincal history to make sure the condition didn't exist either before the policy was taken out or within the time frame required for claims to be initiated. Either something may be unclear in the clincal notes or they want to see more clincal history, Petplan are normally good about paying out for claims.gd49 said:
Insurer's usually want the animal's clinical history to make sure the condition didn't exist either before the policy was taken out or within the time frame required for claims to be initiated. Either something may be unclear in the clinical notes or they want to see more clincal history, Petplan are normally good about paying out for claims.
Yes This is understood, but he has been insured with them since a pup, and this is our first claim through them. I just hope it is a formality, although our vet has been great, and she will give all the help we need to get Petplan onside. But I am hoping that this is just a formality, as you say, to check clinical history. as for steroid tablets, she advised against them, because he had been quite sick, and not interested in food the lead up to the last visit. All as a result of antihistamines, infected scratches, and making himself ill with constant scratching. Although it is absolutely worth asking again.
We have a trip down to my brother planned for the weekend, and he has a boat in Hythe Marina, so plenty of chance for salt water and coastal walks with less grass.
As ever, all your posts and suggestions are all valued, and bex, thank you for your advice, as if anything it just offers a 2nd opinion to our Vet, as every stage so far you have 2nd guessed the advice of our Vet.
I would definitely ask about steroids again even just a short course, some vets are almost phobic about steroids (especially the young ones) it's good to be cautious with them but they have there place and could be worth a try unless they are worried that he is immune suppressed (haematology bloods would tell them if he is or not).
I have to clarify that I'm not a vet and it is not my place to say what your vet should or shouldn't be px for him esp over the internet but I do feel double checking is a good idea.
I have to clarify that I'm not a vet and it is not my place to say what your vet should or shouldn't be px for him esp over the internet but I do feel double checking is a good idea.
bexVN said:
I have to clarify that I'm not a vet and it is not my place to say what your vet should or shouldn't be px for him esp over the internet but I do feel double checking is a good idea.
It's fine, when I have compared your advice to my vets, I was not insinuating your info was being treated as clinical advice. It is just nice to be able to hear from someone that clearly knows their onions that our vet was not leading us down a path that would net them the most funds from my ever increasing insurance premiums. Update.
Steroid injection and a course of Tablets too. Dexadreson and 20 mg of prednecare a day.
Hopefully the allergens will be made up by end of next week. The injection was 9 am today and he is already noticeably less itchy. I know its only masking the issue but for now, this is more important than anything. the poor bugger was beginning to draw blood from top of paws, and armpits.
Blurry phone pic.
Steroid injection and a course of Tablets too. Dexadreson and 20 mg of prednecare a day.
Hopefully the allergens will be made up by end of next week. The injection was 9 am today and he is already noticeably less itchy. I know its only masking the issue but for now, this is more important than anything. the poor bugger was beginning to draw blood from top of paws, and armpits.
Blurry phone pic.
Jasandjules said:
Poor little camper. I hope you can narrow down what he is allergic to soon and get it fixed.
I think his results came back as grass, pollens etc, hopefully the injection being made up for him will settle him long term but they take a while to kick in and there is always a risk of flare ups peak season even with the injections.OP I relly hope Basil feels more comfortable soon, so distressing for him and distressing for you to watch.
OP just realised that Basil has been px 20mg Preds, that's a fairly decent dose, I assume that's just for a couple days or so then you start lowering it (usually what happens).
You may see side effects such as panting, increase appetite (which may be good in his case) drinking more, weeing more and possibly some lethargy.
If the side effects are really noticeable, (ie having accidents in the house because he's weeing more) then let your vets know and they may need to alter the dose.
You may see side effects such as panting, increase appetite (which may be good in his case) drinking more, weeing more and possibly some lethargy.
If the side effects are really noticeable, (ie having accidents in the house because he's weeing more) then let your vets know and they may need to alter the dose.
Have you considered other factors. Stress is a common reason for doing what your dog is doing. It sounds odd, as what do they have to be stressed about? For example Our collie went through something similar when we were expecting our first child. We changed where he slept. The dog was on a herbal relaxant, and it cleared up in a month or so?
Has anything changed recently such as food, environment? could be something as simple as a plugin air freshener, where the dog sleeps etc?
Has anything changed recently such as food, environment? could be something as simple as a plugin air freshener, where the dog sleeps etc?
gmasterfunk said:
Have you considered other factors. Stress is a common reason for doing what your dog is doing. It sounds odd, as what do they have to be stressed about? For example Our collie went through something similar when we were expecting our first child. We changed where he slept. The dog was on a herbal relaxant, and it cleared up in a month or so?
Has anything changed recently such as food, environment? could be something as simple as a plugin air freshener, where the dog sleeps etc?
Yip, we explored lots before going down the blood samples route, and had various conversations with the Vet about dietry changes, or but the results from the blood tests were prety conclusive. He is alergic to grass and trees. Has anything changed recently such as food, environment? could be something as simple as a plugin air freshener, where the dog sleeps etc?
As for the current situation, we have dropped the sterroids down to 2 tabs a day, and the scratching is so much better, He has'nt scratched since saturday evening. As such the wounds are healing nicely and he is 100% more comefortable.
However he is pi$$ing like a raehorse, and will regularly (6/7 times)throughout the day drain atleast a pint of water, and gush another out.
We were warned about this side effect so all is good, its just when he needs to go, he REALLY needs a wee, so there have been a few accidents while he is waiting for us to unlock the patio doors at 3am. but in balance, he is comefortable.
Petplan have agreed the claims so we are good to go as soon as the lab can create the allergen injections. Having said that. with the lovely damp weather, combined with steroids, he is no-where near as bad.
Edited by Flat6er on Friday 8th June 10:12
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