I will try to summarize so I don't go all over the place with this.
Two middle aged dogs have chronic, inflammatory challenges (potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, and pancreatitis which have, so far, been well-managed)/
The dogs currently have hydrometra or mucometra (commone in unbred, sexually intact female dogs, risk increase with age).
Vets are concerned this will turn into pyometra, though this hasn't happened before with these dogs.
The dogs are maintained on "chronic antibiotics" using colloidal silver a few times a day (higher dose is given when hormonal issues increase chances pyometra).
Today, a vet injected Alizin a progesterone antagonist and wants to give the balance of the treatment tomorrow. I'm feeling great hesitation and am concerned that today's injection put them at risk.
I didn't know what the drug was- didn't realize it blocks progesterone
Vet said this will keep their uteruses free from inflammation for months. I'm not sure if it means it blocks progesterone for months, or if it blocks it temporarily causing some other effect which results in the end effect of the uterus not being inflamed for monts. I am lost here.
The primary reason for keeping these dogs intact was to reduce inflammation and risk of cancer by keeping progesterone at normal levels. The plan was to remove their uteruses when they were mature to remove risk of pyometra. I had trouble finding a vet to do a hysterectomy (leaving ovaries intact) which seems to be a blessing in disguise, perhaps. The dogs developed inquinal hernias. If we remove the uteruses, there is more chance of bowel or bladder slipping through the opening and causing emergency situations. The uteruses act like a sling in front of bowel and bladder right now. Past hernia repair failed in the one dog, so the vet I consulted with today is concerned furture repairs will fail. The upside to the one dog having a huge hernia, is that most of her uterus is under the skin in her belly region. I can keep an eye on whether or not it's inflamed/infected, to a degree. At this point I am inclinded to leave both dogs intact and just keep managing them with natural anti-inflammatories and allowing their natural progesterone to provide them with protection against certain cancers.
I will feel terrible if a pet died because I didn't act to prevent a situation, but would feel worse if they died because I did. I am not educated enough to understand the consequences of the options before me. I am concerned that the shot they got today may set the more inflamed dog up for worsened pancreatitis and anaphylaxis. Can anyone tell me if these are legitimate concerns, please? Would you go thorugh with the second injection or hold off? My gut tells me to avoid it at this point. It could be an option if they atually develp pyometra, but in this case it seems elective and wrong.
Please, please, please help me out here. I rescue special-case pets knowing I can give them a bettter home than most people since I am willing to take extra steps to manage them in a way that reduces harm to them. I hate when I have these situations where I know my vets disagree with me (not all of them do, BTW, some just say this is over their heads).
Please help me. I don't want to drive 5 hours to the specialist again tomorrow to do harm to these dogs but I don't want to waste the opportunity to help them with the 2nd injection if it is, indeed, harmless. I was told the injections had to be 24 hours apart to work. I hope to hear from some of you soon so I can feel right about my decision.
Thank you so much!
Two middle aged dogs have chronic, inflammatory challenges (potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, and pancreatitis which have, so far, been well-managed)/
The dogs currently have hydrometra or mucometra (commone in unbred, sexually intact female dogs, risk increase with age).
Vets are concerned this will turn into pyometra, though this hasn't happened before with these dogs.
The dogs are maintained on "chronic antibiotics" using colloidal silver a few times a day (higher dose is given when hormonal issues increase chances pyometra).
Today, a vet injected Alizin a progesterone antagonist and wants to give the balance of the treatment tomorrow. I'm feeling great hesitation and am concerned that today's injection put them at risk.
I didn't know what the drug was- didn't realize it blocks progesterone
Vet said this will keep their uteruses free from inflammation for months. I'm not sure if it means it blocks progesterone for months, or if it blocks it temporarily causing some other effect which results in the end effect of the uterus not being inflamed for monts. I am lost here.
The primary reason for keeping these dogs intact was to reduce inflammation and risk of cancer by keeping progesterone at normal levels. The plan was to remove their uteruses when they were mature to remove risk of pyometra. I had trouble finding a vet to do a hysterectomy (leaving ovaries intact) which seems to be a blessing in disguise, perhaps. The dogs developed inquinal hernias. If we remove the uteruses, there is more chance of bowel or bladder slipping through the opening and causing emergency situations. The uteruses act like a sling in front of bowel and bladder right now. Past hernia repair failed in the one dog, so the vet I consulted with today is concerned furture repairs will fail. The upside to the one dog having a huge hernia, is that most of her uterus is under the skin in her belly region. I can keep an eye on whether or not it's inflamed/infected, to a degree. At this point I am inclinded to leave both dogs intact and just keep managing them with natural anti-inflammatories and allowing their natural progesterone to provide them with protection against certain cancers.
I will feel terrible if a pet died because I didn't act to prevent a situation, but would feel worse if they died because I did. I am not educated enough to understand the consequences of the options before me. I am concerned that the shot they got today may set the more inflamed dog up for worsened pancreatitis and anaphylaxis. Can anyone tell me if these are legitimate concerns, please? Would you go thorugh with the second injection or hold off? My gut tells me to avoid it at this point. It could be an option if they atually develp pyometra, but in this case it seems elective and wrong.
Please, please, please help me out here. I rescue special-case pets knowing I can give them a bettter home than most people since I am willing to take extra steps to manage them in a way that reduces harm to them. I hate when I have these situations where I know my vets disagree with me (not all of them do, BTW, some just say this is over their heads).
Please help me. I don't want to drive 5 hours to the specialist again tomorrow to do harm to these dogs but I don't want to waste the opportunity to help them with the 2nd injection if it is, indeed, harmless. I was told the injections had to be 24 hours apart to work. I hope to hear from some of you soon so I can feel right about my decision.
Thank you so much!
