The amyloids which end up being deposited in the kidneys, liver, etc., and end
up harming the organs and causing them to be damaged, those amyloid proteins
are most likely released with the fevers. The hope was that the colchicine,
which lessens the fevers, would slow the depositing of these amyloids.
I've known some dogs that lived lives of a good length, but there is no way to
know for sure if the colchicine extended the life or not.
And I've known dogs that died of amyloidosis that never had a fever.
Nothing is definitive. My personal rule of thumb is that if the dog is having
frequent fevers I will use colchicine, just to give the dog a higher quality of
life for whatever the length. But if the dog has a fever every 10 months or
year and half or so...I don't give the drug. Just my personal experience.
Karen Kleinhans
Kasu Shar-Pei since 1982
Illinois, USA
Colchicine was the only medication available to hopefully buy the dog
some extra time and a better life during that time. But the DMSO and
holistic meds seem to be doing a much better job of it.
At this point, there is no cure for this, but hopefully these treatments
can give the dog a better quality of life if not a longer life
Judi