Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Anyone with gall bladder experience

This is breaking my heart, Wylie overcome IAHA and Thromboceptemis and has been doing extremely well for being almost 14 years old Tuesday was throwing up so I took her into the vet, her temp was 104 and her white count wasy way up, her ALT was 900 they started her an antibiotics and fluids, yesterday they did an ultrasound that showed something like gallstones, he explained them more like crystals and her gall bladder was very inflamed. They put her on doxycyclene and something called Urosal to try and dissolve the crystals. her fever had dropped to 102 and I brought her home last night and she seemed in good spirits, ate good, but this morning, she looked awful, I took her back to the vet and her temp is back to 104, they are keeping her and doing fluids. I really don't know what I am looking for, just grasping at straws I guess. I also feel so bad because 3 weeks ago she had a mild throwing up episode, they suggested an ultrasoun, and I said no, not going ot do this everytime she has a little hicup. they put her on amoxiccilin and she perked right up. So if I had done the ultrsoudn back then, could I have prevented this. Laurie

Lauire CA

Laurie, I am time pressed today. But here is an excellent article that will explain everything you need to know. If you have questions about what you read, please post them and I will do my best to explain it to you. http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_multi_cholelithiasis my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Patrice, thanks for that link. I just get an udpate her temp is down to 102.50 I am also gin to ask why are they using doxy, since i understand its very disease specific, they put it on her first in case of ticks, but since I think tht is ruled out, maybe it is not working, since her temp is not going down like they want

Laurie CA

Laurie: I'm clueless about gall bladder issues but wanted to let you know we will keep Wylie in our thoughts and prayers. We are always wondering how she is doing/hoping for the best since she and Sheba have such similar histories, are similar ages. Hang in there - we'll be keeping everything crossed and praying like mad. Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

We are including Wylie in our prayers, so sorry to read your news Laurie. Sue and Archie

Sue and Archie Cambs UK

Laurie, I am so sorry that Wylie is having to deal with more problems. I don't have any advice on the gall bladder situation but I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

I'd be wondering about the doxy also! You'd think the amoxy would be a sufficient enough antibiotic for this considering doxy is known to boost the immune system. A liver cleansing diet would also be appropriate for now. Lower fat! I know very little about gallstones/crystals. Haven't even heard of Urosal before! How's Wylie doing today? Getting better? Lots of hugs and prayers from me, Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Thanks for all of your well wishes. The diagnosis is Choelcystitis, basicly sludge in teh gallbladder causing blockage and the vomiting. It has been a roller coaster and will continue to be. She went back in all day for fluids on Friday and will go back tomorrow, She is on something called Ursodial to try and dissolve the sludge, But I think the problem may be too bad for the meds because it can take a ong time to work and if she can't keep anything down, don't know what to do. They would normally remove teh gallbladder, but at her age and her heart murmer, there is little mroe we can do. Johnny, she is eating chicking and rice, the only thing I could find on diet for thsi was for people an it said to stay away from eggs, dairy and oat, all of the things I have been feeding her. Laurie

Laurie CA

Dear Laurie, Please don't blame yourself for anything, how could you have known that the things you fed Wylie could not be good for her. You did the best you could with the knowledge you had at the time. You are really doing all you can, now it is up to Wylie. Try and stay positive! Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Laurie, I looked up Ursodiol and found some rather interesting info! From this site... www.petplace.com/drug-library/ursodiol-actigall-urso/page1.aspx under precautions and side effects: "Do not administer to animals with a history of cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) or with calcified gallstones in the gallbladder." BUT it says that it is often used for gallstones. and here... www.drsfostersmith.com/Rx_Info_Sheets/rx_ursodiol.pdf under precautions: "Ursodiol should be used with caution in animals with complications of gallstones, such as pancreatitis, bile duct obstruction, or inflammation of the gallbladder or bile ducts (cholecystitis and cholangitis)." Might be worthwhile talking to the vet about this just to make sure. Have you considered consulting with a TCVM? A herbal solution might be rewarding for cases like this! Might be worth checking into?? I'd assume lots of fresh water would help and the IV fluids probably help more than anything! Hopefully the meds will help this to resolve in the coming week or so. I'll be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Laurie Please know that we will be saying a special prayer for Wiley. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Johnnie, thankyo so much for that info on the Ursidoil, I have a message in to my vet

Laurie CA

This thread was discussed between 17/12/2010 and 20/12/2010

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