Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Blood clots??

Our dog, Brandy, was diagnosed with AIHA on May 13th. I wish I knew about this website back then, as it was such a confusing and overwhelming experience. I'm so sorry for everyone who lost their dogs so quickly from this horrible disease. I know that constant stress and anxiety I have experienced since her diagnosis has been overwhelming. Brandy is only 7 years old and had tons of energy and seemed to be doing great, until a day before her diagnosis when she stopped eating. She was diagnosed on the 13th and spent 9 days at the emergency vet. Throughout the majority of her time there, the vet didn't think she would make it. Her PCV had reached the lowest of 9% and she had three blood transfusions. She finally came home on May 22nd, with her PCR at 18%. It has slowly risen since that time and is now stable at 37%. However, this weekend Brandy's gums lost a little color and she started breathing heavier. We took her into the vet for a check on Sunday, when everything looked good. The symptoms continued, so we took her back yesterday. The vet did complete blood work and discovered that they now believe she has a blood clot, although they don't know where. It doesn't appear to be in any major organ, which is good. But she is rehospitalized to receive oxygen and heprin (sp?) to attempt to dissolve the clot. The vet is saying that this may work to dissolve it or it may not. And the blood clotting could just occur one time or it could end up being repetitive due to her medication (currently on prednisone, immuran, prilosec and mirtazapine for appetite). Does anyone have experience with clots and what the likelihood is she will be okay? We felt hope that maybe Brandy was going to beat this horrible disease at least for a while, but now has this secondary problem, which is so discouraging to us. Thanks for all the support and feedback.

Abby PA

Abby, My Molson's treatment also included 1/16th of a baby aspirin to help reduce the risk of blood clots. Something you might want to speak with your doctor about. Know of my thoughts and prayers during this stressful time. Ann Marie

Ann Marie FL

Abby, My dog Tipsi also received heparin for blood clots while she was hospitalized with AIHA. She received her heparin subqutaneously (SQ), which means given under the skin in the form of a shot. Once Brandy is stable enough to go home you may still have to give her injections of the heparin. We had to do this with Tipsi. And once the heparin injections are completed talk to your doctor about baby aspirin as Ann Marie mentioned above. This is also a good way to prevent further clotting. Wishing you and Brandy the best! Layla & Tipsi

Layla Brantley Raleigh

Abby...I am so sorry to hear of this unfortunate turn of events for Brandy. It's a good thing that you all are acting quickly and, with the proper medicinal management, be able to ward off any adverse effects. These poor babies of ours really go through it, but they're stronger than we give them credit for. My Maggie has been touch and go for almost two weeks and seems to have turned a corner. I still am mindful that this disease can rear it's ugly head in other ways (blood clots, long term effects from the med's, infections, etc.), so it will be a constant vigil from here on out. I will be saying a prayer for you and Brandy today. Please keep us posted on how she is doing. God Bless.

Patty T. atlanta

Abby, I am sorry you had to go it alone during the beginning but glad you found this site. I hope that they can get Brandy through this latest set back soon. It sounds like you are both fighters. Keep us posted. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Ca

Thank you all so much for your comments and replies. It is so overwhleming to go through this, as most people haven't heard of AIHA, yet along all its complications. We didn't think she was going to respond the first couple days, but has been stable outside of her oxygen tank for a day. Brandy's oxygen readings are still low (apparrently one measure of if the clots are still there), but she isn't going lower. The vets have her on both heprin and a small dose of aspirin to try and prevent future clots. So we are now waiting to see if she can break up the ones that are already there, as they are affecting her airway and ability to breathe well. But, she is stable for now. The vet said she is cautiously optimistic that Brandy can pull through this episode. There is the possibility of recurrence, but we are just focusing on this episode for now. I feel so bad for Brandy and all her poor body has been through these last few weeks. But she is still happy and cheerful, so we are doing everything we can to help her fight this battle. Thanks again and I'll keep everyone posted. For Patty and Maggie - make sure to keep a close eye on any changes you see at all with Maggie. The vet said the quick time in which we noticed a change with Brandy and got her into the vet's office, might save her. We noticed her gums were a little lighter and she was breathing a little heavier. But vigilance is definitely critical, at least in our experience. Thanks again!

Abby PA

Abby...thanks for the heads up! There is one thing that Maggie did this evening that worried us. She had what I would call a borderline hyperventilating episode. She was panting rather heavily (which I know is a side effect of the prednisone...plus it's terribly hot), but it was more of a heart-racing type of thing. The doctor had given us valium last week when Maggie seemed to be very nervous at the doctors office and I was told to give it to her only when she had these little neurosis episodes. I called him earlier and he said to offer her some food. If it was serious, she wouldn't eat. When I offered her food, she just about bit my hand off. It was the hungriest I had ever seen her. I had fed her twice, earlier in the day. I gave her the valium and now she has calmed down. Not sure what caused this (low blood sugar/hypoglycemia? Atopica or prednisone side effects? Blood-clot - thrombosis?) My vet said to keep an eye on her this weekend and to let him know if there was any change. When Brandy had her blood-clots, did she present to you like she was hyper-ventilating? Any info. you would give me I would appreciate. Thanks so much!

Patty T. atlanta

wishing brandy the best

josh california

PLEASE think about getting aspirin after the clot issue is over, It will need to be compounded. Trooper was on enoxaparin (doggie lovenox) twice a day until she was no longer agglutinating..10 days!!! then on aspirin for at least a month...

Chris Connecticut

This thread was discussed between 24/06/2008 and 04/07/2008

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