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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Brandy & Evans Syndrome
| My 10 yr old Akita was diagnosed with Evan's Syndrome(AIHA & IMTP) on July 22. Her past medical hx includes arthritis of spine and front legs, right rear leg ACL repair 2 yrs ago and low level hypthyroism (on meds). We thought her recent low level of activity was due to aging and arthritis. She also had developed a small sebacious cyst on her Right rear leg that periodically was breaking open and bleeding more than I was comfortable with. Before getting the cyst cauterized by the vet, I insisted on a CBC and bleeding time. I was shocked to learn of her critical platelet count of 21K and took her to the emergency clinic for further eval with xrays, ultrasound and labs. THe results were shocking, as I learned she had a HCT of 35 and low platelets. She was placed on 90 mg of Prednisone twice daily, 400 mg of Doxycycline twice daily and Immuran 100 mg once daily. 2 days later her HCT dropped to 29 but platelets were 46K. She was very tired and weak but eating and drinking well. The next 5 days her energy was better despite her grey/white gums. Labs were repeated one week and HCT was 27 with plt of 312K. but the trip to the vet nearly killed her from the effort of it all even though it was quick and efficient there, the car ride, etc was bad and I thought I would lose her that night. Since then she has rallied some and looks a bit better. HOW DO YOU ALL DEAL WITH THE FREQUENT TRIPS TO THE VET?? Need help and support here. I am ever so grateful for finding this web site and all of you for support to see we are not alone. And the cloud-net success stories are awesome and I just couldn't survive this terrible time without them, even though I can see my case didn't start out as bad as many of the others. I want to shout to the world to believe in your instincts when you think something is wrong and ask your vet to do testing. God Bless all of you as we go through these trying times. |
| sharon pa |
| Very sorry to hear, I am praying for Brandy...keep the faith! |
| josh california |
| Sharon, It sounds like Brandy is a tough old bird, and she's weathered alot of challenges. Hang in there, there are many ups and downs. We are only about a week ahead of you in our diagnoses, and it's unbelievably scary. I know the trips to the vet are really hard, we had to carry Tiggs for the first week because he was too tired to walk. But, it's important to go, as we all know. We just ask for blankets and pads so that Tiggs could lay down as soon as we got there, and we always insist that we stay with him. Good luck, keep the faith, and keep hope! Melissa |
| melissa slc |
| So sorry your Brandy has been diagnosed with Evans Syndrome. My Sierra also has Evans. It can be quite an up and down especially in the beginning (It's been over 5 years for us). Are/were car rides always stressful for her? or is this something new? The only thing I can think of really is a maybe a mild tranquilizer. I have sometimes used Rescue Remedy with my other pets with some mixed success. You might want to look into T-Touch. It is really quite simple to use. There are a couple of books and and DVDs http://www.lindatellingtonjones.com/productsBooks.shtml. If you are not driving Brandy by yourself, maybe you could do some of the touches while you are in the car with her on the way. Or if you are driving her by yourself, maybe try 10-15 minutes of touches before going and then again when you are waiting in the vets office. It works very well for Sierra when we are waiting in the vet's office to soothe and relax her (she doesn't have a problem going to the vets, but does have attitude about any new dog that walks in the door). The Success stories helped me be positive and hopeful, especially in the first frightening months of this. Good thoughts and prayers for Brandy. |
| Ronda So Cal |
| thanks Ronda........will look into the touch info Brandy loves the car but does have some hx of anxiety with different experiences. The problem last week was one of overexertion with the 45 min drive and then the lab draw and exam which were all done in 45 min at the office but by the time I got home she was a mess and so was I watching her breathe like a freight train. I have used Calm Caps in the past which seem to work well, but was afraid to use them now and complicate matters. They are basic and have valerian root extract. passion flower extract, tahitian Kava Kava Root Extract. I just don't want to interfere with plt or blood tests, etc. thanks again to all who participate in this website and make this all bearable knowing there are "friends" out there who care as much as I do. |
| sharon pa |
This thread was discussed between 04/08/2008 and 06/08/2008
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