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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Cassies Update
| Just thought we would update the news on Cassies progress to date as it's a while since we last posted. She was at the vets a few days ago for her routine check up and blood test and they did an in house PCV test which came out at 48 which is a tad lower than previously but still well up in the normal range. We have noticed though that when we get the results back from the specialists in Bristol that it shows the level as slightly higher. She continues to amaze us on a daily basis how well she is doing and getting back to her normal self, well as normal as any little girl can be after recent events with this nasty disease. The ciclosporin has now been stopped altogether which is good both for her and our bank balance and she is on 10mg of preds for the next 2 weeks, then its down to 5mg for a while. She really enjoys her walks now an even breaks into a bit of a canter when we are in the woods and she spots a squirrel or a rabbit although she soon realises that it's hard work running so slows down to a fast walk. Her sister Rosie is also noticing the improvement now and plays with her a lot more. Isn't it strange how dogs have this inner knowledge when someone is poorly and they know to back off and leave them alone. Now they both are getting that look of mischief back in their eyes and the house is back to the usual pandemonium when they decide to root out all their toys and spread them around the floor. Just to finish off for now I have a question to ask on a slightly doggie personal level. The one down side to all this is that Cassie seems to have developed terrible wind and trust me it's not pleasant to be around once she starts. It's now costing us a fortune in air fresheners!!!! We assume that its the preds that are doing it but has anyone had a similar reaction from their little ones? Good luck and best wishes to all of you and your babies and take heart that this thing can be beaten. Steve & Sue |
| Steve & Sue Leicestershire UK |
| Steve and Sue, CONGRATULATIONS! You have succeeded! What good owners you are to stick with the treatment and bring Cassie back to good health. You deserve great credit for this! How wonderful to hear about her enjoyment in the woods. I still remember the first day we were able to get Chance to the woods (where we used to go everyday before he got sick) and how amazing it was to watch him run along the trail. I'll bet that all these meds you have had Cassie on have changed her beneficial bacteria in her small intestine. This is the stuff that helps digest our food. When it gets out of whack, food is not digested the way it should be and undigested food goes to the colon (large intestine) where other bacteria have a feast! And they can create some wicked smelling gas. There are a number of things you can do. Your vet might prescribe you metrondiazole to help this small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). We have used this with Chance, it is a relatively safe med. You can also try to add some kind of probiotics to her diet. This is just plain yogurt or kefir (I use both with the dogs). You can buy probiotic capsules, best are the refrigerated ones. I would look at the food you are using right now and see if there is a lot of grains like wheat, corn and soy in it. This stuff is hard for dogs to digest. Matter of fact it's not really good to have this in a dog's diet. Look at the label to see what's in there. If you are not up to cooking a home made diet, ask your vet about prescription food that they might recommend. If you want to try some home cooking, write me privately and I will send you some links to great information about how to get started doing this. My best, Patrice |
| Patrice New York State |
| Hi Patrice, Thanks for your kind words and advice on Cassies little aroma problem. We currently feed her on Pedigree Better by Nature which has a good mix of meat and vegetables and blend this with a little dried mixer. We were also given a great book for Christmas with dozens of recipes which we are working our way through slowly but shes a fussy girl and turns her nose up at some of these culinary delights. Hopefully we will find one soon that does the trick, failing that it's down to the Army surplus store for a couple of gas masks. Seriously though we will run it by the vet next time we go to see if it's a problem. Thanks again. Steve & Sue |
| Steve & Sue s.jardine3@ntlworld.com |
| Just thought we would give a quick update on our little princess Cassie. After her recent routine two weekly blood test we are so pleased to say her PCV levels are staying constant at 44. Phew what a relief!! Every day we notice a change too in that she seems to be regaining her former energy levels and she constantly amazes us with her refound vigour and stamina. One day at a time though, we know that we shouldn't take things for granted. She is still a very cunning little girl though and thinks she can get away with acting the wounded soldier every now and again. A typical example would be getting in the car, when she will hop up on to the back seat with her front legs and then give you a sly look as if to say "OK you can lift me in now please" Strange how that happens when we are looking though because every other time she is quite happy to leap in the car like a bounding springbok. So one thing I would like to share with all those that are posting new threads to this wonderful forum. Take heart and never give up hope because there is light at the end of the tunnel and this thing can be controlled. There is enough knowledge and experience on this site to help you through your darkest hours because between us all we have been there and found the strength to be there for our loved ones in their times of need, through understanding, help and friendship. We may not post that often, partly because we sometimes have problems submitting our message, but nevertheless we read your threads every day of the week. Our thoughts and hopes are with each and every one of you so stay strong and remember one thing. A dog is not just a dog, it is your pet, your friend for life, your loved one, an addition to your family and devoted to you, and as such deserves the same love and attention that any of us two legged beings would expect from each other. When they are ill you care for them, you never give up hope and you give them the best that you have to give. When they come back from the brink.........they know that you were there and that you will be there for as long as they need you. We kept those thoughts for Cassie and she has come through the other side the most loving and wonderful daughter we could ever have wished for. Be strong and be there. Steve & Sue |
| Steve & Sue Leicestershire UK |
| That was absolutely beautiful. My little one is still fighting this dreadful disease but I do see her getting stronger and hopefully one day her pcv levels will be above 20's. But she is my daughter and I will do whatever it takes to make her well again. Congratulations on Cassies continued success. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Evelyn and Daisy |
| Evelyn So Jersey |
| I love this forum, as we can ask anything and get great responses!! Steve and Sue..congratulations on how well Cassie is doing! Yes, the Cyclosporine is EXPENSIVE! We were so happy when Lindy finally got off of it. On another note, I noticed that you said Cassie was on 10 mg of pred for another two weeks and then would be cut to five. Lindy crashed after she was cut back too quickly. We take her to Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine and during the summer months, her treating vet left for private practice in California and we saw two different ones over the next few months. When her current vet, Dr. Bayliss took over in the fall, she expressed concern over the quick reductions. Lindy crashed in October of 2005. When the reductions were once again started, they were once a month and as time went on, every three months. Lindy is currently on 25mg of Azathioprine every other day and off of Prednisone and Cyclosporine. The typical protocol is every 3 to 4 weeks, so do be careful. Patrice, Lindy has had some mucous in her stools, so I bought some plain, active yogurt and after a few spoonfuls, over couple of days, it cleared right up. She is on Neutro Lite and green beans to try to get some weight off and appease her appetite, which has not gone back to her pre-IMHA days. Nancy and Lindy |
| Nancy CO |
| Steve and Sue - thank you. deb and Duck |
| Debbie BC Canada |
This thread was discussed between 12/02/2008 and 09/03/2008
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