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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Coco - cocker diagnosed with IMT
| Hi guys I wonder if anyone can help - my beloved dog Mo is recovering (fingers crossed!) from AIHA and now our best friend's gorgeous cocker Coco has just been diagnosed with a severe case of IMT. She has been in hospital since last week, and is having her second transfusion today but the steroids haven't yet stopped the bleeding - does anyone have a timescale in which this happens? From my experience with AIHA, I know it can take a while but I was wondering if it is different with IMT. Also I have read about another treatment for IMT - Vincristine - which is injected. Does anyone know if this is effective? My best friend is as lost and desperate as I was when Mo was diagnosed, and I want to help her through it as best as I can. Thanks ever so Diane |
| Diane diane_wehrle@yahoo.co.uk |
| Hi Dianne: What is the dogs platlet count ... and is it dropping. Is there any bleedin or bruising .... that is the most important thing to watch for. If the plalets are really low the dog should be getting regular ultrasound monitoring to check on internal bleeding. The dog needs to be kept calm and in an environment where it cannot injure or bruise itself. From what I understand ITP can be treated more successfully than IMHA. I assume the transfusion was with platlet rich blood. The unfortunate thing is that platlets die rather quickly after transfusion. Vincristin is a chemotherapy drug which makes the marrow release platlets more rapidly. I think vincristin is used when there is a very severe diagnosis, as there is a possibility of harmful side-effects, although I don't know any statistics ... it would be worth inquiring withthe treating vet about this medication if the situation is dire and if they are not familiar with providing this treatment ... I would ask them to speak with a vet familiar with this illness or oncology as they would be familiar with this treatment. I hope Coco starts to show a turn around soon. |
| Elaine Ottawa |
| Hi Elaine Thanks for the reply - I don't know Coco's platelet count but her pcv is only about 15 and she is still bleeding a little. They are also concerned about a clot in her bladder that they want to remove, but can't do it until she is stable. I thought that I had read that IMT is more treatable than IMHA - having got a dog with IMHA (diagnosed in March) but who seems to be pulling through, it is a comforting thought for my friend. Take care Diane |
| Diane Milton Keynes |
| Hi Diane: It sounds like the dog has Evans Syndrome as the PCV is also very low. This is when IMHA and ITP are occuring simutaneously. This would certainly make things more complex. I guess the good news is that the same medications are used to treat both conditions. |
| elaine ottawa |
This thread was discussed between 01/08/2011 and 04/08/2011
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