Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - cocos new meds

Well everyone we just got back from the vet...not so good news. while we won't have her full blood work back until tomorrow, her hct came back at 14 down from 49 on the 18th. Her vet has started her on 20 mg of predisone 3x a day, 1 gr carafate 3x a day, 15 mg ranitidine 3x a day and 50 mg of azathioprine once a day. He is very concerned that the hct is down so much considering she has been on the predisone. Although they are closed tomorrow he is going to call with the results from the blood work so we can see if we are on the right track and she is also being seen again on Sat morning. Wish us luck everyone.

kelly redding

Hi Kelly Thanks for sharing your update. Did your vet mention a blood transfusion for Coco? My dog Millie had a blood transfusion when her PCV was 14. It will buy Coco time for the meds to kick in. Aza can take up to 6 weeks. Dogs dont have to be cross matched on their first transfusion so that made it easy for Millie as the vet's dog was the donor. 14 is very low and a blood transfusion is something I would urgently discuss with my vet if I was you. Good luck Samantha and Millie.

Samantha Geelong Australia

I would STRONGLY urge you to take Coco back in tomorrow for another check. With a PCV that low there is very very little room to play with. Many doctors would consider this low enough to need a transfusion. Are you sure they got that number correct? Seems like a very large drop in a short period of time. PLEASE keep a good eye on COCO today and tonight. If you think at all he's getting worse then don't wait....get him to an emergency vet ASAP. Let us know if we can help at all. Coco will be in my thoughts and prayers tonight. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hi again Kelly Forgot to ask what Coco's platelet count was? Has your vet discussed the possibility that Coco could have internal bleeding? Or does she now have Evans Syndrome? I second what Johnny said. My dog Millie dropped from a PCV of 48 to 14 in 3 days. At that rate of RBC destruction, we would have lost her if we didnt transfuse. There was simply not enough time to wait for the meds to fully kick in. Sam

Samantha Geelong Australia

Hello everyone, It is a big drop and he did bring up the possibility of Evans disease. It was on the 18th of Dec.that her hct was at 49 so hopefully its not dropping insanely fast. The results from the full blood panel won't be ready until tomorrow,they are actually closed but he is going to call me with the results anyway and she has an appt first thing Sat morning. If the results are too horrible he will probably admit her. I did bring up a blood transfusion but he told me that at this point to introduce fresh blood in might set off her immune system even more,does this sound right? So for today she is on inceased pred(she only weighs 37 lbs now)two diffferent stomach protectants(her intestinal track is inflamed) and has started the 50 mg of aza. Please keep us in your prayers.

kelly redding

Hi Kelly A transfusion would buy you time. That destruction is still very fast and like Johnny said, that PCV gives you little room to move. Dogs essentially get their first transfusion for 'free' in that they dont have to be cross matched with the donor dog. Any subsequent transfusions would have to be though. The blood transfusion saved Millie's life. I personally dont see how this could do more damage to Coco right now. It will mean she has more see blood cells and though she may continue to destrmy them, the meds should kick in soon. Sam

Samantha Geelong Australia

Hi Samantha, When her new vet calls with the lab results tomorrow I am going to insist on the transfusion, like you said at least it will buy her more time. Do you happen to know what they charge for something like that?

Kelly redding

Kelly, Transfusions for dogs are not necessarily as easy as they are for humans. So the cost can be variable. A small clinic that only does them once in a while and uses a clinic donor dog might charge around $300. A fancy 24 hour facility might charge upwards of $800 or more for an emergency visit. As Samantha said, the first transfusion is "free" for dogs. This simply means that, for the most part, their body is able to accept another dog's blood type and generally will not have a reaction to the blood type. However, once they have this first transfusion, they do begin to develop antibodies that will increase the risk of a complication with the second transfusion. Dogs have the possibility of having about 11 different blood type combinations. Second and third transfusions must be typed and crossmatched to ensure that there won't be a transfusion reaction. Some clinics use a type of universal donor blood type that can be stored, similar to the way humans donate their blood. One not-for-profit organization, Hemopet.org, provides this type of blood around the world and can arrange for shipping. If your vet needs blood and doesn't know where to get some over the holidays, have them call Hemopet.org to see if they can obtain it. Here is the website: http://www.hemopet.org/products.html Here is the contact info: HEMOPET CANINE 11330 Markon Drive, Garden Grove, CA 92841 ( Phone (714) 891-2022 Fax (714) 891-2123 California Biologics License #84 Hemopet@hotmail.com www.Hemopet.org You may come across information about a new blood product called Oxyglobin. Information that I have read indicates this may not be particularly safe for dogs who are in hemolytic crisis. If this is offered to you as a possible solution, see if you can avoid this. If, however, there is no choice, make sure that the vet administering this has used this product before and knows what they are doing. A transfusion done properly should take about 2-3 hours under constant veterinary care. There is no pain other than the needle. Many vets will give a shot of antihistamine to avert any possible allergic reactions. This may make the dog sleepy. good luck, i will be thinking about Coco tonight patrice

Patrice NYS

Kelly, I have to agree with what has been posted. I will be keeping you and Coco in my thoughts and prayers. I am somewhat surprised that she is at home with a PCV of 14? That was what my dog was at when she was first admitted to the ER. Keep us posted. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Keep your spirits up and be ready for the big fight! Coco can and will make it through this. We are here for you.

Mardi Northern Calif

Hi Kelly We have similar prices to what Patrice mentioned here in Australia. Compared to what I have spent on treating Millie, the transfusion cost has been small! Patrice's advice is invaluable and we are very lucky that she gives so much time to us on this forum. Her advice really helped inform me when Millie was diagnosed. All the best and we are thinking of you and Coco. Sam

Samantha geelong Australia

Just wondering how COCO is doing. Has the results came in yet? Prayers and best wishes. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hi Kelly My prayers best wishes also to you and Coco - hope she is doing ok, and those numbers start to rise. Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

Hello everyone....Happy New Years Day!! Coco and I are still waiting for the vet to call,did I mention I found her a new vet,a Dr. Johnson at Dana Park Vet clinic. He's the one who prescribed the new doses. Coco is amazing, we spent a quiet New Years Eve at home with the fam and if I didn't know her numbers were so low I would never have thought it. While she is not rough housing with her big buddies(Max a lab rott mix and Tito a pit lab mix) She moves around, wants to eat like a horse and is still drinking plenty of water. I am very hopeful for the New Year and will let everyone know her results when they come in. Did I mention also that you are all an amazing support and I appreciate all your kind words, they have helped so much. Kelly

kelly redding

Kelly, I am glad you went to Dana Park, I have heard great things about them and think they will be on top of this. keep us posted Laurie

Laurie CA

Good news everyone..cocos platelet level is actually up from the 18th from 78 to 99, so its mainly her rbc that are our main worry. Her blood work on her liver came back great as well as her bone marrow productivity. Tomorrow morning we will do another blood test so hopefully they will show improvement in her rbc as well. May all my new found friends and their furry buddies have a great day!

Kelly Redding

Kelly We are glad you got some good news about Coco. I also think the fact that she wants to eat and getting around is excellent news too. We will continue to keep you and Coco in our prayers. Happy New Year! Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile pa

Yay! Im glad the news is good. Happy New Year to you and a tummy rub for Coco. Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

This thread was discussed between 31/12/2009 and 01/01/2010

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