VetNet®
VetNet® AIHA discussion forum
VetNet® Forum
Lifelong Learning Network
www.vetnetlln.ac.uk
Veterinary Recruitment
Premier Partner Program
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Could use some experienced thoughts
| Hi, This is my first post but I've read some of your other comments and appreciate all the help they've been. Here is a brief synopsis of our golden, Deja Vu's plight. Her litter mate, Karma, died last Nov of what is believed to be a ruptured tumor on her spleen. It was sudden and a shock to all of us. Deja took it hard as Karma was her alpha. Deja developed skin problems from stress and was put on medication to cure the demodex. We believe now that medication may have done damage to her immune system. She was taken off the medication due to side affects. In February, we found a small mammary gland tumor and it was removed. Her prognosis was very good. The latter part of April, she started acting very sluggish on her walks. She would try to play frisbee or ball but after one attempt she would lie down. I checked her gums and found them to be very pale. Took her in to a specialist and found her PCV at 11%. As with many of the other dogs listed in this forum, she was given 2 blood transfusions and put on prednisone and cyclosporine. Her blood count stayed around 32%. The doctor wanted to lower the steroids in July because of the side effects. After 1 month of lower doses her PCV went to 25%. The vet has since switched her to Azathrioprine and prednisone (higher dose again). Her PCV has stayed the same. She also put her on a drug used for blood pressure (Enalapril). It is supposed to help her kidneys which are now showing signs of distress. Her urine sample has high protein levels. I have started taking her to a holistic vet also. She is working with stresses in Deja. I am a firm believer in the mind/body connection. Everyday, Deja is different. On the higher doses of meds, I see her being dopy and always hungry. When she is on lower doses she actually seems more happy but her PCV levels come back lower. I only want what is best for her. She and her sister were therapy dogs for many years and have given much joy to others in need. I want her quality of life to be good not just surviving. I had hoped we would see improvement by this time. How long does it take? When does one decide the drugs/side effects are just getting to be too much for our dogs? I feel now we are giving one drug just to combat the side effects of another. Thanks for you time and listening to me wonder. Debra |
| Debra Hanley USA |
| Debra, Have you gone to the "Meisha's Hope" website and read the information there, including the Success Stories? You will find a wealth of information there. While I am not the most experienced pet owner on this forum it seems to me that your Deja has not been on the meds for very long and it is important that she remain on the Prednisone, etc. long enough and at high enough doses to stabilize her PCV and then reduce her doses. One of the common issues I have seen since my dog Barkley was diagnosed, particularly with vets less experienced with IMHA, is that the Prednisone levels are decreased too quickly and/or are not at high enough doses to begin with to really do the job. Some of the other meds can take six weeks or more to even begin to have an impact (look for some of Josh's postings about his dog Sway). Since you are looking holistically you might also review some of the information on Dr. Dodd's website about thyroid issues with IMHA dogs. Her website is the "Hemopet" website. Hope this is helpful. Please make sure that Deja has an experienced IMHA vet (an internal medicine specialist with IMHA experience). We're all behind you both with warm healing thoughts. Cheryl (and always Barkley) |
| Cheryl Medford |
| Debra, I don't have much to add to Cheryl's suggestions except it seems there is no clear cut answers to any of your questions. What works for some does not work for others. I think you have to go with your gut instinct on a lot of this. We all know our own dogs and often sense things that no doctor sees. The important thing is having a specialist you feel comfortable with and reading and learning as much as you can. Keeping you and Deja Vu in my thoughts and prayers. I am also sorry about your loss of Karma. Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
This thread was discussed between 25/09/2008 and 27/09/2008
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) forum index
This thread is from the Vetnet archive. The live Vetnet forum is active now.
