Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Daisy - low RBC & low PLT - help

Daisy is my little girl; she is an 8 year old Cocker Spaniel and was first diagnosed with IMHA in 2004. After 3 blood transfusions and Prednisone, we were able to get it into Remission. But unfortunately this terrible thing reared its ugly head again in 2007 and once again my strong little girl was able to over come it. Then about 2 months or so she seemed to not be herself so I took her to the vet and she had a body infection that the vet thought was stemming from her anal glands. We put her on antibiotics but they didn’t seem to work so the vet suggested have her anal glands flushed which would have to be done under anesthetic. So of course they did blood work before the treatment and her blood came back with "0" platelets so they didn’t do the procedure. The vet diagnosed her with ITP and put her on 50mm of prednisone a day. I took her 2 weeks ago and her platelets were at 82K but normal is 175K so we continued with the 50 mm of prednisone. Well I just got back from the vet and my baby is falling apart, now her PLT is down to 52 and her RBC is starting to crash. I am calling a specialist in the morning but in the mean time I can’t find anything regarding both low RBC and low PLT. Can anyone help? Things are going down hill fast and I am so very scared for my little girl. Thank you Tina

Tina Ohio

Dear Tina, I am so sorry to hear that you and Daisy are going through this for the third time. Immune destruction of red blood cells and platelets is known as Evans Syndrome. You will need to treat this with the same doses of medication that you would use to treat IMHA alone. You will need to make sure Daisy doesn't bump herself, as this may result in internal bleeding that will be difficult to get under control. Generally speaking, it is easier to get the platelet destruction under control over the red blood cell destruction. Do you think Daisy could be bleeding internally which is causing the low red blood cell count? Please keep us posted on Daisy's progress. Thinking of you, Sam and Millie.

Samantha Geelong Australia

Tina, I'm sorry to hear about Daisy. My boy Tiggs has battled both IMHA and ITP, but in our case the IMHA was first, then a year and a half later the ITP came on. But, Samantha is right, it's called Evan's when simultaneous, and it's treated the same way from everything we've read and experienced. Sounds like Daisy has beat this before, and I'm sure she'll beat it again, especially with a knowlegable and experienced caregiver like you. Stay positive, and keep us posted, Melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Thank you so much for your help, I had never heard of Evans Syndrome. And to add more to the mix she has hurt the ligament in her left leg and needs to have surgery but of course that has become the least of our worries. So the poor thing is hopping on 3 legs and I carry her as much as possible Could there be internal bleeding because of torn ACL?

Tina Ohio

Tina, It does sound like Daisy may be suffering from Evans Syndrome. I have seen many dogs who have Evans in the 12 years I have have been doing the Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Web site: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ If you have not taken a look at this site as yet, you might want to do so when you can. There are a few dogs with Evans Sydnrome on the Success Stories pages. One that comes to mind right away is Casper the May 2008 Success Story. You can read Casper's story at this URL: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/archives20.htm There is a hot link to more info on ITP in Casper's story. This is a very good site that will provide you with a lot of info Many times with Evans a vet will add another drug besides prednisone to the treatment regimine. Some of these other medicatinons are mentioned on the IPT page I referred to above. Treating Evans can be a bit more difficult then treating AIHA/IMHA or ITP alone but dogs can and do survive Evans Syndrome and go on to live happy healthy lives. I pray this will be the case for your dear Daisy. Also for more inspiration read about "Midnight the Miracle ITP dog" who had ZERO platelets when she was diagnosed with ITP over 10 years ago: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/midnight.htm

Joanne MN

I have visited Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Web site many times over the years. The site is so helpful and gives hope during such a dark time. What is very strange is that Daisy is not showing any other signs besides her blood count. She is acting fine, her gums are pink, no bleeding or bruising and no blood in her urine. I know from the past that you hang on to every glimmer of hope so I am hoping that we caught this in time since she is not showing the other signs. The specialist does not have an appointment till Monday so I am to keep her on the 50mm of prednisone and keep her calm. We are very forturnate that where her specialist is located is also a 24 hour emergency clinic which has saved her a few times in the past. So I am praying and keeping a close eye on her till we can find out more on Monday. thanks tina

Tina Ohio

Tina, What a rough time your Daisy has had, but she sounds like she is a real fighter. Hopefully she will get back on track soon. Thinking of you both. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Tina, sounds like you've been through quite a bit! Did they run a variety of tests for Daisy? Did they do a FULL tick panel? You should probably have them do this. Perhaps a drug like doxy might be recommendable. Ask the specialist about this on Monday. If you are having blood tests drawn again on Monday you should ask to have the blood drawn from the jugular. Less roo for skewed plt results doing it here rather than the leg! Good luck and keep us posted. I'll keep Daisy in my thoughts and prayers. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Tina, I am praying for you and your sweet Daisy. I agree that when you get bad news, any thread of hope that comes your way is something to embrace. I think positive thoughts have alot of power. Keep us posted. Christina

christina nashville

Hi Tina Lots of healing white light for your Daisy. My Riley had Evans Syndrome and went in for initial treatment with platelets at 9 - the aim was to get him up to 50 which seemed to be the number where they would not have spontaneous bleeding. Sounds like you are on the right track, but as Joanne says the vets are more guarded about Evans than just one or other alone - harder to treat both - but Daisy sounds like she is doing ok - perhaps it is the ligament damage? I agree with Johnny about getting some blood from the jugular vein - I used to get upset about this with Riley, had to leave the room - but like Johnny says, it gives a more honest result. Daisy sounds like a tough character to me. Get better soon Daisy Waisy! :) Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

thanks for all your thoughts and prayers Also the advice thanks tina and daisy

tina ohio

This thread was discussed between 26/03/2010 and 29/03/2010

Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) forum index

This thread is from the Vetnet archive. The live Vetnet forum is active now.