Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Darcy's PCV

I am devastated. Darcy's PCV reading today was 18%, down from last week's 21%. The specialist is going to test her Cyclosporine levels, and it will probably take a week to get the results. By that time, her PCV could be dangerously low. If the Cyclosporine isn't showing, she said we'll need to go to the brand name Atopica or Neoral. She said that even that might not work, that Darcy's bone marrow might not be working at all. She doesn't give me much hope. The thoughts of another transfusion are scary after the last one when she developed pancreatitis. The specialist said that she might not have a reaction to another, that we won't know until after it's done. At this point, I'm thinking that transfusions are just giving her time. Realistically, we can't just keep on giving her transfusions when her bone marrow is not producing any new RBCs. I'm crying as I write this because I know that soon I'll be faced with a difficult decision. Darcy acts fine. She's barking, eating, wagging her tail, acting like her old self, yet her red blood cells are dwindling away. I've done everything that I know to do, but it's not enough.

Karen NC

Hi Karen I am sorry Darcy PCV has not gone up but if she is acting fine I would try to to be so worried. I think you can tell a lot about how a dog is feeling by the way they are acting so she must be feeling pretty good. How is her energy level? I was wondering why they don't start Darcy on the Atopica or Neoral now instead of waiting. Perhaps switching to a brand name will be absorbed better. Wishing tons of positive thoughts and prayers your way. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Hi Karen, I am so sorry to hear this. Isn't it weird that they act okay, but the PCV levels are down? My Mia's PCV has gone down from 34 to 26 in the last 2 weeks, but she acts just fine. You are doing all the right things. I will be praying for Darcy, you and the doctors. Again, I am so sorry. Hugs, Liz and Mia

Liz Nashville TN

Karen, I am so sorry that Darcy's numbers have dropped. I also think you should start her on the Atopica right away. You cannot afford to lose time. The one thing that most people who have lost the fight (myself included) will confirm is that we "knew" when it was time to let go, our dogs told us. As long as Darcy is acting fine, eating and wagging her tail etc. I would say she still has fight left in her. Forget the numbers and dire possibilities for a moment and look at Darcy and I am sure you will find your answers. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Karen, So sorry to hear of this setback. I am thinking you two and hoping that Darcy's counts come back up. She does not seem to be suffering, and that is the most important thing. Please keep us posted, melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Karen -- I am sorry to hear the drop in the PCV numbers, but as Penny said, those of us who lost the fight, as we did with our Wiley, "knew" when the time had come. Our vet told us the same, that Wiley would tell us what to do. Your Darcy is showing signs that she is fighting -- she is eating, barking, and doing fine. Take a deep breath, love your Darcy girl, and talk to Dr. Dodds and your vet. You and Darcy are amazing, and she's telling you she's fighting. Please take care and know we're with you.

Brenda VA

You are going through exactly what happened to me. Scruffy's regeneration was less than 0.01. It was described as severe worsening non regenerative anemia. Hang in there as it could take a long time for the PCV to drop. It can drop very slowly and your dog can learn to live with low PCV whilst you are trying different meds. Scruff never got over 17 and it took about three or four weeks for it to drop to a dangerous level where we had to decide what to do next. Even with this low PCV which dropped to 11 he was able to eat walk, toilet etc wagg his tail greet me. It was only when it dropped this low and other complications came that a decision had to be made. I was unable to access cyclosporin.

Julie Australia

Karen, you and I are walking the same path. Raven's PCV was 18 yesterday, too -- and dropped from 22 last week. The fact that Darcy's energy is high is a VERY good sign. As for me, I'm a horrible worrier, and I get myself tied up in knots thinking about how I'll deal with Raven's passing. But I've been trying hard to follow her lead and not get into the "what if" questions. Let's make a pact together that we'll stay positive as much as we can, okay? Sending you and Darcy many,many hugs. Sharon

Sharon CT

Thanks to each and every one for you advice and words of comfort. You'll never know how much it means to me and Darcy to have someone cheering us on and walking beside us in this fight. I hope that I can be an encouragement and help to you, also. I always remember everyone on this forum in my prayers. We just returned from the specialist where Darcy had her blood drawn for the Cyclosporine level test. Unfortunately, it has to be sent to NC State where they do the test once a week on Thursday morning. So, it will be next Friday before we get the results. Because of the long wait, I wanted to go ahead and switch to the Cyclosporine brand name. The specialist is calling in a prescription of the brand name Neoral today. The pharmacy will not have it in stock until tomorrow. Interestingly, the least expensive place I could find Neoral is the Harris Teeter pharmacy, plus I get a 10% discount with my VIC card. The Costco, where I have been getting the generic, cannot get Neoral. Target was the next cheapest place, followed by Walmart. Some of the pharmacies told me that the generic has the same active ingredients as the Neoral, but the specialist said that is now being questioned and that Neoral and Atopica (she said Atopica is exactly the same as Neoral, just labeled differently for veterinarian use) may be compounded for better absorption. Those aren't her exact words, but something to that effect. Darcy is still hanging in there, wanting to eat, barking, begging for food, etc. I'll keep praying for her, loving her, and trying to make the best decisions on her behalf. Thanks again for you encouragement. Karen

Karen NC

Hang in there Karen!

Courtney SLO

Karen -- It just sounds as if your Darcy is fighting. I am so happy to hear she's barking and begging for food. If I remember, she's a beagle, so she's still pretty darned beagly! I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You two are fighting hard, and you've got good veterinary care in your doctors and Dr. Dodds. Please take care.

Brenda VA

Karen, We are thinking of you and Darcy. Hang in there. When Alex started the Atopica it seemed to make him nauseous for the first 7-10 days. He has since adjusted though and his case, the vet recommended it with some food, and he has responded well. Things can turn around quickly and it is really good Darcy is acting like she feels good. If you remember 3 weeks ago my regular vet gave Alex a poor prognosis and indicated it was time to put him to sleep. He was at the doctors yesterday and his PCV was 49!! I really think the Atopica when it kicked in is helping alot. Good luck with Darcy and hang in there! Chris & Alex

Chris PA

Chris, Thanks for reminding me of Alex's miraculous recovery. It really gives me hope. It's just so wonderful that you hung in there for him and he fought back. Darcy's gums are very, very pale today. I know I shouldn't be obsessing over them, but just can't help it. While she has a hearty appetite and seems fine in other ways, I notice she is panting more. We start the Neoral this evening. I hope it will make a positive difference, switching from the Cyclosporine to the Neoral, and pray it isn't too late for it to kick in and bring her PCV count up to a decent number. Weekends seem to be the worse time for us, knowing if something bad happens we can't get hold of the specialist and have to rely on emergency care. Sorry. I know I shouldn't be having these negative thoughts. Please pray for Darcy. Karen

Karen NC

Karen, wow -- I know exactly how you feel about weekends -- I was thinking the same thing. Raven's gums have been pale, too, but I try to watch energy level more. We received some good news yesterday, as her CBC came out that her bone marrow is finally regenerating blood cells (which wasn't the case 3 weeks ago). Now that she's back on full-strength pred (as well as the azathioprone), she seems far more playful than she did last week. Keep strong and hopeful. Darcy sure sounds like a sweetie, and that she's with you in the fight. Sharon

Sharon CT

Sharon, That's wonderful! Did you see the signs in the reticulyte (sp) reading? I've been trying to decipher Darcy's last CBC, but just can't understand it. The specialist did say the ret. had increased from 1,100 to 22,000, which is an improvement but not enough to get her out of the non-regenerative state. Hang in there Sharon and Raven. We're all in this together. Karen

Karen NC

Karen, You and Darcy are and have been in my prayers and I pray for all the dogs and owners that have to go through this horrible situation. No one really knows what we go through unless you've been there. You'll start the Neoral tonight and just move forward. You are doing everything you can for her. Do you give it with food or without? Good luck and we're rooting for you both! Chris & Alex

Chris PA

my thoughts are with all of you, I just found this website and hour ago and am somewhat comforted to know that others are feeling the same rollercoaster as me, I know what you mean about the weekends, it's tough. Ive decided to quit looking at the gums and go with the clinical signs, getting up and doing his business, eating, tail wagging, those are all good signs right??

mj avon

This thread was discussed between 05/11/2008 and 24/11/2008

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