Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - For Karen

Hi Karen, I'm wondering if you've seen any improvement in your dog since you've started the thyroid meds. I wrote to Dr Dodd's about my Mac and she wrote back that according to his thyroid test results she thinks he should be on thyroid meds. His T4 was .2 and his Free T4 was 4 . How did these compare to Darcy's? I would love to be able to tell my vet that your dog has shown an improvement, but maybe enough time hasn't passed yet. Jane

Jane MN

Hello Jane, Darcy's T4 was 1.15 (one arrow) and her Free T4 was 0.42 (two arrows LOW). We started on Soloxine .2 mg twice daily. She had her first dose on Tuesday evening, so maybe it's too soon to tell. When did you start Mac on the thyroid meds? I took Darcy in for a PCV blood check on Wednesday and it had dropped from 25% to 20% in one week. Her gums are not very pink right now, but she's acting like she feels good and wants to eat all the time. She actually seems to feel better now than she has throughout this whole ordeal. Perhaps the Soloxine has given her added energy? She's on so many things right now that it's hard for me to tell what's working. Look at the "For Patrice Thyroid" thread and you'll see what the internal specialist and regular vet had to say about Dr. Dodds. This is all very frustrating, especially when, with the internal specialist, there's an inflated ego at play (in my humble opinion). I know I've read about Mac, but can you refresh me on his diagnosis, how long it's been, any transfusions, and what meds he's been on? I take Darcy back to the internal specialist next Wednesday for a recheck (unless she starts showing signs that her PCV level has dipped drastically). I'll keep you posted and let's compare notes. Thanks, Karen

Karen NC

If you have time, read this short, but concise, paper written by Dr. Dodds called Canine Autoimmune Thyroid Disease. It will help with understanding the treatment. If you have any questions about words or phrases you don't understand, please let me know and I will do my best to rephrase it so you can understand it. http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CANINE-AI-THYROID.HTM I should also note, because I don't think she makes it quite clear here, that the soloxine should not be given with food. Either an hour or so before food. Or 2-3 hours after food. Avoid giving supplements that contain kelp (because of the iodine) in generous amounts. Limit it to once or twice a week. From my personal experience with Chance, I began to notice some changes (improved) in his energy levels about 2 weeks after beginning therapy. It did take a few months to see overall physical changes and improvements. Patrice

Patrice NYS

Here is another paper written about Canine Hypothyroidism that is more complex. However, try wading through it to gain some understanding. I think the microscopic slides of the destruction make it easier to understand. http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/bell/index.php

Patrice NYS

Karen, If you scroll down on this list of posts you'll see my first entry titled Mac Diagnosed In May. That will tell the story of his illness up until August. In August his HCT was only improving one tenth of a point a week, so he was started on aza--50 mg, then tapered to 25 mg EOD. Doxy was discontinued a few weeks ago. Mac's lowest HCT was 18, so we never did have to transfuse him (knock on wood), but his numbers aren't zooming upwards like I thought they would in my fantasy life. The more I read the more I understand that these things take time.... and patience..... and ......lots and lots of wine, I'll be honest. Today Mac will be getting a B-12 injection and an iron injection which may not help but certainly won't hurt. I'm going to talk to my vet about cyclosporine also, but I'm sure she'll want to see what his next PCV is before she'll change that. Dr Dodd's looked at Mac's thryoid panel and said that yes indeed he needs to be on ...soloxine ( sp?) so I'll be discussing that with my vet also. I'm lucky that my vet is willing to go along with me on a few things---I don't know if I'd have the ovaries to stand up to a more dismissive vet. I give you credit, Karen. I feel like I'm in a club that nobody would ever want to join, but while I'm here I'm glad to be surrounded by such helpful compassionate people. I don't know what I would do without you all. Wishing you and Darcy the best, Jane

Jane MN

Jane, Ask your vet tech to show you how to give the B12 shots. It is very easy and you can do this at home. I give Chance a B12 shot every month to 6 weeks. The bottle of it is very inexpensive and the syringes are too. You cannot hurt Mac if you are shown how easy it is to do in the folds of the neck. Patrice

Patrice NYS

Hi Jane Just an FYI Ginger's PCV stayed in the 24-28 range for two months, once we added Cyclosporine it went up to 38 in four weeks time. Needless to say we are so glad we gave it a try. Ginger also never had a transfusions and she has been holding steady at 38 for the last two months. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Jane, Yes, a large glass of merlot every evening certainly helps me! As info, I'm also giving Darcy PetTinic, which Dr. Dodds suggested along with the other meds and a stomach protectant. The internal specialist said she doesn't give stomach protectants until there's a problem. Can you believe that! My regular vet is the one who supplied the protectant as well as the PetTinic and Soloxine. Of course, the specialist is aware of everything Darcy is on. It's wonderful that Mac hasn't had to go through a transfusion. I pray Darcy's PCV is up next week and that she won't have to go through another one. The lowest her PCV level has been is 8% and that was really scary. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the thyroid med will work for both of our little ones. There's been no mention to me yet of B12 or iron shots. Karen

Karen NC

Dear Karen -- It sounds as if you are doing everything you can for your sweet Darcy. I am so glad that you have the extra help from Dr. Dodd, and from Patrice, because it sounds like it's kind of challenging dealing with the internal specialist. I can't believe the attitude on stomach protectant -- in my three years on this forum, it's overwhelmingly clear that a protectant is necessary given the "cocktail" combinations that are necessary to fight IMHA. Keep on fighting. I'll keep you in my prayers. Darcy sounds like she's a tough girl who is responding and you are determined to leave no stone unturned. Your love and care for her are so clear. Please take care.

Brenda VA

This thread was discussed between 26/09/2008 and 27/09/2008

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