Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Gracie's Unique case

I have been on a roller coaster ride for almost two weeks and today I am collapsing from sheer exhaustion. On Oct. 10 Gracie would not eat her dinner which is unusual. She is 5 year old Cocker Spaniel and a little food hound. I thought she might be a little depressed because I had been too busy to take her for a walk for a few days so I took her for a long walk. She seemed happy and energetic on the walk and when we returned home she ate her food. The next morning she would not eat and when she ran up the stairs she almost collapsed. Her legs sprawled out from beneath her. I told my 17 yr. old son that something was wrong with Gracie. He threw her tennis ball and she chased it. I called the vet and made an appointment for the next day. By the afternoon I started getting nervous because Gracie seemed even more lethargic. I called the vet again and pleaded for an appointment that day. When I took Gracie into the vet he told me that Gracie's gums were very pale indicating possible anemia. She had a bout of fleas I had been fighting and I had been giving her Advantage every two weeks ( the vet said it was safe to do that)I thought she might have lyme disease. He tested her blood and her PCV was 19. He said that she most likely had AIHA and he would have to admit her and give her IV fluids and high doses of prednisone. He told me the chances of her survival were around 70% and that her chances would be good, however her life span would most likely be shortened. I was leveled. How could this be? I cried myself to sleep that night. The next day the vet called me to tell me that her PCV reading was 15 and that if it dropped below 14 he wold need to do a blood transfusion. I was at work and it was tough knowing she was all alone in the Animal Hospital. I visited her that night and held her in my arms. She was exhausted and couldn't even wag her tail when she saw me. By the next morning Gracie's PCV dropped to 9 and the vet told me he needed to call around to the emergency vet clinics to get a hold of blood for a transfusion, otherwise she wouldn't make it. They didn't keep blood on hand and it would take too long to get blood from Calif. ( their supplier) By the time I got to see Gracie that evening they had given her half the transfusion. She cold hardly breathe ( she was gasping for air)and I held her until they took her from me to give her the rest of the transfusion. The Vet sat with me awhile and talked to me. He said the prognosis was much lower now( 20-30% survival). They had done a biopsy of her bone marrow and her bone marrow was watery. Something was destroying her red blood cells in the marrow. He couldn't be sure until the lab results returned whether the bone marrow was even making red blood cells. He also said that I might want to consider taking her to a larger Veterinarian Hospital ( the closest was over 2 hours away)He said that he had never seen this type of disease before and Gracie was keeping him up at night. He was calling other vets and speaking to pathologists. He would do everything he could to save her.I told him that I couldn't think right now about transporting her to another hospital. The next morning her PCV was 26 and she was feeling better. She began eating a little and everyone at the vet's office ( Rhinebeck Animal Hospital)was rallying for Gracie. Her PCV was 25 the next day and she could come home. We would have to monitor her blood every other day though and if it dropped again she would have to have another transfusion. ( They had blood on hand in case) She is on a lot of meds and I will submit that as soon as I can muster up the energy to do that. I'm wiped out this morning and have a day off ( it's Sat.)and Gracie is resting beside me. Her PCV reading this morning is 18.5. She is feeling better and eating at home. I will keep posting. She also has Pure Red Cell Aplasia on top of AIHA. Please keep Gracie in your thoughts and prayers for a full recovery. Her prognosis is better but we have a long ways to go.

Gwen Rhinebeck

Hi Gwen, I'm so sorry you are in need of this forum but very glad that you found it! This is a very difficult disease to deal with and can be quite overwhelming for anyone who's unfamiliar with it. When my Tessy first got sick I hadn't even heard of this disease. It was just so much to take in but luckily like you I found this site and the people here were great with their support and sharing of knowledge! Gracie sounds like a very lucky girl to have you there for here. Sounds like you have a very caring vet taking care of her also...that's just sooo important to have! Did you get the bone marrow biopsy results back? Is that where the PRCA diagnosis came from or are they speculating? Right off the start...if you haven't found Joanne's site please go there: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/index.html This will get you started on the basics of this disease and please check out the success stories section. This will give you lots of HOPE! Can you tell us what meds exactly she is taking, the amounts, time of day, and her weight? All important info to have. If indeed it is PRCA then usually they'll add second or even third immune suppressors with the most common being azathioprine and cyclosporine. I'd be looking into the cyclo (atopica) as the better choice if I were you. It's also important to have them check her thyroid. You'd be best to send a sample of blood out to Hemopet and Dr. Dodds in California for this. For under $200 you can get a full CBC, Chemical analysis, FULL thyroid panel (which is what you want) and her own analysis of the rbc pathology. Def. worth the money. You might want to ask them to chek the levels of cobalamin (vitamin B12) and iron levels. If there's a deficiency then that could cause problems. It would be very wise to get a product called PEt Tinic to add to the daily food. This is a vitamin supplement that provides the bone marrow with the needed micronutrients to actually build new blood cells. Supplementing with soloxine would also be beneficial right now. This is completely safe to do while you send blood out for to test the thyroid (if you do this). Milk thistle...add this daily to help protect the liver from damage caused by the drugs. Did they do a full chemical panel? You should get copies of all blood work done to date so you can post it here. That way we can get a better idea of what's going on. Many of us here get copies at each visit and keep a folder with them. Some of use make a little database with all the values from the tests to watch for patterns or trends. Might be a good idea for you. Yeah...lots to absorb right! To sum up...Add Pet tinic, milk thistle, soloxine, lots of fresh water, healthy food (there's a homemade liver cleansing diet if interested), and be sure to get the thyroid checked. Did they do ultrasounds and xrays? Check for tick born disease? Any additional info you can give us would be great. While she's home keep her well rested and make sure she gets plenty of clean fresh water. Keep her environment stress free and chemical free. Lots and lots of rubs have been known to help! :) Lots of thoughts and prayers for you and Gracie, Johnny & Tessy ps...If she isn't on one already make sure to add a stomach protector. My preferal is Prilosec (omeprazole) but many here use pepcid or sucralfate. If she's on antibiotics make sure to give daily probiotics at least a couple hrs after giving the antibiotic.

Johnny

Gwen, Sorry that Gracie has been diagnosed. We all understand the roller coaster and exhaustion. Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hi Gwen. I'm sorry to hear about Gracie and my heart goes out to you. I remember how emotionally drained I was at the beginning of Duck's illness. My dog, Duck, was diagnosed with pure red cell aplasia in May of 2007 and he very nearly died in those early days. At onset, his PCV dropped to 5. As I write to you, he is here beside me and very healthy and happy. So don't give up hope. There will be a lot of information flying at you in these early days. But there are two important things that I find are sometimes overlooked. Ask your vet about giving Gracie sucralfate and famotodine (pepcid AC). These two medications will protect her gastrointestinal tract from the harsh immunosuppressive medications and will help to prevent stomach ulcers. Also, in these early days, it is important to prevent pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in the lungs). Dogs that don't survive the onset of this condition very often die from clotting. The two meds you could ask your vet about are heparin and baby aspirin. I think baby aspirin is a better choice because the heparin must be injected. Maybe Gracie is already taking these but I thought I'd mention them just in case. Before your vet visits, write down all the questions you have so that you don't forget anything when you're in with him. I was so mentally numb in those early days and found that having my list with me in the appointments was so helpful. My thoughts and prayers are very much with you. Please keep us all posted. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Thank-you Johnny, Penny and Debbie for your well wishes for Gracie. I did get the Bone Marrow Biopsy results back and that's where the diagnosis for Pure Red Cell Aplasia came from. Debbie thank-you for telling me about your dog, Duck. I can use all of the positive stories I can find right now. I'm going to give a run down on her meds. Gracie is 5 yrs old and weighs 16.8 lbs. She is a small Cocker. Gracie's medications and treatments are as follows: Morning treatments 1) Baytril 68 mg. tablets. Give one tablet in the morning ( this is an antibiotic to prevent any infections due to the degree of immune suppression) 2) Prednisone 10 mg. tablets. Give 1 and 1/2 tablets once daily in the morning. 3) Doxycycline 100 mg. tablets Give 1/2 tablet in the morning ** all medications are given on a full stomach Night treatments 1) Omeprazole 20 mg. capsule. One tablet in the evening on an empty stomach at least 30-60 minutes before meals. 2) Aspirin 2 mg. capsules Give 2 tablets. This is to prevent any coagulation problems. 3) Aziothioprine suspension 12.5 mg/ml ( Bacon flavored) Give 1.2 ml once in the evening 4) Doxycycline 100 mg. Give 1/2 tablet in the evening. Debbie: She is getting something for her stomach and aspirin. I hope it is enough for her. Johnny; Where would you get Milk Thistle and the Pet tinic and soloxine? How much should I use and what do they do? The vet took a full blood panel this past Wed. and her liver seems to be tolerating the meds. so far. There were also immature blood cells in her blood. I didn't get the report though. Her PCV dropped a little from Wed. to Sat. and I am getting it checked tomorrow. They did ultrasounds and x rays along with checking for tick related diseases. I'm not sure about thyroid. I am completely overwhelmed. Tomorrow it will be two weeks since I brought her into the vet and it seems that the rest of my life is sort of falling apart. I am trying to put the pieces back together. I can't help Gracie unless I am well. I also have two sons. One is in college and one home. I am grateful for finding this board. Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

http://www.entirelypets.com/pe1ozbypf.html The link above is for the pet tinic you can just do a search on the Internet and find it at many different prices. The directions are on the bottle, I would recommend that you order this too. You have to give the meds time to work and sometimes this will take a few weeks. You can also ask your vet about cyclosporine as that drug is often added. Sending prayers for Gracie and you and please keep us updated. Cheryl & Ginger (diagnoised 2007)

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile PA

Gwen, like Cheryl was saying you can find Pet Tinic in lots of places online but it might be worthwhile to call around the pet stores/food stores/vets just to see if any of them carry it...it's made ny Pfizer. If not order it online. I usually get several bottles at a time to save on shipping. Milk thistle...I get mine online from www.leavesandroots.com ...do a search for "Milk Thistle seed powder 16oz Silybum marianum" ...you'll get it here for I think under 15 bucks! This will last soooo much longer than the pills/caps you buy in the stores! While you are waiting you can use the caps/pills without problems. SOLOXINE....this will be something to talk to the attending vet about. Most vets don't understand this so don't be surprised to get some weird looks! :) This is something Dr. Dodds recommends...perhaps you could get the vet to consult with her concerning this. She'll do phone consults for I think $35...well worth it! The recommended dosage is 0.1mg for every 10-15 lbs BID(twice daily). You get soloxine/thyroxine from the vet by rx. Couple questions. First, did they test for tick disease and not find anything or are they waiting for the results? I'm not a big fan of a dog being on doxy if it's not needed. This will ramp up the immune system and this IS NOT what we want to do at this point! I'd also question the usage of the Baytril. If there's no infection (yet) then this is just an added drug to the system that isn't needed. You should ask the vet tomorrow to give you some probiotics to give a couple hrs after antibiotics. Ask for Forti Flora. I mentioned above about Dr. Dodds. Would you be willing to send blood to her in California for analysis?? It's very easy to do and would be under $200 likely. OH...and seeing immature red blood cells (reticulocytes) is a VERY VERY good thing! Means the body is starting to respond!! Makes me guess NRIMA instead of PRCA but who knows without seeing the biopsy report. Don't forget to get copies of all the blood work done also. BREATH...we're here for you. Even if you want to just rant or talk...whatever. If you have questions or concerns just ask...there's no such thing a stupid questions!!! Trust me...if there were I likely asked them before!! :) Thoughts and prayers for you and Gracie. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Johnny, While reading through some of the posts I just realized that you recently lost one of your sweet dogs, Sadie. It scares me so much to see that some dogs seem to be doing well and then they slip back. I was wondering where I could read your story and learn from it. I am also confused about Dr. Dodds and why seeking out help from her would be beneficial. I do trust my vet and he is close by. I plan on asking him many questions tomorrow based on what I have read here. I just can't bear the thought of losing Gracie. Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen, I know how scary this all is for you. It is a roller coaster ride with ups and downs and nobody that has not gone through this can understand. You clearly came to the right place, because everybody here has a story and understands very well. Some of these stories are sad ones that did not end with the dog surviving. But there are plenty that are happy ones. You have to focus on that. Please go tho the Meisha's Hope site and read the success stories: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/successstories.htm these stories have kept me going when I was loosing hope. You can also learn a lot from them, what worked and what did not. I am so glad you can trust your vet and by the sounds of it he/she knows a lot about AIHA. But there are always new developments and there is so much to know. There are specialists (internal medicine) and of course there is Dr. Dodds. Most vets know her or at least of her. Some vets are not too keen on consulting with her and some think she is absolutely fantastic. My vet was happy to consult with her and it was clearly what turned my dog around. For Dr. Dodds it is not about fame or money, but about saving the animals. In my and my vet's eyes she is a fantastic woman. I guess as close as you can get to St. Francis as anybody could get:) Please keep us posted on how things are going and like Johnny aid, ask away! Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Gwen, What an awful time for you. I know how scared you must be at the thought of losing your Gracie. It does sound as if you have a vet that is willing to learn everything he can about IMHA, and is not afraid to ask advise from others. That is a good thing. Keep your chin up and get as much needed rest as you can. Try not to dwell on the negatives, there are always to many of those. I'm praying that Gracie is one of the lucky ones. Lots of luck, Ronda and Buster

Ronda Illinois

Gwen, any news from the vet today? Just wondering how things are going. Continued thoughts and Prayers for you and Gracie. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hello all, Yesterday Gracie's PCV was still 18 and 1/2 and hasn't gone up but it isn't going down quickly either. She was diagnosed with Pure Red Cell Aplasia and my vet told me it can take up to 120 days to reach remission. I just wish her PCV would start to go up. She may also need another transfusion if her PCV goes below 14. I met a man who is the father of one of my students. He told me his dog had the same thing that Gracie has. His dog is a poodle, cocker, schnauzer mix. His dog needed four transfusion three weeks apart and then reached remission. That was three years ago and his dog is going strong. This gives me hope. I won't see my vet until Fri. but Gracie will have her PCV tested again tomorrow. I got all of Gracie's records and blood and bone marrow results but I don't really understand it much. I plan on mentioning Dr. Dodd to my vet when I see him. All I know is that I took the day off to catch up on things in my life that got pushed aside these past two weeks when Gracie was diagnosed and I almost lost her. I cuddle with her as much as I can. She is a bit restless with all of her meds. Thank-you everyone for your warm thoughts. I have been reading success stories on Meisha's Hope, however it is so sad when I hear of anyone losing their pet. Gracie has been my only dog in my adult life and she is my baby girl. I have two sons ( ages 17 and 20) but she is my girl. I wish everyone the best with their pets. Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Dear Gwen, I am so very sorry to hear about Gracie's diagnosis, and know exactly how you must be feeling right now. As others have encouraged you to do, getting in touch with Dr Dodds would be extremely beneficial, she's certainly the expert in this field! I think the fact that Gracie's PCV hasn't gone down is a good thing! You also mentioned there were reticulocytes in her blood - that's also a good thing, it means her body is releasing these immature cells into her blood stream to try to compensate for the anemia. When my Millie was very sick, I always tried to take the positives and be as "normal" as I could around her. I am glad that the Success Stories are helping, they gave me hope and comfort during the darkest days with Millie being so sick.... Now my Millie is the May 2010 success story! Thinking of you both, Sam & Millie.

Samantha Geelong

Hello all, I had some good news today when Gracie had her PCV checked. It rose from 18 & 1/2 on Wed. to 22 today. It hasn't been above 20 since right after her transfusion two weeks ago. The vet said it should start to rise more steadily now. I am grateful for this good news. Gracie still has a ways to go but she does seem brighter. She wants to go for a walk but I don't want to wear her out. I am so glad I found this site. You all understand how only a few numbers can make a big difference. Blessing to all of you, Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen, I LOVE hearing this sort of news!!! Woo hoo!!!!!! Did you get some milk thistle to add to the food? What about Pet Tinic? Both of these would be highly beneficial! Continue to be watchfull over her...cause like you said she's still not in the clear. Give her some rubs and hugs from me. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Gwen, I am sorry you are faced with this emotional roller coaster. I am well aware of how scary and exhausting it can be. I just want to encourage you to keep pressing forward. According to my vet...who is the best....most dogs fully recover from this illness and go on and live normal lives without another occurrence. My dog happens to be one of the success stories. His name is Indy and he's a tiny pomeranian. He was diagnosed with AIHA early November 2009. He fought a long and hard battle and beat the disease. He is off meds and has been since the spring of 2010. He's now very happy and healthy. He's a perfectly normal looking dog. There is hope....and lots of it. Don't give up! Fight this thru. Lisa

Lisa

Hi Gwen. So good to hear about the rise in Gracie's PCV and that she seems brighter - both really good signs. I think you're right to limit her exercise for the time being. If she wants to walk, maybe just make it very short. Hope you are able to recharge your own batteries now. You've been through a lot in the past couple of weeks and still have a long road ahead while Gracie recovers. Take care of yourself. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Gwen So glad to read that Graice is heading in the right direction. Please keep us updated on her progress as you know we worry. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger caf0208@aol.com

It is so nice to hear of the success stories. It gives me a lot of hope. Three weeks ago when Gracie was first diagnosed I was so discouraged and my vet kept saying that the first week was the most critical. That first week was truly a living nightmare when Gracie was hospitalized. I am still limiting Gracie's activities but she does enjoy chasing her ball. I have rolled it a few times indoors. Tomorrow will be another vet visit to check her PCV and I am hopeful. Gracie seems so much brighter. Lisa- Was there any special thing you did for Indy to help him recover. What do you do now to keep him healthy? I will check your success story on Meisha's Hope. I will post Gracie;s PCV results tomorrow. Thank-you everyone for your continueed support. Gwen and Gracie I am giving Gracie lots of rubs and hugs from all of you!

Gwen Rhinebeck

Hello everybody. Gracie's last blood test showed that her PCV level is continuing to rise and it is up to 25. She doesn't seem quite like herself though so I hope she can get where she needs to be so we can cut back a little on the meds. I just hate the thought of her immune system being so suppressed although the drugs are saving her life. I feel so grateful to have Gracie with me now. Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen, I am so glad you have positive news from Gracie's last blood tests! She still has a ways to go, remember AIHA is not a sprint, it is a marathon. I remember thinking I wish Kahlu would get up, shake himself and be his old self again. Unfortunately this is not how it goes. It really is a test on our patience. But hang in there, take it one day at a time and the day will come when you will have the old Gracie back. Remember to always have lots of fresh water available for her and feed quality low fat no grain food. Maybe you want to check with your vet about giving Gracie some supplements. Dr. Dodds recommends vitamin B, iron and folic acid. This would be combined in a product called petinic. I don't want to repeat myself, but I don't remember if Gracie has been tested for Hypothyroidism. This is definitely something to look at. Adding thyroid medication to my poodle's drugs made a big difference in his recovery. You are on the right track, be patient and stay positive! Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Hi Gwen. Good news about Gracie's latest blood test. Like Brigitte says, this is not a race but a marathon. The important thing is that Gracie is heading in the right direction. Give her a pat from us! deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Hello everyone, I haven't checked in awhile. I get so upset and sad when I read that someone has lost their pet. I wanted to write though to give others who cross this board a ray of hope. Gracie's last blood test showed her PCV to be 36! I know it could be a little higher but it is so close to normal that I am thrilled. She seems to be back to her old (young) self. The vet did reduce her meds a bit so I am bit worried about that and next week she will have a full blood panel to make sure her body is tolerating the medication. Everyone here was so optimistic and helpful when Gracie was at her sickest so thank-you for that. I know that I will have to watch Gracie carefully but I had a wonderful Thanksgiving cuddling with her. lots of hugs to everyone and their fur babies. Gwen and Gracie Happy Thanksgiving

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen, I am always thrilled to hear good news! Your hard work and patience is paying off. Keep at it Gwen and Gracie! Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

So glad to read that Gracie is doing better:) Ginger's PCV very rarely gets over 35 and it has been 3 years so don't be surprised if it doesn't go much higher. Thanks for sharing your wonderful news Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile PA

I'm so happy for you and Gracie. Duck's PCV stayed around 39 for at least a year after we started tapering his prednisone. He had so many side effects from the prednisone that we had to start the reduction protocol as soon as he got to 39. Now, two years later, we have just recently taken him off the prednisone and his "normal" is in the high 40's/low 50's. Anyway, Gracie is heading in the right direction. Way to go Gracie! deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Gwen, that is fantastic news! I don't mean to scare you but a red flag wnet up when you said they were reducing meds. What meds? Gracie has only been with this a little over a month, recovery from AIHA is a long and slow process, with being on pred and other other cocktails (azi or cyclosproine) for a long time. Reducing the pred or azi too soon can cause setbacks and relapses. Azi can take up to six weeks to start working (so it make not even be yet and it is the pred thats doing the job) and you want to see a stabilization in her numbers for awhile before you do any type of reduction. So is she if is tolerating her meds, I would question your vet if they want to reduce the azi or pred. Laurie and Wylie

Laurie CA

Congratulations on your good news. Before long you may be able to get Gracie off of all of her meds. What a Christmas gift that would be. Good Job GRACIE Ronda and Buster

Ronda Illinois

Gwen, Such good news. Hopefully your Vet is being cautious in the tapering off of the meds? Congrats to you and Gracie!

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Well after having such great news last week, today I am nervous again about Gracie's condition. Only a week ago Gracie's PCV level was 40 ( it still is)and she had a full blood panel which showed that her little body was tolerating the meds. This morning I noticed Gracie shivering while I was getting ready for work. It was a cold morning but I had the heat on. I thought perhaps she was a bit chilly. I left the heat up when I went to work. I usually turn it down a few degrees during the day. When I got home from work I could tell she was "off". She just seemed lethargic and not her usual peppy self. She seemed to have trouble going up the stairs plus she was still trembling. I took her to the vet immediately. She has a fever. Her PCV is still at 40. They gave her fluids injected into her back and took more blood work to send out. They also put her on antibiotics and additional stomach medications. They checked her urine as well. I'll be hearing back from the vet tomorrow. She is still trembling right now and very restless. She can't seem to stay in one spot very long and she wimpers off and on also. I hate to see her like this and I have to say I am extremely upset. I know I read that this disease is like a roller coaster and I was riding up and now I am heading down. I just hope and pray this is something small. She is also panting a lot. I am sure it is a reaction to all her medication. Has anyone had their fur babies react like this? She was first diagnosed on Oct. 13 and has been on prednisone and Aziothioprine since then. The vet is slowly reducing her meds. I am grateful for this site to come to and at least express my feelings. Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen, Yes, the roller coaster..... the up and down sure takes it's toll. Christmas stress on top of it. Take a deep breath and try to stay calm. I know it is easier said than done. But remember Gracie will pick up on it when you are stressed and she needs to feel secure. My thought was infection, so I think the antibiotics would be good. But where is the infection? It sounds like she is in pain. I don't know if these would be symptoms of pancriatitis since we never went through that. Maybe worth asking the vet if this is a possibility, since this happens quite often. At least her PCV is still in a good range, that is VERY good. I hope your vet will get to the bottom of it and Gracie will feel better very soon. Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Does she seem to be in pain at all?? Anything at all out of the ordinary? Stools normal? Eating alright? What have you been feeding her? Any changes in meds? Did the vet feel around when she was in? Is there any way she might have gotten into something OR ate something she wasn't supposed to? Ever have the thyroid checked yet??? You should keep her well rested for the timme being and make sure she gets lots of fresh clean water. It might be beneficial to fast her for a small amount of time also. If she doesn't improve by morning then take her back to the vet to be checked. If you have any chamomile tea you can brew somee up and let chill a little and give to her....this'll help calm her down and take the edge off. Please keep us posted. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Gwen, This could be a sign of pancreatitis. This is a painful condition that dogs usually respond to by not eating or reluctance to eat, arching the back, pacing, shivering and fever. It is not an uncommon side effect of prednisone. The pancreas has two functions. One is to produce insulin that aids in the maintenance of proper blood sugar levels. The other function is to produce digestive enzymes that are used in the small intestine to turn food into molecules that can be utilized in the body (for example turning fat into fatty acid chains or proteins into amino acids.) The pain occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed and releases those digestive enzymes into tissues around the area, not directly into the small intestine. These enzymes begins to "digest" local tissues. This is painful. Make sure that she has plenty of water, but withhold food until your vet gets the blood work back. You will be looking for the values for amylase and lipase from the chemical screen. If they are high you may have a clue that she has pancreatitis, although they can be high for other reasons. There is a special test for dogs called SPEC cPL (“specific canine pancreatic lipase”) that is the gold standard for pancreatitis. Be prepared to start her on a very lowfat diet for the meantime. I used rice, boiled chicken and pumpkin (and sometimes a bit of low fat cottage cheese) for Cassie when she had an acute attack. Within about 3-4 weeks her SPEC cPL (“specific canine pancreatic lipase”) values were normal and she returned to a mostly normal diet, with a bit less fat. The goal is to feed enough calories but utilizing carbohydrates for the bulk of the calories instead of fat. Protein in the diet should remain at the correct levels. Jasmine rice smells good and is very tasty. How did Cassie get an acute attack of pancreatitis? Significant other treated her on her Sunday morning walk with a half pound of bologna. So we took a trip to the grocery store where I pointed out all the approved treats she could have for special trips... But any dog on prednisone is at risk for this kind of acute attack. You will know soon what is happening. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Hi Gwen - I was sorry to read of Gracie's setback. I'm sure your vet has looked at a full CBC but wanted to mention it just in case they have not run that yet. When my dog was on the immuno-supressent meds, he became "too supressed", his white count dropped too low and his body wasn't able to fight off an infection that he had developed. The symptoms we saw were shivering and inappetitence. It was very easy to pick up from the CBC which showed his WBC counts were well below normal. We had to pull way back on the IMHA meds and he was a battery of antibiotics in the hospital and at home but he was able to get through it. I hope you get some information this morning and Gracie starts to feel better soon. Best Regards, Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Thank-you all for taking the time to respond, I am taking Gracie back to the vet this afternoon to get the test for Pancreatitis. My regular vet has been out but the vet who is assisting now seems very knowledgeable. She feels that Gracie may also have an infection since she had a fever. Gracie doesn't seem to be trembling as much this afternoon. From what I have read on the internet the Aziothioprine can also cause pancreatitus. I hate to see Gracie in so much pain. Thank-you Patrice for recommending the diet. Did you use canned pumpkin? Johnny..as always thank-you for your kind words of support. Brigitte..yes the holidays don't help right now. I'm overwhelmed. Bonnie...the vet expressed something being off with her WBC's but I'll find out more this afternoon. hugs, Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Get a full chem panel if you can. Pancreatitis is only one of the possible causes. It's possible this could be liver related, kidney related or even something like a stomach ulcer. Other causes could be cancers. I don't mean to scare you but it's always best to be prepared for the worse case right...especially with PRCA cases! Anywho, if you are going to get blood drawn then you might as well spend the extra and get the full panel that way you'll know everything. Most would assume hte high fever would point towards an infection or low WBC (which is still possible) but not always the case with immune suppressed dogs. Sometimes there's no known cause for fevers like this which is why I asked all the questions above. Likely with pancreatitis there'll be abdominal pain present. They'll probably palpate the abdominal area to see. You'd also see a withdrawl from food once it gets worse....due to pain. Please do keep us posted on the results from the vets. As always....thoughts and prayers for Gracie. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

I got the results back from the vet and Gracie has elevated WBC's and Pancreatitus. Her fever is down a bit. The vet provided her with some pain medication and fluids injected into her back. They may have to administer IV fluids. It was late when I found out and I drove to the vets as they were closing to pick up the pain medication. I now have to put her onto a very low fat diet. I am not sure if I should start her off slowly by mixing her old food with it or not. I did get a full chem panel and her kidneys and liver are all at normal levels. Her PCV seems to be holding at 40. I can't talk to my regular vet until tomorrow so I am reading about Pancreatitus on the internet. I hate to see my baby in so much pain. She has been through so much with the initial diagnosis of AIHA and then Pure Red Cell Aplasia. She was doing so well and seemingly back to old ( young) self but this disease really is tough. The medication these poor babies have to be on just put their bodies into a flux. She is still trembling and she keeps wanting to go out to relieve herself. I will keep everyone posted. Please pray for Gracie. hugs, Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen, I am so sorry to hear this. It does seem very unfair. There is an important difference between acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. If an acute case is handled properly the first time, many dogs will recover fully and not have more attacks. Chronic pancreatitis is much more difficult to treat. After Cassie had an acute attack I found that once I treated her with a low fat diet for about 3 weeks, she was fine. I am careful that she doesn't get a lot of fat, but she still gets quit a bit. I use only food that I make for her so I can control that content. I would say the biggest change, and the only change I have made, is that I boil the ground turkey and beef (and rinse and toss out the extra fat) that I use along with the veggies and eggs to make that part of her diet. She still gets raw chicken wings and other raw meaty bones and does fine with them. My husband knows to be careful with extra junk now (esp after I made him pay for the vet bills for her...) Your vet has probably given you plenty of good advice about caring for her right now. I am not sure if they have asked you to withhold food or not, but it is a good idea. When you are ready to feed her, start with cooked rice, boiled skinless chicken breasts and some kind of cooked squash or canned pumpkin. I use the boiling water to make it more tasty. You can even put a bit of garlic in when you boil to make it more flavorful. Make meals small and more frequent. The pancreas must be activated every time there is food that needs digesting. Small meals require less effort by the pancreas. Fat is especially difficult to digest. Check your dog food bag for fat content. I would be very careful with any kind of processed kibble. They usually preserve this with fats and that can be troublesome. If this were me, I would avoid the kind of prescription diets that vets offer. They use what I consider "fake food" to make up the calories. You can accomplish the same thing with boiled rice or cooked sweet potatoes. If she likes it, you can try small pieces of apples or bananas for treats. A small bit of fat free yogurt mixed in is mighty tasty. You will notice her feeling better in about 4-5 days. In 3-4 weeks from now ask for your vet to run the SPEC cPL (“specific canine pancreatic lipase”)test for you. If those numbers are normal you do not need to continue to offer such a bland diet. This diet is not properly balanced but works for short term. Offer her Pedialyte popsicles if you can find them so you are replenishing electrolytes. Follow your vet's instructions on administering pain meds. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Thank-you Patrice for sharing your experience with Cassie and her bout with Pancreatitis. Your diet tips are invaluable. I have started feeding Gracie a bit.( something the vet gave me)Gracie doesn't like it though. I talked to the vet today and he suggested preparing food for her myself. She is on a lot of medication so some food in her stomach will protect her gut. He is dropping the Aziothioprine a bit. I was at my significant others house this past weekend and he told me that he had given Gracie some extra treats like cheese, some bacon and possibly a little steak. Of course I didn't see this happening. That may have contributed to her Pancreatitus attack. I feel somewhat relieved that this can be treated and I hope it isn't the Chronic pancreatitis. The pain medication is helping a bit. I will keep everyone posted. hugs, Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen, Nice to see you have a positive attitude about your ability to control this. Good job. It is going to mean some changes but they are doable. Follow your vet's instructions carefully. The pain medication is important. The pancreas is sometimes called the "angry" organ because of how painful pancreatitis can be. Well, I am not surprised she doesn't like the taste of the stuff the vet gave you. She may also just be in too much pain right now to eat too. Folks can take a lesson from your experience. Don't let others feed your dog junk. Be firm. Holidays are coming up, ask your guests not to feed your dog. At the least, it can cause diarrhea, at the worst it can mean a trip to the emergency vets. Here is an ingredient list from a well known brand of prescription dog food that is sold for digestive problems: Water, Egg Product, Turkey, Rice, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Pork Liver, Soy Fiber, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Taurine, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Riboflavin, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid. Ok, lets look at this. What is the main ingredient? Water. Hmmm. Easy enough to get this from your tap. Number two? Egg product. What is that? Probably mostly whites. They are high in protein and very low in fat. Ok, that is good and is an excellent food for dogs. But jeez, give your dog the whole egg. The yolks are full of vitamins and good fats, including omega 3 fatty acids. I give my dogs eggs in their diet everyday. And I buy them from my vet whose young son farms them at their home. You have never seen such bright orange yokes in your whole life. Eggs might not be good for a dog with acute pancreatitis, but are okay in moderation once the acute phase is over, say 3-4 a week? Number 3? Turkey. Ok, that is a little non descriptive. What part of the turkey? Some dark meat turkey is very very high in fat. Ground turkey can be very fatty. Fat is hard to digest. Number 4? Rice. Plain and simple rice, good calories. Dogs can eat rice for the most part without allergies. If you make this yourself, use a bit more water and cook it a little longer so it is nice and soft. Also use potatoes and sweet potatoes for calories. Number 5? Corn. BAD BAD BAD. Dogs cannot digest corn, their digestive system is not capable of this. It just ends up in the colon causing gas and is the leading cause of canine allergies. Toss out all food with corn in it. Number 6. Pork Liver. Ok, it's good to have liver in there, but why pork? Probably because they can get it cheaper than high quality beef liver. Feed liver sparingly, about 1 ounce per 10 pounds of dog per week. Cassie at 85 lbs gets not quite a pound of liver a week. Number 7. Soy fiber. Dogs can't digest soy fiber and it is number two on the list of foods that cause canine allergies. Soy comes from beans and dogs simply don't have the ability to digest beans. gas gas gas The rest of the ingredients are vitamins and minerals. If you can get them as part of food, all the better. Could you live on a diet like this? It wouldn't be very tasty or nutritious. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Gwen~ Isn't Patrice great with all this info on pancreatitis? Our Tori had a couple of flair-ups and we reduced the fat and protein ASAP! We went out and bought only low fat/low protein treats, too and half the portions. It really helps. Johnny helped me through the first one by letting her to fast 24 hours and when I called the vet she confirmed it. Some of these people on here may not be "vets" but they have read-up and researched on so many of the side effects of the meds. The goal is to lick this AIHA/IMHA! Praying Gracie responds and improves quickly. You are doing a great job of helping her become healthier! Blessings, Cindi & Tori

Cindi PCB

Hmmm, your diet Patrice sounds an awefull lot like what I prepare for Tessy now. She LOVES her eggs everyday!!! Probably got the ideas from you! Tessy had a severe case of Acute Pancreatitis earlier this year. I was ready to home cook for her but I let the docs talk me into using their crap prescription food. (Don't know why I let them talk me into it... never again!) This food worked well for her and then I gradually switched her over and she did really well. She gets almost NO fatty foods anymore. Almost a month ago I gave her a 3inch bully stick and I'm pretty sure this made her pancreas *angry*! I couldn't afford to test for pancreatitis but all the symptoms pointed to it. I fasted her for a day and gradually intoduced the bland diet to her and after a couple weeks she was back to normal. About a week later I took her in for bloodwork and the only level that was high was her lipase. If it's back to normal at the next draw then this will likely indicate to me it was indeed her pancreas. Don't quote me on this but I think the parent company to the Hills diet I was using is Palmolive!!! Do a search on this company and you'll learn why it is one to avoid!!! As always, Patrice explains things PERFECTLY!!! Hope that Gracie is feeling better today. HUGS, Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Thanks everyone for all your input. I am at my wits end. With so many vet visits I am finding the holidays are becoming a nuisance. Financially I am starting to drown. I am also back on the emotional roller coaster. Today Gracie's PCV dropped to 36. It had been at 40 for almost 3 weeks and I really thought we were heading towards the road of recovery. I am really scared. My vet dropped the dosage of aziothioprine to every third day instead of every other day because of the adverse effect on Gracie's pancreas. She takes prednisone every other day as well. Gracie is feeling a lot better though. She doesn't seem to be in pain so I haven't been giving her the pain medication. As I am writing this I am boiling chicken. I was all out of rice so I am making some rice pasta. ( I have it around since I am gluten intolerant myself). I have some canned pumpkin. I am not sure how much to give her though. She is only 16 and 1/2 lbs. She is a small cocker. I am truly considering contacting Dr. Dodd but I am really having a tough time money-wise. I also don't know where to begin. Luckily I will have some time off over the holidays beginning on Thursday. Maybe I can step back and begin to look at everything more clearly. I am really stressed at work. Thank-you for all your support. hugs, Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen, I would highly recommend you contact Dr. Dodds. You really can't loose! I remember last year I got a (personal) e-mail from her December 24. that woman is just awesome. I can't remember the cost at the time, but I know it is not a whole lot considering you get advice from THE expert. If you could e-mail her at hemopet @ hotmail.com (remove spaces) and send her all the lab results and info on the medications Gracie is on, that would be a start. I don't know if she would request a consultation fee for that and how much it would be. Just go ahead and ask. She is a very knowledgeable vet, but also very approachable. I don't think there are many vets around with her experience and knowledge in blood diseases. Maybe for the next blood check you could send it to her and then check the thyroid while you are at it. I am pretty sure the prices for that are on the hemopet website. I have never regretted writing to her and sending blood. My gut feeling is that the immune suppressing medications were deceased too fast for Gracie, but then who am I. Make sure to send Dr. Doddds the whole history but be short and clear. Good luck and best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Gwen, I am relieved to hear that Gracie seems to feel better. This is a positive sign that you can control this. While the drop from 40 to 36 PCV makes you feel unsure, it can be a relatively normal fluctuation in response to her recent illness and might not have much to do with her AIHA treatment. There are many things that control the PCV in the body. 36 is close enough to a healthy lower range. When Chance recovered, he stayed around 36-38 for 3 years. The key to gauging whether this is a normal level for your dog is to look at the reticulocyte number from the blood test. If this hovers around 1% and 60,000 absolute, then the body is quite happy with a PCV of 36. If it begins to rise to 2-3% and something like 100,000, that is an indication of a response to anemia. The other important value on the CBC is the hematocrit level. This is the actual number that more closely indicates whether there is anemia or not. The closer this value is to normal, the less likelihood that there is anemia. It is a good indication whether the blood cells are getting the right amount of oxygen to the body cells. I know you don't understand fully what I am saying right now, don't worry about it. But evaluate Gracie by how she is acting and how she seems to feel, not so much by the numbers. Does she seem to feel better? Is she more interactive with you? Is there any pep to her step? I can assure you that there is great relief when the pancreas stops hurting. Make this your focus over the holidays. Smile and be happy around Gracie, she is sensitive to how you feel. You are one person and you can only do so much. Give yourself credit for doing as much as you have already done. I believe in you. Don't sweat the small stuff with the food. Rice or anything carbohydrate that has calories and is easy to digest is fine, and not having gluten is actually better for her. Just use somewhere between a tsp and a tbls of pumpkin. Add a little low/non fat yogurt and it tastes like a pudding! Dr. Dodds will consult for nothing if necessary. If you feel that that she has helped you, then later you can send her the $35 consultation fee that is on the form on the website. The most important guidance I can give you about her is that she receives tons of email. Be short and concise when writing her. She knows you are upset so it's not necessary to tell her that. But believe me, she cares deeply that you are upset. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Thanks everyone Patrice..Your knowledge and help really is so reassuring.I think I will call the vet tomorrow and get a full copy of her last full blood panel. I still feel very unsure of how to interpret blood work. Brigitte.. I sent Dr. Dodd an email asking for her help. I really want to do everything for Gracie. Gracie and I are more connected than ever. My son just got home from college and he noticed how Gracie reacts to me and how she can't be away from me for even a few moments. When I went into the basement to get Christmas decorations she scratched frantically at the door. I would like to reassure her that everything is going to be Ok. Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Wow, I just got off the phone with Dr. Dodd. She is amazing. I emailed her only last night. She promptly called me this morning and gave me advice about Gracie's diet, what medication she is taking and of course getting her thyroid checked. At this point that will be my next step. She also knows my vet since she lived in upstate NY for many years. She recommended another vet if for some reason I need to go that route. She feels that I shouldn't be too concerned with the drop of Gracie's hermatocrite from 40 to 36 considering what she has been through. She also sent me an article but the article did make me upset. It was about statistics and mortality rate for dogs diagnosed with IMHA. While I was talking to Dr. Dodd Gracie was watching me. I think she knew I was talking about her. Happy Holidays everyone, hugs, Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen, I am so glad you contacted Dr. Dodds! Don't get upset about the statistics. Of course they sound bleak but you are doing ALL you can for Gracie's recovery. There really is nothing else you can do it is up to Gracie now. But since she was listening to you and Dr. Dodds talking, she should get it, that she needs to pull through this:) Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Gwen, It is awful to read the statistics sometimes but go back to Joanne's site and read the success stories again. There are so many dogs on there that should not have made it but they did. We have to be realistic that this is a difficult disease but it can be beat. Take care Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Gwen, that's the best news I coulda read!!! You are working with Dr. Dodds now!!! Sending blood off to her would be a very good idea! Don't worry about the statistics...you're already on the positive side of these numbers and these stats are far from accurate anyhow. Hugs and scritches & Happy Holidays, Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Gracie has been throwing up all day ( about 5 times)and it seems like everything she throws up is hardened ( undigested) I thought I was doing the right thing by cooking for her but now I wonder. She seemed to be doing better on the Hills w-d but I keep hearing, reading that it isn't good for dogs. Her pancreatitis has raised it's nasty head again. Maybe I was feeding her too much. I haven't fed her anything in quite a few hours and will call the vet again tomorrow. I'm afraid she is dehydrated. hugs, Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Dear Gwen, It has been painful but helpful to read about your experience with Gracie and to see the great advice from others. I am so glad I found this site. My boxer/lab/pit mix Juliet was diagnosed a month ago. She had no symptoms, but pale gums at her routine vet appointment. She's been on the prednisone for about a week.She had the shivering but a vet visit showed normal temperature. In her case, the lethargy started following the prednisone introduction. Last night she wet the bed. I have created a thread asking for advice on prednisone reaction. Best wishes to you and Gracie. I'll be thinking of you both.

Pat Vermont

Gwen, when Tessy was fighting pancreatitis I fasted her for a day and then SLOWLY introduced food to her. It took well over a week for her to be getting the amount she used to. I started by giving very small handfulls at a time spaced out through the day. Follow Patrice's advice above and just keep everything VERY VERY low fat!!! If I were you I'd fast her again for at least 12 hrs and then just give a very small handfull of food (spoonfull maybe) to see how she handles it. Will she drink water without puking? Gotta be very carefull she doesn't get dehydrated. If you lift the scruff up on the back of her neck and it doesn't fall back down into place then she is dehydrated....time for a vet visit where they'll probably hook her up to IV so she can get re-hydrated. Dehydration can be a VERY bad thing if not tended to!!! Please do keep us posted and if you get worried at all then take her to the vet. Better to be safe than sorry!!! HUGS, Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hello all, I wanted to give everyone an update on Gracie. I have been feeding her several meals a day consisting of boiled chicken, white rice and a bit of pumpkin. She seems to be holding everything down but her stools are a bit runny. Her belly seems soft ( it was hard as a rock last week)and she has a lot of energy. She seems very hungry though but I don't want to over feed her. She is continuing with omperazole for her stomach, along with Carafate and pepcid. I am still concerned about her nutrition. She has lost a pound and went from 16.8 to 15.6. On Monday she has a vet visit and will be weighed and her PCV will be checked. I am also going to have her thyroid checked and have her blood work sent to Dr. Dodds. Other than that I am simply enjoying her company. I am so grateful for this website. No one else really understands why I am concerned when they see Gracie and her happy go lucky self. I know things can change so quickly. hugs to all, Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen, If she seems to be feeling better you can start adding more complex foods. She needs something to firm up her stool. Try crushing an eggshell into her meals, that will add some needed calcium. She probably is very hungry for fat. We can't live without some fat for very long, it helps our body make hormones and new cells. Try making her a scrambled egg with a tiny bit of olive oil or butter. There's good fat in the egg and the olive oil or butter will make it palatable. If she does fine with that, try a small bit of hamburger that is very lean at the next meal or the next day. (pat the cooked hamburger on paper towels to remove excess fat) If she can't handle this, boil it. Obviously, if she reacts to any of this you have to back off. But I suspect she will not. Try to stay at less than about 350 calories a meal and only about 6-7 grams of fat with those meals. (That would be similar to what is in a lean cuisine meal, though don't feed her that! It's just for reference) If she can tolerate 7 grams of fat per meal and she has 3 small meals a day, that is about 21 grams a day. Check with your vet to see if they feel she can handle that much. How can you check this all out? I registered at www.fitday.com. I can check any food's complete nutritional profile and plug it into a daily food diary. I put in the dog's food for a day and I can see at a glance what I am giving them. I checked the scrambled egg in fat and it is 6.7gms fat and about 100 calories. The rest of the meal should be something like rice, some non-fat or low-fat plain yogurt, a plop of pumpkin and maybe some cooked/mushed green beans, carrots and kale. (Add in the crushed egg shell too) This will probably be in the range of 250-300 calories. Since Gracie should weigh about 20 lbs, she probably needs about 700 calories a day. Dividing this by 3 meals gives you about 235 calories per meal. If you want her to gain a little weight, you can make the meals 300 calories or set aside some calories for snacks. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Hello everyone and thank-you Johnny and Patrice for all your diet advice. I haven't been around in awhile because I have been sick with a flu virus. It's been a tough week. Gracie seems to be doing well with her new diet. I still haven't tried the boiled hamburger and will try to add that soon. She definitely loves her eggs. I just got back from the vet and Gracie's PCV seems to be holding at 36 since it dropped from 40 to 36 a couple of weeks ago. I also had blood drawn which is going to be sent to Hemopet and Dr. Dodds to check Gracie's thyroid. I also spent the extra money to have the full panel done again even though it was done by my regular vet a few weeks ago. I would like for Dr. Dodds to have all the facts to look at. I decided to have the thyroid looked at even though Gracie seems to be doing well again. After the scare a couple of weeks ago when she developed pancreatitis, I realized that things can change in a heartbeat and I feel by adding Dr. Dodds expertise into the picture, I'll be in a better place. I don't ever want to have lingering doubts that I haven't done everything I could for Gracie even though her regular vet is on top of things. He has been honest and said that he may not have ALL the answers. He is very open about learning more and learning from others including Dr. Dodds. Gracie is such a light of my life. She comforted me and kept me company through he flu. She is such a little sweetie. My sons are 18 and 20 and moving forward with their own lives. Gracie is my best friend. hugs. Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen so encouraging to read your latest posts. This is such good news. There must be something in the air here in the northeast. I am down with a flu/like virus too (and I had the flew shots). Perhaps it is the stress affecting our immune systems too! Be well. Pat & Juliet

Pat Vermont USA

Good to hear the news Gwen! Sending blood to Hemopet and Dr.Dodds is ALWAYS a good idea especially for the thyroid! Give Gracie some hugs and scritches for me! Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hello all, I haven't received the results of Gracie's blood tests that were sent to Dr. Dodds yet. I am concerned because I noticed that Gracie seems constipated and in a bit of discomfort. She can't sit properly and sits to her side as if it hurts to sit. She is also a bit hunched over. It is too late to give a call into the vet. Is there anything I can do for her? Thanks, Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen, two things come to mind. Full or infected Anal glands which would be not so bad. Try and touch her around the anus and see if she reacts. The arched back makes me think it could be pancriatitis, which is painful. I really don't have any experience with it and don't know if it is an emergency situation, sorry. I know Johnny has recommended Chamomile tea. feeding very lean would an other thing. est wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Still constipated??? How fast does Gracie eat? does she chew well? Gotta make sure there isn't a blockage problem. For constipation 100% canned pumpkin works reall well. Give her a couple spoon fulls to see if it helps...if not a suppository may work (but it won't be pleasant for either of you!). If not get to the vet if she hasn't pooped by now! Keep us posted, Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hello Everyone, This past Sunday Gracie got into some Chocolate that was in my teenage son's room. She got very sick from it and she got her third bout of Pancreatitis. I was very scared and almost took her to the Emergency Vet's ( I called instead). Luckily the technician told me it was good that Gracie was throwing up. She seemed to be better the next morning and I went back to the extreme low fat diet. Today Gracie's hermatocrite was 41 and I was so relieved but her weight is 14 and 1/2 lbs. My vet said she looked great though. She is a very petite Cocker. I don't want her to lose any more weight and I wouldn't mind if she gained a bit. I don't want her to keep getting Pancreatitis though. Gracie eats so fast and she doesn't chew her food well. When she threw up, I noticed whole almonds ( My son had Chocolate covered almonds in his back pack). All of her blood work came back from Dr. Dodd's with positive results. Her thyroid is fine but she did have elevated triglycerides. I was giving her eggs but I stopped after this last bout of pancreatitis. All in all I am very pleased with my baby girl's progress but she is so tiny. I know she needs more fat but then she gets pancreatitis. I just can't seem to get this diet thing on track. Hugs to all, Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Gwen~ My poodle girl is about 9 lbs since her her awful time with IMHA. She too, has bouts of pancreatitis, but the vet says that she is not underweight. She is a very petite, small bones 13" tall miniture poodle. They believe she will be healthier overall at this lower weight and you are right, if they can't have the fat they will not gain. But the pancreatitis is very painful. My girl is very active and burns up most of her calories! Ha! Ha! But thank goodness she is holding her own and happy. Glad Gracie is doing good (as long as you can keep her from "comfort" food like chocolate and high fat items! Blessings, Cindi & Tori

Cindi PCB

Gracie hun....chocolate and almonds are a BIG no no! I know they're yummy but tell your momma to put it all outta reach! Throwing up is a good thing if it's bringing up the bad stuff! If I were you I'd be getting a FULL chemistry panel to look at the kidneys and pancreas values. Lots of fresh clean water is a must aslo! Give her a scritch and hug for me. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Thanks Cindi and Johnny, My vet feels that Gracie is a healthy weight and told me that so many dogs are overweight that many people don't know what a healthy weight is for a dog. I just don't want her to lose more. I am so careful with keeping food out of reach so Gracie won't get into anything but my son isn't so careful. I have given him the riot act so I am praying this kind of episode won't happen again. It's bad enough for a healthy dog to get into chocolate but for a dog with IMHA it could be disastrous. This is truly a tough disease but I am so grateful Gracie is still with me. Thank and big hugs, Gwen and Grcaie

Gwen Rhinebeck

I can see what your vet is saying about weight. Lots of my friends who have dogs have no idea what a healthy weight should be and I was no better till I started reading about diets amd weight. Hopefully you'll get her back to your comfort weight as she gets better. If I were you I'd have them run a full chemistry at the next visit just to make sure things are good. Give her some hugs for me. Thoughts and prayers are with you both. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

This thread was discussed between 23/10/2010 and 18/02/2011

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