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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Help - not sure of vet's approach
| My lurcher girl who has been diagnosed with AIHA doesn't seem to be doing so well. The vets are certain it's this condition as she has all the symptoms even though we are still awaiting the bone marrow biopsy to confirm. So far we know it's non-regenerative anemia. She is incredibly restless and seems to be in pain and yet the site of her bone marrow biopsy doesn't seem to be the cause. Is this kind of behaviour normal with AIHA? She has been prescribed a morphine based pain killer to knock her out, but I am worried about this approach and especially since she is not eating normally - she's eating virtually nothing. She has also been prescribed 1mg of prednicare per 1kg of her body weight - is that dose high enough?? I'm also concerned because after 3 days we are supposed to reduce this dose even further. After looking through this site it would seem that 2-4mg per kg of body weight is the norm for 3 or 4 weeks. Thanks Claire |
| Claire Cumbria |
| Claire, There is so much I don't understand about the different approaches that some Vets take. It does not sound like yours has much experience in treating AIHA if he is discussing reducing drugs at all at this point.I am assuming prednicare is similar to what we call prednisone? That can take up to a week to start working and is usually not reduced until there is an improvement in the blood readings and then it is done gradually over many months. I am not worth a damn with metric measurments so can't help on the dosages. Are they not feeding your girl with an IV? I think it is imparitive that you seek out someone who is well versed in treating this. Don't hesitate to be your girl's voice. A lot of us at some point have had to step on a few doctors egos to make them listen. Have you tried contacting Dr. Dodds? You can reach her at www. hemopet .org with the spaces removed. She is so generous with her time and responds to emails very quickly. Try to have as much info about her medical records when you write. Thinking of you both Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| If I were you and your girl is stong enough, I would try to get a second opinion. Cheryl & Ginger |
| Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA |
| Definitely seek the second opinion. We had Ethel on 20mg prednisone -- as a 20lb dog, that's much closer to 2mg/kg, which seems standard from what I have read. It really took the IV dexamethasone, though, before she started to turn around and make progress. |
| Brian Vermont |
| Hi Claire, I will add my voice to the "get a second opinion chorus". AIHA itself is not painful but it does cause the dogs to become very lethargic and tired because their body isn't getting the proper supply of oxygen. Christina |
| Christina BC |
| Please, please, please....seek out a second opinion. If you are not sure of something this will at least help to put your mind at ease. Prayers and best wishes, Johnny & TEssy |
| Johnny |
| Hi, Yes, get a second opinion, and if you can get it from a veterinary teaching facilty that would be great. It is worth the time and money to get the right diagnosis and treatment early and veterinary university would be the best place to do it. YOu can also ask Dr. Dodds for a consult - get her bloodwork and go online to hemopet.org i think its org or net, just google it.... and ask for a consult. Be prepared with all the test results etc. Good luck, Chrisitne and angel Kent |
| Christine fl |
This thread was discussed between 30/07/2009 and 31/07/2009
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