Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Holly's Ultrasound and blood work

Well great news! Holly had her ultrasound this afternoon and everything was great! No tumors, adrenal glands normal, liver & spleen normal, kidneys good, bladder and stomach good. Of course she did not like the test at all! And they had to shave her on both sides, so she now looks like the patch magic kid, HA! But we did get to sit in with her and hold her during it and see everything on the screen, was very interesting. Just so relieved! Okay, now to her bloodwork from yesterday. Hematocrit 55.2, highest yet! retic count 0.8, wbc 7.5, all fantastic, one disappointing was her Alkaline Phosphatase which went up to 1628, 300 points since last month. It just keeps rising and she is on milk thistle and Natural Balance dog food, so no wheat, grain, corn, etc. I already faxed everything to Dr Dodds she had told me last week if the ultrasound came back good then she would set up a schedule to start reducing the drugs starting with the aziathioprine. Thanks, Linda

Linda Sapphire

Linda, As Jean Dodds would say "thank g." Don't worry about the alk phos. Chance's was over 8600 at one point. It will come down as you reduce the prednisone. Ask Jean if she advises you to add Sam-e, I think she will agree at this point. I used both that and Liver Support Factors by Country Life (has milk thistle in it) and his numbers dropped very quickly to around 250 or so. Some breeds have a normal, but extraordinarily, high hematocrit. So perhaps something in her breed background has this genetic makeup? Patrice

Patrice NYS

Linda, This is wonderful news. I'm so glad that Holly's ultrasound went well and all of her organs are healthy. I know you're so relieved and thankful for this good report. Karen

Karen NC

Thanks Patrice & Karen, Patrice on the Sam-e I see they have differnt mg, would 100mg be okay for Holly do you think? She is about 15lbs. I have been using the milk thistle good 1/2 teaspoon in lunch and dinner, but now wondering if maybe I have had it to long and it has lost its potency? I but the pure seeds and grind up in a grinder. And before I forget Patrice, yes you are CORRECT, that is exactly what she said! HA! Thank G-d. You must know her very well. She did email me back with the new schedule for the drugs. We are first changing the azathioprine to every other day for 2 weeks, as long as she acts fine, then after two weeks we are going to every other day on the off days of the aziathioprine with the prednisone, still 2 mg, 1 mg in am and 1mg in pm. Then after two weeks of that we are to run the serum chemistry profile again. But I think I will add the Sam-e and also maybe update my milk thistle seed or maybe just get the Liver Support Factors. Thanks again, Linda

Linda Sapphire

Linda, I know she would say that because I read it many times from Jean while we were treating Chance. It was looking like he wouldn't live, but he did. Dr. Dodds has been my guardian angel for a very long time. She met Chance finally this summer when she came to Rochester for a seminar. The problem with a very small dog is that the dosages of over the counter Sam-e are too large for them, that's why in some cases it is better to use the veterinary version: Denosyl. It's the same stuff. See here for the recommended dosage and instructions: (Looks like they use 90 mg for small dogs so maybe you could use the 100mg- ask Dr. Dodds) http://www.denosyl.net/ Read about Liver Support Factors here, this is a website hosted by a good friend on the Tick-L list that covers just about everything to do with tick diseases. Dogs on high doses of doxycycline often develop high liver values as well. So on Tick-L they recommend those dogs take Liver Support Factors. You can read the ingredients on this website: http://blackgsd.googlepages.com/lsf I have actually researched everything listed on this label and I felt it was safe to use. In addition, some folks recommend pulse dosing herbs like milk thistle because the body can begin to respond less strongly if it's given every day. So some would give it mon-fri and not on the weekends. This is how Dr. Dodds had me dose cyclosporine. my best, patrice

Patrice NYS

Patrice, I emailed Dr Dodds earlier and she answered back to use Denamarin by Nutramax which is the combo of sam-e and milk thistle. She said I could get it at the vet, but again, not sure with our vet if he would have it. Otherwise I will check into the ones you mentioned. Some other good friends I met through this board, Kathy & Mike Walker who have Grace the dachshund that got IMHA around the same time as our Holly, and I still keep in touch with them. They live in Calf and also have met Dr Dodds and she has couched their Grace to almost med free and is doing great. So through everyone on here and just talking with her on the phone that one time, I feel she will be our guardian angel also with Holly. Thanks, Linda

Linda Sapphire

Linda, How is Holly. You haven't posted in a very long time. patrice

Patrice NYS

Patrice, Thank you so much for asking. Holly is doing great! At least I hope so. After the ultrasound, per Dr Dodds we started on a decrease schedule or the pred and aziathioprine to every other day and so far so good. Her gums are still nice and pink, and she even has these little bursts of energy which is so great to see. We go on next Monday for her blood work, so keep those prayers and good wishes coming. Thanks, Linda

Linda Sapphire

Linda, Good deal. No news is good news. I was worried, but not any more. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

This thread was discussed between 05/11/2008 and 02/12/2008

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