Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - How is Darcy

Hi Karen I was just wondering how Darcy is doing? We continue to keep her in our thoughts and prayers. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Cheryl & Ginger, You are so kind! Thank you for asking about Darcy. I haven't posted lately because I've got so much going on right now with my job, but I have been thinking about and praying for all of you guys. Darcy acts like she feels good and seems to be back to her old self --- barking, wagging her tail, begging for food. We started her on the brand name Neoral about 12 days ago because she was absorbing very little of the generic. She is on 100 mg/day of that and 5 mg/day of Prednisone. Last week was the first week we have skipped going to the specialist to have her PCV checked (and she was diagnosed the end of July!). Week before last her PCV was at 18%. Her gums are still pale, but I am going on faith that she is being healed. Early tomorrow morning I take her to have blood drawn for a PCV check and cyclosporine absorption level check (the latter has to be sent off for testing). I do appreciate your continued prayers, as they are powerful weapons in this fight. Karen

Karen NC

Karen, So glad to hear that Darcy is doing well. I too have been wondering how she was doing. Take care, Chris

Chris PA

Karen, I was about to post the same thing, so thanks for the Darcy update! So happy to hear she's up and about -- can't beat that wagging tail!

Sharon CT

Karen Thanks so much of the update, as you know we worry about all the dogs on this thread. I am so glad things are going well for Darcy and I hope she is absorbing her meds better. Good Luck Tomorrow. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Karen paws up for Darcy.........prayers and hugs to you both. sharon and angel Brandy

sharon pa

We just returned from the veterinary specialist where they drew Darcy's blood. Sadly, her PCV is 13%. It's been two weeks since she was tested and it's down 5%. But, she is still acting well, waging that tail and eating everything in sight. The specialist said we should look at those clinical signs. She doesn't want to give a blood transfusion unless it is absolutely necessary, and I can't bear the thoughts of her going through another one. She was just so sick and so pitiful after the last one. If the Neoral (Cyclosporine) levels are not being absorbed, the specialist might increase the dosage. She's afraid to increase her Prednisone because there's a possiblity that it contributed to the pancreatitist she got after the transfusion. She also said that there's another drug (it starts with an L but I'm sorry I can't remember what it is)we could try but it is even more expensive than Neoral. She also seemed doubtful that it or anything else would work. She suggested a bone marrow test, but said that even if they find some strange reason as to why Darcy's bone marrow isn't regenerating, they probably wouldn't treat her any differently. I cried and prayed all the way home. I'm still waiting for Darcy's miracle. Please pray that she'll hang strong and that her PCV won't drop any lower. Thank you all. You are such a support and encouragement. I remember each of you and your little ones in my prayers. Karen

Karen NC

Karen, I am so so sorry that you and Darcy are going through this. Hang in there and we will keep praying for Darcy. Although none of us have ever met it feels like there is a kinship in this suffering together. Your tears are our tears - just as we all rejoice when someone gets a good checkup. Remember things can turn around for her. Keep faith. Give Darcy a kiss for us and tell her we are rooting for her. Chris & Alex

Chris PA

I think we have to look at the positive side and be thankful that she is still eating and acting fine, to me that would indicate that she feels just fine. I base a lot on how Ginger acts and I remember Dr Dodds telling me that dogs can and do live with a low PCV. I know how disheartening it is going in every week for a PCV and how anxious you feel while you are waiting for the results and hoping and praying the reading is at least improved from the last time, only to find it has not. Try not to be too upset with the numbers and enjoy your little fighter. I was wondering how her energy level was? If she is absorbing the Neoral and has only been on it for a few weeks it may take a few more for her numbers to come up provided she is on the correct dosage. I was wonder if you ever printed the information off the Biopreparation website and had your vet take a good look at it and see if they think it might help her. I have not used it, but might be tempted if Gingers vet would review all the information and recommend it and I think a few others on this thread have been using it. Give Darcy a hug from her cheering section. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Karen, I am sorry Darcy didn't have a higher PCV but the fact that she is eating well and wagging her tail is a really good sign. PCV levels can change and can be affected by dehydration etc. Just love her every minute and know we are all praying and hoping Darcy turns it around. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Thanks everyone. I needed to hear that. Cheryl, Darcy's energy level is good and she isn't stumbling or anything like that. Her appetite is hearty (begs and barks for food) and she greets everyone at the door with a bark, wag of the tail, and lick on the face. I can tell that her breathing isn't exactly normal all of the time and she is sleeping/resting a lot. I did look into the biopreparation some time ago, but didn't know whether to add it to the meds. I will look into it again and consult the specialist. I do have the name of a homeopathic veterinarian in my area who makes house calls. I might give her a call and find out how familiar she is with these anemia related diseases. Thanks for all of your prayers. Karen

Karen NC

I am praying for you and Darcy. Her behavior sounds as though she is feeling okay. That's a wonderful sign. Keep loving her, Karen.

Leslie Oceanside

Darcy is so amazing, that she can clinically be doing so well is encouraging, even though the numbers aren't higher. We really hope that you get a great number soon, to go along with that great little fighting spirit! melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

I think Darcys energy level is a good sign. Did your vet put Darcy on Pancreazymes after her bout with Pancreatitis? Wylie has been taking it now since July when we thought she it, but didnt, my vet says its still okay to give her. Wylie is now taking Biopreparation after the go ahead from my vet. I started giving it to to her because of her replase 2 weeks ago. I dont know if this has anything to do with her rapid rise of red blood cell count. I am crossing my fingers its still up there tomorrow when she has another test. here is the info on the Bioprep http://www.optimumchoices.com/ImmuneMediatedHemolyticAnemia-IMHA.htm Good luck with Darcy Laurie

Laurie CA

Karen: The drug they put Lola on was called Danazol. If that is the one they may put Darcy on let me know. I have some still. It is VERY expensive, ugh.

Courtney SLO

Laurie, Our specialist never mentioned Pancreazymes and this is the first time I've heard of them. She is not one to add in anything natural and gets highly defensive whenever I ask her about anything Dr. Dodds recommends. Also, she never told me for sure what caused Darcy's pancreatitis --- said it might have been from the blood transfusion or the Azathioprine or the Prednisone. However, she seems very concerned about giving another blood transfusion. I am going to look into the Biopreparations again. In the beginning, I was giving Darcy lots of the Standard Process immunity and blood building supplements, but chose to discontinue them because I thought they might be counteracting the immune suppressant drugs she was on. That's one reason I'm going to contact the holistic vet to see what her ideas are on Darcy's non-regenerative anemia. How is Wylie doing now? Karen P.S. Thank you for your prayers Leslie, and thank you Melissa for your kind words of encouragement.

Karen NC

Karen -- sounds like you and Darcy are on such a rollercoaster, but that is IMHA. I agree with the others that Darcy's behavior is such a good sign that she's fighting hard. Please take care and keep us posted. I'll continue to keep you and Darcy in my prayers.

Brenda VA

Don't give up hope with Darcy. My scruffy had a very low PCV for a very long time with no cyclosporin treatment. It dropped only slowly as he had no regeneration either. He was able to eat and walk a little and go to the toilet ok. His gums were white and yet he still showed a lot of interest in life. The vets convinced me not to go on with his treatment and I will never know if he could have made a recovery or not.

Julie Australia

This thread was discussed between 19/11/2008 and 22/11/2008

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