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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Indy Update - RBC Up! :)
| Hello everyone, On Friday I took Indy in to the vet to have his blood tested again. I figured that if his RBC had gone down from 12.1% then I would definitely take him over to the specialist/emergency hospital for a transfusion. Well, like Patrice said in response to my last post, his RBC definitely came up! Up 3.5% from Monday which is so awesome - but I'm trying not to get too excited - this disease can take such an emotional toll on me with the roller coaster of results. Now Indy is at 15.6% which makes me feel a little less worried. Also, his reticulocytes are all the way at 8.6% (they were at 8% on Monday which is why we believed his RBC would come up). Glad to have some good news to report :) Thank you all so much for your advice and responses! |
| Indysmom Pittsburgh |
| Excellent news! Reticulocytosis will remain somewhat high for a period of time until you reach a more stable pcv. The body is trying very hard to remake a complete "structure." Blood tests can be a little unstable as this happens. A transfusion at this point will confuse the body and might slow down the regeneration process. At some point you do want the reticulocytosis process to slow down and level off. At the same time you will see the pcv rise towards normal and then begin to slow down also. Be very patient during this time. Indy has significant healing to do so treat him like a patient: lots of quiet rest, good nutrition, clean water and low stress. Resist the urge to begin changing dosages of meds significantly. Continue to provide protection to the stomach against the prednisone. keep us up to date patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Awesome news! I so remember when that happened for Sophie too. Please cont to keep us posted on Indy's progress. The less excitement Indy has right now the better. Sending you healing vibs! Debbie and Sophie |
| debbie N.B. Canada |
| One day at a time. Congrats to you and Indy. |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Another Indy update - Went to the vet this morning to have his bloodwork checked again and his PCV is up to 24.4%! I am feeling a lot better about him being in the over 20% range. A question - Indy is currently taking Carafate to protect his stomach, and I was wondering what the alternatives to this are as we going going through a $20 bottle a week - which makes this medication more expensive than all his other medications combined. Some people have mentioned Pepcid... just wondering! Thanks!! |
| Indysmom Pittsburgh |
| Are you getting the carafate from the vet or the drug store??? I'd assume you could get it fairly cheap from somewhere like costco or wallmart (i'm not sure where the cheapest places are in the US). I wouldn't be complaining AT ALL if $20 a week is your biggest expense right now. Carafate is good to use cause it helps them with nausea and stimulates the appetite by making their tummy not feel icky. If you go another route ask them for a price on Prilocek (omeprazole). This is better than pepcid but likely costs more. Call around and see what the prices are for it if interested. I would use both if it were me. Good luck and congrats on the rise in the crit! 24.4% is a good improvement but you gotta remember to be vigilent at all times. You should still keep him well rested and stress free. Keep the water going to him....lots of fresh clean water! Good quality food also. Johnny & Tessy |
| Johnny |
| Great news! Blessings, Cindi |
| Cindi & Tori PCB |
This thread was discussed between 29/08/2010 and 05/09/2010
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