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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Kahlu
| Hello everybody, I know I should not be freaking out! i read all the success stories and I have been on this board for 3 weeks now. Thank goodness I found it just hours after Kahlu was diagnosed. His counts (test done at the vets lab) were pretty good this past Tuesday RBC 4.6 HCT 37.70. So I was very confident the test from yesterday that was sent out to a lab for a full CBC would come back very positive, especially because Kahlu seems to be quite a bit more energetic. The vet told me not to freak out that the counts went down, because they have different machines. And of course I have read that here too. So he is down to 4.2 and 32. He is now also on Azathioprine and Milk thistle. Something that has been suggested here and I passed on to the vet. But she hesitated, because he seemed to be improving enough on the prednisone. The Pathologist was also concerned about coagulation and we will do a test for that again on Monday and then again a full CBC on Saturday. The vet still hesitates to put him on Aspirin, because from what she read there are different opinions. Should I push her on that? We are only 3 weeks into this, but I am getting pretty down. It is so hard not to see results. It is hard to see a young energetic dog turn into an old guy. The prednisone is so hard on him. I was so much hoping that in a week we could start reducing. Thanks for listening! i guess I go back to Joannes site and read those success stories all over again. |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
| Brigitte, Hang in there. This disease requires long term care. One of the horrible things about it is what the Pred and other meds do to our pets. All of our dogs have had the lethargy, muscle weakness, thirst, hunger, etc. It is all apart of the long healing process. Good news is that once the disease is in remission and meds are greatly reduced, our dogs pretty much return to normal. The aspirin is important but must be carefully dosed and managed by your vet. In some cases it is not indicated. Kahlu is in our prayers! SUE |
| Susie Delaware |
| Brigitte, Ty to hang in there. Fighting this disease is measured in months not weeks unfortunately. It is not unusual to have different readings between the ones sent out to the labs and the ones done in house. Hopefully re-reading the success stories will help you through this little set back. Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Brigitte, do hang in there that everyone says its a roller coaster ride. Like Penny said its not unusual to have different readings from labs and even in the office can also vary if they do both the blood one and the PCV one. Wylies PCV is always 7-10 points lower with the blood test vs the HCT (the one where they spin the blood)which is the most accurate. So I would find out what method the outside lab used Laurie |
| Laurie CA |
| Brigitte, I know what you mean about seeing a young dog turn into an old dog. This disease is so emotionally hard on us. Hang in there. It took six months of weaning Alex off meds until he really started to feel better. So far he has been getting back to himself more and more. People that saw him last summer are now amazed at his progress as I guess they didn't think he would survive. Seems that there is no fast cure for improvement and it all just takes time. From what I have read reducing meds too early can cause a back slide. It is really great that your dog has some energy back already and blood count is good. You're in our thoughts and prayers and know that everyone here understands the tough times you are now going through. Chris & Alex |
| Chris PA |
| Poor Kahlu - I wonder what breed he is and how old. Our westie Millie was only 2 and she initially responded very well on the pred alone. Just be incredibly cautious at the point the vet decides to reduce the levels of the meds once he's pulled up on the blood levels - that's when it all went wrong for us with tragic consquences. I just wish I'd found this board earlier during Millie's illness. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Clare, UK |
| Clare |
| Hello everybody, thank you so much for all your positive thoughts. It means so much to know that I am not alone with this. I don't think anybody that hasn't gone through this quite understands it, the way all of you do. So thanks again! Clare, yes I am so glad I found this site just after Kahlu was diagnosed. He is a 2 1/2 year old red standard poodle. A lot of people think he is a labradoodle, because of his colour and because his tail is not cropped. He is a wonderful and goofy guy. We just started to compete in Agility. He did so well, he won his first titles at his first trial! He was in excellent shape before all this and I hope that will be in his favor. Now he is just resting and healing and I give him massages and tell him stories..... Best wishes to all of you, Brigitte and Kahlu the couch potato |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
This thread was discussed between 14/02/2009 and 15/02/2009
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