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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Leflunomide
| I asked about this in my update on Blitz post, but I thought I might get more information with this subject line. Blitz is taking prednisone, cyclosporine, sucralfate, pepcid, 1/4 asprin, milk thistle, and was just taken off azathioprine due to liver toxicity, and her PCV is still going down slowly - it was 23% yesterday from 28% last week (13% low 3 weeks ago). Since she isn't responding as well as her vet wants, she mentioned starting Leflunomide. Have any of you used Leflunomide? Hoow did it work? Are there any scary consequences? |
| Liah Charleston |
| Lelfunomide discussion from archives: http://www.vetnet.co.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=vetnetbbs&mode=archiveth&archiveyear=7_2010.dat&access=&subject=7&subjectar=7&source=T&thread=2009121802351519065 |
| Joanne MN |
| Hi Liah, This drug is not part of the usual treatment for IMHA. There are a handful of dogs on this site who have been on it, some have have survived and others still haven't. Is Blitz regenerating red blood cells? Are the doses of meds as high as they need to be? Sam and Millie. |
| Samantha Geelong Australia |
| The vets keep saying she is on high doses. I asked on Friday if I should increase the cyclosporine from 175mg/day because they had us stop the azathioprine (25 mg every other day) due to liver toxicity, and the vet (not her normal internalist, who was out Friday) said not to increase it. She's also on 40mg/day of prednisone and she's 40 pounds. Her PCV was at 23% on Friday, down from 25% on Wednesday, and I'm taking her back today for another PCV. She is regenerating red blood cells - as of last Monday her regeneration had picked up a lot since she was first diagnosed but her PCV is still going down again. The internalist mentioned trying Leflunomide since she isn't responding as well as they hoped to the other drugs. |
| Liah Charleston |
| Liah, I am not a vet, but this is how I understand it: There is regeneration, but since Blitz is not holding, even going down with her PCV there is also destruction. This destruction has to be halted before the PCV gets into the danger zone. According to my knowledge the prednisone dose is 1-2 mg per pound of dog. some vets have given up to 2mg in severe cases. So for Blitz it is clearly at the lower end. I would recommend to contact Dr. Jean Dodds at hemopet. She could give you valuable information. If your vet is not willing to work with her, you could contact her yourself. I have not heard of anybody that consulted with her that has regretted it. I am sure the internist you are going to knows a lot about AIHA, but there is always new things to learn. My vet was so exited to talk to Dr. Dodds and get her input. Please keep us updated. Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
This thread was discussed between 12/02/2011 and 14/02/2011
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) forum index
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