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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Maddisons update
| Good morning. Maddison's paxal (which im sure im not spelling correctly) was down to 8% yesterday so she required a blood transfusion. I guess it went well, she didn't have any reactions and perked up a little. I'm anxiously waiting on the results of this mornings blood work, as the vet says, at this point it is day by day but I am hopeful. I'm glad I found this site it is helpful to read your updates and see how well your babies are doing. I hope you have a good day!!! |
| Kathy N.C. |
| Kathy, With a Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of 8 it was very wise that Maddison's vet gave a blood transfusion. Most vets will transfuse when the PCV gets in the low teens or less. Blood transfusions are very helpful in that they "buy time" until the medications used to treat AIHA/IMHA start to work. If you would like to learn more about the PCV and other components of the blood you can do so by clicking on the following URL http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?articleid=987 Several of the dogs on the Success Stories page at the Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Web site: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/successstories.htm have had one or more blood transfusions. If you have not read these Success Stories as yet, you might want to do so. They will show you what has worked for other dogs in terms of treatment options as well as give you a lot of HOPE. By the way I also have a dog named Madison, although we spell it with only one d. We call her Maddie. Maddie does not have AIHA but her canine sister Meisha, who was the inspritaion for the Meisha's Hope Web site did. I truly do know how hard this is, so please be assured I am keeping you and your dear Maddison in my thoughts and prayers. |
| Joanne MN |
| Hi Kathy, I am so sorry to hear that Maddison has been diagnosed with this awful disease. It's such a roller coaster ride, but there is always hope. My dog Tipsi has been fighting this disease since September 2007. It definately has been a trying experience, but I am so glad I never gave up on her. Considering I am from NC I was wondering what part of the state you live in? If you are anywhere near the NC STATE Veterinary Teaching Hospital I would recommend any of the doctors in their internal medicine department. They are amazing and I can truly say that my Tipsi wouldn't have made it without them. I really wish you and Maddison the best. Please let me know if you have any questions. And keep us updated! Hugs, Layla & Tipsi |
| Layla Brantley Raleigh |
| Good morning. Maddisons' pack cell count is at 19 this morning (up from 18 yesterday) So things are looking better and she gets to come home tonight! Hopefully she will keep improving. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers! |
| Kathy N.C. |
| Glad to hear she is climbing up, thats good news. What are you feeding her? I would suggest a good natural type food,there are a bunch out there, seems to me that helps with their digestion and eating, just less stress on the immune system to fight hard to beat this disease. |
| Joanne wyoming |
| Hi Joanne. I have been feeding her nutro chicken & rice (sensitive stomach which helps her sister Lola) but I'm sure that will change. The vet said I could make her some plain chicken & rice to hopefully tempt her into eating... |
| Kathy N.C |
| Kathy such great news that Maddison's PCV is up to 19 and that she gets to come home!!! So good for both of you. It isn't uncommon for the PCV to dip slightly after the numbers rise from the transfusion. Duck's second transfusion was a packed cell transfusion (rather than whole blood) and was given when his PCV was 11, his PCV rose to 25 and then three or four days later, dropped to 19. After that though, he started to steadily climb and I believe it was because the medications had started to take effect. Just something you should be aware of so that you don't get your hopes dashed if Maddison drops a bit. Hopefully she won't!!! Anyway, really really happy for you. deb and Duck |
| Debbie BC Canada |
| Hi Kathy, I was just wondering how Maddison is doing? This disease is crappy (I wanted to use other terminology...) isn't it? I hope she's doing better. Gail |
| Gail SD |
This thread was discussed between 20/02/2008 and 22/02/2008
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