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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Millie and Advice
| I am starting a new thread for Clare's post so others can see it more easly. Joanne Latest visit to the vets Millie's PCV was up a little but her new red blood cells showed much improvement. I think her gums are definately pinker. The vet said I could walk her gently but I'm rather worried about that. I took her for a short walk yesterday but am worried I've over done it -she seems tired today. I'm also worried about her liver values and about having her spayed - which the vet wants to do before her next season which will be in the New Year she was in season when all this started in June and the vet thinks it might be related. I'm ALSO worried about her relapsing again - did we drop the meds too quickly last time - going from 20mg pred to 10mg. She is currently on 20mg pred and 2 Atopica a day. Is there a protocol for coming down on the meds? I have looked at the success stories site which gave me some comfort but have not had time to email Dr Dodds yet. My thoughts are with all of you also fighting this awful disease - some winning the battle and some sadly losing it. My vet also said we won't be vacinating Millie again - is that the right advice too? Clare, family and Millie, Oxon, UK |
| Clare Fox Oxon |
| Clare, I do have some information that might be helpful to you in regard to the prednisone reduction. This information is from a Magazine called “Veterinary Medicine” subtitled clinical solutions for practicing veterinarians. This is the June 1999 issue. In the article called “Managing immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in dogs” by Stephanie J, Lifton, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM which was peer reviewed before publication we find the following information and I am quoting here: “The level of medication should be kept constant until the PCV is normal for at least three to four weeks. If the dog is having severe side effects from the prednisone (e.g. polyuria or polydipsia, panting, exercise intolerance) the dose can be lowered slightly after two weeks or another medication such as Azathioprine can be added to the treatment regimen. Remember this medication needs to be given two to three weeks to take effect before the dose of prednisone can be decreased.” “Once the disease is in remission, the dose of prednisone can be lowered by 25% to 35% every three to four weeks until the lowest dose that keeps the disease under control is reached. This can be accomplished by either decreasing the dose or the frequency of administration (e.g. twice a day to once a day then every other day then every three days and so on.) If the dog is receiving more then one immunosuppressive drug, change the dosage or frequency of only one drug at a time.” End of quote. Even though this is a from a source that is several years old, this is the prednisone reduction schedule that many of the veterinary teaching hospitals follow in regard to AIHA/IMHA In regard to vaccinations many vets recommend never vaccinating a dog who has AIHA/IMHA. I know my Meisha relapsed after vaccinations so we later decided not to vaccinate her again and I truly believe, at least for us, that was the right answer. I seen many other dogs who have relapsed after vaccinations but then again I have seen many dogs with AIHA/IMHA who have handled vaccinations well. This as with all issues related to AIHA/IMHA does not have a "one size fits all" answer. |
| Joanne MN |
| Joanne Thank you for this - I'll print it off and take it in to the vets. Unfortunately my vet is going on maternity leave very shortly so I'll have to take up with one of the "others" who I am less keen on. Sometimes they don't seem to like it when I raise things I've learnt online - but I'm not criticising them or anything. I jut feel perhaps we dropped her down too fast last time on the pred which is why she crashed so appallingly. I just think they sometimes take it the wrong way. I'm only trying to do the best I can for Millie. Clare and family, Oxon, UK |
| Clare Fox foxhens@aol.com |
This thread was discussed on 17/11/2008
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