Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Mitch

Since last Wednesday when Mitch had a PCV of 30 and a platelet count of 28 he has failed to respond so well so we never got to bring him home from hospital at the weekend after all. His PCV remains reasonably stable around 26-30 but his platelet count went to 17, 19 and yesterday 9! He is having another bone marrow biopsyaspirate today (Thursday) to compare with previous one etc and hopefully get some answers. For some reason platelet production is still just falling and he has been on high dose pred and cyclosporine for quite a while now. Mitch is apparantly happy, friendly and completely unaware how sick he is.His body is coping well with the meds. He has been away for 3 weeks now and at the moment I doubt he will ever get the chance to come home again.It will be a month this Friday since he got sick. Any answers, ideas or a miracle most welcome. Patrice - You are a fountain of all knowledge- any ideas? His megakaryocytes are normal in number, unusual, as apparantly with thrombocytopenia you would normally expect to see more than normal as the body tries to deal with the shortfall. Having a tough night, Kath

Kath Scotland

I am so sorry to hear about Mitch. I will keep you both in my prayers. It is very good that he does not act sick or feel sick and very good that he is still handling the meds. I'm not an expert at all in this, just a newbie going through the motions with my pup too, but there are still a lot of things with Mitch to be optimistic and hopeful about. Keep positive and stay strong.

Mardi Northern Cali

Kath, I am sorry to hear about this. Let's try something here that might work. Did you get the protocol I sent you via email? There is a section on it that pertains directly to this: "7) In poorly responsive immune thrombocytopenias (ITP), an initial dose of vincristine (Oncovin, 0.01 mg/lb IV) may be helpful to release remaining platelet stores, and danazol (Danacrine, 2.5-5 mg/lb BID initially and then tapered to SID) has been effective along with steroids and thyroid for longterm maintenance" If your vet hasn't implemented this protocol yet, then this may be the answer. Have your vet call or email Dr. Dodds to ascertain that this may work now, be aware of the time differences before you call. She is west coast US. http://www.hemopet.org/contact.html i will be thinking of Mitch tonight patrice

Patrice NYS

thanks patrice. I did recieve your protocol thanks and i have discussed vincristine with alisdair yesterday. It is definately an option but i think he is keen to see bone marrow results first. Thanks. I will in back and re read your protocol again.

kath scotland

Hi Kath I'm so sorry to hear about Mitch's setback - it must be so very hard on you - but take heart from knowing that he appears happy and unaware of his illness. I know so little about PRCA, let alone the condition, which Mitch has, so unfortunately, I can't make any sensible suggestions. Hoping for positive results from the bone marrow tests. Best wishes, Claire

Claire Cumbria

Kath, I have seen many dogs with ITP (immune mediated thrombocytopenia) do very well after receiving Vincristine. Here is the URL of a page that has some info on Vincristine: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/vincristine.html You might want to take a look at it. Be assured I am keeping both you and your dear Mitch in my thoughts and prayers.

Joanne MN

Kath I can't offer any medical advice, but please know that Mitch is in my thoughts and prayers. Are you allowed to visit Mitch and have you had a chance to see him since he was admitted? Sending our prayers Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

kath, I hope you got a bit of sleep last night. I am so sorry for what you are going through. It must be hard to be so far away from your boy. Please don't think he is not coming home again. Try and visualize him at home being balanced and healthy! Send him good vibes and energy. If it does not help, it certainly does not hurt. Go on Joanne's website and read the success stories: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/successstories.htm There are so many and they give you hope. Mitch can recover and you have to believe that! Best wishes, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Kath, I hope that the marrow tests give some better clues as to the what is going on. Please try to believe that Mitch will get home. I cannot even imagine how hard it is for you to have had him gone for so long. It is an excellent sign that his behaviours seem to be so normal. Praying and thinking of you both. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Kath Have you been to see the wee chap, or do you feel it would upset him more when you had to leave him? I know when Nollaig was in for the 2 weeks,I desperately wanted to see her but her pcv was very low 11% and I didn't want her to get excited when she saw me and then upset when I left which would put more demands on her oxygen levels. So I put her needs before mine,you're probably doing the same with Mitch.Believe you will have him home soon. Have they done the atopica level test to check he's absorbing it fully and his levels are within the therapeutic range that they should be? I pray that he's on the verge of turning this round. Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

Kath, Lets hope this is the worst of it and things will turn around soon. It is not uncommon to hear of dogs extremely ill and recovering on this site. It has to be so unbearable for you though. You are in our thoughts and will say a prayer for you and Mitch. It is really good that he is in good spirits. Hoping he'll be home soon! Chris & Alex

Chris Pa

Thankyou all so much for your support, it really helps to come on here and have you all behind Mitch and I. I haven't been to see Mitch since he went to the Dick Vet 2 1/2 weeks ago. It is only about 70 miles away but I decided it was in his best interest to not visit and over excite him as he is so fragile with the low platelets. Alisdair has described him as 'bouncy' and they are doing there best to treat him 'with care'. Secondly I think it would be very hard for both myself and Mitch to part again after a visit. How could he understand my leaving without him? I miss him terribly, my other two very loved dogs just do not fill Mitch's little paws. It is so quiet, calm, peaceful and terribly boring without my little whirlwind. I will try to be more positive and think of him coming home and I think my negativity is largely just me preparing myself for the news I dread and trying to imagine not having him here anymore. His bone marrow aspirate was taken today but unfortunately they were unable to get a biopsy, however it's hoped they will get the info neccesary. Maybe tomorrow we will have more answers as to why the platelets are not responding and see where we go from here. Since cyclosporine being added to the pred 2 weeks ago his PCV has been 10,32(post trans),27,27,26,30,26,29,28. whilst his platelets have been 2,42(post trans),7,7,8,28,17,19,9. Anyone else had similar patterns with thrombocytopenia/evans? Thanks again Kath

Kath Scotland

This thread was discussed on 20/08/2009

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