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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - My 4yr old doxie has AIHA
| Hi there everyone, I have never posted on here before, although I have been "lurking" since my 4 year old dachshund, Chili, was diagnosed with AIHA Feb 3 '09. It has been an emotional rollercoaster for everyone in our family especially me because she is my baby. Chili has epilespy and takes phenobarbitol. The Friday before she became ill she had what looked like a seizure, but she never really fully recovered from it. Saturday and Sunday she seemed mopey and quiet, by Monday afternoon she only came out of her crate once when the doorbell rang and proceeded to fall over shaking. I called the vet and they got her in the next morning. By then she was not even lifting her head, eating or drinking. They had the initial diagnosis within hours, her PCV was 14 and the Coombs test came back positive the next day. She spent the night in the hospital and came home on Weds. She initially got better (PCV 20)with Prednisone but by Monday was down to 14. She was put on azathioprine but continued to get worse, by Friday 13th (go figure) her PCV was 10. We took her in on the 14th for another check and it came up to 13. Monday was 13 again, Weds was 16 and by last Friday it was up to 19! She goes back in today for another test, hopefully she will have come up again. Her spirit is so strong thankfully. I'm just wondering if anyone else out there has had a dog who had seizures with AIHA. The stand in vet who prescribed the phebobarbitol in Nov. 2008 initially had us do a blood test that checked for heart problems. He thought maybe she was having seizures due to a heart problem and told us to check her gums while she is having one to see if she is getting enough oxygen. Her gums were always on the pale side of pink until they were a whitish yellow a few weeks ago. Now they are returning to a pale pink. Has anyone else ever had this happen with their dog? Do you think the seizures were related to low blood oxygen all along? I asked my vet this and they said they haven't had any other dogs with AIHA (they've treated 2 others in the last year) show signs of seizures. Sorry so lengthy and TIA for your input. |
| chrissy washington |
| Chrissy, Oh dear, I am sorry to hear about the multiple challenges you are having with Chili. You have a lot on your plate. And you must be very worried.... Her history of epilepsy and treatment complicates matters somewhat. Phenobarbital is a known contributor to events that can lead to autoimmune conditions. I am not an expert on epilepsy nor can I say for sure how you can approach the treatment for AIHA for an epileptic dog. I can certainly give you some links to read to get some idea of what is happening. If you are not already on the Epil-K9 email discussion group, go to this website: http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/ What is of interest is that there is a known link between the use of phenobarbital and hypothyroidism. There is additionally a known link between hypothyroidism and hematological disorders, which can include exactly what is happening to Chili right now. Please see these two pages: Dr. Dodds: http://www.gdhfa.org/ImmuneSystem.htm "Adverse Drug Reactions: ** Phenobarbital" http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/HypoPBEpi.html "Clinical Signs of Canine Hypothyroidism: Hematological Disorders: bleeding / bone marrow failure / low red blood cells / low white blood cells / low platelets." You are really in need of an expert to diagnose and prescribe a treatment protocol that takes into account the additional complication of epilepsy. Please take some time today to write a brief but concise email to: Dr. Jean Dodds (see above article) hemopet @ hotmail.com (remove spaces to use) Ask her for help. I think one of the first things she will have you do is send in blood to Hemopet to have a complete thyroid panel done. It is very possible that the seizures are in fact related to hypothyroidism. But this is something she will be able to help you with. She has helped a number of folks on this forum with special problems such as yours. I will be thinking about Chili today, patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Chrissy, Sorry that Chili has been diagnosed. There are a number of doxy owners on this board and I think at least one has possibly the epilespy issue as well. Hopefully they will check in and advise. Thining of you both Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Chrissy, Another dachshund owner here, we have Holly. So very sorry to hear that Chili has been diagnosed with this horrible disease along with the epilespy especially at such a young age. Holly does not have epilespy, but just before she was diagnosed, in fact the weekend prior to her week hospital stay, she had about 7-8 full blown seizures. When she was admitted on Monday morning to the hospital her PCV was 8 and they did a transfusion immediately which took and then was started on a regimen of the drugs. Next month will be two years and she is still on meds but we are tapering very slowly with Dr Dodds help. Please do consult with her for Chili, I do believe she will be able to help you, and please do keep us all posted. Linda |
| Linda Sapphire |
| Thanks to everyone for your input. I will email Dr. Dodds today. Yesterday Chili's PCV was 23 then 24! I'm just so glad to have her feeling better. I want to try to prevent this from ever happening or getting worse again. |
| chrissy wa |
| Chrissy, I can tell you that the holistic vet who treats my dog warned me that a very low PCV can trigger a seizure. My dog's PCV is extremely low, but she is a little fighter and is hanging in there. I have been watching for any signs of a seizure. The vet did say that it is hard to watch them go through one, but that it does not hurt them, that they are just extremely tired afterwards and have to rest. Wishing you the best, Karen |
| Karen NC |
This thread was discussed between 23/02/2009 and 24/02/2009
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