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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - My boy Chap shows no improvement and feeling sad
| My boy Chap (cocker mix - 4.5yrs old) was diagnosed a couple of months ago on Feb 22nd and had a blood transfusion the following day. The transfusion helped for couple of weeks but levels dropped thereafter. This disease has taken quite a toll on the both of us. He's currently on predisone, atopica, immurane, antacid, special intestianl food, Hi-Vite, and FortiFlora. The past 5 HCT numbers have remained in the 28 range and just this past Saturday my vet suggested we see a internal specialist and a sonogram. I'm moving forward with the suggestions but financially it has been stressful. At the moment I'm feeling very hopeless and desperate. The websites I've visited have been extremely helpful and happy I found this forum. Now I know we are not alone and that brings some relief. My heart and prayers go out to all other moms and dads and their beloved dogs who are dealing with this disease. God Bless, Melanie |
| melanie TX |
| Dear Melanie So sorry to hear about Chap and his recent diagnosis - it is very scarey indeed when dealing with his illness, and everything that goes with it. This forum is indeed helpful with lots of support and advice, as I well know personally. Post all those blood details and results for everyone here to see and comment on, often the smallest detail is important. It is also a financial drain which takes its toll. 28 seems like a good number to stabilise on, that shows hope in itself. Keep lots of records and details so you can compare and see the progress. The advice to see a specialist is a good one - is a sonogram an ultrasound? My dog had one also - its important to rule any underlying problems out. Best wishes to you and Chap, I wish you well and lots of improvement, sounds like you are doing what you can. Silka |
| Silka Melbourne Australia |
| Melaine, I am so sorry to hear your dear Chap has been dignosed with AIHA/IMHA. While AIHA/IMHA is a very difficult disease it is so important to remember that dogs CAN and DO surivive it and go on to live happy healthy lives. However many times it can take a long time for a dog to turn the corner and start to recover. If you have not read my Web site on Canine AIHA/IMHA as yet, you might want to do so when you can. The URL is: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson Be sure to follow the links on the first page to many other sites on AIHA/IMHA that will be very helpful to you and do read the SUCCESS STORIES pages. They will show you what has worked for other dogs in terms of treatment options as well as give you a lot of HOPE. It is an excellent idea that you plan to see a veterinary internal medicine specialist. I have heard from many who have told me that such a specialist has made all the difference in their dog's care and has been the point at which the dog has turned the corner and truly started to recover. |
| Joanne MN |
| Dear Melanie, I am so sorry to hear about Chap's struggle with IMHA. I think seeing an internal medicine specialist is definitely a good idea. There are some owners on this forum that recommend Pet Tinic (I think, someone will correct me if I'm wrong) for blood building. I am in Australia, and haven't been able to find this product, however there are many on this forum that swear by it. I do understand the financial stress this disease puts many families under. I personally spent nearly $3,000 at my local vet trying to get a diagnosis until I finally got referred to a Teaching Hospital in Melbourne. There are some dogs that stabilise at a lower PCV, and this actually becomes the new 'normal' for them. Please stay here for support and advice, I honestly don't know how I would have got through my Millie's IMHA without the people on this forum. Sam & Millie. |
| Samantha Geelong Australia |
| Melanie, Consulting with Dr. Dodds would be a very cost effective option. You could write to her: hemopet @ hotmail.com (remove spaces) Be short and clear, give her as much info as possible. or you could get your vet to contact her. By phone or e-mail. Her advice has been valuable to so many dogs. We went this route, because the trip to an internal medicine vet would have meant a 5 hour trip. So we stuck with our local vet who consulted witht he specialist and Dr. Dodds. Vets can access a forum called VIN ( I am not too sure about that) where they can ask their colleagues questions. Maybe you could ask your vet to do that? Pet Tinic is available on line or through vets (in the states) it is not very expensive i believe. You could also just give B12, folic acid and iron. That is what we did on Dr. Dodds recommendation. Also fairly cheap. Check with your vet before you give any vitamins though. Two months seems like a very long time for your pup to be ill. It can take a long time for the numbers to go up into the normal range. Just remember that Chap is not in pain and try to be patient. Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
| Melanie, if it makes you feel any better my Tessy (also a cocker) stayed in the high 20's for an eternity (5-6 months)!!! The pet tinic is a very good idea. It isn't a cure...it just helps with hematopoiesis (blood building) by supplying the body (bone marrow) with the proper nutrients needed to actually make the blood. You could also send blood to Dr. Dodds for analysis and she'll do a breed/sex/age specific thyroid panel for Chap. OR...at least have your vet check the thyroid...usually they will only check the T4 which isn't exactly accurate while on these drugs. Regardless the outcome of the thyroid test it is also recommended that the dog be put on low dose thyroxine. This drug is known to stimulate the bone marrow and is completely safe to use in low quantities. Do you know if he is considered regenerative? Do you know the reticulocyte numbers? Keep us posted on how he's doing. My thoughts and prayers are with Chap. Johnny & Tessy |
| Johnny |
| Oh my! I'm very happy to see many great comments, advice, prayers, etc. Thank you everyone and I will definitely keep posting updates on Chap. Tonight at this very moment, my heart is much lighter. Melanie |
| Melanie Austin |
This thread was discussed between 19/04/2010 and 20/04/2010
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