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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - New diagnosis for Ernie
| Ernie is a 4 year old golden Lhasa Apso. He was diagnosed with epilepsy about 10 months ago but the vet decided not to medicate immediately as his fits were very mild and very occasional. He eventually had to start meds 4 months ago after he had his first cluster seizure. 4 weeks ago I got up one morning and found Ernie very subdued, no energy and no appetite, I assumed he'd had a mild seizure during the night as this is exactly what I usually see afterwards. 2 days later the same thing happened again. I spoke to the vet who told me to increase his medication, effectively doubling his dose. Over the next week he was completely knocked out, no appettite and far too sedated to be functional. His meds were reduced again and he seemed to perk up but he still wasn't quite himself. His poor appetite and general lethargy got worse until he was completely refusing food. 10 days ago he was given antibiotics for what the vet believed was an infection due to being generally run down. His temperature came down after a couple of days but he was still refusing food, then the temperature went back up again. At that point the vet decided it was time to do further investigations. His blood counts were desribed to me as 'seriously abnormal', so low that they couldn't get an accurate reading on their equipment and had to send his blood to another lab for a reading. As yet the definitive results are still not back from the lab but my vet seems pretty certain that it's AIHA and has started treating him accordingly. I don't recognise any of the drug names on this message board, maybe they have different brand names here in the UK. I just know that it's a corticosteroid he's being treated with. At the moment I'm still in a state of shock over all this and feel very ignorant about exactly what's happening to my dog. All the messages on this board seem to be from people pretty clued up about it all. Our vet is pretty good about trying to explain, but it's an awful lot to take in and I just feel very scared for the future of my little lad. |
| Sue Northamptonshire UK |
| Hi Sue, If you send me the names of the meds, I will see if I can recognise them. My dog, Georgie a cross breed, battled for 6 months but we had to let her go due to complications. I now have a beautiful Lhasa Apso calles Sox. He is not Georgie but is helping. It is a confusing bewildering time in the first few weeks. If I can help I will. Just send any question and somebody will get back to you from the board. Steph |
| Steph Wales |
| Sue, Sorry to hear about Ernie. We all know that feeling of being so overwhelmed when you are first diagnosed. The majority of us had never heard of this disease either. If you haven't read up at Joanne's site yet you might want to bookmark it. You will find a lot of answers there to questions you haven't even thought of yet and be sure to read the success stories as well. We are all here to help you and Ernie through this. http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Just been back to the vets again and feel like I know a bit more now. Since Monday Ernie has been having daily shots of duphacort, the vet was reluctant to give him tablets because he won't eat and it can irritate the stomach in tablet form. He's had a shot of duphacort again today and a shot of antibiotics (not certain exactly what drug it was). As from tomorrow we're going to try him on tablets, it's just down to me to make certain he eats even if I have to force feed him a bit with his tablets. Assuming he doesn't deteriorate in the next few days the vet wants to see him again on Monday. There has been no huge improvement in the last few days, but no deterioration either. He's not as energetic as usual and gets tired easily but he doesn't immediately strike you as a dog that's seriously ill. I know he's got a long way to go but at least it's encouraging that at the moment he seems to be stable. Thanks for the messages of support, will keep you all informed of his progress. Sue |
| Sue Northamptonshire UK |
| I am really sorry about Ernie. It can be very upsetting, daunting and frightening to see your dog go through this. Everyone here has been where you and Ernie are. I was like you a few weeks ago. Jasper was diagnosed nearly 5 weeks ago. He refused food (first time ever) and then collapsed. He spent the following 2 days and nights in the vets on a drip as his red blood count was only 2 and should be between 5.5 and 8.5 in a healthy dog. He came home and barely moved for 5 days, refusing all food and only drinking water and moving to go for a pee. It was horrible to see and we fought demons every day, worrying and wondering what was happening to him and if it was fair to put him through it. He is currently taking prednisolone, a corticosteroid, 10mg twice daily. It took a good 5 days to kick in and show any improvement in him. Have faith, the medication doesn't work overnight and there are others your vet may prescribe. Jasper has to have blood tests every 10 days at the moment, but he is improving. Last count his red blood cells were up to 4.8. He is on 3 small meals a day, sleeps on the sofa and bed!!! and is eating me out of house and home(side effect of the tablets) but is taking small walks and is much more like his usual self. Take each day as it comes. Its one hell of a rollercoaster of emotions and an uphill battle. Have faith in Ernie. Everyone here has been through or is going through this and you are not on your own. |
| jackie williams west wales; uk |
| Sue, Jasper has his tablets in a small piece of finger of fudge!!! Far less stressful than forcing food down. The fudge was the only thing he would eat in the first few days. I even rubbed angel delight, yoghurt,custard, anything around his gums to get him thinking of food. Now he thinks its a great treat to have his meds!!!! |
| jackie williams west wales; uk |
| Sue, I don't know the equilvent of UK stomach meds vs US brands but most Doctors here also have you give human type stomach drugs to protect from all the steroid drugs. You might ask your Vet about it. The important thing is to have a Vet that is up to date and well experienced in treating this. Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Ernie seems to be massively improved today. He's eating better than he has in nearly a month and even managed a play in the garden with my other 2 dogs this morning. I know he's still a very ill little lad but it's wonderful to see him feeling better and playing again. Sue |
| Sue Northamptonshire UK |
This thread was discussed between 03/10/2007 and 04/10/2007
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