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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - no change for Kahlu
| The vet just called , there are no changes from last week in Kahlu's CBC. His RBC is 4.6 his hematocrit 36. the vet is unsure if we should start to decrease the prednisone. She is thinking maybe even less that 25%. Kahlu is up to 57 lbs now and gets 35 mg pred 2x per day for the last 5 weeks and for the last 2 weeks 50 mg Azathioprene per day. Would you consider this stable or do we hang in there for an other week? Is there a danger to wait too long? The vet wants to do a lot of reading over the weekend, consult with specialists on Monday and then decide. I hate this waiting game but try to see the positive. He is not worse, he has gained weight, no diarrhea and he is almost there. I know the vet will have to make the ultimate decision, (or me ?) but I just had to post. This seems to be a big thing in AIHA....to decrease or not to decrease, this is the question. Brigitte |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
| Well, there is really not too much harm in waiting another week or two to see what happens with the blood. Whenever we are in doubt, we just hold steady for another couple of weeks. I know it's hard, we all want to see them on the least amount of meds or none at all hopefully, but if you aren't comfortable, you could just try to wait a little longer. Good luck, hang in there, his numbers look good! That is a major victory! melissa and tiggs |
| melissa slc |
| Brigitte, I agree with what Melissa said. It is great news that Kahlu is remaining stable and 36 is just on the low side of normal. (37-55) People have often written that their dogs seem to create their own "new" normal which can stay on the low side. I doubt whether very many of us had the need to do a CBC prior to diagnosis so there is no way to know what your dogs' normal was. Best to you both Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| I too don't think one more week will hurt before you make a reduction. 36 is not a bad PCV at all so I would not be too concerned with that, Ginger's is only 39 and she is just fine and my non AIHA dog PCV was 41. I think it is wonderful your vet wants to research the reduction and consult with a specialist. I know the feeling of wanting to stop or reduce the meds but sometimes our patience can pay off, as many dogs who have been taken off or had the meds reduced to soon ofen will have a relapse. Cheryl & Ginger |
| Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA |
This thread was discussed on 01/03/2009
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