Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Nollaig- what to do now?

Nollaig's blood results came back and her pcv is now 19.2 down from 21.9 (9 days ago),I would say this is dropping at a slightly slower rate than previously,however nevertheless it's still dropping.More disappointing is the reticulocyte count which is now 50,000 down from 120,000 (9 days ago) so she's back to 'poorly regenerative' as the lower the pcv the higher the retic count should be.It should be around approx 500,000/600,000.I am clearly disheartened by this result! Rory said that the retic count can vary day to day but that this is a significant drop. Just a reminder Nollaig has been fighting this pure red cell aplasia(bone marrow precursor red cells are being attacked)for 6 months now and many drugs have been tried. She's currently on danazol,prednisolone,soloxine,cyclosporine,iron,lithium(bone marrow stimulant),and ronaxan(doxycycline).The soloxine and ronaxan she's just been on a week. I mentioned trying the nandrolone injections which her vet is willing to do but feels they wont do any more than the danazol as he says it's an anabolic steroid too and they both work the same way.He would leave her on the danazol though at same time as trying the nandrolone,as a couple of weeks ago her regeneration went from poorly to mildly regenerative and he feels the danazol could be responsible for this so he doesn't want to stop it for that reason,although it's now back to poorly regenerative. He said there could be side effects,so I don't know what to do whether to try the nandrolone or not,he's left it up to me to decide. Feeling disheartened again,unfortunately I haven't been on the up part of the rollercoaster at all,this whole 6 months. Any advice appreciated. Sigh... Kathleen and Nollaig x

Kathleen North Ayrshire

I am so sorry Kathleen. You and Nollaig have been my inspiration during Ollies progression with this disease. This sure is a roller coaster. Don't give up and try to stay strong. I believe things will turn around. His count is still better than what Ollie's has been 14 PCV and 45,000 rets. Hopefully that has increased since his transfusion yesterday. He gets a blood test this afternoon and will know on Monday. Keep your chin up, give Nollaig lots of hugs and keep us posted. I will be thinking of you both and putting out positive thoughts for you two.

Mardi Northern Cali

Kathleen, I am sorry that you aren't seeing more positive results and wish I had some suggestions. I know it has been an awful 6 months for you but try to keep in mind she is still hanging in there and fighting. I lost my girl after one month. Hopefully things will take a turn for the better soon. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek calif

Kathleen, so sorry you are going through the mill again with Nollaig. I'm sorry I can't advise you on the meds etc but I am thinking of you and Nollaig and share your despair. Take care & virtual hugs for you and Nollaig. Kath

Kath Scotland

Kathleen, how is Nollaig doing? I know things will turn around. You have made it this far, it will be ok.....Take care.

mardi Northern Cali

Kathleen, I am sorry to hear that Nollaig is not making a lot of progress. You have the best possible vets looking after her and you can do no more than that. You have made it this far, and I agree it will be okay eventually. I do know how it feels as I went though it with little Scruffy only 9 months old, his bone marrow just not responding. I just with I had the care that you are getting with with Royal Dick hospital. I am sure the outcome would have been very different. She has survived for over six months. I lost Scruffy after only a month. Take care.

Julie Australia

Hi everyone and thanks for your kind words and interest in Nollaig. Nollaig has been keeping well over last few days still thoroughly enjoying her diet of sardines,mackerel, odd omega 3 egg, very little liver,chicken,broccoli,peas,carrots,spinach etc etc...in fact she is at her most active when food's around and barks like crazy for it! That is so lovely to see and she's toileting well. It is however a concern that her pcv is still dropping.I will take her on Thursday to see specialist again and see what's happening and I imagine we will start to try the nandrolone injections soon. I will email Jean Dodds and see what she thinks about having her on danazol and nandrolone at same time. Mardi you hang on in there and let us know how Ollie is after his transfusion?Even email me direct if you want to ask more about anything. Keep you posted. Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

I am so happy that Nollaig has jumped another hurdle. I will let you know. Vet still hasn't called, so of course, I have been freaked all day. Sometimes I wonder if I have it in me to go the long distance on this. I know it sounds selfish and awful, but I love my pup so much and can't think of what would happen if I didn't. So many conflicting feelings. It's amazing how when you think there is no hope, that the lil buggers pull forward and start feeling better. They are truly little fighters aren't they! Keep us posted and take care.

Mardi Northern Cali

Kathleen I'm terribly sorry that Nollaig still isn't making the progress that we all want to see her achieving and I wish there was some helpful advice that I could offer because you have offered so much to me recently. Like so many others have said, there is still time for Nollaig to turn things around. You have a good vet and there are still some options with drug regimes. It is also very positive that she is still eating and acting like a healthy dog. All my best, Claire

Claire Cumbria UK

Kathleen, how is Nollaig doing? haven't heard from you in a day or so. Just want to make sure everything is alright and let you know I'm thinking of you two. Please let us know. Take care

Mardi Northern Cali

I was also wondering how Nollaig is doing. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hi Kathleen been keeping an eye on your posts and noticed you haven't given an update on Nollaig - can you let us know if there is any progress. you are in our thoughts and prayers Kind regards Gill & Phoebe

gill uk

Thanks everyone for your interest in my precious Nollaig. She's still eating incredibly well and barking madly for it which is great. She's going today to get her blood tested(get results tomorrow) and also her thyroid again(even though she's only on the soloxine 2 weeks)but I think her vet just wants to make sure it's not making her thyroid overactive and therefore causing her pcv to drop faster than normal. Also depending on results wll determine whether I try the nandrolone injections. Am going to start her on whole food supplements to give her essential 'fuel' to start kicking out those reticulocytes! Will keep you updated. Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

Kathleen -- my best to you and to Nollaig. She's a fighter, and a true beagle!

Brenda VA

Kathleen: Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you and Nollaig. Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

So whats the news on Nollaig Kathleen? I know you have a lot going on, but when you find the chance, please let us know. Take care.

Mardi Northern Cali

Will be tomorrow before I get Nollaig's blood results back ,however I'm afraid I'm not expecting good news on her pcv count anyway as I can see she's more tired. My only hope can be that the reticulocytes have gone up.Then, if no improvement I will probably take her off the danazol and try the nandrolone injections but vet wants to check her liver values before he does that. She's still eating toileting extremely well and I have had her on bioprep now for 3 days(4 capsules).I want to get her up to the capsules that Russell at optimum choices recommended for Nollaig. Could I ask Mardi I am giving her 1 capsule 4 times a day but wondered could I give 1 and a half 4 times a day as it's just not practical to give 1 capsule 6 times a day due to times throughout day she has to starve for meds regime? She has shown no adverse reaction at all to the 4 capsules a day. Because Nollaig has had this for 6 months she gets more tired now when her pcv is at 18% than she was 6 months ago and her pcv was down at 8%.It just take it's toll on the body and heart as time goes on. Please pray for her everyone as she's such a calm special wee girl and she's only 3 and SHE deserves a long full life.I have 9 beagles(including 2 of Nollaig's 6 pups she had last year) and I love them all equally but I have always said she had a special calm nature, and particularly beautiful looks as well.It's funny, even though I have 8 other beagles, it wouldn't compensate for Nollaig. Thanks for your kind wishes. Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

I don't see why you couldn't do that Kathleen. Your best bet is to ask Russell, he knows more than I do. As I wrote in our email, I give it 4 times per day. I give two pills at noon. The rest of the time he gets 1 pill at 7am, 5pm, 9pm. If I have to increase, I will add to the already designated times. I'm sorry. I will pray, pray and pray some more. Take care of yourself and Nollaig, and you pop too.

Mardi Northern Cali

This thread was discussed between 21/08/2009 and 30/08/2009

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