Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Oliver update, again! good news/not so good news

The good news is Oliver is still, clinically, doing wonderful. I am so grateful for this. The not so good news is his blood counts are down, again, as I kind of figured would be the case, don't ask me why, I just knew! PCV went from 22.3 to 21.3. His transfusion was on August 13th? Reticuls went from 85,000 to 57,000. White blood cells are a little lower, but to be expected. His liver count, I believe she said the ALK was elevated, but not alarmingly so. All his other liver counts, kidneys etc are good. His thyroid came back with a bit of a "undetermined". Thyroxine is low there were a couple of other low thyroid counts. I'm sorry for not having exact amounts, this was said over the phone. Still no new signs of regeneration. He is up and down with his retics. Other good news, though, is he will be starting the cyclosporine tomorrow and will be starting on thyroid medication too, just to be on the safe side because it is an "undetermined" situation. He is being removed from the Aza. Will continue with Prednisone 50mg 2 x day. I believe we are in this for the long haul. Oliver is a brave, strong, tough little fighter. That he has taken to all the meds so well is fantastic. I hope he takes to the cyclosporine and thyroid medication also. That's it folks. He goes back for another blood draw next Tuesday and we shall see how it goes. Also, I noticed his right eye was bloodshot over the weekend and had green colored mucous (sp?) at times over the weekend, so he's going to get some eye medicine to ensure it is healed up so as not to make matters worse. It will be two months on September 3 since Oliver was diagnosed/symptomatic of this disease. At first, I would get so upset about the numbers going up and down. Lose sleep/not eat. Now, it's upsetting, but gives me more determination to do everything I can for Oliver. Keep your fingers crossed that the cyclosporine does what it needs to do and same with the thyroid medication. I will keep ya posted. If you want exact numbers on the counts, I will get if for you when I pick up the meds tomorrow. If not, take my word for it :) I'm praying for all of you and your beloved furballs. Take care.

Mardi Northern Cali

Mardi Sorry you're not getting best of news-YET! Have faith and be strong and I do hope the bioprep along with the atopica and thyroxine can turn things around quickly for Oliver. Great that clinically he's fine,that is way Nollaig has been all along,clinically great but numbers just not improving. I still,even now though,believe that she can turn this round with God's help and maybe things have to get worse before they get better. I pray though that Oliver improves quickly and that you/Oliver don't have to travel the long road that Nollaig and I have. Take care Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

Mardi Soooo pleased Oliver is starting Cyclosporine (Atopica) - (don't forget to read my other post regarding rebates for this medication in the US) - I think this was the turning point for Phoebe. When on the azathioprine nothing was happening, but virtually as soon as the Cyclo kicked in (possibly 1-2 weeks - I know, nothing is instant with this disease) her PCV began to rise and we could see a difference in her general demeanour. The PCV, even with this blood clot episode, has continue to rise so I am hoping and praying that this will be the turnaround for Oliver - please be patient and watch him improve week by week, month by month - I think once the meds are right for the dog in question, (and sometimes this too needs to be tweaked once or twice), then the results speak for themselves. You are both in our thoughts and in our prayers!! Kindest Regards & everything crossed!! gill & Phoebe xx

gill uk

thank you everyone. I have my fingers crossed. The cyclosporine is HUGE. It is preferable to not give with food, but how do you shove these huge monsters down their throats without a little incentive? Will a few bites of food be ok to dispense? I couldn't ask my vet when I picked up the meds as she was with someone. Any advice is appreciated.

Mardi Northern Cali

You can give the atopica with a little treat perhaps inside a little bit of sardine.I buy the type in spring water as they have no salt or anything else added,also oily fish very high in omega 3. I see some people smear it in peanut butter or low fat spreading cheese, so it slips down. I know what you mean about it being huge though- Nollaig was on the 100mg capsule once a day and it was a nightmare getting her to swallow it, but then I changed her to the twice a day 50g and it's not so big. You will have to get them to check that Oliver is absorbing the atopica well after he's been on it a few weeks and that it's within the therapeutic range in his blood as some dogs don't absorb it as well and need an increased dose. I hope the atopica makes an improvement to Oliver's blood results as it has with many dogs on this forum,very sad it didn't help Nollaig, she's still on it though and she has had no negative side effects from it. Let us know how it goes.Take care Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

Thanks for the info Kathleen. I will do that. He is going to be on 3 pills 100mg each to be given in evening. She, the vet, is going to recheck his blood levels next Tuesday. He starts tonight. Also starting Soloxine 2 x day. I sure hope this helps too. I have all the info to get a $15.00 rebate for the Atopica, so thats kind of neat! I am glad I have you and everyone else to lean on. Will be in touch. Take care.

Mardi Northern Cali

Mardi I would check with Patrice on this but I'm sure Dr Dodds protocol says atopica is best given every 12 hours as opposed to once a day? Cheers Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

Thanks Kathleen. I will talk to my vet about it next Tuesday. How are you and Nollaig?

Mardi Northern Cali

Mardi, You could try the pill pockets that they sell at places like Petsmart. They work very well. I am glad that Oliver is still considered doing "clinically well" Hopefully things will turn for the better soon and you will get positive numbers in the next blood draw. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

For Chance Dr. Dodds had me dose atopica 225mg in the morning, monday through friday, saturday and sunday off. This is called pulse dosing and perhaps she feels it is more effective with refractory non regenerative anemia cases? I know this was very effective for us. It is probably more well known by people who use herbs that pulse dosing is a more effective way to dose, the body apparently doesn't get used to the herb and the effectiveness remains high. I had never heard of it before now. But it is always best to follow your own vet's prescription for dosing anything! Each dog is different. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Thank you Penny and Patrice. The vet has him taking it straight through until next Tuesday. I will talk to her about the recommendations of Dr. Dodds on Tuesday. I sure hope this stuff works. Patrice, thank you very much for responding. I was hoping I would hear from you. Thank you both.

Mardi Northern Cali

Mardi This site demostrates a pill giving method that might be helpful to you if you do not want to use food to do so: http://tinyurl.com/nll3xn

Joanne MN

Hi Mardi I have given Phoebe her (very large) cyclosporine tablets in dairylea (extra light) soft cheese since she started taking meds - she takes most of her tablets with a small amount and really looks forward to 'pill time' as she absolutely loves cheese and gulps down the pill. I'm so glad you got the Atopica rebate - every little helps. sending all our best wishes and prayers to you and oliver kind regards Gill & Phoebe

gill uk

I have to put a small amount of peanut butter on all of Ginger's pills.

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Thank you all for your info. Very helpful

Mardi Northern Cali

I give Ren's Atopica buy coating it ever so lightly with peanut butter. Remember, it's important to give cyclosporine on an empty stomach. No food an hour before or after giving cyclo. Sue & Ren

Susie Delaware

Thank you everyone. Susie, I was wondering more than anything, how long after the dosing of Cyclo can they have food in their tummies again. Now I am clear on that part of it too. Oliver gets his second dose tonight. So far so good. I have noticed his bowels are a wee bit softer than usual, but no diarhea. Appetite still good. Thank you all again...

Mardi Northern Calif

Mardi, I give Tessy's cyclo with a small handfull of food and there was no change with her trough tests....at least not enough to cause concern. I've also been told that there's been studies done with cyclo absorption and dairy products but I haven't seen or read these studies yet (from teh university of Florida maybe?). They say the dairy will inhibit the absorption of cyclo when given with it. Hope this helps. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Thanks again everyone. He has kept the cyclo down tonight, so far. It's been a little over 2 1/4 hours. I have noticed though, and it's only 4 days into the cyclo, that he doesn't seem to be as chipper and his normal self since starting the cyclo. I noticed he was shaking a little bit and just seems real tired. His gums are a lot paler too. Hopefully not the meds. I realize that 4 days isn't much, so I'm still remaining optimistic. But as I am a paranoid at heart, I'm kinda concerned about his ability to hang with the dose he is getting at night. When he goes to the vet on Tuesday I'm going to ask that the 300mg be split up into a morning and night dose. Does this change the effectiveness at all? I think he would feel better if he didn't get such a strong dose at once. Any thoughts? Please let me know.

Mardi Northern Calif

Mardi: When we gave Sheba Atopica it was always in two doses (approx 12 hours apart) - 125mg in the AM and 125mg in the PM. We were fortunate in that she never suffered any side effects from taking it and it sure helped alleviate her allergies that year! I would definitely ask the vet if you can split Oliver's cyclo into two doses and see what happens. Good luck and we hope Oliver is feeling better soon. Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Ginger had her 200mg of cyclo split 100mg and 100mg PM. I would make sure I ask about that ASAP as 300mg all at once does seem like alot. Hope Oliver has a good day today. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

This thread was discussed between 01/09/2009 and 05/09/2009

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