Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Pancreatitis

Darcy has pancreatitis. The specialist told me that this can be caused by the Prednisone, the Azathioprine, or a reaction to the transfusion. Darcy is now on an IV and they have reduced the Prednisone and stopped the Azathioprine She is still on the Carafate, Soloxine, and Cyclosporine. She will have to stay on an IV with nothing given by mouth for the next two nights. Her PCV is down to 26.5%!!! It was 38% yesterday after the transfusion. Is this a death sentence for her? I'm really scared. I've read that a lack of pancreatic enzymes can cause excessive hunger (she's always acted hungry and begged for food even after a meal) and that it can also cause red blood cell destruction and anemia. I am going to schedule some visits to see Darcy in ICU, but I'm wondering if my presence might upset rather than comfort her. My poor little baby has never liked being away from me, but I have to do what's best for her now. The specialist said that she's okay, but that she seems depressed. When I tell my husband what's happening with her, his first question will be how much is this going to cost. Well, quite frankly, I didn't ask. I just want my baby to be better. Has anyone else had to deal with this after a transfusion? Does anyone have any advice for me?

Karen NC

Sorry to hear this. Pancreatitis is a very uncomfortable thing for pets. Probably not transfusion related to be honest. Here at our office it depends on the pet and owner with regards to visiting. We would never not allow a parent ot visit, BUT there are animals that get very distruaght when they see the owner and then don't get to leave with them. Be honest with yourself and use your best judgement. Good luck! Keep us posted on her progress.

Courtney SLO

Now I'm thinking that Darcy could have had pancreatitis all along. She's been groaning when she stretches out on the floor and has always seemed to be a little uncomfortable. Also, she is constantly hungry. Those two things are signs of pancreatitis. Lack of pancreatic enzymes can cause red blood cell destruction. A fatty diet can cause pancreatitis, but Darcy has been on a low fat diet. Lately, though, I've been giving her baked chicken breast and a little lean hamburger. Evidently pancreatitis is hard to diagnosis and there are a myriad of other things that can appear to be pancreatitis. Could the anemia some of our dogs are suffering from be caused by pancreatitis? Maybe the pancreatitis is not caused by the immune suppressants, but was present in the beginning. The immue suppressants could be exacerbating the anemia problem. Any thoughts on this?

Karen NC

Karen, My dog Salome was diagnosed with both pancreatitis and vasculitis when she relapsed a month into treatment. I don't know if it was the drugs or the difference in diet (trying to get her to eat, we gave her probably too much people kind of foods) Although her autopsy did not note anything remarkable about her pancreas. We went and saw her every night and I believe it did help. She seemed to understand she was not going home during those visits. I believe our dogs let us know what to do. P.S. she had 2 or 3 transfusions in the first 2 days of treatment.

Penny Lytle Creek Calf

Karen, I am so sorry about everything you and Darcy are going through. I don't know anything about pancreatitis, but I do want to encourage you to go visit her. You won't regret visiting her, but you may later regret not visiting her. I am praying for Darcy and your family. Leslie

Leslie Oceanside

My vet and the specialist told me that I am not right about the pancreatic enzymes causing Darcy's pancreatitis. The specialist said that it is definitely the meds and an adverse reaction to the transfusion. I'm so afraid that I will lose her if her PCV continues to drop as drastically as it did after the transfusion. I do want to see her, but I don't want to upset her or get her overly excited. When I picked her up yesterday after the transfusion she cried and cried for so long. I'm afraid that if I go to see her that she will start crying and then I won't be able to bring her home with me and that will upset her even more. I do want to see her, but I have to do what is best for her. I'll be calling every few hours to see how she's doing and to make sure that they're paying her some attention and showing her love. I pray that she will make it through these next two days and that I'll be able to bring her home and that there will be a miracle with her bone marrow and RBC production. This is so hard for me. My heart is breaking and I can't stop crying. I miss her sweet little presence so much. She always followed me from room to room, sometimes scratching on the bathroom door for me to let her inside (which I always did). How I'd love to hear that little scratch and that happy bark one more time and see her sitting up, begging for food.

Karen NC

Hi Karen, I am so very sorry for Darcy's health. My dog was diagnosed 2 weeks ago. She is on alot of meds and that makes me nervous, but I know she needs them. How much Prednisone is Darcy on? I will keep you, Darcy and all the doctors in my prayers. We are all here for you - please remember you are not alone. My heart hurts for you and all others that are going through this with their babies. Just take one day at a time. Darcy knows how much you love her and she knows what all you have done and will keep doing. We are all in this together! Hugs, Liz and Mia

Liz Nashville

Karen -- I'm so sorry to hear that Darcy has had this setback with pancreatitis. She has been through so much and has been such a trooper -- as you have. I think you should go see her -- like Leslie said, you won't regret visiting her, but you may regret not visiting her. We went to see our Wiley every day during the week that she fought IMHA, and her reactions varied from indifference to happiness. You need to be with her, for both of you. think you said Darcy is a beagle -- as my Wiley -- and they don't like being separated from you so sometimes get spun up. Wiley didn't while she fought IMHA, but I know she loved having us there, because we brought her beagle bed from home, so she got an hour each night snuggled into her own bed while we petted her and talked to her and fussed over her. It was hard to leave her each night, but I knew she needed round-the-clock care that we couldn't give. I treasure those moments. Good luck. Please take care. I'll keep you and Darcy in my thoughts and prayers.

Brenda VA

Karen, I don't know what to say, other than we are totally thinking of you through this trying time. Whenever I feel like I need a lift, I read Joanne's site and the success stories, and you see how much some of the dogs have gone through and pulled out of. It's really amazing how tough they are (and their amazing parents too). We have a running tab at our vet, and we all understand that burden. But, they are are sweet furkids, and we do as much as we can, that's for sure. Thinking of you and sweet Darcy. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Karen, I am so sorry to hear about Dary's new struggles with pancreatitis. The cause truly could be due to an adverse reaction to the transfusion, however it is also quite possible it's because of the meds she is on. My dog Tipsi suffered a bout with pancreatitis while she was on the medication azathioprine and we had to take her off it. Once we discontinued that medication the pancreatitis went away. I'm keeping my fingers crossed this will be the case with Darcy. I also know how hard it is to leave your baby in ICU after a visit. I had to do that with Tipsi for 2 weeks. It was heartbreaking to leave her, but I knew she was in good hands and I didn't want her to think I had abandoned her by not visiting. I think it may be reassuring to Darcy if you would visit with her. But that is just my opinion and you should obviously do what you feel is the best for you and her. I will be keeping you guys in my prayers and I'm wishing little Darcy a full recovery. Hugs and doggy kisses, Layla & Tipsi

Layla Raleigh

Karen, I am so sorry to hear about the pancreatitis. About visitation, I cannot express how important it is for her that you are with her right now. I'm saying this bearing the forever pain that I wasn't there with my Murf when he took his last breath. The vets here at SouthPaws ICU weren't cooperative nor compassionate. They made visitation a huge ordeal for us so we weren't allowed to visit him much. I will NEVER be able to forget nor forgive myself that I didn't fight for this right. My husband and I too didn't ask about the price. The start to the end of Murf's fight was 7 days. It costed us $10,000. We knew from the beginning what our decision was and that is to fight for his life. Money can be made back, but our dear one will never return to life again if we didn't give him the chance. Eventhough Murf didn't make it, we rest assure that it was truly His time to return back to God. No regrets. Our prayers are with you. Chrissie + Peter (and Murf)

Chrissie Washington D.C.

Karen When Maggie was diagnosed with AIHA, she had 2 blood transfusions the first week. While she was in hospital, we went to see her everyday. I didn’t want her to think that we abandoned her. I took 2 T-shirts from my husband and I so that she would have our scent and know we were close. Maggie was on the Cyclosporine, Prednisone, Azathiprine for about 6 weeks and her PCV got up to 32.87. The medications took a toll on Maggie’s body and liver. Hang in there Darcy, we’re routing for you !

Karon SC

Karen Please let us know how things are going today with Darcy today and remember we are here always here to support you. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Darcy is back home!!! It was rough not going to see her over the last two nights, but I had to do what was best for her. She is so highly excitable and I knew that she would get worked up and that it would be worse on her when I had to leave. She was very glad to see me this morning. Her PCV has held steady at 26.5% and she is now off the Azathioprine and the Prednisone has been lowered from 30 mg./day to 5 mg./day. She is still taking the stomach protectant, thyroid med., and 50 mg./day of Cyclosporine. The specialist said that the pancreatitis was most likely caused by the Prednisone and the Azathioprine, but also said that it could have been a reaction to the transfusion. Dr. Dodds said it was most likely the meds unless the blood didn't come from a universal donor or something to that effect. I couldn't get a straight answer from the tech specialist. Darcy is on a special diet thru the weekend and it will be difficult because she is such a little food hound. I can start introducing her regular food back into her diet on Monday. We are scheduled for a recheck next Wednesday. At that time they will test her thyroid level, too. Have not received the Cyclosporine level results. Darcy's anemia is nonregenerative, and it confuses me when I read that Azathioprine and Prednisone can cause anemia as well as pancreatitis. The Cyclosporine is also an immune suppressant. I understand that the meds are supposed to prevent her body from killing off her RBCs but, at the same time they can cause bone marrow destruction. None of this makes sense to me. How can her bone marrow ever start regenerating while she's on Prednisone and Cyclosporine. Am I missing something?

Karen NC

I am so GLAD Darcy is home, she is such a little fighter. Your good news just made are weekend! Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

YAY!! Darcy is such a fighter! Have a great weekend! Leslie

Leslie Oceanside

I feel for y ou you are having a horid time. My heart goes out to you. My little dog had non regenerative anemia like Darcy. The red cell destruction occurs in the bone marrow itself before they become reticulites. Hopefully the cyclosporine will stop that. I wasn't able to try that drug due to the cost and I regret it. Hang in there she is a real fighter. My dog's PCV never got above 17 so even 26.5 seems good.

Julie Australia

This thread was discussed between 08/10/2008 and 11/10/2008

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