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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Pure red cell aplasia, please any advice?
| Hello, I just stumbled on this web-site. I am hoping it is the answer to my prayers. My 5 1/2 year old Border Collie Nell, was diagnosed with IMHA on June 5th, 2009. She is regenerating red blood cells. She has gone through the ringer. Her PCV's dropped to dangerous levels over the 2 weeks she was in the emergency hospital She had several blood transfusions, several oxyglobin transfusions, Gamma Globulin,etc, She now on Prednisone, Imuran, cyclosporine, prevacid, ultra low dose aspirin. She was not responding to treatment per say. Her PCV has gotten up to 35,once, but she can't hold it there for more than two days at a time. Then it drops down into the twenties. We just had her spleen removed and had her spayed on July 17th. She stayed at the vet for another week, and came home with a PCV of 33. She was not autoagglutenating, and all biopsies of her liver, spleen, etc were all good. They did a bone marrow test, and that came back good as well. We went in today for a follow up visit and her PCV dropped to an alarming 24! Last night her hip (she has hip dysplasia we found out, ) was so bad, she could hardly walk. We were sent home with a pain pill, and some kind of glucosamine, and we kept everything as far as the meds she's on the same. We are so worried Nell's PCV will drop into the point of no return. We've tried everything we can think of to no avail. I don't think she 's had a thyroid panel, can you direct me to Dr,Dodds? I think we are now on the brink of another emergency, We've spent $34,000.00 so far and are tapped out. I'm afraid if Nell gets to the point where she has to go back in, we won't be able to do it. Can someone please help us? Thank-you Ann |
| Ann McVey USA |
| Ann I am so very sorry to hear that your most beloved Nell has been diagnosed with IMHA. Has she indeed been diagnosed with PRCA which is said to be the most difficult form of AIHA/IMHA to deal with? If so I would urge you to read the following Success Stories at my Web site: Macy May 2006 http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/archives16.htm Kobi October 2006 http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/archives17.htm Both of these dogs had PRCA and did recover. This abstract on PRCA may be helpful to you http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12420831?dopt=AbstractPlus Please read the whole abstract which is short but here is the conclusion and I quote: " CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs with PRCA appear to respond readily to treatment with immunosuppressive drugs; however, hematologic responses may not be observed for weeks to months after initiation of treatment" Many times it can take a very long time for dogs with PRCA to get into the recovery process. here is the contact info for Dr Dodds: Phone: (714) 891-2022 Fax: (714) 891-2123 e mail: hemopet @hotmail .com (remove spaces) I am keeping you and Nell in my thoughts and prayers. |
| Joanne MN |
| Hi Ann. So sorry to hear about Nell. You found an excellent place to get advice and help. Hang in there and be strong. A PCV of 24 is not as bad as it sounds. Many dogs here have been in this range for very long times. Like Joanne was saying, it can take a very long time to get positive responses in dogs with PRCA. What are the doses of the meds Nell is on? Maybe you could ask the vet about the imuran. It's known as a bone marrow suppressor. Do you know what her latest RBC morphology is? Spherocyte #'s, Retics, etc? I thought I had it bad with the amount of money I've spent. $34000 is a lot of money and Nell must be a very special dog. You should get her thyroid levels checked and Dr. Dodds would be the one to do this. Don't give up hope. Were here for you and Nell will have lots of prayers sent out for her. Hugs and positive vibes sent your way. Johnny & Tessy |
| Johnny |
| Hello to Johnny and Joanne, You've made me feel so comforted with your words. Thank-you. Nell is regenerating, not autoagglutenating. She's on Prednisone, (20mg 2 tabs 2x daily), Azathioprine(imuran) (50mg, 1/2 tab, 1 x daily), Neoral (cyclosporine) 50 mg 1 tab 2 x daily.Famotidine 20 mg 2 x daily. ultra low dose aspirin 1 x daily. Baytril because of splenectomy, for infection. Will write more later, off to the vet for a thyroid test..... Thank-you all, Ann |
| Ann USA |
| Hello again, Nell's PCV has dropped down to 21 as of Friday. We've upped her Cyclosporine from 50 mg 2 x daily to 100 mg cyclosporine 2 x daily. I spoke to Dr. Dodds yesterday and she insisted I get Nell on Thyroxin ASAP. We got her on .3 mg 2 x daily. Starting last night. Dr Dodds also asked why I had her spleen taken out. That threw me. After all the research we did , and trusting our vet's call, we thought that was the only alternative. I hope we didn't do the wrong thing. Nell slept all day today. I was worried as she had absolutely no desire to do much of anything (which is a good thing in the long run) Now all of a sudden, it's cooler out and Nell has gotten a burst of energy. We went out to her shady spot by the shed and I gently tossed her tennis ball to her for about 5 minutes, then back inside. Boy, am I getting the Border Collie "Eye". Maybe another little session in a couple of hours. Don't want to push it, but want to keep her morale up. Nell is a special dog. But,who would have ever thought that a vet bill would even come close to $34,000.00? I think I'm glad I didn't know how much it was going to be. I might have had second thoughts.... We sent her thyroid test out to a lab near by. Would you suggest sending another one to Dr. Dodds as well? Gee I wonder if the thyroxine has something to do with Nell's energy? Thank-you all again for your kind words. It's nice to know there are caring people out there and you're not alone. I went on the site of Meisha's hope, and read about Kobi and Macy. I've actually read this before as all questions point to Meisha's Hope website. it was extra nice to read about these guys, and actually have contact with the owner! It makes it more real. With all of your support, we are not going to give up!! Take care, Ann and Nell |
| Ann McVey USA |
| Ann McVey- didnt you post on my site recently? i think you did, as i read it a few days ago-- dr. dodds can be reached at hemopet at hotmail.com also, i will be praying for nell's recovery. please know that 24% is a low number and it is normal to be scared, but also know that my sway lived for 2 years after being diagnosed and never had a higher count than 26% -- and that isnt even mentioning that she had other very serious conditions on top of AIHA. there is plenty of hope. |
| Josh California |
| Hi I was just wondering how Nell is doing today? We are keeping her in our thoughts and prayers. Cheryl & Ginger |
| Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA |
| Ann, it has been a very long time since we have heard how Nell is doing? I hope no news, is good news. Please keep us posted and know that we are thinking of you and Nell. |
| Mardi Northern Cali |
This thread was discussed between 24/07/2009 and 23/08/2009
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