Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Scout PCV 13 transfusion #4

Hello all, Last night I took Scout for a PCV test. It was down to 15 again. After her third transfusion last Thursday her PCV was 24, then 17 on Sunday. Her heartrate and breathing were still normal, so we decided to hold off on transfusion #4. I just got a call from my boyfriend, who has been watching her while I'm at work, and he's taking her into the emergency hospital. He's worried about her breathing. I am at work in NYC, a good 2 hours from home! I feel terrible putting this responsibility on his shoulders. He was so distraught. So, Scout's PCV is 13 and her heart rate is 200, so she'll have another transfusion today. They're going to give her a greater amount of red cells this time around, so hopefully we'll have more time between transfusions. We upped her cyclosporine two days ago and she's been on the prednisone for 4 weeks now, the cyclosporine for 3 1/2, and the mycophenelate for 9 days. I'm afraid we're running out of time. Sigh. Dorothy

Dorothy New Jersey

Have you tried adding the Azo(not sure of the spelling on the full drug name, we just called it azo - i will look thru my records to find the exact name) -- we ended up having to have that in our 'cocktail' along with cyclo, pred and about 10 other drugs,,, also, are you getting a whole blood transfusion? You are in my prayers and thoughts, hang in -

charlie

Hi Charlie, I think we're getting packed red blood cells, but I'll verify that when I speak to them later. I think the Azo that you're referring to is also called Imuran. As I understand it, this is also an option for Scout but it takes some time to build up in their system and become effective. It was for this reason that the vet recommended going with the mycophenelate instead. It is supposed to become effective more quickly. The vet will agree to add Imuran, but I'm worried about so many meds in her little 11 lb body. It just feels like nothing is working, even the prednisone which was supposed to work right away. I just don't know what to think.

Dorothy New Jersey

So sorry to hear this I think it would be beneficial to go to a holistic vet. I read about a dog on this thread that went to one and they got this herb to give the dog to stop obvious destruction. It isn't meant to be given daily but I think it would benefit Scout. Also, if you increase the dosage of pepcid to 2x daily... giving it 30-60 minutes before the pred.. she will feel better

Monet Sammamish

Dorothy~ Our protocol also called for Imuran and once the meds kicked in and she we saw the CBC tests of her stabilizing in about 4 weeks. We stopped the cyclo and by then the Imuran kicked in and we are in the process of reducing the Pred, very slowly. Pepsid and Sucralfate used together really help to protect the stomach from ulcers and upset. We do 1/2 Pepsid tab before the am and pm feeding. Sucra one hour before the immune drugs. Our dog is 11 lbs, too. Really the vets do not want them to be on the drugs any longer than necessary, but you have to be aggressive in the beginning. Tori responded to the meds and only had one blood transfusion when she went down to a PVC of 12. Unfortunately she had an adverse reaction to the transfusion, so we do not have that option, so meds it has to be. It has been 3 1/2 months and she is improving and her numbers have all be going in the right direction with PCV of 37. Praying Scout continues to fight! Blessings, Cindi & Tori

CIndi FL

Can you get copies of ALL the bloodwork done so far? I don't think the azathioprine (imuran) is needed at this point. Too many drugs can cause problems of their own!

Johnny

Hi Dorothy, I am so sorry she needed another transfusion....again, we were on the same meds exactly with Bentley, but had increased his dosages to higher than Scout's in order to stop his destruction. And it still took a long time. Johnny is right, this many meds at a higher level can cause problems themselves...we ran into that with Bentley. He also failed to respond to prednisone alone....it took high levels of all three drugs to stop the destruction. I'd get those copies and post them....Johnny and others can give great info based on the results. This is a very hard road to travel, I know....I hope I can be of some help. Please know I'm keeping you and Scout in my thoughts and prayers. Sally and (angel) Bentley

Sally Louisiana

Hi everyone, Just wanted to give a quick update on Scout. She had her 4th transfusion on Wednesday after dropping to PCV of 13. Her heart rate was up to 200 and she was clearly showing clinical signs of anemia. They gave her a double dose of packed red blood cells and she left the hospital on Thursday with a PCV of 33. She seems to be doing pretty well today. Her appetite is still low, but she'll generally eat later in the day. She's been sleeping really well. Interestingly, although she is still on her original dose of 20mg/day of prednisone, she is not drinking as much as she had been. I'm not sure what to make of this. She had been drinking like mad since starting the pred. At the advice of Dr Dodds, I am going to press the vet to prescribe the anabolic steroid Deca Durabolin. The goal in using this would be to stimulate her bone marrow. I fear it may be a hard sell, but we'll see. I have to see the vet tomorrow. I have copies of all of her blood tests. Johnny, are there particular values that you are interested in seeing? I'd be grateful for any opinions you may have. Current meds: Prednisone 20mg per day, split into two doses Cyclosporine 75mg per day, split into two doses Mycophenolate (Cell Cept) 100mg per day, split into two doses Pepcid 5 mg, twice per day Prilosec 5mg once per day Milk thistle Aspirin -low dose compounded Thyroxine - .05 twice per day Best regards, Dorothy and Scout

Dorothy New Jersey

while i don't have the expertise as some of the others here and cannot offer medical advice, i am saying prayers and thinking of your scout today, and that improvement is on the horizon.....

charlie

If you can include them all ...perhaps in a table with dates, that would be awesome. Continued thoughts and prayers. Johnny and Angels Tessy & Sadie

Johnny

Hi Dorothy I sent this thread yesterday but I got mixed up and sent it to the wrong person,.......anyway really sorry to hear you , your boyfriend and Scout are going through this.....I just wanted to let you know that Matilda had 8 transfusions altogether from Feb to Nov last year, but I'm happy to say that she hasn't had another one since. I posted her story on a thread from Stephanie on the 9th November, please give it a read, it's a bit long but it should give you some hope.....there are some fantastic people on this site to share their experiences with you, and Dr jean Dodds is a must contact person....there is nobody on the planet that touches her. She is wonderful, kind and helpful, although I'm sure you must have been told about her already. Please keep us posted on Scout's situation and glad to read she came through her 4th transfusion All the best Lola

Lola Marlin London

values to post RBC HCT PLT Retic (reticulocytes) absolute and percentage MCV MCH MCHC WBC Neutrophils Lymphocytes Eosinophils Basophils Bands ALK Phos ALT Bun Creatinine Albumin Bilirubin Total Protein Calcium Phosphorus Lipase Amylase my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Dorothy- Patrice emailed me about Deca-Durabolin, knowing that I've went through this w/ Sway and have used it- I'm sorry for my quick reply, as I'm home visiting family and unfortunately don't have much internet access... You can order the Deca, and I've ordered here before, from a place called Franck's Compounding... I have 2 numbers for them. 352-622-2913 & 800-622-4510. They are based out of Florida. Please be aware that I haven't been in contact with them in the last 2 years, but they should definitely still be around and be able to fill this order... I hope this helps, and my absolute best to SCOUT... I'm so sorry this is happening and that you are going through this. Please stay strong. Josh

Josh California

We upped the amount of blood with the same thinking but it backfired BIG time. Dr Dodds, Hemipet, states that you should like for a 25% increase in PVC. If you shoot higher you can disrupt that underlying response of the drugs. It too much for the body to handle. We transfused Gertie last wednesday at a 14. She went to a 40 but shortly after the transfusion reactions started and she was on oxygen for 2 day and in icu for 4 days. Call dr Dodds at Hemipet.

Stephanie Seattle

This thread was discussed between 07/12/2011 and 16/12/2011

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