VetNet®
VetNet® AIHA discussion forum
VetNet® Forum
Lifelong Learning Network
www.vetnetlln.ac.uk
Veterinary Recruitment
Premier Partner Program
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Seeking Advice for Maddie
| My Maddie was diagnosed at the end of August and is currently on 15mg of pred eod, as well as 20mg pepcid eod. She originally presented with a PCV of 30, dropped to 17 that afternoon and was hospitalized for 3 days. PCV dropped to 12, then rose to 19 while hospitalized and she was released. Her weight was 48 lbs, started on 60mg pred once a day as well as 10mg pepcid, doxy, and amoxicillian. Once test results showed there was no cause, doxy and amox were dropped. PCV rose to 22 after being home 2 days and has continued to climb. The specialist she's been seeing says she's in remission and I should discontinue all meds once the pred runs out. I've been reading threads posted here and most everyone's baby appears to be weaned off the medication at a much slower rate. The dosage of pred has been reduced by 10mg each month once her blood tests showed #'s within normal range. She was last tested at end of January, PCV was 48, and pred was reduced 5mg to 15 eod. I'm so concerned about stopping the medication and possibly causing a relapse, any thoughts? Her regular vet is not familiar with this disease and found the specialist for me. The specialist told me there was no need to bring her back unless she showed signs of a relapse, does this seem normal? My poor baby has been through so much since the onset of this horrible disease and I'm so worried about stopping the medication cold turkey. I know I'm incredibly lucky that she's doing as well as she is and would like to keep her that way. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Sorry to ramble on. Thanks for your time and assistance, Darla and Maddie |
| Darla Stockton |
| Hi Darla, After going through this with our baby Cassie and getting really good advice from our vet, who in turn was taking advice from a specialist and also help from everyone on this site, we would be very concerned if we were told to stop the medication that abruptly. The usual protocol with preds is to wean off gradually over a period of time until the dose is at the lowest manageable level and then best to give it every other day until such a point that you can hopefully be med free. I would certainly be tempted to go back to your vet and question their reasoning in stopping the preds so suddenly without stepping down the dosage as most others would advise. No doubt others will offer you similar help but we have learnt that so many people follow the advice of their vets (some of whom have limited knowledge of this horrible disease) and go along with the regime they suggest without seeking advice from other sources. We were concerned when we took Cassie off her preds two weeks ago, wondering if we were doing the right thing and although it's still early days she continues to improve in leaps and bounds. Please ask questions of your specialist before stopping the preds altogether. Hope this has been a little help to you. Regards Steve, Sue & Cassie |
| Steve & Sue Leicestershire UK |
| Darla, My TC relasped from IMHA at the end of September07. His first bout with IMHA was January 07 and he came off the meds in about 8 weeks. This time I have found a specialist and he is still on 10mg every third day. My Vet does a test that shows how hard his bone marrow is working to produce the RBC's and that is what she bases the continuation of the meds on. His RBC is currently 49, but she feels his body is working very hard to sustain that so we are still on the pred. Hope this helps, Wendy & TC |
| Wendy Tampa |
| Sofie was 50 lbs at 5 1/2 months old. She started on 50mg of Pred twice a day, along with Famotadine 20mg twice a day, doxycillian 100mg twice a day. This went on for about 4weeks, then since blood work was okay, we dropped to 50mg every day plus famotidine 20mg once a day,the doxycillian was dropped after 6 weeks. AFter three weeks of this amount, she was dropped to 50 mg every other day for three weeks, then 25 mg every other day for two weeks, then 10mg every other day for two weeks. She took her last pill today. She weaned off without a problem, and her blood levels have been 51% since the 4th weeks. |
| Joanne Wyoming |
| Thank you so much for your quick responses and input!! Each dog seems to respond differently and it's so hard to tell if you're doing the right thing. I believe abruptly stopping the medication is not the best choice and you all helped confirm what I was feeling - truly appreciate the advice. I hope all your babies are well! Have a great weekend! Thanks again, Darla & Maddie |
| Darla Stockton |
This thread was discussed between 29/03/2008 and 03/04/2008
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) forum index
This thread is from the Vetnet archive. The live Vetnet forum is active now.
