Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Slinky Update/Complication

Hello all... I just wanted to give an update on Slinky and see if anyone had any thoughts on our latest development. Slinky is now 2 1/2 years old (dachshund). She was diagnosed with IMHA in June of 2007 and has had a PCV in the 50s since Dec 2007 and off of meds since April/May of 2008. I took her in for a PCV check yesterday and it was 57%! So she's still doing great with regards to the anemia. However, she developed a small lump on her side in the last few weeks, so they aspirated it while we were there. The vet called today with the results and it's a mast cell tumor. I know on the whole that this isn't a terrible diagnosis, although not great either. My concerns though are that this is another immune system issue in her. Has anyone else seen or dealt with mast cell tumors in their IMHA dogs? The vets I've talked to (already called in the vet friends on this one :)) don't see a relationship, but it just seems suspicious to me. Full CBC to be run tomorrow and surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, please cross your fingers for us! Stephanie

Stephanie Chicago

I would say no as well, but it would be wise to watch her closely now and see how she deals witht he tumor. I assume you are having it removed? Mast cell tumors are very common in dogs, but it is cancer nontheless.

Courtney SLO

Sorry, I just saw that yes she is having surgery. Best of luck and do keep us posted.

Courtney SLO

Stephanie, Happy to read how well Slinky was doing up until this recent problem. I did find this in one article which does seem to point to the immune issue. The way I understand is mast cells are througout the body and respond to immune issues? It is ironice that Pred will probably be prescribed as well. Just be careful on what antibiotics they want to use. Holding happy thoughts for you and Slinky Penny Causes/Predispositions: No one fully understands what causes cancer. Mast cell tumors are very common in dogs, yet they occur far less frequently in cats and very rarely in human beings. They occur in dogs of all breeds, ages, and genders and can occur anywhere on the body. There appears to be a genetic component, as certain breeds are predisposed to developing MCT. Among the most common victims are beagles, Boston terriers, boxers, bulldogs, bullmastiffs, bull terriers, dachshunds, English setters, fox terriers, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, schnauzers, American staffordshire terriers, and weimaraners. Boxers are at the highest risk, yet mast cell tumors are often not as aggressive in this breed. There is some suggestion that mast cell tumor development may be associated with golden/red coat color and with chronic immune over-stimulation that occurs in dogs with allergies or other inflammatory conditions. There may be environmental factors, viruses, or other undetermined contributors. Mast cell tumors, as with all cancers, tend to be associated with age. Older dogs are more likely to develop cancerous growths, with the average age of a dog with MCT being 8-9 years.

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Stephanie, So sorry to hear about Slinky and her tumor. We wish you and her the very best of luck with the surgery. Our thoughts and prayers wiill be with you on Tuesday! We had other dachshunds in Florida and one of them had lots of the fatty lumps all over her, at one point so many we had to have them removed. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and Slinky on Tuesday, please keep us updated on how the surgery went and how Slinky is doing. We are keeping our fingers and paws crossed that everything goes well. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Thanks everyone! I know this is small compared to what she's already battled and won, but I just can't believe she's going through something else. Thanks for the article Patrice. They just seem to both be over-stimulation of the immune system which is what made me wonder. Yes, we're probably looking at pred again, low dose this time. Sigh. Yet one more thing she ought to be too young for! IMHA at 13 months, mast cell tumor at 2 1/2...what next?

Stephanie Chicago

Stephanie, I am so sorry to hear about Slinky's new diagnosis, but dachshunds are little fighters and she will get through this too!! You guys will be in my thoughts and prayers. From a fellow dachshund owner, Layla & Tipsi

Layla Brantley Raleigh

Hello, New to this to please bear with us. Our gorgeous English Springer Spaniel "Daisy" aged 9 was diagnosed on Wednesday 5th November with AIHA....we are absolutley devastated, this has come as such a shock and are having real difficulty dealing with this disease at this moment in time. She has had to have a blood transfussion which took place on Thursday 6th November, is on the relevant medication (Prednisone, intravenus drip, etc .... and her PCV's is now at 9% which has been since then. Although she is a fairly quiet and placid English Springer Spaniel generally we acnnot beleive just how lethargic and lifeless she is. She cannot take large amounts of water without being sick and will not eat, her heartrate and temperature have remained the same for the past 24 hours which is a good sign but in her self she does seem to look worse. My real concern for her at this present time is that the vets we use are not available 24/7, which means she has to go to a charitable organisation (PDSA) every night (out of hours) and at the weekend, which also means her being in contact with different vets/nurses who dont really know her, when we call to see how she is they seem to have different results and concerns for her, is it us or is it a case they really dont know what to say, we are VERY, VERY concerned for our little girl and her well being, some reasurance would be so greatly appreciated form others that have gone through this, all we want is for her to come back home and be well again. Claire & Jason Stebbens

Claire & Jason Stebbens West Yorkshire

I just wanted to update this. Slinky had surgery on Tuesday to remove her mast cell tumor. She had a bit of a rough recovery, but is now doing well. She is frustrated with not being able to lick her stitches, but otherwise doing fine. We got the pathology results back today and her tumor was grade 1!!! Yeah! So we're done with this for now at least. The margins were clean, so no more surgery, no meds. Of course, because she's Slinky, her BUN was high at surgery, so we're still chasing down a few things to make sure her kidneys are fine. I also consulted with Dr. Dodds last week and we're checking into some other things with her immune system. I'll start a separate thread on that when I get those test results back. I hope others can have some good news for their pups today too!

Stephanie Chicago

We are sooooo glad Slinky's surgery went well. We which her a speedy recovery. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Stephanie, So glad to hear Slinky's surgery went well and wishing her a speedy recovery. Give that baby a high 5 paw from Holly! Linda

Linda Sapphire

Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your response. I certainly wish Slinky well! Since Spencer is new to AIHA, I haven't had any experience to new dealings yet. So Slinky is off all meds even a low dosage of pred huh? That's encouraging because I certainly don't want Spencer on meds forever after he is tapered off but then again I don't want his blood count to go down. Keep us posted on your pup and good luck! Shannon

Shannon FL

Stephanie, good to hear that Slinky is through her surgery and doing well. Please keep us up-dated on her progress. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Shannon, Yes, Slinky is one of the dogs on here who has done very well. She was diagnosed in June of '07, was at normal PCV values by the end of the summer. We tapered her off of meds very, very slowly due to some major stresses (I had a baby :) ). She has been med-free since April and continues to have high-normal PCVs. We hang around the forum a bit to try to provide some hope and support in exchange for all that I learned here and the support we got when I needed it most. It is possible to make it off of meds, and I hope that Spencer does! It is important not to be impatient for that day though. I'm convinced that our vet's quick action and Slinky's youth contributed to her speedy recovery, but extremely sure that our very slow wean has kept her stable to this point. Some dogs don't make it off meds-I would gladly keep her on pred if she needed it. I wish you and Spencer the best!

Stephanie Chicago

Millie and Advice Latest visit to the vets Millie's PCV was up a little but her new red blood cells showed much improvement. I think her gums are definately pinker. The vet said I could walk her gently but I'm rather worried about that. I took her for a short walk yesterday but am worried I've over done it -she seems tired today. I'm also worried about her liver values and about having her spayed - which the vet wants to do before her next season which will be in the New Year she was in season when all this started in June and the vet thinks it might be related. I'm ALSO worried about her relapsing again - did we drop the meds too quickly last time - going from 20mg pred to 10mg. She is currently on 20mg pred and 2 Atopica a day. Is there a protocol for coming down on the meds? I have looked at the success stories site which gave me some comfort but have not had time to email Dr Dodds yet. My thoughts are with all of you also fighting this awful disease - some winning the battle and some sadly losing it. My vet also said we won't be vacinating Millie again - is that the right advice too? Clare, family and Millie, Oxon, UK

Clare Fox Foxhens@aol.com

This thread was discussed between 07/11/2008 and 17/11/2008

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