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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Spencer update with new problem
| Hello all! Spencer my Labradoodle was diagnosed a month ago with AIHA but a few weeks ago he developed a severe fungus infection over his entire body in which the vet took 5 biopsies and we got the results on Friday. The vet said that even though its a fungus that he got into his immune system when it was at the lowest, this is not the worst news. It could've been another skin disease related to AIHA dogs. Spencer is now on an anitbiotic called Itraconazole along with the pred and the aza. Poor thing, he looks like a war zone but we are doing our absolute best to keep the sores clean. I will admit, my husband and I are drained from all this as I'm sure each of you are too but we are going to do everything and anything it takes to make his life the best it can be!!! I wish all of you the best with your pets!!! Shannon |
| Shannon Florida |
| Shannon, Oh dear. What a difficult condition you are dealing with. I am so sorry. You are both *great owners* to take such good care of Spencer. I've tried to do a little research to help you. After reading about all kinds of canine fungal infections, I am pretty sure this is ringworm, am I right? In one sense this is not as serious as some of the more dangerous systemic fungal infections I have been reading about. The tricky part, as you have mentioned, is he is already sick and this just makes it harder. Itraconazole is a typical antifungal drug. Griseofulvin and ketoconazole are two similar ones. Some folks might recognize these from treating athletes foot topically. I took griseofulvin pills many years ago to get rid of a toenail fungus. The side effect commonly associated with these drugs (taken orally) is liver intoxication because of the *long term usage.* It would be wise to go over this particular side effect with your vet esp since you are using prednisone which has known liver side effects. I had to have regular blood tests because of the potential for liver effects. I was also told not to drink alcohol during the 6 or so months I was taking this. So Spencer is not allowed to drink any beer while you are treating this. <VBG> Here is a veterinary website that discuses the use of this drug and I have highlighted a potential problem if you are using any of the antacids for the prednisone use. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=31&A=520&S=0 "The use of itraconazole in combination with the antacids Pepsid, Zantac, or cimetidine (Tagamet), omeprazole (Prilosec), (or with the antibiotic rifampin) will lead itraconazole to be less effective. If itraconazole must be used with these medications, it is recommended that at least 2 hours pass between the antacid administration and the administration of itraconazole." This website also has an extensive page on ringworm: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=559&S=0&EVetID=0 There is complete information about how to keep the house clean to avoid reinfection or possible infection to you. I wish you the best of luck with this. patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
This thread was discussed on 01/12/2008
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