Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Springer Puppy with non regnerative IMHA

Hello everyone. I thought I would post on here since I am in week 3 of trying to help Nigel. He is a 5 mo old Springer Spaniel puppy. I noticed something was wrong when he collapsed for now reason one evening. I was a vet tech so I checked him over. His gums were pure white. I rushed him to my vet who I used to work for. His PCV was 7. We transferred him over to the emergency clinic. He recieved a transfusion within 2 hours. By that night his crit was up to 18. He was otherwise stable, still eating, no vomitting, etc. So they sent him home on Pred, Azathioprine, Doxycycline, and Pepcid. But last week Mon he was very pale again. I took him back in and his crit had dropped to 13 with a temp of only 98. Off we went to the emergency clinic again. He had transfusion #2. This time we got his crit up to 20. They also added Cyclosporine to his treatment. Over the next couple days his PCV went to 23. Unfortuately this whole time we saw no improvement in his reticulocyte count. Tonight his PCV is back to 19-20. And his retic count is .15. The doctor did have me decrease his dose of pred the other day. I am thinking that could be a reason for the drop. We have also done some research about adding anabolic steroids (Winstrol) to see if we can get his marrow producing again. I am so emotionally and finacially drained. And to see this once happy, joyous, puppy, barely jump on the couch. He looks so sad. It is breaking my heart. I know I need to take more time to look through all the other posts here. But I thought I would say Hello and introduce you to Nigel. Thanks for your time. I certainly don't feel so alone now.

Shannon Clyman

Shannon, I am so sorry to hear about your poor Nigel. Why did the Vet have you reduce the Pred? It is really important to have a doctor that is well versed in treating this or is at least open to input from someone that is. It is indeed emotionally and financially draining but try to hang in there. You will never be alone here everyone has stories and advice to share and shoulders to lean on. Have you found your way to Joanne's site yet? It has a wealth of information while your there be sure and read the success stories. Please keep us posted. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hi Shannon, It's nice to meet you and Nigel. I'm sorry that you have to join us here under the circumstances, but I hope that you will find some comfort, support, and knowledge from everyone. I hope that Nigel improves, I know how hard this can be emotionally and financially- it's so unfair that we even have to think about the monetary side when we are so stressed about a loved one! I grew up with a wonderful Springer named Dobie. She was my first dog, and I will always love her and have a soft spot for the breed, though now I have two pitties. Keep us updated on Nigel if you can, and let us all know how you are doing. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Shannon -- so sorry to hear about your springer puppy, Nigel, coming down with this disease. It also seems strange that the vet reduced the prednisone, since it takes time for the prednisone to work. It's great you're a vet tech so you can understand so much of the testing etc. But I suggest you write to Dr. Jean Dodds, the fabulous veterinary expert on blood diseases and vaccinations, who has consulted on so many cases on this forum. Given Nigel is a puppy, you really need to have a vet who knows about this disease. Good luck. I'll keep you and Nigel in my prayers.

Brenda VA

awww :( i will be praying for Nigel's full recovery Josh/Sway

josh california

Thank you all for your kind welcome. I wish none of us had to be here for the reasons that we are. I am waiting for his new blood panel results today. I did mention to his doc last night that I wondered if the pred dose reduction had caused his PCV to slightly drop. She was going to wait and see today what the results said, and then consult the doctors at the emergency referral center. I will try to contact Dr Dodds as well. I feel so bad for all of you that has lost a beloved dog from this. I feel cheated that I have only had little Nigel for a few months. It is heartbreaking to see my 5 year old daughter cover him with a blanket and tell him not to die. I am surely hoping for some good news today. Thanks again.

Shannon sholzem817@yahoo.com

Hang in there Shannon. I know how hard it is, but try to stay up. Dogs are so perceptive. I'm with you on feeling cheated. We have some dogs who are stricken who are "seniors" and some who are just furbabies (I stole that from one of the gals who posts!) It's equally as awful and in different ways. Please take comfort in knowing you have a circle of new friends around you .... keep us posted on the little one. A day can make a lot of difference!

Cynthia Grosse Pointe

Shannon, I am so glad you posted. As for the pred drop, do ask, sometimes vets will reduce if its high dosage once the az kick in, but that can take 4-6 weeks. And reducing dosage to much too fast can cause a drop too, What dosages is she on? Praying for Nigel and some good news today Laurie

Laurie CA

Hi Shannon, I'm fairly new here too. My Brandi has both AIHA and ITP and today is day 7 that she has been in critical care. My heart breaks that Nigel is just a baby and has this stinkin' disease. And your 5 year old, that's gotta be heartbreaking. I'm sorry and will add you Nigel to my prayers. Teresa

Teresa OK

Thank you all again for your comments and support. I am still waiting to hear the results from last night. I know she had alot of procedures today so I know I will hear from her when she can. I know there must not be anything to good or bad or she would have called right away. I know the Azathioprine can take weeks to work, she also decreased the dose on that since we added the Atopica. We would like to get rid of the Aza because although it is an immune suppressor it can also decrease bone marrow production, which is what we are fighting so hard for. I do feel lucky in that except for his weakness and lethargy, he does still manage to follow me wherever I go. He will still offer behaviours for his treats and LOVES pill time, since it involves canned food. Both my girls ages 5 and 3 are very concerned about him and keep covering him up everytime he lays down. I'm not sure he wants it but they feel like they are helping him. I will keep you posted when I find out news today. Thanks again!

Shannon sholzem817@yahoo.com

Shannon, I am sorry that your baby is going through this, but you have found a good place to be in this forum. There are a lot of loving, caring, and understanding people here to support you and offer advice. My Darcy has non-regenerative anemia and today is going through a fourth transfusion. At Dr. Dodds' recommendation, we are doing the thyroid meds and just started last week with the anabolic steroid shots (Nandrolone from Franck's Compounding Lab). I believe you said that you plan on getting in touch with Dr. Dodds, and I think that's a good start. I pray Nigel will have a positive response to treatments and be his perky little self again soon. Karen

Karen NC

This thread was discussed on 23/12/2008

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