Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Ultra Small Dose Aspirin/milk thistle/etc

Once again I would like to say how great this forum is. It helps to answer so many questions I'ld otherwise probably never know. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately on the need of ultra low doses of aspirin for dogs with AIHA. I've read the study from Cornell University on the results of aspirin and showed it to my vet and he still said it would not be needed. I think he said something along the lines of it may cause bleeding or something due to the thinning of the blood...I can not really remember. I'ld like to hear some thoughts on this subject from others who use/don't use aspirin. I've also been thinking of milk thistle. I was wondering about any side affects or if there might be studies done regarding this. Should it be recommended? I'm wondering what other vets have said about these issues. Forti Flora....I'm still looking this one up...any info on this would be good also. Basically I'm wondering if I should insist to the doctor to reconsider these options or not. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, Tessy is laying here napping as I write this. She found a ball I had hid today and now she takes it everywhere with her. She seems be doing good and she has another appointment tomorrow afternoon. I'm praying everything goes good. She had Diarrhea really bad last night and today and the doc said to put her on childrens doses of Kaopectate...any remarks/suggestions on this? One last thing...I think. Should a dog be in cooler areas or should the home be warmed up? Anyhow, I feel like I'm being a hassle asking so many questions so I'll leave it at that. Sorry for any inconveniences. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the dogs affected by AIHA and their owners. I pray and hope daily for full healthy recoveries for all animals with AIHA. Thank-you Jonathan

Jonathan

Jonathan, Regarding low dose aspirin, my dog developed clots/pulmonary embolis. The vet did not want to use aspirin or Heparin because of the risk of internal bleeding. My dog died suddenly and unexpectedly from a clot to his heart or lungs, after he had shown improvement for two days from the symptoms of IMHA. In my opinion, I wished that the vet would have prescribed aspirin or Heparin - I would have been willing to have tried it. According to studies I've read and recent research, I believe that aspirin or Heparin would have been worth trying. I purchased Milk Thistle (It's been 1-1/2 years, but I believe that some Milk Thistle might contain alcohol - if you try it, make sure it's nonalcoholic). My vet did not recommend this - I purchased it on my own. My vet allowed me to give my dog Milk Thistle at high doses. My dog definitely preferred being in cooler areas. He laid down near the air conditioning vents, and he laid down on areas with tile floor instead of carpeting or in a dog bed. You and Tessy will be in my thoughts and prayers. Sue

Sue PA

Ren takes milk-thistle. My vet prescribed Denamarin. It is a milk-thistle/vitamin a+b compound. I found it much easier to let the vet suggest the correct dosage. Dividing up the store bought milk-thistle capsules was not an option for dosing a Chihuahua. One more thing about the milk-thistle, I must be given on an empty stomach for best results. Also, it can have a stimulating effect if given in higher doses. Best to give it in the morning when your dog is more active. Ren was always a heat seeker until the AIHA. Now she wants to be in a cooler place, sometimes even likes a fan blowing on her. Very happy to hear that your Tessy is feeling better! Nothing like seeing an AIHA dog wanting to play ball! Give her a hug for us. SUE

Susie Delaware

Hi Jonathan, I am so glad Tessy is doing ok! I kept asking my vet about Aspirin, because I read so much about it here. After 3 weeks into it she got a bit scared about clotting, because the Pathologist mentioned something too. We had a test done to determine if that would be a danger and it come back negative. So no need for Aspirin. Kahlu suffered badly from diarrhea and was on metranidazol (killing bad bacteria but not the good according to my vet) for a week. That helped a bit. Then we continued with the Forti Flora. According to my research it is a pretty safe product, but not organic. Now he still has soft stools, but at least no diarrhea. The Milk Thistle was recommended by my vet and as far as I know there are no side effects. I don't think there is a reason to heat the house any more than usual for Tessy. I find that Kahlu prefers the cool, hard floor to the softer and warmer carpets. But then, i guess every dog is different. You will know what is better for Tessy. Thinking of you, best wishes Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

Hi Jonathan, I did send you a separate email and am happy to hear your considering aspirn. I did have a very similar experience as Sue as per the vets opinion on asprin. Other than unusual circumstances, my understanding is that it is blood clots that are the leading cause of death in a dog with IMHA, so I would definitly give it serious consideration. Its my biggest regret that I ignored this fact with my boy Ollie. His PCV was holding steady and I feel we could have licked this disease had we prevented that blood clot. Brigitte, was your test for autoaglutination to determine if Kahlu was at risk for clots? Awesome to hear that Tessy is going for a ball, thats a good sign! As far as the hot/cold issue, I didnt notice either with Ollie, I was always worried he was too cold because of his low PCV. I have a cold house and when Ollie was outside for a few hours I kept him covered with a blanket, he didnt seem to get hot, but it was late fall and cold. He didnt have to go through it in summer.

mj utah

The test they did was called coagulation test. I am assuming that is the same as autoaglunitation? it was explained to me, to see if he is in danger of clotting. it was quite expensive, more than a full CBC, but worth it I think. They now give me a discount on the blood tests at the vets! Do you believe that? You know you are a good customer when..... Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

Hi Jonathan, Don't ever feel like you are hasseling anyone on this board, that is what we are all here for to help each other. I have been on it for 2 years and have learned so much from everyone, and it feels like my comfort blanket, a place I can come and talk with everyone anytime and always find answers. We give Holly Milk Thistle, but we buy the pure seed and I grind it up in a coffee grinder and mix a 1/2 teaspoon in her food at lunch and dinner. In fact my husband and I also take a capsule a day because it is so good for you, and it will protect Tessy's liver. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Hi Jonathan. Here is a link to a study regarding pros and cons for use of low dose aspirin: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15934255?dopt=Abstract For about the first 2 or 3 months my dog was on an ultra low dose of aspirin and I'm certain it saved his life. Prior to being put on it, he did have signs that he was passing small pulmonary blood clots. This is a very painful thing apparently. My dog also experienced diarrhea and was started on Forti Flora. It took three weeks but after it took effect, his bowel movements were better than they ever had been. I'm not sure what Tessy is on. But I know when my dog was on high doses of prednisone, he wanted to lie on cool surfaces and he couldn't seem to tolerate bright, sunny rooms. Others on this site commented that their dogs were the same while on high doses of pred. What a great sign that Tessy is carrying her ball around with her! That's very positive. Good luck to you. Please keep us posted. deb and Duck (my dog)

Debbie BC Canada

Thank you all for the responses so quickly. I will be taking Tessy in again today to get tests done. I've been worried all morning! What worries me most is that she is losing her appetite again. After her transfusion she couldn't stop eating! The thing she seemed to like to eat most was liver and roast beef. Now she is snuffing her nose at it. I do not know if she is tired of it or what the problem is. I'm hoping this food isn't bad for her in large amounts. Has anyone got any ideas of anything I can try her with? I've got to ask the vet again today about aspirin, milk thistle, stomach protectants, blood clotting etc. I will keep you all informed as information becomes available. Tessy & Jonathan

Jonathan

Jonathon, be careful with rich foods like like liver and roast beef. She should only be eating a very small amount, I think for her size like a tsp a each meal you have to be very careful because you can trigger pancreatitis. You can give her a tsp of pureed canned pumpkin at each feeding to help with the diahrrea. make sure its not pumpkin pie mix Ask your vet about a liver cleansing diet. there area few around many us hadve done this I second the milk thistle/denymirin and ask about pet tinic its rich in iron http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/liver/ http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/liver_diet.htm Laurie

Laurie CA

This thread was discussed between 24/02/2009 and 25/02/2009

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