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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Update on BillyBob
| Hi Haven't been on for a while but read every day, so sorry to hear all your losses, my heart goes out to you all. I thought it was time to update you on Billy's progress. Bit of a long one I afraid. He had been having a pretty rough time of it, not getting any better at all, not being able to get up, falling over, and had developed calcium deposits along his spine which are really ugly, looks like a dragon. At this stage he was still on 20mg pred per day (same dosage for 6 months), azi eod. I took for him for a blood test at the beginning of December and asked if we could reduce his pred, but the vet said no because his count wasn't high enough. He had started to go really yellow. In fact, the vet told me to double his pred and increase his azi to every day. Billy weighs 10kg. So I thought enough is enough and asked for a referral to a specialist about 50 miles away. His history was faxed through and they got me in two days later - his PCV was 27 which for Billy is brilliant (he's never got any higher). Went to see the specialist, who took one look at him and said he was now Cushingoid. So they scanned his liver, spleen etc, took blood, bile acids. Upshot was, his liver was enlarged and his blood stood at 27 but she sent his blood away for further analysis at the lab, Sara reduced his pred to 15mg per day, azi back to eod. So I brought him home. This was Thursday 4 December. On Saturday 6 December, while I was out shopping Sara rang home and said Billy's results had come back - his PCV was 29 but his liver was severely infected, so back to the vets for ab's. That night, he couldn't stand or walk without falling over, same on Sunday so I slept three nights on the sofa with him - I thought he was going. Monday he seemed a bit better, Sara rang to check on him - he had started to move better and could get down the front step without falling down it and was carrying his ball around. We had a steady progression last week good days outweighing the bad. Anyway took him back to the vet's Friday 12 December for another blood test, my vet has now started speaking to me like I know what he's talking about, explaing things and his thoughts. He admitted that he was pleased I asked for a referral because he had been frightened to reduce Billy's meds in case anything happened. I told him that I felt we would have killed him anyway if we'd carried on with his treatment - so we cleared the air. I asked if we could reduce the pred again and he said no, keep him as is until the New Year. Monday, the vet rang to say Billy's PCV was 33!!!!! Yaaa!! Then Sara rang to see how he was and I told her what had happened and she said drop his pred to 10mg per day now - so I asked if it could be 12.5, I'm just so scared he will crash. She said fine, and to get more Ab's for another 2 weeks to support his liver/immune system. Billy is looking so much brighter, his breathing isn't as laboured, he is a bit more nimble on his feet and actually sleeps instead of laying and staring into space. I know it is early days, but I am so happy for him to have a little relief from all his discomfort. It felt good to talk to a specialist, and to hear confirmed what I thought. I know these people cost so much money as do the treatments (Billy isn't insured so it is coming straight out of our pockets), but I feel that I can rely on what she is saying, that she would be honest with me and tell me if I am wasting my time. But the results speak for themselves at the moment and if Billy is happy and comfortable, then so am I. It's the best Christmas present ever. Steph |
| Steph Gloucestershire UK |
| What an amazing story and BillyBob is so lucky to have you speaking for him!!! Billy is truely a Christmas mircale and you just made my day. Thanks for the update. Cheryl & Ginger |
| Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA |
| Thank you for the update. It's so nice to hear good news. I hope you and Billy have a wonderful Christmas. He's a very lucky dog to have you on his side. Karen H. |
| Karen H. MO |
| Dear Steph, What a testament to your strong will and determination. It is because of your tenacity that Billy is surviving and improving. I am optimistic from your description that Billy is recovering quite nicely. If you feel you need more support, try emailing Dr. Dodds for advice about medication reductions. hemopet @ hotmail . com (Remove the spaces to use) She will respond to concise emails for help and needs information from the last several blood tests, current meds (and doses) and general condition. Every dog that is on high doses of prednisone develops a condition called "Cushing's Disease." In this case it is called Iatrogenic Cushing's Disease. This means *caused* by high corticosteroid doses. Dogs that have true Cushing's Disease have a tricky time of it and must be on medications the rest of their lives. Dogs that have the symptoms as caused by the prednisone generally recover to normal once the medication is significantly decreased. This would include this inflamed liver condition. It is regenerative and will, in most cases, recover from this. I particularly admire you for your courage and tact in working with your vet. You have established an important relationship with him. More importantly, you have paved the way for future owners if they should present a dog with a similar condition. Please keep us updated more frequently so we can follow Billy's progress! my best, patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Merry Chrismas Steph! That is great for Billy Bob....love that name! :) Amy |
| amy txgoldenhorse@yahoo.com |
This thread was discussed between 17/12/2008 and 18/12/2008
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