VetNet®
VetNet® AIHA discussion forum
VetNet® Forum
Lifelong Learning Network
www.vetnetlln.ac.uk
Veterinary Recruitment
Premier Partner Program
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Update on Lucy
| Hello all- I hope you don't mind, but I just needed to share. Lucy finally appears to be doing better with her IMHA after 2 blood transfusions. Her last count was 37. The doctor says she wishes she had a higher count, but is just glad that she is holding steady. Today I had to bring her back to her regular vet because she is having problems with her hind leg. The doctor said that Lucy has a partially torn ACL. She said it doesn't help that Lucy has gained so much weight. In a normal situation, the torn ACL would be treated with surgery, unfortunately Lucy is not a candidate for the surgery due to her health problems and medication. The doctor said I can rest her knee, keeping her still, and walking her with a sling. The doctor says with rest, the tear may heal somewhat with scar tissue, but that Lucy may end up with arthritis in that joint. I feel like it is one thing if not another. I just want Lucy to feel better, so please continue your prayers and positive thoughts. Thank you! Leigh & Lucy |
| Leigh New Jersey |
| Leigh, NEVER apologize for posting good news. it is so refreshing to hear that a dog is recovering. We all had our share of bad news, so we really cherish the good ones. I have no advice in regard of the partially torn ACL. I am sure Patrice will be able to help, she is a physical therapist. Of course we all want the PCV to be higher, but sometimes we also have to be happy that there is no downward trend. Have you had Lucy's thyroid checked? sometimes a thyroid supplement brings the RBC up. Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
| Leigh, 37 is awesome news. Yes we all want to see things go back to "normal" but sometimes dogs stay at a lower "normal" Sorry to hear about the leg problems and hope that Lucy can recover with rest for that. Continuing good thoughts and prayers for you both. Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Leigh, thanks for the update! 37% is a great number to have! I know very little about torn ACL's but I agree that minimal exercise and lots of rest is essential right now! Continued thoughts and prayers for Lucy. Johnny & Tessy |
| Johnny |
| Thanks everybody- I don't know who Patrice is, but she sounds like who I need. Let me bounce this off of everybody. I tried to talk to my boyfriend about it, but he says that all I talk about anymore is Lucy and her medical issues. It is difficult, because the illness really takes over your life. Anyway, the vet last night mentioned crate rest would be good. Lucy has not been in a crate since she was little, other than her hospitalizations. Today while at work I confined her to the living room, which has a relatively low couch and a dog bed. I am debating on going out and buying her a crate, but I am afraid that she will not be used to it, and it could take a toll on her emotionally. Any suggestions? Thanks again for all of your great input and support. Leigh & Lucy |
| Leigh New Jersey |
| It's important to have the BF on board cause it'll be a combined effort to remedy this! Having only a partial tear as opposed to a full tear is super huge! This makes a decision to try the conservative route of PT (physical therapy) more likely of an option. It'll take LOTS of time....probably over 8 weeks for the knee to get better....if it even does! Crates work best especially when going out and coming in! Excitement tends to be a time of reaggitation and this is what we wantto avoid. I've heard that a grain free diet with good quality protiens helps! Too high protien and then you have energy issues to deal with! You might find that things like Hylands Calms Forte, camomile tea, valerian or even passionflower capsules might help during periods of the day when energy is most....this just calms things down some! You might also find supplements like Knox Nutri-joint and glucosamine/chondroitin to be of importance and benefit! If it were me I'd be adding these! I remember hearing someone talk about a link between hypothyroidism and ACL tears so I can't remember if you had it done or not but checking the thyroid would be a must! LOTS AND LOTS OF REST AND LIMIT EXERCISE for now! Johnny & Tessy |
| Johnny |
| Leigh, Instead of a crate, maybe you could buy (or borrow, I have one:)) an X-pen. they are something like a play pen for dogs. Dogs take very easy to them, because they can see out. You could still make a bit of a den on one side by covering it with a sheet. I have no idea what they cost these days, I have had mine forever. I have always used them to train puppies or to confine dogs at a dog agility trial when it is hot. If you know any "dog people" that show or trial dogs, it would be worth asking if they have one you could borrow. Good luck, Brigitte & the poodle boys |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
This thread was discussed on 15/02/2011
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) forum index
This thread is from the Vetnet archive. The live Vetnet forum is active now.
