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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - update on splenectomy and AIHA
| I posted earlier about Wylies ultrasound showing a growth on her spleen and so we started the process on Thursday of reducing her prednizone before the surgery. Her PCV was up to 42 on Friday so that made me feel better about the operation. She just got out of surgery and they found 2 quarter size nodules on the outside and one on the inside. Also 2 nodes on her liver so those are being sent out for biopsy. her PCV today was 41 good but her ALT was over 600. he said that is caused by the prednizone and hopefylly we can get that lower. She was at 220 almost 2 weeks ago. Soo crossing my fingers she has a good recovery over the next few days and will play the wait and see game. He was still on the fence this morning about this causing the AIHA. He had to run into an emergency so I didnt get to ask him if still thought that after finding these nodules. |
| Laurie CA |
| Laurie, I am hoping you will get some good news soon. That is a really good PCV level. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and Wylie. Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Laurie, I am hoping that you will post some good news about the pathology report. Chance had his spleen and a mass removed over a year ago now, the mass was over 7lbs! The pathology showed it to be a benign hematoma. More masses are benign than malignant. However, I need to tell you that they are usually encapsulated in one location in this case. Dogs without a spleen can live a normal life. However, their PCV will tend to be overall lower. Also, think of the spleen as an "emergency transfusion" organ. When there is stress of some kind, the spleen with contract and release a lot of blood into circulation to prepare the animal for the stress. Without the spleen, there is less reserve. So more moderate activities are best from here on out. My vet has found that a PCV of 37-38% seems to be where dogs without spleens tend to hover. She did an unscientific little study with dogs in her clinic and her husband's clinic to see how these dogs reacted and this is what she found. Please keep us updated. I will be thinking about you this week... patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Thank you Patrice. I am worried since there was not just one growth but 3 inside and out, they were small though so maybe thats a good sign. THats good to know if her pcv does drop a little lower it may not be of concern and the heads up about activity. Even at 11 she is the energizer bunny. Yesterday afternoon she was already up, had a bm and was wagging her tail so she may be released this afternoon if all went well last night. Will update on the biopsy reports. Laurie |
| Laurie CA |
| Laurie -- thanks for the update on Wylie. Glad to know she has come out of surgery okay and her behavior is so positive. Please take care. |
| Brenda VA |
| Picked up Wylie last night, amazing she has a 12 inch long incision and she hasnt acted like she had surgery. The vet said her spleen looked unusual, light mottling almost like cottage cheese when its suppose to be smooth and hadnt seen that before. So now they are thinking this is the cause of her AIHA, before they were thinking it secondary. Her PCV was down to 35 yesterday but said thats expected after surgery, they will recheck on Sat when her pain patch comes off. Laurie |
| Laurie CA |
| Laurie, It's good that she is home and recovering ok. The incision is large and it can be hard to keep it covered and them from playing with it. We use a men's v-neck t-shirt, legs go into the armholes, reversed so the v allows the "business parts" to be exposed. Then we duct tape around the body in the area where the stitches are. Industrious dogs can rub their body against the couch to remove the duct tape (we have one at our house, >vbg<) Since I have been through this and researched all of this carefully before we knew what the pathology was going to tell us, I will share with you some of my findings. I also was in the room during the ultrasound and later the operation so learned from both vets. Please read here in my words the deep concern I had for Chance and the concern that I have for Wylie. My vet prepared me for something called hemangiosarcoma. These growths have things that are identifiable and thus, the pathology may show this as the condition. The prognosis is not good for these and I faced that thought for about a week before the surgery. I researched a few treatments. Traditional treatments are not very effective. Non traditional Chinese Medicine has a treatment that I investigated with a practitioner. I was prepared to try this route as there was anecdotal stories of it working to some extent. If you want information, write me privately and I will share it with you. Big hugs and kisses to Wylie, patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Thanks Patrice, I will let you when the tests come back if the tests are positive. Wylie had her patch taken off and I asked the vet about it and he said 50/50 to be cancer but thought the growth on the outside looked benign. But I am not not getting my hopes up until those tests are back. I have kind of been in denial aobut it being cancer so I haven't searched treatment at all. We are monitoring the Anemia closely, she was 34 yesterday and goes back Tuesday. the vet said he expected this because it takes time for the bone marrow to kick in after the spleen is removed. I am so lucky she hasnt touched her incision at all. But I think she may start trying when it starts to dry out more. Whats the saying when it rains it pours. My cat Thursday night was on my patio when it got attacked by another cat and ripped open his rear end so he had surgery. Laurie |
| Laurie CA |
This thread was discussed between 07/05/2008 and 10/05/2008
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