Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Update Ren

I wanted to let you all know how Ren's vet visit went today. Her PCV was 40.2, a good solid number considering how low it was. The vet was a bit concerned about Ren's appearance. Her coat is dull and becoming sparse and she has the pot belly thing going on, muscles wasting, etc. These are all signs of prolonged dosing of Pred. The vet does not want to cut back on pred for another two weeks until we get two visits with consistent numbers. Instead she opted to reduce the Aza to every other day. (her liver parameters were a tad higher than last visit). I have become so attuned to Ren's every little nuance that I can judge how her blood work is going to look. Ren has a great appetite and still tries to play although she tires easily (Pred). Her gun and ear color is that BEAUTIFUL pink color. Her eyes are shiny and full of love. Thanks for all your prayer! SUE

Susie Delaware

Susie, What a little fighter Ren is. Hopefully this time around things will go super smoothly. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Susie, Great news for Ren! Isn't it amazing how you can look in their eyes and see all the love, no matter what they may or may not feel. Holly has flaky skin, we started giving her flax seed oil, a little teaspoon in her dinner, it is suppose to have the omega 3 or 6 in it and improve their coat, just a suggestion. Keep up the good work Ren! Linda

Linda Sapphire

We also do the Dermcaps, I think they help alot. It turned out that Tiggs also was hypothyroid as well, maybe they could check that, though likely it is the Pred, and possibly a case of the Iatrogenic Cushings, which thankfully does get better once the Pred is reduced. Ren's numbers are great! What a relief I'm sure! melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

I am so happy to hear Ren's numbers are so good. Ginger also gets fish oil 2x day to help with dry skin. You might want to ask your vet about some type of supplement. Thanks for sharing the good news!!! Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

That is great news to hear Susie! It makes me so happy hearing Ren is getting better. I think you can tell a lot about what a dog is thinking just by looking at their eyes. I get dazed sometimes looking at Tessy too long. It's almost like a contest for her at times. Anyhow, Keep up the good work and we'll be sending wags your way.

Jonathan & Tessy

Ren's vet visit today was all good news. Her PCV stayed at 40. Her other blood values are falling more in the normal ranges. My vet cut back on the Aza to twice a week. Pred still once daily and cyclosporine 2x daily. She said that next visit (in one month) she will reduce the Cyclosporine to once daily. She also said that Ren will probably be on some immune suppressing meds for the rest of her life. Maybe small doses of pred. Ren has developed iatrogenic Cushing’s. This was no surprise; I noticed that her coat is very sparse and course. Other than the pot belly and the muscle loss, Ren is a very happy Chihuahua. Thanks for all your prayers! SUE

Susie Delaware

Susie, That is great news for Ren! That is what Dr Dodds had us do with Holly, the aza every other day then every third day and then once a week and now we have stopped the aziathioprine, but still on prednisone 2mg twice a week for two months. Dr Dodds also told us that Holly might be on low dosage of Pred for the rest of her life depending on how she does with no aziathiprine. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Susie, what a wonderful update on Ren! The fact that she wants to play and her eyes are shining are all signs that she is doing well ... and a great PCV as well. Very happy for you guys. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Susie, That is really great that Ren's numbers are holding. Hopefully as you take her off the Aza and lower the Pred the other conditions will inprove. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

This thread was discussed between 25/02/2009 and 11/03/2009

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