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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - What do you think this means?
| Hi everyone, Just got copies of all of Wiley's blood work and while I was looking through it I noticed his platelets seemed to be gradually decreasing. any ideas? 3/31 171 4/14 162 5/17 159 7/15 132/146 - prob w/machine - possibly inaccurate 8/19 124 9/1 110 Thanks, Lisa |
| Lisa CT |
| Lisa, this would be enough to have me worried! Thrombocytopenia can be just as serious as AIHA! Did the doctors say anything about this? I think that most doctors won't get worried until they drop below 100 but with this case you are seeing a cintinual drop. Are they taking the blood from the same leg? I'd ask them to take from the jugular next time and in the time being I'd be making sure Wiley gets lots of nutrients...especially iron and B vitamins (PET TINIC would be great to use here). Start covering all the basics until you can speak with the vet about this. Make sure he know's how concerned and worried you are. Might be worthwhile doing a consult with Dr. Dodds??? Can you remind me what drugs Wiley is taking? Any sulfonamides (type of antibiotic) or anything else? Have you ever had Wiley checked for ehrlichiosis (tick disease)? I'd assume you have since he's been already fighting the AIHA but just wondering if this is something that might be lingering??? Other than the slowly dropping numbers how's he acting? Thoughts and prayers are with you both. Johnny & Tessy |
| Johnny |
| Hi Johnny, They are taking the blood from the jugular. We have had him checked for all the tick diseases when this first started in March. He is currently on 20 mg pred and 1/2 tablet of Azo. Most of the time he is a very happy energetic, hungry dog. But lately he has been having these spells where he doesn't want to get up. They seem to pass but I am not getting answers from my vet so I gathered all his records so I can get a second opinion. Thats when I noticed the platelets. I am very concerned because it seems like they have been dropping since he left the hospital. I hope to get him to another vet by next week. |
| Lisa CT |
| Lisa, I am with Johnny on this one. If at all possible get Dr. Dodds involved. Are you planning to see an internal medicine specialist? Just tell your vet you want to send the blood to hemopet. If he/she does not want to do that, then you can still go somewhere else. Ask them LOTS of questions and don't let them blow you off. It is better to know, even if the news are not great. After all, you have to be able to understand and also tell us what is going on:) I truly hope you will get some answeres soon. Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
| Lisa, I am sorry to hear that Wiley has not been feeling well lately. There can be several reasons why these numbers are declining slowly. One could be a simple error with the automated analyzer at your vet's office. You can approach this two ways. Ask them if they have recently calibrated the machine to check for errors. (and this will probably get you a "what do you know about this" look) You might ask if they will send a sample out to a specialty lab for a complete CBC. This will be pricey. You could ask for a blood smear to be done at the same time. This will guarantee that you are getting the most correct numbers. I would also ask for a visit with the vet to palpate the spleen carefully and do a possible abdominal x-ray. If they feel/see something that seems unusual, ask them if they can schedule an ultrasound at a local specialty clinic for you. Weigh him carefully. Compare this to past weights. Is it similar? Or is there a gradual weight gain? The spleen has the role of sequestering platelets as part of its job with the immune system. Is it possible it is doing that now? An enlarged spleen could be a sign of this. A growth on the spleen could also do this. Does this necessarily mean a malignant tumor? No. Diagnostics would tell you more. But it is important to check the spleen carefully now just to make sure. Take it one step at a time. As soon as you start asking for these services they will understand where you are going with this. I can help you with any diagnostics that you don't understand. my best patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Might be worthwhile discontinueing the azathioprine also! Did you talk to the vet about this yet? Keep us posted. Johnny & Tessy |
| Johnny |
This thread was discussed between 26/10/2010 and 27/10/2010
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