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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - What does a Splenectomy cost
| Any ideas on what a Splenectomy would cost??? |
| Robin NYS |
| Robin, Did your vet explain to you exactly why they want to do a splenectomy? I would research this carefully before you make any decisions. I can help you with that. Chance had a splenectomy in early 2007 when a mass was seen. The surgery was done by my local vet, and they removed a 7 lb mass plus an enlarged spleen. Chance recovered from that. But several months later he developed non regenerative anemia. This was a complicated condition and no one is exactly sure how the two things are related. If your vet has seen a mass by ultrasound then it would be important to know what he/she thinks they saw. These masses can be benign, as in Chance's case. I watched the surgery and we were all amazed at the healthy condition inside Chance and the apparent benign mass that was removed. Or they can be a form of cancer called an hemangiosarcoma. These cancers are very aggressive. I was very concerned and did my research. They are virtually untreatable and attempting to remove them only "seeds" them into the body. So, if there is a mass and it appears on the ultrasound to be of a benign nature, then I would consider the surgery if I were in your shoes. If they are feeling that by removing the spleen they can treat the autoimmune anemia state, I would be very cautious. There is undetermined success from these surgeries. This is a complex surgery requiring a very large incision and lengthy anesthesia. Recovery is relatively lengthy due to the size of the incision. This is mentioned in a variety of veterinary textbooks as a possible solution. By removing the site of major destruction to the RBC, they feel they can stop the damage. Dr. Dodds may have considerable knowledge regarding the efficacy of this procedure. If you are just starting cyclosporine, then perhaps it might be best to continue this for a few weeks to see if there is any progress? At the dose you are at, I suspect you will see major changes in about 3-4 weeks. I know that seems like a long time, but it will be a time of improvements, not back sliding. Chance and Cassie are both head butting my arms to let me know that we have passed the breakfast hour and nothing has been put down in their bowls. my best patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Thank you Patrice - You are my angel. I am feeling so low today and needed the shoulder to lean on. Jack's HCT is down to 27.5 from 30.5 a week ago. his Hemoglobin level is 8.9 down from 9.9. His white blood cells are up to 43.8 from 26.9. Red blood cells are down to 3.32 from 3.75. Platlets are 214 down from 260 and his Reticulocytes are 99600 down from 123000 (marked regenerative). Notes on lab results include: SLIDE REVIEWED MICROSCOPICALLY. INCREASED CRENATION, UNABLE TO FURTHER EVALUATE RBC MORPHOLOGY SLIGHT HOWELL JOLLY BODIES SCHISTOCYTES - SLIGHT SPHEROCYTES - SLIGHT As far as removal of the spleen, the vet suggested it last night but she is the last option. Both ultrasounds showed no tumors or masses. The vet also put him on SamE and Milk thistle. He still has his bad nasal infection. Jack is taking 400 mg of atopica for first week and 200 mg for the following weeks. Thank you again for your time and ear. It helps so much. Give Chance and Cassie a big from me and Jack. Robin |
| Robin NYS |
This thread was discussed on 28/08/2009
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