Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Why can's they sleep?

Can anyone tell me why my dog Allie can't sleep? She is very weak right now and can't really get around, but she never seems to sleep. We went in for more blood work today after lowering her pred in half on Saturday. She seems to have taken a turn for the worse: weak and white gums. Kat

Kate Northwest

Hi Kate How was the blood work that you had done today? If you think Allie is taking a turn for the worse you should try to get her back into your the vets office or an emergency vet. My dog Ginger also had a hard time sleeping, she would just pant and stare into space at night and keep me awake. I would have to turn on the ceiling fan to drowned out her panting. Please keep us posted on Allie's condition and know that I am keeping her in my prayers.

Cheryl caf0208@aol.com

Hi Kate, The pred can make them restless and even hallucinate. White gums would indicate severe anemia. Did the vet have you up the pred again when they saw her gums today? It is possible that the cut was way too soon and caused her count to go down. Please keep us posted. Is pred the only med Allie is on? Teresa and Jacob

Teresa va

what was/is allie's #'s from the latest blood as compared to where she was before the pred decrease?

josh california

Her new blood count was not what we wanted unfortunately. Her count was at 25 and her platelets were at the low end of normal, but her regeneration is slipping. We wanted to lower the pred since when was having bad side effects, but now I am worried about that choice. We have added cyclosporne to her drug regime, along with the lower does to 30 mg of pred 2x a day, pepcid, carafate, and immuran. Has anyone had better luck with the cyclosporine? Thank you for the comments. K

Kate Northwest

Shad was diagnosed on Oct. 19, so we're new members to the forum. Shad drinks, drinks, drinks as if she were some Austin Sixth-Street drunk. She needs to release all that fluid. Good, girl, Shad! She first just filled it up in her abdomen. Now she pees like the best of the best race horses. Sandy & Shadow

Sandy Ut

Kate, Cyclosporine saved Chance's life. He had non regenerative anemia and neutropenia (no white blood cell production) and had been on extremely high doses of prednisone for 6 weeks with no results. Atopica (the veterinary formulation of cyclosporine) was given at a high dose: 225mg for 100lb and within 2 weeks he became regenerative and has recovered. The side effects of prednisone are horrible but if the dog survives the anemia crisis then the dosage can be reduced and the side effects eventually diminish. It does happen. patrice

Patrice New York State

Kate, Holly was on cyclosporin in the beginning but after 5 months a trough test was done to find out her body was not absorbing the cyclosporin which is when she was taken off of it and put on Imuran. But she was regenerating when she was put on the cyclosporin. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Kate...try putting a small enclosed fan set on the lowest speed on the floor where Allie likes to sleep. We did this when it was warm this summer and she was much more restful. Sometimes she would get just off to the side of the fan and others lie directly in front. It is now getting cooler in Northern California but she still likes the fan. She is allowed to sleep on the floor in our bedroom now so one of us can hear her and take her outside for her middle of the night "pee". The fan also acts like white noise so it isn't bothering our sleep.

Ron B San Mateo

This thread was discussed between 14/11/2007 and 17/11/2007

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