Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Winston's rising PCV

After 9 months and many sleepless nights - Winston's PCV has finally risen without the aide of gamma globulin infusion and transfusions. The most recent bloodwork shows no spherocytes, a PCV of 30 and his liver value is above normal but not horrible at 266. He was stable at 26 for a month so I'm very excited to see the bump up to 30. We decided to lower the pred alittle this week. I'm scared about it but the weakness in his back legs is becoming more pronounced and it's got to happen some time. The added weight on his little bitty body is creating a real problem for his knees - Maltese are prone to knee problems anyway so fate hit him with everything all at once. I'm hopeful and grateful and keeping my fingers and toes crossed that we are nearing the end of a very scary journey. I read more than I write on this site recently but feel as though I've had some real angels guiding me through this process with all of you out there. Thank you!!

Lisa TX

Lisa, Great news! Hopefully a small reduction in pred will make Winston feel better. Just remember the formula, never more than 25-33% every 3-4 weeks. We contacted Dr. Dodds for advice on those first reductions, maybe something you could do? Best wishes and congratulations! Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

Terrific news!!! So glad to read the Winston is improving. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Lisa, that's just AWESOME to hear! I was wondering the other week how Winston was making out. Thanks for updating us with his progress! I totally understand your nervousness with regards to reducing the pred...even if it is only a little bit. Hopefully this will make Winston feel even better. Have you any ideas as to what made the crit climb some? Weird for it to stay stable for that long and then finally start climbing. Do you keep his records in a spreadsheet? This has helped me greatly for picking up trends and hints as to what's goint on. For example if I adjust Tessy's nutrient intake I'll watch her M numbers for changes....which I noticed huge differences after I added pet tinic instead of a multi vitamin. It's the small things in a lot of cases that we have to watch and try to pay attention to...IMO. Have you given him milk thistle or samE/denamarin/denosyl for the liver? I'd also recommend you to use Knox Nutri-Joint for him. This will help him with his knees if it's ligament or cartilidge related...or even arthritic related. I know lots of AIHA dogs that use this with success. You won't notice a difference for probably a few weeks/month or so. All it does is supplies the body with the material needed to grow what's missing. Totally natural and safe to use! My fingers are crossed that you continue to have success with Winston and the crit keeps climbing. Prayers and thoughts are with you both. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Lisa, Heading upwards yippie! Hopefully reducing the pred will make the PCV rocket on up to normal values. Keeping you and Winston in my thoughts and parayers. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hi Lisa, Wow - this is amazing news, and I am so happy for you! No spherocytes is great, and I do agree that dropping the pred now is a good idea, though I understand why you are nervous. Maybe this is the start of an upward trend to normal for Winston. Keep us updated! Sam and Millie.

Samantha Geelong

Dear Lisa Great news for Winston and good luck for the next stages; from 26 to 30 excellent. Riley too had that back leg weakness, so many effects of medications to worry us, along with the ilness. I do wish you well and hope with all my heart that this is a continuing upward trend. Go Winston! Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

Hi All - Thanks for the support - I know Winston has benefited from all your prayers!! I'm watching him closely for the slightest change in behaviour since the reduction in pred. 5th day... Yikes! I didn't realize the percentage of change should not exceed 1/3. That is GREAT to know!! Thank you Brigette. His doctor cannot give a reason for the spike in the ALT but says it's not horrible. She checks every time we run his bloodowk and it's so funny how I feel so much more comfortable with her plan after cking everything out with all of you. I was hoping that liver cleans food I'm cooking every Sunday was going to do the trick but perhaps it's keeping the values Down.... I started giving the pet tinic afew months back at your suggestion Johnny, and I give him half a capsule of milk thistle with each meal and with his morning medicine. I'll ck on the Knox Nutrijoint but it's the floating kneecaps Maltese are prone to. I'm told there's a surgical solution but no way could he undergo correction at this time. She doesnt even want me to have his teeth cleaned yet.

Lisa TX

Lisa, how many times per day do you give the milk thistle? (Just curious also what the bottle says for the milk thistle) If I were you I'd give a little more....depending on how often you give it to her.

Johnny

Oh yeah....my memory is bad but can you remind me if you ever had the thyroid checked? Is Winston taking soloxine/thyroxine at low doses?

Johnny

This thread was discussed between 29/03/2010 and 30/03/2010

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