Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Wylies sick!!

Wow, Tiggs, Kahlu and now Wylie! I posted last week about her drinking a lot and wandered if it was the tick collar. I feel so Guilty why didnt't I take her in sooner. She had no energy or appetite this morning, so I took her in, She has a 104.2 fever which the vet says is significant, they kept her to run tests, to probably do a injected antibiotic and fluids. Her gums were very pink so I think that aspect is okay except he said her gums were tacky. arrggh I cant get over this guilt!!! What if I caused her harm by not taking her in sooner. Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie, Hopefully the fluids and whatever they decide Wylie needs will do the trick. Quit beating yourself up and concentrate on what you have done for your girl. You both have fought bigger battles and come out winners so hold onto the positives. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Laurie - I was so sorry to read your post. I understand how you feel but you took her in as soon as she was tired and not hungry - you may not have seen the temp had you taken her in before these symptoms showed. Let us know when you learn more and, in the meantime, I'll be hoping this isn't too serious. Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Laurie, I'm sorry to hear that Wylie is feeling a little under the weather. Did they run a CBC for him? I'll be keeping him in my thoughts and prayers. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

They are running the full CBC on her and other tests. Its nerve wracking, she has been there 5 hours and still no call from the vet Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie, the waiting is the worst! Try and think positive, she has come such a long way and will overcome this too. Best wishes, Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

Just heard from the vet, wont know anyhing until tomorow, he sent our her cbc out vs inhouse to get a better reading and if needs a consult. I can pick her up tonight and shes on an antibiotic I have never heard of somthing called simple sef?? dont know the spelling, but until he gets her kidney reading, this is a safe one for kidneys. He kept asking me are you sure she hasn't been anywhere? I said no, she goes nowhere except to your place, the vet. Will post an update tomorrow once I get back. Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie, I do not want to worry you, but before Choe's full blown AIHA diagnosis and three year treatment regimin, he also showed a fever of 103 with inappetance. I am certain he was adversely affected by Frontline, whose main ingredient is the pesticide fiproil. Do you know the make-up of the tick collar you used? If it is a commercial product it is possible the collar has toxic (pesticide) chemicals that could have infiltrated Wylie's already compromised immune system. I will NEVER trust a comercial flea/tick product again. They are inadequately regulated/tested and in fact the EPA has admitted as such and is currently doing more extensive studies and will soon be issuing an updated bulletin. Stay tuned. The vets are not as involved as they should be in analyzing the safe treatment factors of these products. I pray for Wylie's recovery. Jan

Jan PA

Jan, I used the Preventic collar, only found at vets the main ingredient is Amitraz. I pray this is not the cause. He did say since giving her the antibiotic injection this morning to now her temp came down a degree and wants me to take it in the morning. Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie: Don't have alot of time as I have to run to a meeting but here's a few quick thoughts. Toss the guilt. It's unproductive and just causes stress you don't need right now. Simplicef is the antibiotic cephalosporin - Sheba has taken it several times since her IMHA diagnosis and has had no problems. (Every dog is different, of course, but since both our dogs are seniors and have had IMHA I'm hoping Wylie will have no problems on it.) Hang in there, we are here for you and hoping and praying for the best. We've got all of our fingers and paws crossed here. Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Geez, I'm so sorry Wylie isn't feeling well! How awful. I am hoping and praying that by tomorrow morning the medication will have kicked in significantly and Wylie is feeling better. I am thinking of you both. Try to stay calm and not freak out. Easier said than done, I know, but I am sure Wylie will feel better in the morning. Take care.

Mardi Northern Calif

Oh my god, what is going on here??? Poor Laurie, poor Wylie... I'm sending love, strength and good wishes your way. I don't know why our babies are hitting bumps now...but we can't beat ourselves up. We are so much better equipped the next go rounds. You will both get through this, we all will, I know it. Try to relax, we're all thinking of you. Wylie is a toughie, she'll get thorugh it. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Dear Laurie, Im sorry to read your post, and I send my best wishes for Wylie's recovery from this, whatever it is - I think we all know about the worry and the guilt. Please let us know how he is and what the results are. All the best to you. Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

Found this on the web. Amitraz is an insecticide. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+1411+1418&aid=2230 As I said, these products are not properly regulated and whether or not they are sold in the vet's office and presented as 'safe' it doesn't mean they are. You should know the truth, but you won't because big pharma, the manufacturers are strictly profit oriented. Most vets do not ask questions about the product's make-up unless they practice homeopathy medicine. They believe the pharma sales distributors. Sorry to give you the news. Will continue to pray for Wylie. I'm sure by now you have removed the collar. I wouldn't ever use any of these commercial products again until better clinical study trials can be 'proven' to the public. Best, Jan

Jan PA.

Toxin Amitraz Source Mitaban Liquid Concentrate, and Preventic Tick Collars for Dogs. General Information Amitraz kills mites and ticks by interfering with their nervous system. It will also affect the nervous system of dogs if overdosed. DO NOT use Amitraz on cats. Amitraz is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Do not mix with other pesticides or other medications that affect the nervous system. Severe toxicity may occur if amitraz-containing collars are ingested. Toxic Dose Varies depending on the individual dog's sensitivity. Signs Common side effects of the medication include sedation and a dry skin and haircoat. Serious side effects include low blood pressure, decreased body temperature, elevation of blood glucose, dilated pupils, slow heart rate, slowed intestinal rate, ataxia, prolonged sedation, vasoconstriction, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. Death may occur. Immediate Action Contact your veterinarian. Remove the Preventic Tick Collar or other source. If exposure was from a dip, bathe and rinse the animal thoroughly. Dry to prevent chilling. If the pet ingested all or part of an amitraz-containing collar, induce vomiting. Veterinary Care General treatment: For oral exposure, the induction of vomiting may be continued, gastric lavage is performed. In cases of dermal exposure, bathing and rinsing is continued. Supportive treatment: IV fluids may be given. Appropriate measures are taken to maintain the body temperature. The blood glucose level, blood pressure, and heart rate are monitored. Specific treatment: Yohimbine may help reverse some of the toxic effects. Prognosis Fair to poor, depending on symptoms. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children and pets. If you think your pet has been poisoned... Contact your veterinarian or one of the Animal Poison Hotlines (listed below) if you think your pet may have accidentally received or been given an overdose of the medication. **ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-4ANI-HELP (1-888-426-4435). $60.00 per case, billed to caller's credit card. Follow-up calls can be made for no additional charge by dialing 888-299-2973. There is no charge when the call involves a product covered by the Animal Product Safety Service. **Pet Poison Helpline - 24-hour service available throughout North America for pet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance with treating a potentially poisoned pet. 1-800-213-6680 ($35.00 per incident). Staffed 24-hours a day. Print Article Email Article

Jan PA

Rita, thanks for knocking some sense into me, (I mean in it in a good way!) you are right, its not productive at all. and for the input on the antibiotics. Jan, thank you for the info on the collar, I will bring it up to my vet, I did take if off her and my other dog. She must have a bacterial infection because I took her temp this morning and it was normal and she had more energy and ate good. I noticed she really drinks the most not long after eating which she never did, dont know if its the food, she is on Pinnacle duck and potato. Will post again once I have her tests results. Thanks everyone Laurie and Wylie

Laurie CA

Laurie, So glad to hear her temperature was back to normal today. Hopefully just a bacterial infection and the antibiotics will knock it out of her. Hugs to you and her. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Just got off the phone with the vet, Whew, get myself worked for for almost nothing. he found nothing glaring, her WBC was 418 which is low and indicates a possible viral infection. A spec CPC of 376 which shows maybe a possible pancreatic reation as 400 is pancreatitis. She had some coxsi visual in her urine, but this was sample from me so it could/or could not be a cause So he thinks its a combo viral with low WBC /and bacterial thing going on with the rapid response to antibiotic and to just watch her Her other levels all look good except for the ALT at 389 and that has been bouncing around that number a a little lower for a very long time and her ALK/ALP is up some from 285 to 335. Her HCT/PCV was 47, yea, no anemia. Thanks for all of your kind words laurie

Laurie CA

Yay! Here we are happy that Wylie is sick but not for the reason you suspected, which we know is great news.

Silka Melbourne Australia

God boy Wylie....you can beat this little setback for mums sake. Have you been giving him milkthistle or something equivalent? Help the liver. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Phew! We all know how our minds can race when there is trouble...having been where we have all been, it's better to be safe than sorry, and I'm glad when our vets take those concerns seriously and look deeper into it to be sure we are not heading for crises. Give Wylie and extra hug from us. Tiggs started Doxy last night and I've already seen an improvement in his energy level. But, I will say, I also see him moving a bit stiffly, so based on where we are at later this week, we still may need to look deeper into this (rule out Lupus, ITP, etc). But, I hope this is the right road for us for now. hugs, melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

This thread was discussed between 14/12/2009 and 16/12/2009

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