AIHA or IMHA

Hello. I’ve been reading your forum extensively over the past week and I appreciate so much all of the info here.  I'm sending good vibes to our collective pack!

Our dog, Blue, is 7.5 years old (male-neutered), and some sort of Rott-mix (mutt). He contracted immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP or IMT) because of an adverse vaccine reaction.  Quick history --

• Like many, Blue received all "traditional” vaccinations regularly throughout his life, at the same time, and often with his monthly heartworm (Interceptor).  He usually suffered with a “normal lethargic reaction” after each set of vaccinations.
• 1/16/12: Routine shots for rabies and DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvo)
• 2/08/12: Routine pre-op blood work (for a pending knee surgery) showed platelet count of near zero with a diagnosis of ITP
• 2/09/12: Vincristine (1x), prednisone (on-going) and preventative doxycycline (for the next 19.5 days)
• 2/17/12: "Adequate" platlets, but his segmented neutrophils (part of the white blood cell count) were critically low (neutropenia). After more negative blood tests and urinalysis, Clavamox was added to his regimen of prednisone and doxycycline.
• 2/20/12:  Neutropenia resolved (probably a side effect of Vincristine) and platelets around 277,000.
• Negative ultrasound, x-rays, and tick/parasite blood panels led us to the vaccines as a cause. I've reported the reaction to both vaccine manufacturers, the USDA, and will soon to the FDA.

Since 2/09/12, he's been on a generic pepside and big dose of prednisone -- 2.4 mg per kg (dosed at 50 kg).  He is really feeling those “typical” prednisone reactions (lethargy, excessive thirst and peeing, pretty severe muscle wasting, pot belly, panting, slow wound healing, etc).  About one week ago (about ten days after we stopped Doxy), he got a yucky sore on his forehead and his hair fell out there.  Yesterday, he peed about 6 times in one session, but without any result the last three times, and then leaked in the evening.  Based on all of your advice here, we started him on one cranberry capsule last night and one this morning, and I just ordered milk thistle.  We plan to take him tomorrow for follow-up CBC and urinalysis/ culture.  We really hope we can start the weening-off process this week (Purdue Univ vets want to do 25% per month).  Can you talk more about the "super chem profile"?  One month ago, we did get two "SP2" panels at the onset of the treatment.  Just wondering if any of you have additional ideas and suggestions.  Thank you so much!!  ~Keka

Keka:  Welcome AND sorry you are here.  A full panel is ALWAYS something that I'd sugest.  It will tell you the entire story about Blue's body.  Is he regenerating? Does he have signs of Spherocytes?  ETC

Pred will do a lot to the body including everything you mentioned above.  Gizzy looked like a goat for a few months!  Curious abot Blue's Crit level and any other meds that he is on.  Blood building products and foods rich in Iron really helped Gizzy rebound.

The first 2-3 months are the worst, but it DOES get better.  Gizzy is officially a 1 year survivor TODAY!!!!!!!!! 

Gizzy-mo

Gizzy is officially a 1 year survivor TODAY!!!!!!!!! 

Yay, Gizzy!  You give us all hope. 

And welcome Keka and Blue. Sorry to meet you under these circumstances.  The answers to Gizzy-mo's questions will all be helpful.

Thank you! 

I'm certain Keka will get in touch with Callie and/or John soon. Honestly, this disease will force you into a "fight or flight" stance and everyone here has been in your shoes.  We all have that in common!  Gizzy went from being perfectly normal with subtle hints of being ill the day before collapsing and then March 12th 2011 happened.

She collapsed twice, went through a few transfusions, single digit Hematocrits, massive destruction, a week in the ER and a few months that just plain sucked.   Timing and medical opinions are what you have to hope and pray work in your favor, but it doesn't mean you can't attempt to stack the deck a bit.  We cried often and the Dr's weren't optomistic but Callie and John's motivation gave me a boost.--- "Dogs can and will beat this"  ;)

Pet Tinic, Milk Thistle, B-12 Injections, Slippery Elmy, Kale, Liver, Beef Heart, Steak, Blueberries and Broc became a ritual.   Study up and get to know this disease.  Hearing the 50/50 death sentence in the beginning is only the Dr's way of giving you an out.  I'm not judging and not one person here will.  We are all here for support.

It gets better, your baby can beat this!  Gizzy is living proof, remember that when you feel tired................  

 Keka, sorry you have to be here, but this is the best place to be, when dealing this awful disease.

 Okay,so today we are holding steady!! Post transfusion on Friday she was 17% HCT, she is still 17% HCT.

Starting anabolic steroids tomorrow!

Gizzy-mo

Blood building products and foods rich in Iron really helped Gizzy rebound.

Just curious what type of iron rich foods you were feeding...I am always looking to add something into Bella's diet as she is starving all the time.....

Thanks~ Shannon

TexasBirdGirl

Okay,so today we are holding steady!! Post transfusion on Friday she was 17% HCT, she is still 17% HCT.

Just curious what meds your pup is on?  My girl Bella has had HCT levels fluctuating between 16-19% for the last 6 weeks......We have tried tweaking her dosages of Atopica and pred, and have added in mycophelonate and now azathioprine......No significant improvement (YET), but holding steady.......Just curious what you are trying....

Shannon

 Shannon, This time around, pred, Atopica,and Azo. A little milk (per Doctor Dodds, keeps the Atopica down). Summer was diagnosed December 2010. This is her 2nd crash since the initial DX. It takes at least a week for your to see any improvement from Azo.
She is also on Doc Roy's B Strong (instead of Pet-Tinic, since it is made in the USA and less expensive)  also Milk Thistle, water soluble vitamin E, Omega 3 and CoQ10. I cook for her as well. So, in our case adding iron rich foods is easy. She gets dehydrated liver daily and I cook chicken livers. Dogs love blueberries!!

We are starting anabolic steroid injections tomorrow, on the advice of Doctor Dodds. My understanding is they stimulate the bone marrow.

calliecritturs

Shannon -- I'm glad they are finally trying the azathiaprene -- I thad  my doubts about the cell cept.  Aza can be hard on the liver -- so keep upping the milk thistle and SAM-e

First, Happy Anniversary!!  Congrats!! 

Yes, we are tyring Bella on the Azathioprine now, 50mg per day....It will be 1 week tomorrow, Tuesday, since we started her on it.  Not sure if it has had any impact yet.  It has been 9 days since her last blood check.  I am really basing my apts on how she seems to be feeling, but going no more than 2 weeks apart.    For my next apt I am having the vet come to the house to do bloodwork....I am lucky as my vet is a large animal vet too and does my horses, so he and his 2 associated do house calls too.  Bella gets soooo excited on the 30 minute car ride back and forth and the time at the vets that I noticed a huge drop in her energy levels for 2-3 days following her trip.  So house visits it will be for a bit.

She has her good days, and blah days.....I swear that her blah days are more side effects from all the meds....Her tummy always seems upset and she is ALWAYS starving.   I know her belly is upset as when she goes outside she starts eating the dirt!!!

She has to be getting double her normal quantity of food the last 6 weeks and she has not gained 1 lb.  I supplement her Taste of the Wild food with sweet potatoes, beets, kale, collard greens, eggs, beets, white rice, broccoli.....I feed her at least 5 times a day.....

I am going to look at that other list of food you recommended and keep filling her up.....I am blessed that her appetite has been strong......I am going to also check out the woman you recommended for doing homecooked food vs the commercial food too.

It is always nice to put faces with names and cases.....Here is my baby Bella (red & white) with her brother Blue enjoying the sunshine yesterday in NH.....Click to enlarge them :-)

AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU!!
Shannon

BigBlueDog

Hello. I’ve been reading your forum extensively over the past week and I appreciate so much all of the info here.  I'm sending good vibes to our collective pack!

Our dog, Blue, is 7.5. ... immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP or IMT) because of an adverse vaccine reaction.  Quick history --

• Like many, Blue received all "traditional” vaccinations regularly throughout his life, at the same time, and often with his monthly heartworm (Interceptor).  He usually suffered with a “normal lethargic reaction” after each set of vaccinations.
• 1/16/12: Routine shots for rabies and DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvo)
• 2/08/12: Routine pre-op blood work (for a pending knee surgery) showed platelet count of near zero with a diagnosis of ITP
• 2/09/12: Vincristine (1x), prednisone (on-going) and preventative doxycycline (for the next 19.5 days)
• 2/17/12: "Adequate" platlets, but his segmented neutrophils (part of the white blood cell count) were critically low (neutropenia). Keka

BigBlueDog

Hello. I’ve been reading your forum extensively over the past week and I appreciate so much all of the info here.  I'm sending good vibes to our collective pack!

Our dog, Blue, is 7.5. ... immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP or IMT) because of an adverse vaccine reaction.  Quick history --

• Like many, Blue received all "traditional” vaccinations regularly throughout his life, at the same time, and often with his monthly heartworm (Interceptor).  He usually suffered with a “normal lethargic reaction” after each set of vaccinations.
• 1/16/12: Routine shots for rabies and DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvo)
• 2/08/12: Routine pre-op blood work (for a pending knee surgery) showed platelet count of near zero with a diagnosis of ITP
• 2/09/12: Vincristine (1x), prednisone (on-going) and preventative doxycycline (for the next 19.5 days)
• 2/17/12: "Adequate" platlets, but his segmented neutrophils (part of the white blood cell count) were critically low (neutropenia). Keka

Carrie - a BIG WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

The major thing I noticed with MissPriss on the anabolic steriod is she is a tad more demanding. Like, if she wants outside, she wants you up NOW to let her out....she ain't waitin' on nobody. ;-) My vet and I think another benefit is that her muscle wasting has been slowed with the anabolic steriod. Her head is a little more bony and she's a little flabbier, but she still has no problems jumping up on our bed, which is pretty high, and we are at day 46 with the Pred.

Tomorrow is MissPriss PCV check, first time since her diagnosis that she won't have a full blown dr. appointment at her weekly checkup. She was 24 last Tuesday. I will be happy if she has just remained the same as that will signal the boulder is slowing down. Hoping for the best and preparing for the worst is my protocol.

TexasBirdGirl

Shannon, This time around, pred, Atopica,and Azo. A little milk (per Doctor Dodds, keeps the Atopica down). Summer was diagnosed December 2010. This is her 2nd crash since the initial DX. It takes at least a week for your to see any improvement from Azo.
She is also on Doc Roy's B Strong (instead of Pet-Tinic, since it is made in the USA and less expensive)  also Milk Thistle, water soluble vitamin E, Omega 3 and CoQ10. I cook for her as well. So, in our case adding iron rich foods is easy. She gets dehydrated liver daily and I cook chicken livers. Dogs love blueberries!!

We are starting anabolic steroid injections tomorrow, on the advice of Doctor Dodds. My understanding is they stimulate the bone marrow