calliecritturs
Posted : 9/19/2011 11:02:09 PM
JVillescas
My pup was diagnosed with IMHA about 30 days ago. She's now only on 40mg of prednisone a day, and an antibiotic for a UTI that she developed. When she was on 80mg of prednisone her hematocrit rose very quickly, but now she's slowly dropping. Because she was never tested before we're not really sure what normal is for her. She was at 37 last Friday (9/16). She sort of swings between seeming to feel yucky and feeling fine.
There is an entire huge thread on IMHA/AIHA -- it's a tremendous source of information and support -- this takes you to the last page. There's an index link on the first page. I will also send you my contact information. click here
wow -- in less than a month your vet has already *reduced*??? the pred? But the crit is falling?? Sounds like there is still destruction going on -- which typically means more or another drug, rather than weaning off.
Particularly in the early days you usually have to have a ton of bloodwork done. "normal" is typically between 40 - 50. Partly that's individual, partly that's breed. It's honestly pretty unusual to treat with *just* prednisone alone -- simply because of all the immune-suppressive drugs, pred can be the most dangerous and damaging long term -- and typically they have to be ON these drugs for the long term. My Billy was 18 months before we got him entirely weaned off the drugs.
The tendency now is to yank them off the drugs super fast, but then they relapse easily. The delicate dance is to keep the body stable (with no destruction at all) and then wean them off the drugs slowly enough so that the body literally is "re-trained" to behave and NOT hurt itself. Not just in the day to day -- but also in the reality that if something happens that challenges the immune system (like walking past a dog on the street that has something vile, or getting over tired or over-excited about something) that the body doesn't re-bound back into destruction.
You will see a lot in that other thread. but the FIRST thing I'd suggest is milk thistle. GOBS of it -- simply because it helps protect the liver, and it actually acts as liver support (because the liver takes the biggest hit in trying to process all these drugs. It's easiest and far cheaper to use it bulk (i.e., no capsules - but typically a heaping teaspoon in their food twice a day). You can use milk thistle tincture -- it's a bit more ramped up than the ground herb -- but it depends on the dog. Some take it easily, some don't. Just try to get a really good quality herb. I can direct you to where I get mine if you want. (I'm not selling the stuff - it really IS that critical to use it).
"blood builders" can take various forms -- typically you want to push iron in food -- things like beef heart & liver (liver is a "dirty organ" -- it's a great source of iron, but you also get all the last antiibotics that whatever animal had in its system when it was slaughtered - heart is a clean organ and considered muscle meat, so it's just a super source of protein and iron -- you may want to call your butcher (various ones around town) and ask them to order it for you. It's uusually pretty cheap).
Also, Dr. Jean Dodds likes to recommend Pet Tinic. Made by the same folks that make Pet Tabs. it's a good source for IMHA dogs.
But also -- one of the best things I like to recommend is TCVM. Traditional Chinese Veterinary medicine. I am **NOT** saying switch vets. I am suggesting an **additional** vet -- acupuncture and the oriental herbs are incredible to help not just build blood but also to keep it moving (one of the problems can be that the blood will nearly clot right in the body -- keeping the blood thin enough to keep it moving well is a big deal).
Please let me know how I can help you. You will find a TON of support on that other thread. Welcome - I wish it were under better circumstances but we'll all help any way we can.