AIHA or IMHA

 If you get the chance to go back and read the story of Cyclops from page 1 or 2 to the present you will find a lot of information.  In short, she was where Jazz is.  She was at 9% and had 2 transfusions and was put on Pred, Cyclo, Aspirin and Famotidine.  She was diagnosed Dec 15th 2008.  So 9 months just about.  Sometimes the dogs make it and sometimes they don't. Thats one thing you'll see if you read from the start.  You can do all the right things and still things turn out bad.  You can screw up and sometimes things work out.  Its a rollercoaster and you never can tell.

Dosage for the Aspirin is 0.5mg per kg of weight.  Tell your doctor this:  "The best preventive against PTE, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hypercoagulable state and tendency toward thrombosis in dogs with IMHA appears to be ultra-low-dose aspirin (0.5 mg/kg PO q 24 h)."

He might see what a low dose of Aspirin that is and give his blessing.  If he doesn't give his blessing then you might decide to do it anyway (or not) or you might decide to shop around for a doctor that will.  If you're not that worried about thrombosis then don't worry about it.  On this thread alone there are all sorts of people who are using it and many who are not. 

I can't imagine the doctor havng any problem with giving the vitamins or the Milk Thistle.  If he says no to either of those two things then you need a new vet.  The Aspirin is debatable but the other two are not.

Good Luck - I know where you are and how you feel.  Trust me.  If there is anything I can do let me know.  

Mike

 Eli is doing well. 

 PCV is 23.2% 

 Vet cut his Prednisone from 20mg every 12 hours to 10mg every 12 hours.

 Cyclosporine staying the same 125mg every 12 hours.

 10mg Famotidine every 12 hours

 Aspirin once every 24 hours (staying the same).

 His Liver tests are all very high but vet said that is to be expected from the Prednisone and it will come back down later.

 I hope all the new dogs on here do well

Kiypies

Thanks so much for the feedback it is much appreciated Mike!

haha! YES! Mike has been helping me a LOT too.  He's very nice.  Well everyone here is.  Willow's mom and Pirate's mom are always here to give support and cheering all the doggies on.. and Callie of course that one goes without saying, I don't know how she gets any sleep.

 What kind of doggie is Jazz? 

 I'll be thinking of her, I hope everything is ok.  Everything I learned here on this forum has turned out to be true for me and Eli.  

Thank you all for the outpouring of support.  Callie, thank you also for the time you have taken with me.  We go in today at 10:00 am PST.  I will post her update.  I am praying for all you.  You have all been incredibly kind and helpful.

Jazz is a Mini Australian Shepherd.  She did not have recent vacines or illness.  We are remodeling our backyard, and we brought in soil ammendment on Wed.  This was a big change to her environment, and I don't know if we'll ever find out if this had something to do with it, although the vet does not think it is at all likely.  The vet says they can't check for every possible toxin, but they have ruled out a lot.  The tests for tick diseases and her ultrasound and x-rays all came back negative.  They say at this point, we may never know the cause.

 I am going to find out today if they have checked her Thyroid as well.

Amsten

In case it helps anyone, I thought I would post Dr. Dodds response to me.  We tried this food last night and this morning and Kiya loves it,  we mixed it with a half scoop of the Science Diet W/D prescription food to get her tummy used to it.  Wellness Super 5 Mix Whitefish and Sweet Potato in a can. She got up by herself twice last night to go to the bathroom and scratched on the door to wake me up.  When we're home and awake she never gets up by herself anymore.  Athough she seems totally wiped out today.  We go back to the vet this morning at 10am to get her PCV rechecked and discuss Dr. Dodds recommendations.  I'm leaning towards trying the cyclosporine again at the smaller dose and seeing how she does, but she has to get off this dose of steroids asap, she looks skinnier every day. Good luck to everyone!!!

 Dear Alyson: So sorry  -- we have not had good luck with Leflunomide.  In fact, I'd guess she would react adversely to it.  The safest and most
effective immunosuppressive would be to return to a lower dose of cyclosporine [ e.g. 4 mg per kg per day, 5 days on it , followed by  2 days
off  +  prednisolone  +  thyroxine to stimulate bone marrow production of blood cells .

Then continue gastrointestinal protectants , and an iron/vitamin like Pet-Tinic.  Diet should be canned and/or kibble grain-free -- such as
Wellness Super 5 Mix Fish and Sweet Potato or Wellness CORE reduced Fat or Eagle Holistic Select low fat. I would not use the prescription foods -- your diet must avoid wheat, corn and soy for the liver -- as these drugs affect liver metabolism and function.   Please do not take out her spleen; it's not time to give up,yet and do that.

Regarding help for the arthritis -- please, no NSAIDs like those you've used already. You can try Dog Gone Pain [DGP} the botanical mixture
available on line -- originally from Australia.

Just back from the vet.  Kiya's PCV is holding steady at 33. Starting her back on 50mg of Cyclosporine 2x/day today.  I realized that the only time it has dropped below 34 is when she isn't on the Cyclosporine, so now we just wait to see if she keeps eating on it this time.  She's got a little spunk in her today too. :)  Positive thoughts and prayers for everyone!

 Good to hear that she is feeling better. We are sending our best doggie vibes to you and everyone :)

Wendi and Calypso

Dr. Dodds is SO good to folks -- the fact that she takes time (with no payment whatsoever) to just plain try to help people via email figure out what to do for the next step.  She's on my top list of "heros".  Hoping Kiya's doing well!!

Go Kiya!  Keep the spunk!

Thank you for posting the additional information from Dr. Dodd as well!

Jazz' update is as follows:

Her pvc went down to 23.  They are sending her blood out for a full panel and they'll call me when we have the results. She is now on thyroid support in the form of Soloxine, as well as Denamarin which is a commercial form of sam-e and milk thistle until I can get over to the health food store.  She also was given Nutri-cal, a vitamin supplement.  The Vet told me I could try to take her of the Flagyl (the second antibiotic), but if her vomiting and diarrhea or extreme nausea started up again, we would need to consider putting her back on it because it's helping with her ability to eat, and was prescribed more as a tummy settler than for it's antibiotic function. 

Her gums are still pale, but more pink than yellow.  Also, she continues to eat well.

I'll post when I learn more.  Thank you for your support, well wishes, and prayers!  They are appreciated.

 Amsten

I just read through Cylops' history with IMHA.  Your right, there are a lot of parallels to Jazz.  Her loving and sweet personality sound the same too. Thank you for being here as a support.  It's nice to communicate with others who have been there.

 Amsten

calliecritturs

Dr. Dodds is SO good to folks -- the fact that she takes time (with no payment whatsoever) to just plain try to help people via email figure out what to do for the next step.  She's on my top list of "heros". 

I second you on that, Callie! And, when she was travelling someone from the office emailed me to let me know Dr. Dodds was on the road and that she would reply to my email as soon as she could (and she did). Yeah--and yeah for the work she does for the canine blood supply!

WOW....71 pages and over 1000 posts!!!  I don't even know where to begin.  I was away all week and of course my I miss all kinds again.  For the newbies here, stay strong and never give up hope.  Take things one day at a time and try not to stress too much.  Dogs can pick on on this.  Show them the love they deserve, and need, keep them calm, and keep up the good work.  You've got our support and advise and your not alone on this.

My thoughts and prayers go to all dogs affected by this terrible disease.

Johnny & Tessy

Hi Everyone!

Hope today is a "good" day for all of you and your little patients!  Kiya is wiped out today, her tummy was upset so I came home from work to a mess yesterday and had to give her a bath and it just wiped her out, she loves the water but hates to be wet.  Anyway, we also started the cyclosporine back up but on a really small dose yesterday to see how her stomach would do.  25 mg 2x.  Supposed to go to 50mg 2x today but she wouldn't eat for me last night other than a few bites of chicken, chicken and rice she wouldn't touch. This morning I got her to eat just 1/2 cup of W/D Science Diet dry food.  The Wellness 5 she loved yesterday morning made her gag last night.  :(  It also gave her very "loose" stool.  I'm hesitant to give her the cyclosporine today now.  Additionally I'm wondering if I should give her the Tramadol she was given for her Pancreatitis to help with the arthritis?  The Vet never suggested that she use anything for pain for the arthritis but as I read all of your notes I see that some have been using this.  She is definitely extremely stiff and isn't getting up on her own unless we aren't home and she really has to "go".  She walks very apprehensively and wobbles a bit almost like she's dizzy.  We had to close off her doggie door since she would really hurt herself right now if she attempted to use it.  I come home every day at lunch to take her out, but that wasn't enough.  Any ideas?  The Tramadol REALLY makes her loopy, but I'm thinking maybe we just give it to her at night and/or maybe just 1/2 a pill.  I too wish she could tell me if she is in pain.  She never cries or anything.  Thanks to you all for all of your support, this is such a great blog!

 Best to you all,

Alyson and Kiya