AIHA or IMHA

FrisbyPI

cerberusdog

I am hoping for just a no decrease in Calypso's HCT on Friday, anything else would just be a bonus!

Frisby's next check is Friday, as well (with a chest x-ray to check on the pneumonia, too). Fingers crossed for Calypso! Frisby's had a good day, even with the heat and humidity.

Sending good doggie vibes Frisby's way too then! Frisby is just adorable, you need to post some more pictures!

 So glad to hear about Willow.  I've been waiting to hear what was going on with those Platelets. 

 I love to hear good news =)

Coopbay

Question: Have any of your dogs had blackheads in their ears?? I am guessing what this is. Several black dots in his ears. When I popped one a little bit of brown stuff came out. I clean Cooper's ears a few times a week and have never seen this before Cooper's been on all these meds. Any thoughts or answers?

The two possibilities I am thinking of is either something caused by the lowered immune system or that the Cyclosporine has built up to where its coming out in the skin.  The Cyclosporine reaction with Clops was all along her back (dorsal) and wasn't blackheads but flakey skin with red spots under.  That doesn't mean that it can't show itself in other ways.  

If its the immune system being too low then maybe it will resolve once you get him off the Pred.  Would be nice if they stopped the Aza too.  That way you'd be dealing with 1 drug and 1 set of side effects.  

In the meantime until you can show it to your vet, Lori's idea is what I'd go with.  I used KetoChlor with Cyclops.  It is an Rx Shampoo.  I will cut and paste the description for you so you can see what all it does:

Ketochlor Shampoo with Spherulites is an antifungal, antibacterial shampoo to be used in the management of fungal skin conditions and bacterial dermatitis (pyoderma) responsive to ketoconazole and chlorhexidine.
Spherulites: an exclusive and patented encapsulation system developed by Virbac; provides slow release of ingredients long after product application. 

Also I used another shampoo that does not require a Rx.  I got it because I wanted to get something to use until they sent the Rx by mail order.  Its by the same company, the shampoo is called "Etiderm"

Etiderm shampoo gentle anti-septic and keratoplastic pet shampoo for use in dogs and cats of any age. Uses spherulites and chitosanide to reinforce the anti-septic and keratoplastic properties. Spherulites provide slow release of ingredients long after the shampoo is rinsed. Chitanoside creates a protective film on the skin and hair.

 Willow's shampoo is from the same company.  I think it's called Sebulux??? 

Good luck at the vet to Cooper!!

Coopbay

Tomorrow we take Cooper to the vet for his CBC and liver tox screen.

 Paws and fingers crossed for results for Cooper! I hope you're able to figure out what the blackheads are, too.

Kate and Frisby

willowchow

Willow UPDATE: Platelets are stable (on the low end of normal), WBC, RBC all normal!!!

  That's marvelous; you must be so relieved. 

Coopbay

Congrats Willow and Lori!! Great news. Tomorrow we take Cooper to the vet for his CBC and liver tox screen. He has been doing really well jumping on the couch all the time now and barking up a storm. Thanks for all your advice and thoughts about the blackheads. I am going to talk to my vet tomorrow about that. I have noticed his skin is flaky on his belly and ears. I'm going to talk to the vet about the shampoos. Good luck to Frisby and Calyso for their HCT on Friday!

Good luck to cooper tomorrow!!

willowchow

Willow UPDATE: Platelets are stable (on the low end of normal), WBC, RBC all normal!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!  Recheck in 3 months.  I'm grateful for every single day. 

Man THIS is the best news of the day!!! RAH!!!!!

That is great news for Willow.  I was just thinking about her thismorning wondering if any news was in yet.  You just made my day!

Give her some hugs from Tessy & I.

Also can't wait to get an update on Frisby and Calypso.  Good luck and sending positive doggie vibes your way.

Johnny & Tessy

Just back from the vet. We sent her blood work out because the calibration on her machine was off this mrning, so I will not know Calypso's blood work until tonight or tomorrow .

Otherwise she thought she looked good. Her skin is flaky so she wants her on some Fish Oil. SHe thinks her gums looks pinker, and I did too so at least I was not imaging it!

Wondering if anyone knows Dr Dodds stance on weaning if you ae on Prednisone and Cyclosporin...does Dr Dodd wean Prednisone first or Cylosporin? My vet had another IMHA dog that the specialist weaned off the cyclosporin first and the specialist Calypso saw wants to wean the Prednisone off first. So just curious as to what Dr Dodd recommends or what others have experienced

cerberusdog

Just back from the vet. We sent her blood work out because the calibration on her machine was off this mrning, so I will not know Calypso's blood work until tonight or tomorrow .

 My vet's machine is always screwed up so even when he says its fine I have him sent it out to Antech.  That way all my results come from the same lab.

 I have a vet who follows Dr. Dodds' protocol and we got Cyclops off the Pred immediately, within 3-4 weeks of starting it.  Been on Cyclosporine since January.  Did not start lowering the Cyclo until her HCT was well into the 40's.  We have gone from a high of 200mg 2x/day to where we are now, 75mg 2x/day. 

 Prednisone is far harder on the dogs for the long term than Cyclosporine.  Cooper is also being slowly taken off his Prednisone and will eventually be on Cyclosporine by itself.  Out of the dogs on this tread, almost everyone on Prednisone has had problems.  Tessy, Cooper, Billy, Willow, and Pirate's owners have all mentioned complications from or symptoms of Prednisone.  With Cyclops I feel very fortunate that we got her off the Prednisone as quickly as we did.  Its really worked out well for us. 

I forgot to mention that we did start tapering her off the Prednisone before her HCT went up.  Her HCT was only 25 when we started reducing her Pred but that was because we were at 200mg Cyclo 2x/day at that point.

I don't mean to discount Prednisone, its the first line of defense with IMHA.  Some dogs have survived IMHA on Prednisone with no other drugs.  But in reference to what you asked in your post.. which specialist you'd listen to, I'd definitely choose the one who wants to keep her on the Cyclo and reduce the Pred.  I guess I'm biased because #1 it worked for me and #2 its what Dr Dodds is doing. 

Coopbay

The vet said the blackheads are the drugs/toxins trying to get out. Just like you guys said!

 Thanks for the info GratefulDawg! That is exactly the information I was looking for! As long as Calypso's HCT has not dropped the original plan was to start weaning the Prednisone, so I guess we will find out tomorrow. My vet's machine was right on with the Emergency vet lab so hopefully it will be fixed next time...plus it is only $35 vs $80, a nice savings! Found out more about the other "specialist" that said to do the Cylosporin first was from The University so that pretty much discounts anything they might say. My vet said she would call the specialist in the morning with her lab results and then to tell me the plan...she said she would do whatever they recommend. So hopefully tomorrow we might have a decrease in Prednisone and off the aspirin.