AIHA-Just Diagnosed

[Wendy Gonzalez]

Or AIHA. They don’t know what he has. They say it is not a “straight forward” case.

[Patrice]

Wendy,
While I don’t know all they’ve said to you, I have my suspicions of what they are stumbling around to say. They know, by looking at the test results, that Frank is not making red blood cells. We call that non-regenerative. They don’t understand why this is happening and have no idea what they should do to treat it.

Funny I heard the same thing from a specialist treating Chance in 2007. Does it surprise you that many of the other moderators and regulars here have experienced the same thing? I am here to reassure you that we do know how to treat this. Chance survived this condition, with a lot of work on my part. And many dogs since then have also overcome the same condition.

I developed this website is in memory of Chance to help owners with dogs that have these blood diseases. I liked the idea of calling it Second Chance, to honor Chance’s strong will to live, because that is exactly what we encourage. Please don’t lose heart. You won’t understand everything right away, but try to feel optimistic that this has been treated successfully many many times.

This is good time to be working closely with Dr. Dodds who began developing a protocol for this non-regenerative condition a very long time ago. We can help you put this protocol into action.

You are doing a great job and we think the world of how much you care about Frank.
my best
patrice

[Vally]

Hey Wendy, sorry I’ve been a bit away. My dad is 92 and I’ve had a few problems lately and there’s been a bazillion medical appointments.

Patrice is exactly right.

I think that’s the thing with this disease. It’s not that simple, it’s all a bit guess work when it comes to looking at results. There’s no one test that says this dog has AIHA. That’s why so many vets don’t know how to treat it.

You’re doing it right. Get them to contact Dr Dodds. Do you have a copy of your latest blood results? If not, don’t forget to ask for them and send them through on the Urgent Advice or email them.

I loved Frank, I love Frankenstein even more !!!!

Lots of love and hugs
Vally & Bingo

[admin]

Hi Wendy

Worzel didn’t have “standard” IMHA either – our local vets were completely clueless, but at least they admitted they were out of their depth. Worzel was also on pred only to start with – and got much, much worse. The second immuno-suppressant plus the supplements etc turned him around – not overnight – it took a couple of weeks for him to become properly (highly) regenerative. Worzel started off with NO reticulocytes at all & that was so depressing I can’t tell you how hopeless I felt – at least Frank is producing some reticulocytes, but no where near enough to replenish his red cells fast enough. Frank is in a better position than Worzel was, so there is no reason why Frank shouldn’t make a full recovery & get into remission too. Please, please be happy about that.

Sheena x

[admin]

Hi Wendy. I just wrote an entire post and hit submit and lost it all. I did not fill out the pre-information, thinking I was logged in and was not. Lost all when I hit submit. Rushing, but wanted to tell you:

I just got back from Costco. This is what I paid for Sadie’s scripts:

Atopica: One package (15) 25mg, $35.67
Cerenia: One package (4) 24mg, $15.98
Prednisone: 28 20mg, $7.20
Prednisone: 28 5mg, $5.04

The savings is great. This is a one month supple. I typically get a three month supply, which your vet can request. He needs to call or fax the prescriptions to Costco. They are pretty good about calling when the scripts are ready, but by all means, don’t travel there without having heard from them or calling first. Also, the prices may vary, they’ll be able to tell you how much before you go.

And I heard Walgreens gives pet discounts. You might call and ask your local Walgreens. Although, I know they can not compete with Costco. But you may be weighing the benefits of driving/cost. Worth a call.

Please don’t give up. Frank CAN beat this. He needs the additional immune suppressants. The sooner, the better. Atopica (cyclosporine) takes time to kick in. Sadie was at 9% – she’s now at 22% and holding. She’s still far from normal, BUT she’s not going backward. Hang on. Frank can beat this!!!

Sending positive thoughts and lots if supportive hugs, Linda and Sadie

[Wendy Gonzalez]

Thank you ladies. I was just devastated when she called to tell me that. I am glad that this is not uncommon when it comes to this horrendous disease. I am going to check in with Costco today after work. We are such a small county that we don’t have a Costco or a Walgreens. I know that there is a CVS, but am not sure they have any medication for pets.

I did check with my boyfriend and he said that he was going to talk to the person who drives to see if he was okay with taking him to Costco for the pills. I hope to get good news from him today.

As for a little backstory on how Frank got his name. My boyfriend and I were not looking to adopt another dog. We had just recently adopted a senior Rottweiler (8 years old). However, I fell in love with his picture from our local newspaper. We were told at the pound that he had contracted parvo and his previous owner brought him and his litter to the pound. He was the only to survive. However, he had a negative reaction to the medication and his skin was falling off. He had an emergency surgery in which they were able to safe his right front leg. Now he has a huge scar and his hair is just growing in after several months of it being hairless. Because of that we decided to call him Frankenstein, or Frank.

[Vally]

Scars are a badge of honour, and your Frankenstein is a fighter. Keep fighting Frank.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[admin]

My iPad is dying but just want to say – you saved Frank once, you’re doing it again. Keep looking for a way – it will happen. Don’t give up. Something tells me you nor your boyfriend are good at fighting the fight for him. 😍

Love and hugs, Linda and Sadie