AIHA-Just Diagnosed

[Wendy Gonzalez]

OH, and i need help making a chart for his medication. He is taking famotidine (10mg-1 1/2 once a day), prednisone (20mg 1 1/2 twice per day), and now sulcrafate (one tablet every 8 hours). I gave him the famotidine around 6:50am, prednisone around 7:50am, and the sulcrafate around 9:45-9:50am. I am just so tired that I can’t even think straight anymore.

[admin]

Hi Wendy

I’m just trying to catch up with what has been happening with Frank. I’m so sorry you are facing this nightmare. My cat Molly had a rare form of IMHA in her bone marrow. It’s a terrible shock and very frightening, and we all understand that. Of course, the financial side of things can be crippling too, and having them hospitalised is expensive, although sometimes vital. Is Frank now home with you? Molly was in for 2 weeks, and I hated leaving her, although was able to visit daily (except once, during transfusion).

Sheena is right that we often come across vets who think we don’t know what we are talking about. I completely understand that. I think vets are right in that you need to be careful what you read online, but having known these good people for quite some time, I have absolute faith that they know what they are talking about.

As has already been said, I’m a little concerned that Frank is only on prednisolone. This is a necessary drug to be sure, but often it just isn’t enough on its own to overpower the immune response. Cyclosporine is usually the other immunosuppressant of choice (used alongside, not instead of pred), alongside anti-clotting, stomach & liver protection, PetTinic and sometimes Thyroxine. Way to go on the sucralfate, by the way!

I see you’ve just heard back from Dr Dodds. This is a fairly standard response to a first contact (I think), but my understanding is that now you have paid your fee, you can contact her again and as needed for further advice. I believe she will also liaise directly with your vet if you and your vet consent for that to happen.

Well done you for persevering and checking out all your options. It is no mean feat! We are keeping fingers, toes and paws crossed over here that Frank is going to beat this.

Lots of love

Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Vally is your chart woman. She’s absolutely brilliant at it! Makes my head spin.

[Wendy Gonzalez]

Frank is currently home with me. UC Davis was unable to keep him because of my inability to pay. It saddens me how the system works. I feel so guilty for taking him home, but I couldn’t afford it any longer. Even when I left UC Davis all they gave me was prednisone, which is concerning for me. I printed out everything that I received from Dr. Dodds and will take it with me tomorrow for the vets visit.

[Patrice]

Wendy,
I am so sorry to read this. I do agree this is not the best situation.

What I have found, not only myself, but with many other owners, is that sometimes your own vet has enough experience and knowledge to be able to manage a quite complex treatment protocol. The benefit is that they tend to charge much less, offer more personal attention and your dog is more familiar with the staff.

And in fact, that is exactly how I treated Chance. You can read his story on
Our Stories

I have a number of stories from owners over the years who went the route of using university veterinary clinics and had negative outcomes. While many of these clinics can be very good, it is important to remember that these facilities are learning institutions. They must study and write papers.

Have a quiet conversation with your personal vet and discuss this privately in his office, perhaps make a special appt. just for this. I always say that these folks got into veterinary medicine because they love animals. I think with Dr. Dodds help that you will be able to continue Frank’s treatment.

Stay here with us and we can advise you whenever you need help.
my best
patrice

[Linda]

Hi Wendy. I am so sorry you are going through all this. It’s tough enough trying to deal with this stinking disease without having money hungry institutions treating you (Frank) this way.

I agree with Patrice, your own vet can get you through this. It’s mind boggling how much we see this.

Sadie’s bill from last week, three days of intensive care, transfusions, etc., was rediculous. But, they did most (not all) of the right things. Your experience, however, and the fact that they would not keep Frank (due to finances) after the transfusion, is just wrong. Plus, no additional immune suppressant. Wrong.

Try getting the PetTinic. I order it from Amazon. It is usually about $16.00 – $18.00 for a 4oz. bottle. Directions and dosage are on the back of the bottle. I am not an Amazon prime member. I stopped, because of the yearly fee and most of the things I order seemed not to qualify for free Prime shipping. But if you order $35.00 worth of items, the shipping is free. So, you could order two bottles and that would cover it, maybe a treat thrown it to make $35.00. 😊

I really think your regular vet may be interested in communicating with Dr. Dodds. Actually, the acute care hospital I took Sadie to, totally turned a deaf ear to my suggestion of Tyroxine/Soloxine and talking with Dr. Dodds. So see, there you go. The heck with them. My local vet is much ore responsive to my suggestions, which I’m thinking, yours might be too.

And about Dr. Dodds response. She does not typically sugar coat her e-mails. She is precise and to the point. And she is a master with blood and immune systems. You will find, though, her responses are quick. As others have said, send any and all blood work and tests. She needs this to give an accurate opinion and she will respond. As you get additional test results, send with your name and Frank’s name in the subject line. She is actually one of the most compassionate people ever. You will get this in a short time, trust me.

Furthermore, I would call UC Davis and ask them about that – only one immune suppressants? They won’t charge you for a call.

When is Frank’s next appointment with your local vet? Just watch him tonight. Check his gums – Sadie’s were like ashe. Also, get a pediatric digital baby thermometer (Anywhere, a few bucks) and check his temperature if he feels warm. I just found this out (thank you Sherna and Vally, Brigitte and Mary) but the normal temperature for a dog is between 100-102.5.

Something that I wish I had done, was to have an emergency plan. Sadie’s relapse not only snuck up on me, but so did the fact that her PCV got so low. Third relapse, and had not gone below 21 in the past. But this time, I knew she needed a transfusion by looking at her and needed to act fast. She was lethargic, ashen, jaundice and could not stand. Out of nowhere. I googled transfusions and found Blue Pearl, close by. So, coincidently, I was at their mercy with my precious, very sick little girl. Just like you and many others here.

In Florida here we have hurricane plans. Well now, I have a Sadie plan, which I’m hoping I’ll not have to use in the future, but – is there just in case.

Please keep us posted. Hang in here. You’re doing an awesome job.

And last, but not least, look for a donation from Sadie. She’s sending sloppy get well kisses too.

Love, Linda and Sadie

[admin]

Hi Wendy

Please do not be disappointed – this is partly my fault – I apologise – & I should have explained that the protocol that I sent you is entirely Dr Dodds work – I pre-empted Dr Dodds because it was a Saturday & you were frantic to get the medications – she is kind & generous enough to allow us to pass on her protocol – it confirms that she agrees with what we thought was the matter with Frank – he needs that additional immunosuppressant without delay. I am NOT a vet, so of course I wanted her to confirm our suspicions. Also you need thyroxine. Frank’s high cholesterol is a good indicator of that, & all our AIHA dogs need it during this critical time, regardless.

What she is saying is that your vet must do exactly what she says in that protocol – so go in & fight for that at the vets – your local vets will do fine. Ask for the drugs listed at the dose listed – I know you can do it more cheaply locally. Dr Dodds is always happy to work with other vets if you need her to. The other thing to remember is that all Dr Dodds work is for charity – it is a non-profit making organisation & she is the best value for money on the planet in my opinion. She charges a lot less than my specialist here in France – by a long, long way.

I totally agree with Patrice & Linda – your local vet can EASILY cope with this if you follow Dr Dodds guidelines – it will save you money for sure as teaching hospitals are always a bit pricey. Dr Dodds will always be there for you if you need her as things spring up along the journey – but you must follow what she has sent you implicitly. You will probably need her many times in the future as this disease leads to many “complications”, for example what they can take in the future in the way of medicines, etc – I have consulted with her often about various things, months, years after Worzel’s original diagnosis & she has never let me down. This road has many ups & downs!

Good luck tomorrow – let us know what happens.

Love Sheena x

[Vally]

Wendy, I’m at work right now, but I’ll have a fiddle with a chart quickly and get it over to you. We can go through it and tweak it for better times or whatever.

I just want to add we all love Dr Dodds, because she know her stuff and is a very compassionate lady who loves animals. Like Sheena said, follow her instructions. I have absolutely no doubt she would have read through the reports you sent. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to respond to her email with a question and she’ll get back to you. She doesn’t send long animated responses, that’s not her style, she sends practical advice. Truly, what she knows is way ahead of most others.

Vally