Bull Arab X 7 years old with AIHA / blood transfusion

[Lizzy]

I should clarify, her PCV post blood transfusion was 24%, not prior!

[Vally]

Lizzy, it is common to see a drop in the PCV after a transfusion. I’m sure someone can explain why, I’m not sure, but yes. When does she get checked again? How is she looking?

[Lizzy]

Just to add, pre transfusion bloods at 14-15%, post transfusion (less than 48 hours ago), 24%, today at 4.30pm (Australian time), bloods at 18%. Resps remain high, as they have the entire time, but otherwise checks out as stable. More spritely, eating, drinking, short periods of getting up and walking around. Still jaundiced. Just wondering if this drop is alarming or considered normal post transfusion. Thank you.

[Lizzy]

Also, just noticed her abdomen was distended. Is this her liver from 120mg if prednisone a day? Is this dangerous? Thanks

[Sheena]

Hiya Lizzy

Yes it is normal to see a little drop after a transfusion because it is “foreign” blood & in Lola’s case, she had such a lot of haemolysis going on as well that this probably explains part of the drop. 18 is OK for now -if she can hold at that level, that will be fine. If not, she’ll have to be transfused if she goes below about 15 – it depends how she’s coping at that level – all dogs are different & you have to take one day at a time. Worzel held around 16/17 for a couple of weeks before the azathioprine kicked in & he was weak & wobbly. When is her next PCV? You have to play it by ear & there is no other way. I wish there was an easy answer.

How is the jaundice? The high pred is to stop this – imagine her liver & spleen are working massive overtime, trying to break down & deal with the blood components being broken down. It is common to see an enlargement of the liver & spleen because of this. The pred also makes them retain fluid, especially around the abdominal area, but you have no choice as the pred is needed. I’m sure they will lower it to a more usual dose when she starts responding. The side effects are horrible, but we have to live through them – we have no choice.

How is her pee looking? The paler it gets, the less haemolysis is going on – have a look & see what it’s like. Bilirubin is excreted in the urine – that’s what causes the dark colour. I bought some pee test strips from the pharmacy to keep an eye on this. Bilirubin is also seen in the poo & it is often an orange colour because of this.

I can honestly say the first few weeks is absolute hell with this disease. Get through this, and things get easier – slowly. Hang in there Lizzy. A PCV test again tomorrow would be good – we went every few days to start with. Did they check her platelets? It would be good if we could have a figure for those please.

Love & huge supporting hugs
Sheena xxxxx

[Lizzy]

Thank you for the response. Her urine was very concentrated the day she returned from Canberra post transfusion, but today it was a lot clearer. Can high resps be the result of such a high prednisone dose? I’ve noticed she hasn’t ever been getting to that nice stage of REM sleep since the medications started so I imagine she’s exhausted. Our next appointment is tomorrow afternoon. She is hanging with her dog friend tonight as I find that is the only thing that motivates her to eat! She is really loving slightly cooked chicken breast/thigh. It’s the only thing she will eat, thank you for the recommendation. Thank you for your responses. This website is the only thing giving me any kind of hope and comfort at the moment. Xx

[Vally]

Lizzy the pred would make her very uncomfortable right now and panting is a normal side effect. It makes them hot and uncomfortable. Bingo who has always slept with me, couldn’t stay on the bed and in the times when I wanted him closest because I was so worried, he slept on the floor on a towel. It was the only play he would sleep, otherwise he was always trying to get off the bed.

I’m glad to see that her wee is looking clearer.

Good luck tomorrow for the next test. Will be hanging to see how she’s going.

Have a good sleep tonight. Lola, you have a good sleep over.

Vally & Bingo xxx

[jill]

Hi lizzy, how are you?i just wanted to say when Snoopy was on a high dose of the predon , he was very thirsty all the time , used to pant and get hot,and lie in the cool hallway, but he had to have this drug as it saved his life along with the autoimmune suppressant .They take time to work but hang on in there, they should do, Snoopy was also tired all the time , he had a pot belly from the drugs, but as long as they are working this is not a problem . When the time comes and you are allowed to start reducing them slowly, you will start seeing an improvent , always give it with his food.Snoopy has the royal canine gastrointestinal food , he cant get enough of it, and also giver him turky breast as a treat, I don’t know what food your vet has recommended for her to try? Hopeing her PCV test is holding stable or improved for you, thinking of you and Lola , love and hugs Jill and Snoopy, xxxxx