Camilla, AIHA-dog from Italy

[eleonora]

Sheena, tomorrow morning at 8.30 we’ll meet the hematologist of the veterinary clinic of the University of Pisa. The secretary told me to keep camilla without eating from 7 p.m. until tomorrow morning after exams that they will do. I believe that ….in italy we say “la rivolteranno come un calzino” which translated literally into English would be something like “they will turn over her as a sock”. i’ll let you know…..cross your fingers!

[Sheena]

I am crossing everything – as Vally would say, even my eyes! We have some funny expressions here in France that don’t translate very well. I know they mean they will check Camilla from the inside to the outside. Sounds very thorough. Camilla really IS doing well & I’m sure they will look after her.

Let us know as soon as you hear any results. Sending crossed everythings!

Sheena & the boys
xxxxxx

[Vally]

Eleonora, good luck at the Clinic.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[eleonora]

hi girls! i’m just back from the clinic. as i imagined they’ve turned out her like a sock. first of all: the coagulation profile is ok. she did again blood tests, abdominal ultrasound and echocardiography. also the latter two tests are ok except that the enlarged liver, but we all know that’s the fault of prednisone. the hematologist confirmed the diagnosis of autoimmune anemia. he saw that the reticulocytes, which are in the normal range, however are decreasing,so we are waiting for the result of some analysis (that are gone to the external lab) and if these tests don’t show nothing particular camilla must do a levy of the bone marrow. i asked him if he thought it might be a leukemia and he said no, that except the anemia there aren’t other typical clinical signs of leukemia, but he explained me that in some cases of this disease the immune system starts attacking the cells where they are born, in the bone marrow.whether the problem has moved from the circulating blood to the bone marrow camilla will probably need another immunosuppressant in addition to prednisone. red blood cells again at 4.4!!!!! i’ll try to upload a picture of camilla from my cell phone to wish you a merry Xmas!

[Patrice]

Eleonora,
Read these glossary items.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/bone-marrow-disorder/
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/hsc-hematopoietic-stem-cells/
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/reticulocytes/

Also, Chance had bone marrow failure, non-regenerative anemia and neutropenia. His first signs were a diminished replacement of red blood cells as indicated by a reticulocyte value below 60,000 absolute or 1%. Read his story here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/our-stories/chance/

Dr. Dodds put him on a special protocol for bone marrow failure which was highly successful.
my best patrice

[Sheena]

Hi Eleonora & the very beautiful Camilla by the Christmas tree!

Sounds like you had a thorough check – great. Do you you have the blood tests results yet? RBCs of 4.4 is soooo close to the normal of 4.8 & above – good! On the last test you showed us, Camilla’s PCV was at the bottom of normal (37), so I wouldn’t expect her to have huge levels of reticulocytes (baby reds) actually. She is getting better, but we find dogs that have AIHA, IMHA, bone marrow failure need an additional immuno-suppressant such as cyclosporine. Being honest, I am amazed she has got so much better on prednisolone only – that was why I was suspicious that it was a more “simple” case of anaemia! When is anything simple though? At least you have found someone to help you with this at specialist level. That’s good news – if they were prepared to use Dr Dodds protocol, that would be even better – she has immense experience in this field & will always work a longside other vets. Trust me, she is wonderful & very highly qualified.

Bone marrow biopsies are contentious – Worzel had two -the local vets were unsuccesful in getting a sample, but the specialist got one in ten minutes, so if you decide to do that, use someone who is an expert. Worzel was not in pain afterwards, but in hindsight, it was a waste of time & discomfort for him, plus unnecessary anaesthetics. The treatment is always the same regardless – an additional immuno-suppressant. In my personal opinion, I would avoid taking a bone marrow sample as cancer is extremely unlikely .

Worzel had profound bone marrow failure he was not producing any reticulocytes at all – zero. Adding the extra immuno-suppressant made him start producing them after a couple of weeks -we were lucky as it can much longer & so many owners have had to wait for good results.

Did they tell you what may have caused this in Camilla’s case? Sometimes, we never know. How is her poo now? Hoping the sucralfate has started to help her. What is really good is that you have a specialist & she’s doing OK. Please could we see the latest blood results as soon as you get them? It would be great to see how Camilla is doing!

Love & hugs
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxx

[Vally]

Eleonora, Merry Christmas to you too. Beautiful photograph.

Bingo’s AIHA was also marrow targeted and he was also put on cyclosporine, as Sheena has said above, and started to respond when that drug was added.

Camilla has done amazingly well with just the prednisone really to have recovered reasonably quickly. If you do need the cyclosporine, that has few side effects, so when that is introduced and in the system, the prednisone can be lowered.

Just also wanted to add about the marrow biopsy. My specialist said to me that whilst it may give them a bit more information about it all, it doesn’t change the treatment. So his suggestion was not to do it. If it was done, it really was more out of interest than necessity.

Love Vally & Bingo

[eleonora]

thanks girls! i’ve uploaded the last camilla’s blood count (23 dec). best wishes!!!!!!