Mattie has been diagnosed with AIHA

[admin]

Hi, I am new to this forum.  My dog, Mattie (5 yr old miniature poodle) was diagnosed with this a few weeks ago.  She had IV fluids, a blood transfusion and seemed to be doing well right after.  She was put on Clavamox and an NSAID, but they were stopped since she wasn’t eating well .  She was prescribed Prednisone after that and an antacid.  She was re-admitted about one week later due to labored breathing.  They found fluid in the lungs or abdomen (?)  I think they said this was a steroid side effect.  Lasix was added as well as an antibiotic (Baytril).  She is still acting lethargic and not eating much.  We get nervous on the weekend with out her vet available.  Any tips are greatly appreciated.  My wife and I worry about her getting weak without enough food in her.  She is such a little, thin dog already.  Thanks for being here.

Robert

[Robert Knop]

Hi, I am new to this forum.  My dog, Mattie (5 yr old miniature poodle) was diagnosed with this a few weeks ago.  She had IV fluids, a blood transfusion and seemed to be doing well right after.  She was put on Clavamox and an NSAID, but they were stopped since she wasn’t eating well .  She was prescribed Prednisone after that and an antacid.  She was re-admitted about one week later due to labored breathing.  They found fluid in the lungs or abdomen (?)  I think they said this was a steroid side effect.  Lasix was added as well as an antibiotic (Baytril).  She is still acting lethargic and not eating much.  We get nervous on the weekend with out her vet available.  Any tips are greatly appreciated.  My wife and I worry about her getting weak without enough food in her.  She is such a little, thin dog already.  Thanks for being here.

Robert

[admin]

Robert – I’ve started you a new thread specially for Mattie & copied you details into there- hope you don’t mind, but it makes it easier

Sheena

[admin]

Hi Robert

I hope you don’t mind that I’ve started a new topic especially for Mattie.

I’m really sorry she has been diagnosed with this disease & very glad you’ve found us. We all have experience with AIHA through our pets & are here to help you as much as we can. I can remember how frightening & confusing it was to be told that my dog Worzel had AIHA in Dec 2012, so I totally understand how you must be feeling. Thanks to the right treatment, Worzel has made a full recovery so far. I cannot emphasise how important it is to get the correct treatment.

I am glad to see that your vet has started prednisone. The treatment protocol for AIHA is high dose prednisone, an additonal long-acting immuno-suppressant such as azathioprine or cyclosporine, tummy protection (which I see you already have – great!) & very importantly. Most dogs need an anti-clotting medication as this is a big risk with AIHA. Ocassionally, depending on the “type”of AIHA, dogs do not need anti-clotting medication, but this is rare. It is also important to treat any cause that can be found, for example infection, although sometimes that is not possible. Does your vet think Mattie has an infection? Tick-borne diseases are sometimes the cause.

I don’t want to bombard you with too much information, but would urge that you speak to your vet regarding clotting risks as soon as possible – that information can be found in the AIHA Terms in the top (blue) bar under the section “abnormal clotting”. I would also ask them to add in a long acting immuno-suppressant as prednisone is not enough on it’s own to conquer AIHA.

If you can, it would help us if you can tell us some of Mattie’s blood test results, such as PCV or HCT, WBC – the more information, the better.

Many vets do not have a lot of experience with this disease & finding a specialist in internal medicine is always a good idea. Your vet should not take this personally – mine didn’t & was fantastic – our local vets recommended we went to a specialist as soon as they realised how serious the problem was. I hope Mattie’s breathing will improve soon with the lasix. You can look up all the information on prednisone in the AIHA terms too & I hope that will help you. It is important to have the right dose & you will see a list of side effects etc,

Mattie can beat this – and we are here for you anytime you need us. There are some wonderful people on here who helped me through Worzel’s illness with their support & kindness. I live in France, so forgive me if I can’t always reply straight away. I hope I haven’t overdosed you on information – if there’s anything you need to know, just ask. Someone on here will probably have experienced exactly the same thing.

In the meantime, all my best wishes to you & your dear girl Mattie

Sheena, Worzel (AIHA dog) & Ollie

[admin]

Sorry Robert – the prednisone should give her an big appetite when it starts to kick in properly. In the meantime, just try to tempt her with chicken or her favourite foods. Let us know how she’s doing – there will be lots of ideas for food from the others, I’m sure

Sheena (again!)

 

[Linda]

Hello Robert. I am so sorry about Mattie. I wanted to put a few things out there about the needed “supplements” – of which I was totally in the dark about at the onset of Sadie’s diagnosis.

First, so glad Mattie is on an antacid for her tummy. But you also might want to add slippery elm. I mix a bit of powdered slippery elm (capsule, break it open, then you can actually close them and keep the remainder for next time) in some plain greek yogurt. There is also a wonderful “slippery elm cocktail” that I sill share with you if you like. But for now – the antacid is a good start.

It is also a necessary to put Mattie on something for liver protection. These bad/good and necessary drugs play havoc on all their organs, but especially the liver. I originally put Sadie on Denamarin, but later opted for the more natural approach and now give her milk thistle and CellFood SAMe, which are both the major components of Denamarin, without the pharmaceutical fluff.

As for blood clot prevention, Sadie is on Clopidogrel, which is the generic form of (human) Plavix.

What was Mattie’s PCV or Hematocrit upon diagnosis? And if they did (they should have) a CBC, as Sheena said, there are several on this forum who can and will help you navigate through your questions of what it all means.

Please know you are not alone. Everyone here has been right where you are right now and will be here to help in every way possible. And last but not least, let me add, Sadie is doing quite well. And much of her healthy, pink tongue is due to this forum and their unending love, knowledge and continued help.

We are sending our love and huge hugs,

Linda and Sadie

[Robert Knop]

This is Robert’s daughter. Mattie passed away just a little while ago. She had labored breathing and was rushed in to the vet today. She passed away after arrival. Thank you for you help and concern.

[admin]

Dear Robert and family.

I am so very sorry to read of the loss of your dear Mattie. IMHA is a horrible disease and sometimes, despite intensive treatment, it wins. I know that nothing can be said at the moment to make you feel any better, but just want to pass on my sincere condolences and very best wishes.

Mary x