New Diagnosis – Need Support – Paranoid

[Maria Renzi]

Hello Val and Patrice,

Hope you are well. I thought I’d check in and give you an update since it’s benn over a month, I think. Since Hunter was diagnosed with a mild case of IMHA on June 20 his HCT wat 39% at that time. His normal is between 51%-55%. He was put on Prednisone, 20mg every 12 hours, clopidogrel 75 mg 1xday (1/4 tablet) and doxycycline (until gone)

July 2: Recheck his HCT was 48.4%.
July 10: Started Cyclosporine 100 mg every 12 hours. Clopidogrel same

July 17: Reduced Pred 20 mg am/10 mg pm
, cyclosporine same; clopidogrel same

July 31: Recheck HCT 46.5%

August 3: Reduced pred 10 mg am /10 mg pm; cyclosporine same; clopidogrel same

August 20: Recheck HCT 43.5%

My vet wanted to consult with the specialist before making any more reduction of the prednisone because she felt his numbers were dropping slightly each time and she didn’t want him to relapse. I should here from them this coming Friday as he is out of the office. I was kind of bummed because I surely wanted to continue to reduced the prednisone. He is really showing muscle atrophy and my vet called it a shark fin atop his head. He is not that thirsty anymore and his energy level is still horrible. He does not want to do anything but lay around. The only time he gets to moving is when it’s close to feed or pill time. I continue to pay close attention to him and check his gums at least 3 times a day. Although, he never did get to the point where his gums were white, but I am paranoid.

I sent Dr. Dodds an update as well. As you guys are, she is a blessing as well. It was well worth spending the money for a second opinion.

XOXO
Maria

[Maria Renzi]

Me again. As always I received a quick response from Dr. Dodds on Hunter’s update. She is amazing.

She advised me on our next time recheck visit to ask for a CBC and the complete serum chemistry profile. Makes sense. For some reason I thought they would do that.

She disagreed with my vet not wanting to taper the prednisone at this time. Her recommendation makes total sense to me. She mentioned that the side effects of the steroids create the “anemia of chronic disease”, which suppresses the bone marrow and other organs (liver & spleen) of blood production. She advised me to continue the reduction of prednisone and gave me a schedule on how to. She mentions that for ongoing IMHA cases in humans and pets, as long as HCT is at or above 25%, the current therapy is sufficient. The aim is not to continue higher doses of immune suppressant drugs to keep the HCT at its original pre-disease level – unless it climbs back there on its own.

I truly trust her and I will wait to see what my vet has to say once he speaks with my specialist. I surely hope they come to the same conclusion that Dr. Dodds as it will make it easier for me…lol.

[Vally]

Hi Maria

I’m glad you’ve been in touch with Dr Dodds and yes I trust her absolutely in what she recommends.

Good luck, and I hope the specialist says the same too, it’s always easier.