Relapse after attempted Prednisone weaning

[Susannah]

Hi –
My mini shih-tzu, Agatha, came down with IMHA in March following over-vaccination, PCV 7. She had a transfusion and was started at 10mg prednisone and 2ml cyclosporine (and 5ml clopidrogel). Initially she responded really well to the meds and we had her PCV stable at 39 for a while, and then we started dropping the prednisone.

Too quickly? From 10mg to 7.5mg to 5mg she was holding steady, and then when we went to 2.5mg her PCV dropped to 35. Back up to 5mg, fine (39); down to 3.75mg and it dropped again (35); back up to 5mg, sort of fine (35), and then not fine and it dropped to 31. She’s been all the way back up to 10mg for the last 10 days, and today her PCV had dropped still further to 28. In short, there’s a downward trend. The vet just recommended 5mg melatonin, but she’s at her max prednisone.

Oh, also, about 2.5 weeks ago I saw a holistic vet to help with all the supplements I’ve been giving her, and he put her on Gui Pi Tang – which has angelica sinensis, an herb which increases white blood cells and can interfere with blood thinners. This might have taken what was a normal weaning issue and kicked up the immune response to the current level.

– Is it normal to experience a relapse from the weaning process?
– Has anyone else been gullible enough to listen to a quack doctor and administer bad herbs?
– Is it a matter of holding on until the prednisone really has time to bring things back under control over the course of a month or so? I.e., if she responded well the first time, is it likely the same regimen will work for a relapse?
– Or is it possible for a dog to stop responding to prednisone?

Thank you to anyone who has info and thoughts on this! And hugs to all of you out there who are fighting for your dogs too. -S

[Alejandra]

Hello, I just came across this page. Not too sure if you got your answer, but what worked at the beginning not necessarily will work again if your baby relapses. They get used to the dosages and sometimes pred is what works but also what causes the most side effects.