Schnauzer Non-Regenerative

[Patrice]

Hello everyone, I am a very sad mom of a 12.7 yo male Schnauzer. Back in August 2018 he was diagnosed with mild anemia, blood level at 36 and then I started cooking thinking it would help him.

In December 5, I went for a checkup, his level was at 30… started Atopica 100 mg x 2 per day and prednisone at 20 mg per day—he weights 16.5 kg.
Bone marrow aspiration came inconclusive…first doctor talked about leukemia, then myelofibrosis, bone marrow necropsis…and AIHA non regenerative, still quoting macrocytes…
On Dec. 13, blood level went to 24, we started treatment on that day, next check up it jumped to 30, following was at 24, then 22, 21, 18..
We started treatment on Dec. 13 and it was yesterday at 18…retyculites were up always on range between 1.3 to 1.7…only once at 1…seems that bone marrow is not responding.
Yesterday after we were told that his level was at 18, we were given the option of transfusion…this time the ER doctor was very clear and stated that his disease has no cure and is non-regenerative anemia. After she also informed us that blood level could go up between 3-4 points and having a history of dropping levels around that level, she foresaw us returning after a week—for a second transfusion which is more dangerous than the first.
We opted out if the transfusion and brought him home. Still, after reading your posts, I wonder if there is anything that was missing…maybe Atopica suppressed his bone marrow too much? Although they did a test for cyclospirone level and was correct level.
I am injecting him B12… feed him organic dry food no grains…
what am I missing? I am running against time now and I need help… if anyone could help me out, will be extremely grateful.
Thanks,
Claudia

• This topic was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by Patrice.
• This topic was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by Patrice.
• This topic was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by Patrice.
• This topic was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by Patrice.
• This topic was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by Patrice.

[Vally]

Claudia, I’m so sorry to read this. What drugs are you using right now?

Is he on any thyroxine? I would ask to introduce that into the regime. It needs to be given at least 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after. Thyroxine can help the marrow to produce red blood cells, even if he is not hypothyroid aren’t low. It has helped a lot of our dogs and it’s in Jean Dodd’s protocol to treat AIHA. That’s the first thing I thought of.

Also timing of drug dosing is important. Prednisone always with food, Atopica without food.

The automatic emails when someone responds isn’t working just now which alerts us to posts on the site, so I’ll keep popping in to check.

Vally

[Patrice]

Claudia,
I hope you have found your way to this new topic, that I put up just for you.

I hope you will read some of the Our Stories, starting with Chance. This is nearly the same condition that happened to my Giant Schnauzer Chance.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/our-stories/chance

Out of all the blood diseases, this one is the most puzzling to many vets and also the most complicated to treat. Can I assure you that you have been doing a great job considering how complex this is.

In short, what eventually saved Chance’s life was Dr. Dodds Bone Marrow Failure protocol. You can read, print and save a copy by going to this link on our site:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/hemopetresources
Click on the third item Dr. Dodds Immune-Mediated Hematological Disease and Bone Marrow Failure. This will open a window of the document, you can click on the arrow to open it in a new tab.

This protocol is written specifically for the complexity of treating this profound bone marrow failure. Read especially this section of the protocol that starts with “3) For severe cases, other immunosuppressive therapy is given.”

Sometimes there are other complications that make treatment more difficult. Simply if there are other conditions in they body causing disease, the body may go into a state of “anemia of chronic disease.”

It would be helpful if you could please get copies of the 2 most recent CBC complete blood count and Chemistry Screens and send them to us using the Urgent Advice form on the page. I can look them over and see if there are some indicators of something else amiss that is contributing to this. Any lab tests reports would also be helpful.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/urgent-advice

Please do not give up hope, it is always possible to find something important that changes the outcome. I never gave up on Chance and he survived this as has many other dogs on this forum. We are here to help you.
my best, patrice