Shih Tzu Diagnosed With AIHA

[Patrice]

8yr F Shih Tzu, Emily.

Diagnosed with AIHA and has had one transfusion 3/18. PCV up to 27 on 3/23 dropped to 23 on 3/25. Prednisone 7.5 x2daily, Reglan 0.3 x2 daily, Enrofloxin 0.6 x24hr. Azathioprine 1/2 tab. 50mgx24hr. Vitamin K.
I’ve also started her back on Dynovite plus a pump or 2 of her fish oil. I’ve purchased Yunnan Baiyao and I’m scared to use it. Her vet is open to suggestions but told me to start her with just a pinch of it.
Suzie

[Vally]

Hi Suzie, I know you’ve sent an email and Sheena and Patrice have responded.

How is Emily going?

Vally & Bingo (diag Nov 2011, in remission) (a cross terrier with some Shih Tzu)

[Susie]

Hi Vally,
I’m so happy to say that things are looking up for Emily! We just returned from the clinic and they tell me she has a PCV of 25! Her TP is 5.6. I can’t remember what that is. Could it be white blood cells?
I’m disappointed that we didn’t get to talk with her vet though. Maybe I nee to be more pushy.

[Linda]

Hi Susie. Emily is absolutely precious. Bingo boy, are you checking her out?!?

So glad that Emily’s PCV is beginning to go up. Upward is always good!!! TP is Total Protein. Sadie’s vet always tests both together too. typically, for Sadie, as her PCV has risen, so has her TP. Her last PCV was 48 and her TP was 7.8 (a bit high), but I am not too concerned. The vet tells me , like with some of the other blood work results, it’s the medications.

When I go for weekly PCV checks, I just let Sadie go in with the tech, draw blood, I wait, she trots out, we wait for the results and they write both PCV and TP on my receipt before I leave and pay. But in your case, and this being a new diagnosis, I would be sure to ask if it is possible for the vet to speak to you. It really gets me that our pups don’t always get ‘the royal treatment’ with visits. After all, this is such a serious illness and our pups are survivors – constituting VERY special attention. ;) But in reality, as you say – be a bit pushy (nicely, of course). Typically, they can say hello and answer a few questions between patients. I find it helpful to have any questions written down. If you are unable to see and chat with the vet, you can give the front desk your questions and ask to be called back. This works too.

You are doing such a great job. It’s a labor of love, isn’t it. Well, you’ve got things going in the right direction. Congratulations!!

Much love,
Linda and Sadie

[admin]

Hi Susie

I’m very relieved to hear Emily’s PCV is 25 – excellent news. I have to agree that she is the most cute little thing – you have TWO gorgeous pups there!

Linda has explained everything beautifully & we’re all glad to hear things are improving. Writing a list of questions is a really good suggestion – I always used to come home thinking I’d forgotten to ask something. If you could get any blood test/blood smear results, that would be great too.

Please let us know how things are going – I will be thinking about you & Emily
Love & hugs
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxx

[Susie]

I just want to say how very very thankful I am for each of you!!!Thank you for caring and asking about “us”.
Nobody wants to hear about my dog or this disease.
I question myself. Why have I spent so much money on and spent every waking moment worrying about this little dog who steals our food, rummages through my purse, can’t be left alone, pees on my beautifully upholstered furniture, eats her own potty (oh yes she does!) eats rancid lizards, a full bottle of Ibuprofen and the list goes on and on…
All I know is that this stinky,mischievous little girl is a part of our family. She’s my cuddle bug and my companion. My grandchildren have been praying for Emily. She’s their buddy.
Thank you all so very much for making “us” feel like we’re important.

Gratefully,
Emily and her overwhelmed mommy

[Susie]

I just want to say how very very thankful I am for each of you!!!Thank you for caring and asking about “us”.
Nobody wants to hear about my dog or this disease.
I question myself. Why have I spent so much money on and spent every waking moment worrying about this little dog who steals our food, rummages through my purse, can’t be left alone, pees on my beautifully upholstered furniture, eats her own potty (oh yes she does!) eats rancid lizards, a full bottle of Ibuprofen and the list goes on and on…
All I know is that this stinky,mischievous little girl is a part of our family. She’s my cuddle bug and my companion. My grandchildren have been praying for Emily. She’s their buddy.
Thank you all so very much for making “us” feel like we’re important.

Gratefully,
Emily and her overwhelmed mommy

[Vally]

Overwhelmed Mommy (aka Suzie), we all totally understand this. I think that’s why we all become such good friends.

Yes our dogs are disgusting, rude, cost a fortune and we let them get away with it. Bingo doesn’t eat his own poop (yuk!!!), he goes looking for the stinkiest cat poo he can find. Sometimes in the middle of the night, he has made me go out (he thinks he has me fooled into thinking he has to go wee) only to have smelt some nice fresh cat poo. We then have a battle on the grass to get to it first. I usually win and said poo gets disposed of.

The worry they put us through.

With the PCV and TP, my specialist explained once the TP is a check to see how hydrated they are, so if the PCV is suddenly miraculously high, but the TP is also high, it is possibly the dog is a bit dehydrated, so the PCV should probably be taken as being a little lower than it’s come out. It’s kind of a balance type check. When the TP is in the range it’s supposed to be, then the PCV is a more accurate figure. Anyway, that’s what I understood it to be.

Emily, you take the cake though with a full bottle of Ibuprofin!!!

Love Vally & Bingo