Stem Cells? – Page 2 – Second Chance AIHA Dogs

Keymaster

Chris,
I’m wondering if you could explain a bit more of the details of your dog’s diagnosis. What signs led you to seek treatment? What was the diagnosis in more detail.

What can you provide me in details from the current CBC and CHEM screen?

Treatments for IMHA have more recently become standardized and smarter in the last 5 years. Vet clinics are beginning to use protocols that address using a cocktail of immunosuppressive drugs and supportive supplements that provides a quicker reduction of hemolysis. Also they stabilize the patient by using drugs that reduce the risks of inappropriate and dangerous clotting such as low dose aspirin or heparin etc. This last part is always concerning as the risks of a dog becoming unstable during rapid hemolysis can lead to a clotting emergency.

So I’m not sure exactly what the stem cell treatment entails. Now if this was actually non regenerative anemia due to bone marrow failure, there might be some researchers who have experimented with some sort of stem cell transfusion.

However, most cases of canine bone marrow failure show up as non regenerative anemia due to an autoimmune attack to the precursor cells deep in bone marrow, which does often respond to these sophisticated clinical protocols. These precursor cells might also be thought of as similar to stem cells. Either is a type of blank cell that is prepared to become one specific type of cell.

So I am thinking that perhaps this is what you are trying to describe to me?

The most important element for out of control destruction of red blood cells is that this is an attack “on self” or the inability of the immune system to recognize “self.”

There can be, and usually are, multiple triggers, usually 2-5, that form together as a tipping point that leads to an attack on self. Those need to be identified as thoroughly as possible in case they are treatable. So think back and try to remember signs like this. Were there allergies, digestive upset that never resolves, exposure to bites or stings, recent vaccinations, drugs administered, viral disease or bacterial disease such as tick bite diseases or leptospirosis, doggie flu, urinary tract infections, an older dog might have an internal tumor, a younger dog may have eaten something dangerous.

If you have always trusted your vet, simply ask them why they are using the treatments they are. If you are uneasy you can always get a second opinion from another vet, that’s acceptable.

Give me a bit more information so i can help you.
My best Patrice

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