Page 32 – Second Chance AIHA Dogs

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Keymaster

Hi Trish

No, you are not crazy, just paranoid like the rest of us! And quite right too. Better to be over-cautious.

Couldn’t agree with Patrice more – the reticulocytosis slows down as they get into normal levels. This happened with Worzel too – you just don’t see the massive increases as they get better. Bearing in mind Worzel is a greyhound – they have very high PCV & RBC levels, hence make great blood donors – his “normal” PCV is 63 ish, his increases were much, much slower after he reached the 40 mark. During the drug weaning process (azathioprine in his case), he slowly increased & he is now back to always being over 60, which is normal for him. It took a long time as we were very cautious to avoid a relapse! I would say again, take the prednisone weaning slowly & carefully as per this link: https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone-dose-reduction/

When you get to the lowest possible dose of prednisone (hopefully NIL) then you can start reducing the mycophenolate – that drug, like azathioprine, can suppress the bone marrow & we saw further increases with Worzel each time we reduced the drug. I am so boring I have a spread sheet of the figures to prove that!

Brigitte is right – infection hampers them too – we had a recent problem with Worzel – a severe GI tract infection leading to malabsorption – his PCV dropped to 55 & I was very worried as that is low for a greyhound. It shows that any infection will cause a drop in PCV for our dogs, so we have to be on the ball and get any infection treated as soon as possible – UTIs are so common with our IMHA dogs & easily treated, so don’t worry.

I have looked at Max’s blood results – all looking so much better on the later test on the anaemia front, Trish. BUT I am highly suspicious of an infection as his neutrophils (they are the things that attack bugs) are a bit high & so are his monocytes – monocytes indicate inflammation too. So let’s hope the vets get to the bottom of this possible UTI. As Linda mentioned, Sadie has a very nasty UTI & has been on Baytril & minocycline – we checked both these drugs for safety with IMHA dogs with Dr Jean Dodds & she was happy with those choices. Of course, it’s always better to find out from a culture exactly which bug it is, then treat with an antibiotic known to be effective against that particular bug. But please feel free to ask if you are in any doubt about the antibiotic they chose. You already know the three no-no groups. Many of us have used doxycycline, so we also know that is OK to give our pups. Pop a quick message on here if you are worried about anything.

So, maybe this infection is holding Max back a little, that certainly happens. Don’t expect huge increases any more. In our experience, it slows down at this stage in treatment. At one time, I would have paid a million pounds for Worzel to be in the normal range!

Your vet has done a superb job with the treatment & all the right blood tests & blood smears too. I note the presence of rouleaux, so am glad to see the plavix – I am the site nag about clotting issues, but your vet has already spotted it & done the right thing.

Have you ever tried sucralfate? In my opinion it’s much better than prilosec. It has to be given well away from all the other medications as it will prevent their absorption & we can’t risk that. Worzel was in a lot of pain with his tummy, so we added sucralfate in & he never looked back. In view of Max’s sensitive tummy, I would give him some. Here’s some information:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/sucralfate/

Let us know how you get on – Max is in the best possible hands with a Mum like you

Love & hugs
Sheena & the boys xxxxx

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