Jump to content

Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia


mita
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi Pepsi's update vet says he's doing O.K his blood is 21 so couple less than yesterday but better than what he went in with (14), he has eaten dinner and has been to toilet.

Mum asked about medication and vet said yes he will go onto meds for the rest of his life fingers crossed it's a long one and this thing doesn't come back.

Vet couldn't explain y they never gave him meds back in 2001 as we wondering if he was on the meds back then if we would be going thru this with him now?? will update tomorrow they are taking blood again in the morning I don't finish work till around 7.30pm so will update then.

Thankyou ALL so much for your prayers and wishes..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So pleased Pepsi is doing well. It might make you feel better to know that when Pepsi's blood count was lowest...14. That was considered getting up high for Brock, because he started so low.

It sounds more positive for Pepsi.

Very wise to check about medication.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh I'm sorry to hear about your firends dog :eek: we are a bit confused as the vets done another count and it was 16??? day before vet said it was 21 how can two vets get two different readings????

Mum saw him last night and he's doing much better now so fingers crossed they are taking drip out today and hopefully home on monday

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The readings of 16 and 21 are the haematocrit or packed cell volumes expressed as a percentage of the total volume of blood the red cells take up. Anything less than 34 is anaemic. You can get a reading of 21 one day and a reading of 16 the next day with AIHA due to haemolysis. Haemolytic anaemia is the condition of destruction of red blood cells-haemolysis (haemo = red cells, lysis=destruction/splitting up/fragmentation). If the production of red cells in the bone marrow can't keep up with the destruction of red cells, you have anaemia. The only way to halt the destruction of the cells is via very large doses of cortisone and/or splenectomy. Hope this helps to understand why the difference in readings.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi

I'm new to the forum but couldn't go past this post as it brought back horrible memories.

5 yrs ago my silkie X got AIHA - took her to the vet with a PCV of 8. After 24 hrs IV fluids and then a whole blood transfusion she came home with me on cortisone and Imuran - big doses. I was on leave so I could nurse her 24/7, but I think the vet didn't expect she would last the night. After 4 days of treatment she was going nowhere and I had decided to have her put out of her misery but the vet had been doing lots of research and talking to the specialist clinic at Sydney Uni. The result was that Imuran was changed to cyclosporin and it was explained to me that the drugs could kill her as easily as the disease, but that they were her best shot and the vet considered that she'd fought hard to stay with us so she had a good chance of responding. I'm glad I trust my vet enough to go with the advice. After a number of painful months, with the silkie's PCV yo-yoing backwards and forwards but trending upward she finally looked like she would actually get better. 8 months after the nightmare began she was off drugs and in the 5 years she's lived since she has had great health, lots of energy and is full of life - basically she's never looked back. Maybe she won't live as long as little dogs generally do because I'm sure the drugs and the disease have used up any 'extra lives' her liver and kidneys might have had, but her quality of life is great. Getting her through the disease took a great toll on me both emotionally and financially (although I'd never complain about the vet's charges as they were pared basically to cost but cyclosporin was hideously expensive even at cost and even for a small dog) not to mention the lack of attention the other dog suffered for at least the first month. However, I guess I can say from today's perspective that it was worth it, but I don't know that I'd put either a dog or myself through that again. The bottom line is, make sure your vet is really up on the latest treatment for AIHA as it changes all the time and some of them are still using 10 yr old treatment regimes. Good luck - we'll keep you in our thoughts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our Pepsi has come home now he's had to stay inside and kept quiet for the first week and we have noticed that every day since beingon meds he's soo much brighter and happier in himself. The colour of his gums is slowly coming back even though he's still walking like and old man we are so glad he's gedtting better.

He's of to the vets tomorrow for another blood count so will update tomorrow.

Thankyou everybody for your thoughts.

His sleeping buddy Jade has been missing him so much that when he goes out for wee's she runs straight up to him gives him kisses, they look so happy together it's really sweet as they are really inseperable..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's been awhile since my last update Pepsi is home now and is doing really well :cry: his blood count is up to 30 which vet said is good. He's had to come of his daily heartworm vet said he should come of all tablets that he doesn't really need :cry:.

He has to have blood tests done every 14 day for a few months to keep any eye on his count and make sure it don't fall.

Anyways just thought I'd update hope any body else who's pooch has this problem gets medical attention right away and hope all goes well were just hoping that it won't come back for the 3rd time

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Not looking good for our Pepsi he's been not well lately, his blood count has gone back done and he's really lethagic. Vet has told us maybe with the change in his diet might have something to do with it?? but also apparently when this disease htis the second time around it doesn't look good :rolleyes:

We are facing that decision do we pts now or wait for a little while longer to see if he picks up?

It's so sad he's such a lovely boy and we would miss him dearly when the time comes we have already decided that he will be cremated so he can come with us where ever we may go :rolleyes:

I will keep updates please send some good prayers this way for our Pepsi

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Hi,

well it's a sad day today for us we have made the decision to have our little man pts (Pepsi) :):o he hasn't recovered from this last attack from this bloody disease, he's not really wanting to eat,walk,play etc he's sooooo :rofl: it's really tearing us up inside to make the decision but he will be cremated and his ashes taken back home to mum and dad.

Pepsi would have been 11yrs young this year

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh I am sorry to read this....

RIP Pepsi until you all meet again.

Owned by Shelties..you did the very best for you sweet Pepsi. These immune mediated diseases are damnably difficult to fight.

I will light a candle in honour of Pepsi tonight.

Hugs

H

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He hasn't been pts yet but it will be this week coming. It's so hard to make that final decision but looking at him it's like he's telling us this is what he wants. He was such a happy go lucky boy and to see him like this it's sooo sad.

I know it hurts us now and I know it's killing mum to have to take him down to the vet but I'm going to suggest that the vet come to home so pepsi will have us all with him :eek::)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...