I am scared

[brittany S payne]

I have a 6yo maltipoo named Baby he was diagnosed with AIHA. This was a complete shock because he was completely fine on Sunday of last week and then the following Monday he wasn’t himself we took him to the vet on Tuesday and we found out about AIHA. They did blood work and realized that his blood was glutenizng (I think that’s the spelling) the vet said that his blood was clumping in the test tub. He advised that he would need a blood transfusion. I was not ready for any of this but on Wednesday we took him to VCA hospital in which they said the same tell me it was about $2000.00 for the inpatient in which I didn’t have. I applied for care credit and they approved me so he got the afmiitef on Thursday evening and started the blood transfusion they said things were going well and he was discharged on Saturday afternoon. We noticed he was much perker and only urinating in little droplets. I called the hospital again and they advise it would be for a short time but it was reminiscent for me because in Aug 2016 he had surgery for bladder stones. When he was in the hospital they did and xray and found them but wasnt our concern. Sunday morning I took him back to the VCA hospital and they couldn’t pass the catheter so they stuck a needle in his bladder to help relive him. We in turn had to go back to them again at 2:30 AM so he could be relieved. We went back to our regular vet on Monday and they pushed the stones back into his bladder but he said Baby was looking a little pale. Yesterday I noticed it was looking more white in his gums and I am looking for any kind of help. I don’t want to put him down.

When at the hospital since they didn’t know what happened to him and didn’t find any trace of a tick causing this they gave me Panacur suspension 100mg/ml to rule out hook worms. He is on Doxycycline 100mg (1 tab every 12hrs), Prednisone 20mg(1 tab every 12hrs), Flagyl 250mg(1/2 tab every 12hrs for diarrhea), Cerenia 60mg (1/2 tab once daily for nausea), Atopica 50mg(twice daily), and Pepcid AC 10mg(1 tab every 12hrs).

His initial blood work was RBC 2.77 HCT was 19% later today we will get new blood work to know where he is at. I am desperate I even tried today Biopreperation F3+.

Brittany

[Patrice]

Brittany,
Oh dear what an awful experience you have had. You did the right thing gong to the vet immediately. They have done the correct treatments. In the first week or so, there will be instability and some risks of relapse until the medications start to take effect. And rhen there can be med side effects.

Right now it is important for you to be positive and cheerful around him. He can sense your stress and he needs you to be strong.

Stones are directly related to onfections. And infections can be a strong trigger for developing AIHA. So this needs treatment as well.

There are many resources on this site, try reading some of Our Stories first, I think it will make you feel better.

Post as often as you want. Please use the Urgent Advice page to send me your recent CBC and chem screen.
My best Patrice

[brittany]

Thank you I know that you won’t know for sure but just as a guess could the stones be the reason he now has AIHA? Our usual vet did say that they didn’t know how this came to be since there is no signs of it being caused by a tick. I could be grasping at straws. It just so sudden. He has a brother in which they were the only 2 in the litter I just am afraid that I have to go through this again.

[Patrice]

Britanny,
Yes, as I mentioned, infections can be one of many triggers to developing AIHA. Please go to this page and read the first article on the page (click on it to open it and enlarge to print or save.)
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/canine-disease-resources/
The Canine Immune System and Disease Resistance

The main part of the article that is important is this statement:

The four main causative factors of autoimmune disease have been stated to be: genetic predisposition; hormonal influences, especially of sex hormones; infections, especially of viruses; and stress.

You see that infections is one of the four factors. On the 8th page begins a complete list of contributing triggers, you will be surprised when you read this.
my best
patrice

[Vally]

Brittany, I’m so sorry to hear about Baby and I know you are terrified. That’s something we all experienced. This site was set up so that you wouldn’t be alone.

Most people here are hit with it the same way as you. One day they’re fine and the next, they’ve collapsed.

First of all, as Patrice said, you did exactly the right thing in reacting quickly. You saved Baby’s life. Now it’s up to Baby to do his bit with the help of the meds.

If you would like me to make you up a medicine chart, I’d be happy to do that. Let me know what times you’re dosing your meds.

Also just want to point out that Doxycycline, Prednisone, Flagyl should all be given with food. Cerenia with a light meal, Pepcid away from food and Atopia should be given 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after. I know that’s probably confusing you, so if you would like help working out times, I’d be happy to help.

Good luck with his blood test. Don’t panic if there’s a bit of a drop. It’s not unusual. The transfusion is really just to buy time for the meds to start working.

Regards, Vally, my Angel Bingo and the new pest, Saba.

[Patrice]

Here is an article about the type of stones that male dogs have a tendency to develop.
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/calcium-oxalate-bladder-stones-in-dogs
” careful routine monitoring of the urine to detect any signs of bacterial infection is also recommended. Bladder x-rays and urinalysis will typically be performed one month after treatment and then every three to six months for the remainder of the dog’s life. Dogs displaying any clinical signs such as frequent urination, urinating in unusual places, painful urination or the presence of blood in the urine should be evaluated immediately. Unfortunately, calcium oxalate stones have a somewhat high rate of recurrence, despite careful attention to diet and lifestyle.”