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Good Evening,
I recently rescued a bloodhound and after taking her in for vaccinations, she got very sick. We have only had her two weeks. I did not know her medical history at all. We quickly learned that she has AIHA. She has responded very well to steroids. In fact, we have reduced them this week in half and she is been very happy and running around outside again.
My question is wether there are common triggers for her to have another onset. I have heard that vaccines will trigger it. What about heartworm preventative? The vet said she also wants to remove two small mass spots and send in the biopsy. I am afraid if we get her all well, something else might trigger her AIHA. Thanks,Carrie
Hi Carrie, wow, what a shock.
The vaccinations may very well have been a trigger, and she should not be vaccinated in the future. The better option is to have her titer tested and that way you can keep an eye on her immunity. If rabies is a factor, you may need to check whether legally she is obliged to be immunised, or whether you can get your vet to confirm she cannot be immunised. I think it’s different in different states there (I’m in Australia – no rabies).
Heartworm. It depends on where you live. Use Dr Jean Dodd’s recommendations though. See the last article on this page:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/hemopetresources/
and dose every 45 days, not 30 days – just be sure you use a calendar so as not to go past the number of days.
I’m glad your girl is doing so much better. Please don’t rush the reductions. So many of us have had dogs who relapsed when reducing. It’s better to play it safe and reduce slowly, no more than 20-30% decrease at a time, and a minimum of 2-3 weeks. Read this:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone-dose-reduction/
There are exceptions, of course, if a dog is suffering terribly from the side effects.
What is your girl’s PCV? Oh, and her name???
About removing the spots. Could a needle biopsy be done perhaps to see what they are. Whilst on high dose steroids, I’m not sure surgery should be done. I’ll message Patrice, the site owner – she’s more cluey about such things.
My very best.
Vally
Carrie, I emailed Patrice about the bumps, this is her answer
“I know the bumps are unsightly, but really, surgery is a very difficult thing on a dog. I wouldn’t put any newly treated dog through surgery for cosmetic reasons. I hesitated to even take Chance for knee surgery a year later, that is how serious I feel about exposing these dogs to stress, and he was having trouble walking!
patrice”
Are we talking about cosmetic bumps, or does the vet feel they are more sinister?
Vally
What a amazing support group! thanks For those that responded. Daisy is doing well. She is a 60 lb bloodhound and full of lots of love. Her PCV is 20 currently and we go back tomorrow for a blood check to make sure the decrease is ok for her and her PVC is not dropping. She is a big dog Ya’ll- she was taking the max amount of steroids a day for her weight. when she first went on steroids- it was 9 pills a day and we just decreased to 5 pills a day. I have never seen a dog take pills as well as she does. We have only had her two weeks- its like she knows she needs the medicine. She even takes the pepcid well.
Before we knew about her AIHA, the vet wanted to do teeth cleaning and test 2 masses she had. I am not sure the vet still wants to do anything about that site we have this new diagnosis. We really have not had the time to ask as we have been so consumed with the new diagnosis. She felt both masses need to be fully removed- as they do cause danger and should be sent off. I do not want to do anything else right now and really just want her to get past this episode and then rethink it all.
Carrie
Thanks all- My husband and I are both on hold about the 2 masses the vet found. the vet did feel they need to be removed and caused concern when she felt them. One was near the tail and the other near the head.
Carrie, with a PCV of 20, there shouldn’t be any reducing going on just yet. It’s no-where near normal yet. A normal PCV is 38 and upwards and she should be stable for a little while before reducing.
I’m worried that you’re decreasing much too soon.
Do you have a copy of Daisy’s blood tests at all? You could attach them to the urgent advice at the top and they’ll e emailed out. If you don’t have them, ask for a copy. It has a lot of information. I personally can’t really read them, but Patrice will check them for you.
How long has Daisy been on, I’m assuming, prednisone. Is she on a second immunosuppresent at all?
Sorry, more questions.
Vally
Thanks for the info. We go to the vet every three days for the bloodwork check. We go back to vet tomorrow for bloodwork to check PVC and we will ask to get the printout so we can post it and ask for help. Daisy is on prednisone 100mg a day, mycophenolate 500 mg a day,and doxycycline 180 mg a day.
Thank you for everything- we appreciate the help- this is so new for us. carrie
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