Nula (5yr old English Cocker Spaniel)

Keymaster

Ruth,
Hello and welcome.

I am very sorry to hear about Nula becoming so very ill. I understand completely how confused and frightened you are. I remember feeling the very same way when Chance was sick.

We are here to help you especially in these first hours and days. It is impossible for you, on your own, to learn everything you need to know in order to make good decisions about Nula’s care. So please take a deep breath and let us do some of the heavy lifting for you.

You are clever to think about Nula’s littermate and it’s even more important to think about your breeder’s help right now too. If you contact them they may agree that your breed has a greater risk of developing this condition than some other breeds.

But it often takes a trigger or even several to start this process. Some common triggers are recent vaccinations, serious viral infections, a tendency towards allergies. Others are environment like tick diseases, bee stings, ingestion of garlic, onions, rat poisons and certain coins. Age, sex and diet also play a role. Females are more at risk than males .

You have taken the very best first steps an owner can, get to the vet quickly and get Nula cared for in emergency.

Now I would like you to sit down and put together a list of anything that you think she may have been exposed to in the last few weeks. Easter is a time of family gathering. Is it possible she was given food with onions in it? Did she travel somewhere and go outside in a new place that might have ticks or have dirty muddy water? Has she recently been vaccinated? Would a neighbor have put out rat poison?

Get copies of all the lab work that your vet has done. This belongs to you, you paid for it. Even if you don’t understand it, we do and we can help you read it.

Make a medication list and write down the names of all the medicine, dosages and times given. Make a list of any supplements she already receives or things that your vet may have given you. Does she take heartworm medication and do you use any tick or flea preventative?

Post this information here. Once we have a good idea of what is being done, we can guide you with what will happen next and make suggestions. We are not vets, but every one of has gone through this frightening experience with our dogs. Some of us were successful and some have lost their companion. But they are all dedicated to help you through this to the best of their ability.
my best
patrice

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admin

Keymaster

Hi Ruth, and welcome, although I am very sorry to hear about your circumstances.

I’m the resident cat owner on the site, and went through this with my girl a few months ago, with a similar situation of a seemingly sudden onset. It’s a terrifying time and I know you will have a lot of questions and worries.

Vally and Patrice have already given you excellent advice, and I totally agree with what they have said. As Patrice has mentioned, it will be helpful if you can provide us with more information when possible. When does your vet plan to recheck Nula’s PCV? Personally I would want it testing every couple of days at the moment. How did your vet arrive at the diagnosis? Was a bone marrow biopsy taken? Have they told you whether it is regenerative or non-regenerative?

As Vally said, it is extremely important that Nula is given an anticoagulant to prevent blood clotting, as well as a stomach protectant.

Has Nula been well until now? Has she suffered any other unusual reactions or illnesses?

It also seems that Prednisolone, whilst very beneficial, may not be enough on its own to halt the AIHA. Other immunosuppressant drugs, like cyclosporine or azathioprine may be added in.

Keeping Nula nourished may be challenging, as they will often lose their appetite with this condition. Hopefully she is eating well, but let us know if not and I’m sure we can help with some suggestions. As Vally mentioned, she will be probably be quite lethargic at the moment and will be very tired, as well as likely feeling hot and drinking a lot. You can help by keeping her water very close to her bed etc, limiting the energy she has to use.

As for littermates – I was informed by our specialists that there is no evidence of a genetic component, and that Molly’s sister was not at any great risk. However, there is evidence of certain dog breeds being slightly predisposed to AIHA, so I would think that contacting the littermates’ owner/breeder would be a good idea.

I’m sorry for so many questions, and please don’t worry if you can’t answer them all. I know you must be frantic right now, but I am pleased you have found this site and hope that we can support you through this.

Very best wishes to you and Nula,

Mary & Mable x

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Linda

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Hello Ruth. I am sorry I am just now seeing this. Bless your heart. We all know – have been right where you are right now. I was a deer in the headlights, so to speak – had never, ever heard of this terrible stinking disease. I was in tears and beside myself. But these are the people that got me through it AND helped save Sadie’s life. So for us all – it’s pay-it-forward. So sorry for the reason, but so glad you found the forum. We’re here for you and Nula, all the way.

When Sadie came down with AIHA in March of 2013 (her story and the others are here, will help to read them), her PCV was 22 also. That is not horribly low, so that was a good thing for Sadie and I can’t help but think it’s a good thing for Nula too. Many dogs that come down with AIHA/IMHA have much, much lower PCV’s.

About siblings: my daughter has Sadie’s sister, Sophie, (cocker spaniels) and she is the healthy – NO problems at all, thank goodness. We think Sadie got into some pesticides that had been sprayed from the shore on to the lake in back of our house to kill foliage – copper being one of the ingredients (very toxic to dogs). Sadie had played down near the shore – I had thought nothing of it at the time. Four days later, she collapsed. I should have known, as many of the fish died – stupid humans.

To give you hope, Sadie is good today, as are many of the dogs that get AIHA/IMHA. This disease CAN be beat! Please stay with us. You cannot ask too many questions and no question is trivial. And as Vally and Patrice said, post Nula’s blood work here. Those that know much more than I do will help with that.

As has been mentioned, and what I just didn’t get at first although they tried to tell me, is that AIHA dogs on these necessary drugs, need protection for their tummies, liver and an anti-clotting (already mentioned), as these drugs will play havoc on their bodies. Nula will most likely be put on an additional immune suppressant – she will need protection, none the less. I am thinking she about 40 pounds or so?

Anti-clotting medication: Sadie is on Clopidogrel (75 mg / 1/2 tab daily). Clopidogrel is the generic form of human Plavix. She’s had no problems, no clotting.

Tummy protection: Nula will need something for her tummy. Sadie was on Sucralfate, prescription only, which is a great gastrointestinal medication for prevention of ulcers. But I now give her a half/tab of a 10mg Pepcid, which is, of course, over the counter. I also give her slippery elm (there is a cocktail – I can send the recipe, if you like).

Liver Protection: Nula will need liver protection from the needed medications. Sadie was on Denamarin, prescription only, but it is very processed and since Sadie relapsed (don’t worry – our fault, poor baby – we weaned her too fast – we were back at square one, darn it) I opted for the more natural approach and started using milk thistle (I use HerbPharm liquid, buy from Amazon or straight from their website) and CellFood SAM-e (Amazon). Denamarin’s main ingredients are milk thistle and SAM-e.

I also, still, keep on hand, Cerenia, for Sadie, just in case she has a bad night with her tummy. It is mainly used in dogs for vomiting (which Sadie NEVER did, thank goodness). Cerenia is actually for motion sickness, but for some reason it is the ‘miricle pill’ for their tummies too. I would have some on hand – because when you need it, it may be the middle of the night. You should see relief not long after administering. It’s expensive and only comes four to a box – but it’s well worth having on hand. Ask your vet about this too.

Okay you all – I am sure I’m missing something – supplements needed?

This disease is a roller coaster. I remember writing daily, thinking I had it down and wam – I would be at a loss. That happened much – so don’t feel alone, because it can do that to you. Hang in there – and remember – take one day at a time. It’s still my motto. Of course, we’re all super paranoid AIHA fur parents here on this forum, but that’s a good thing – because we love our precious pups so much – as you love Nula.

You did GREAT getting Nula to the vet so fast. I truly think that helps so much. And as Patrice said, get a copy of Nula’s bloodwork – every time. Don’t pay until they give it to you! ;)

Also, you will end up giving medication that can’t be given with anything else, has to be given an hour before eating, an hour after eating, or with food, etc. Vally made a medication chart and sent it to me (THANK YOU DEAR FRIEND) and it REALLY helped. I still use it – my medication bible for Sadie. I can send you mine, if you like or Vally will send it to you.

Oh and one more thing – this was told to me early on (THANK YOU SHEENA) – try, as hard as it may be, to be calm around Nula. They pick up on your angst and right now, as mentioned, it’s best to keep her quiet and calm.

Please don’t be overwhelmed by this post.
Stay with us – we’re here for you – always.

Love and hugs, Linda and Sadie

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