Luna: IMHA for 2 weeks not on blood thinners?

[Luna the Siberian Husky]

Is there a reason my dog has not been prescribed blood thinners? She was diagnosed with IMHA last Sunday October 16th but was sick for about 3-4 days before that and the vet did not know what was wrong with her. I brought her to an emergency clinic that initially diagnosed her with IMHA, where she got a blood transfusion and the typical treatment for IMHA. After reading the material the doctor gave me about IMHA I asked her about the risk of blood clots and if Luna should be put on aspirin. The doctor said no. The next morning I brought her to a different emergency animal hospital that was open 24/7. she stayed there for three days and did not respond to medicine, I asked if she should be on aspirin because of blood clots and they said no again. They told me she was most likely not going to make it. I brought her home and she has made a significant rebound her PCV went from 20 to 29 percent when last checked on Saturday. Now I’m terrified a blood clot will sneak up on her and take her from me after everything. This vet has been fantastic and is the reason she is still alive so I can’t imagine they wouldn’t be giving her a blood thinner when its one of the easier and more affordable medicines. I called the vet today, October 25th, to clarify but I have to wait until tomorrow, October 26th. Could she be out of the Blood Clot danger zone? Or one of her other medicines is acting as a blood thinner? She is currently on Prednisone, Atopica, an antibiotic for colitis and Cerenia for Nausea. I have had a total of three different vets tell me she shouldn’t be on aspirin or a blood thinner. I’m generally anxiety ridden right now but I also had a Blood Clot and PE myself this past summer…. I’m 23 and healthy so I guess I have some baggage after personally being misdiagnosed and mistreated for that. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[KickAss]

Yes – this is vitally important. Vets too often omit anti-clotting meds. Important question – ask your vet if your dog has intravascular hemolysis or extravascular
hemolysis plus read the following & ask probing questions

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/abnormal-clotting/

[Vally]

Hi Luna’s mum. Yes, totally agree with KickAss. Ask for the reasoning as perhaps there is a reason that Luna is not on it, but there’s no reason for you not to know the answers (I don’t think it’s grammatically correct to have the word “reason” 3 times in a sentence but can’t think of another way of putting it, so blagh). Also the risk is higher after a transfusion.

I’m thrilled your Luna has responded so well. Keep up the good work Luna.

Mum, anxiety is part and parcel of this miserable disease. It’s one of the side effects. Ask anything at all. We’d love to help in any way we can.

Vally & Bingo (diag Nov 2011, in remission)

[Vally]

Hi Luna, just wondering how you and mum are going?

Vally and Bingo

[Jodi neugebauer]

I too am currently treating my little Benny for IMHA. He went in Thankgiving eve. 3 blood transfusions Pred, mycophenolate and bloodthinner. His PCV has recently reached 38% for the past week and I am thrilled. But I know he has a long battle ahead. Several of the vets at the hospital said he needs to be on a blood thinner to prevent clots from occurring. Not sure how long they need to be on it. Does anyone know??! Is this for life or until remission?

[Vally]

Hi Jodi, sorry to hear about your Benny. It’s the most miserable disease, but your boy sounds like he’s already beaten it. Is Benny still on prednisone? Usually once they come off, or are on a low dose, they can stop the aspirin. No, certainly not on it for life. The vets could also check by doing a blood smear to see if there are any abnormal looking cells.

You’re very welcome to the site, by the way. If you’d like to start up your own topic for Benny, go ahead, or I can help you do it if you like.

We’d love to see his picture too – you can upload your photo on the right, or down the bottom (if on a pad). It takes a day or so to show.

My best, Vally & Bingo (diag Nov 2011, in remission)

[AmyE]

Hi Jodi! So glad you are here. I hope you have spent some time reading up on this horrid disease and have found a lot of good information on this site to help you. Our IMHA babies do not need to be on blood thinners forever. My girls was only on them for a few weeks after her blood transfusion to control any clotting issues that the transfusion can cause. Coal was on Steroids for months and only on aspirin for weeks. I hope that helps. I am sorry you had to come find us but I am certainly glad you did. Please feel free to make a thread of your own about your sweet pup so we can keep up with is progress and answer any questions you may have. No question is stupid and never feel you are annoying us. Ask away we are here to help and support you.
Warmly,
Amy and the girls ( Vidia, Coal & Leia)

[Vally]

Jodi and Benny are on their own thread – you’ll find them here:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/forums/topic/bennys-fight-for-life/