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- 10 year youngAlaskan Malamute – 3rd battle
Message from Paula:
My 10 year young Alaskan Malamute began her 3rd battle with AIHA 5 weeks ago. The first battle, in 2014, had internal bleeding (bruised skin was noticed at groomers; I took her right to the vet). The second battle, April 2016, had internal and external bleeding (bruising, eye blood spot, blood in stool, nasal blood for 5 days). It was a living nightmare for her and me. Now she is in her third round, October 2016, (internal blood pooling; bruising in now throughout). I caught this third round right off due to constant skin checking as I groom her. After having gone through this twice before, I placed her on Azathioprine 100 mg, Prednisolone 80 mg, and Tramadol (as needed) . She was on this for 3 days, then 50mg/80 for another 3 days, then I stopped Azathioprine and continued with 60 mg prednisolone for a week, then dropped the prednisolone to 50 for a week, then 40 mg for a week, then 30 for a week, now she is on 20. She’ll be 11 years in four months, and I don’t want her to suffer. Prednisolone hurts her belly: she is bloated and constantly hungry. Even her fuzzy face muzzle is swollen. She has put on much weight and now looks like she is part pot-belly pig. She comes to me, places her head on my lap, cries for my attention, and just wants me to love on her (especially at night). Now that her dose is lower, she is breathing better and appears somewhat happier (her eyes, stools, and urine are clear). The bruising is still prolific, but I want her final days, months or year(s) to be pain free. I don’t want her to suffer. I’ll not put her through the horrid process of heavy drugs this time around (usually takes 4-6 months to wean her off); prednisolone is bad enough for the time being. How can I tell if she is suffering too much? As I said, I’m weaning her prednisolone so she can be happy again.
Her AIHA is not tick-borne. There may be a tumor, but at her age, I don’t think surgery is the best option. Weight is 135.
April 2016 Pathologist report: No abnormal cells were found. Leukocytosis, mild anemai, moderate thrombocytopenia were indicated. Reticulocyte 133. Eosinophil 1.171. Neutrophil 55.9. Platelet 59. WBC 18.3, RBC 32.
Please…. how do I “really” indicated suffering? Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Hi Paula, and welcome to the site. I’m so sorry your young girl (and they’re eternally young to us) is sick again.
You’re brilliant for having picked it up quickly, and no doubt saved her.
No, we don’t want any of our dogs to suffer needlessly. That’s the very act of love. To love and care for them as long as they want to be with us. Of course it’s not an easy question. I know with my boy, I won’t know what’s right when it’s time, so I’ve told my vet to let me know when too much is too much. Our dogs are battlers though. Twice, I said to the specialist, I thought it was time. The specialist said to me (and I’ll be eternally grateful for him too – and he gets Christmas presents forever) to give him a few more days and let’s see if the drugs work, and they did. I’m much too emotional. I want the best for my boy but I don’t want him to suffer because I am hanging on to something that is unreasonable. So my vet is the one who guides me on this. Bingo is at least 12 now, maybe a bit older as he’s a rescue.
Can I ask a couple of questions? First of all, what is your girl’s name???
The prednisone does do a number on them. Bingo was a pot bellied skeleton. All bones except for his belly.
Just wondering whether your girl needs to stay on a low dose of pred, possibly every second day to prevent the relapses once you’ve finished weaning of the drug. Have you kept your girl on a small dose in the past?
I’ve never been able to get Bingo totally off the predisone. (He weighs 7.5kg (about 15 lbs) and he takes 1.25mg daily). I swear, even though that’s not a therapeutic dose, every time I’ve tried to go to every second day, we’ve had problems. The specialist said the small amount of prednisone will make him a happy old man.
My very best,
Vally & Bingo (diag Nov 2011, in remission)
Hi Vally,
Her name is Maya. She’s a giant woolly Malamute. She came to us 7 years ago after being rescued from abuse. We were told she was 3 years; however, out vet thought she was closer to 5 years. Regardless of he actual age, she has had a great life with us. We live near Lake Tahoe, as a result, Maya was able to hike, walk, explore in the mountains, rivers and lakes. She loves being in the snowy area we live in. We have a fenced 1/3 acre for her to “sleep” in. She has never even tried to escape. Now she plays with another rescued dog of ours whom we named Buddy (so Maya would have a buddy). I even had Maya train him by having her pull his leash! Back in 2014, the vet told me to keep Maya on melatonin everyday for the rest of her life… I failed to do so. At this point the vet says I may need to keep her on 5-10 mg Predisone, every third day for the remainder of her time here. With Maya being such a BIG dog, weighing in at 135 lbs, I constantly wonder how long she has. I’ve been told that dogs her size live to be 10-13 years. I just DON’T want her to be in pain. I was told that the pooling of blood is very painful. I appreciate the joy and love she’s brought all of us. I’m a teacher, and my students LOVE her TONS. I don’t bring her with me to class anymore…. it’s too hard on her nowadays. Does Bingo still bruise? Do you think he’s in pain? Do you know of any other Malamutes who have AIHA? Thanks for your response. I pray Bingo lives a long, happy life as well.
Paula, Maya is a very lucky girl to have found herself in your home. Your place sounds beautiful and being a big woolly girl, I’ll bet she does love the snow. Let’s hope she’ll have more winters to enjoy.
Bingo’s disorder is different. He has never bruised. Bingo’s auto immune system was attacking the red blood cells before they matured, so in his marrow. Maya sounds to me as though she has Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) which is the immune system attacking the platelets. See https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/imtp/
I agree that I think she needs to stay on a maintenance dose of prednisone for life. Actually whilst on the high dose now, she probably needs stomach protection, the best is sucralfate, but it must be given away from other drugs. It coats the stomach to protect it. Bingo ended up with ulcers because of the prednisone. The sucralfate fixed things very quickly, and he stayed on it whilst on the high doses. That would help Maya’s tummy.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/sucralfate/
You could do a consultation with Dr Jean Dodds, she’s our Angel. The second box on this page to get an opinion as to ongoing treatment:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/hemopetresources/
The cost of a consultation is $150 and she responds very quickly. It’s better to attach a copy of blood results for her to look at. She just has an eagle eye at spotting stuff and once you’ve made contact, you can email her with any questions and she’ll respond again, so it’s pretty much a one off price for a consultation with her. She is an expert in immune diseases.
Bingo has arthritis issues and spinal issues, so he now has a “wonky” walk. His front legs go at twice the speed of his back, so he’s quite unco-ordinated when he walks. One of his back legs gives him issues, and he gets lots of massage, monthly acupuncture, herbs, homeopathic treatment, and yours truly is his slave to look after him. He has tremors too. He’s sleeps all day and all night, he loves his food, tolerates his walks. I think his back leg causes him pain, but he’s very stoic. He is still enjoying life.
Vally & Bingo
xxx
Hi Paula. I am so very sorry you and Maya are going through this. I know what you’re going through, my Sadie has actually relapsed four times. The one before this last one, #3 (I caught #4 just in time), she was in the bospital and had two transfusions. It was horrible.
It’s a lonely place, going through all this. But you are not alone. Please know that.
Vally’s suggestion to get in touch with Dr. Dodds is spot on. She is incredible. Between her and this forum, Sadie is still alive today and (knock on wood), doing okay.
Sadie will be on a maintenance dose of prednisone (5 ‘MG’s) daily for life. Every time I try to get her too low, she relapses. Not worth it. Poor seeet girl has a gall bladder mucus plug and is supposed to be a walking time bomb. She would not make it through surgery, so we treat and treat and treat, medically, and hope this works. She is on Ursodiol, Denamarin and extra milk thistle, daily. I cook organic for her. I give her PetTinic (swear by this) organic turmeric, kale, green beans, carrots, blueberries and apples (cooked, due to gall bladder). All that with either turkey, fish, chicken and occasionally, beef. She is also on Krill Oil and a probiotic (both human, although I have used Nutramax probiotic, good).
Maya is doing okay now, other than the bruising? Sadie is a rare case and so is Maya. I know what you mean about not wanting them to suffer. I feel the same as you and Vally and everyone else here, actually. But it does sound like Maya is rebounding.
Please ask me any questions. Sadie’s initial story is on the site, but not the last two relapses. We know what you’re going through and here for you.
Please do consult with Dr. Dodds. No vet gets this stinking disease like her. She’s amazing.
Sending our love and huge, hang-in-there hugs,
Linda and Sadie
I am so sorry I am late to this post. I have been away from my computer getting ready for the holidays and family coming. I am so sorry you are going through this AGAIN! I will keep you in my prayers and I hope your sweet girl is feeling better soon. I am sure Vally has answered all of you concerns by now. I do not have much more to off than to say that you have to do what is best for you. You are the only one who can decided when to say when. None of us want to let our pups go but we don’t want them to suffer either. I hope your girl continues to improve so you do not have to make these decisions just yet and you have plenty of time left.
Warmly,
Amy and the girls
(Vidia,Coal & Leia)
![bingo-14-5_1200x775](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/bingo-14-5_1200x775.jpg "Vally\'s Bingo \\"Smile\\"")
![Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4.jpg "Brigitte\'s Cleo, Ripley, Enzo and Guest \\"Rockin\\"")
