No more options for my doxie Klaus

[Michelle sutton]

Hi, I am Michelle and Tamara told me about this group.

I have 2 mini dachshunds. One was diagnosed with IMHA in December 2013. We have been going to an internal medicine specialist and we have tried everything except IVIG and removing Klaus’ spleen. I went today to the vet and it was the first time the vet said there really are no other options for him. We can keep transfusing him until he does not match anymore. I don’t know what to do. My other dachshund has been acting weird (very snippyand aggressive) so I took her today too. The vet just called to tell me she has a slightly enlarged spleen. To say the least I am freaking out again. I feel like Klaus has been on his death bed at least 6 times. I don’t know what to do anymore. Was hoping someone here had some wisdom for me.
Klaus is probably 15.
He is a rescue so we don’t know and Diana will be 12 in October. Thanks! Michelle

[Tamara]

Michelle, I’m glad to see you here and I am really hoping the wonderful people here can generate some ideas. Just so you all know, Michelle is already working with Jean Dodds — Michelle lives close enough that she took Klaus for an appointment.

I will say this: the first specialist I took Ashki to (I’ve changed vets, can’t remember if I told you that) told me twice that Ashki was not responding and perhaps we should think about weaning him off the meds. I refused both times.

I wish I had changed vets sooner, though I also know that I was so overwhelmed I didn’t have the mental space for it until I made the appointment.

What does Dr. Dodds say?

sending you hugs —
tamara and ashki

[admin]

Hi Michelle,
I am so sorry for all the problems you have not just with Klaus but also with your other Dachshund. I as glad to read that you are consulting, even seeing Dr. Dodds with Klaus. You really have the best on board to help him. As for your girl being snippy, maybe she is in pain? I get pretty snippy when I am in pain:) So maybe that is it? Has her thyroid been tested? Why did the vet call you with the diagnosis? Were you not there when he looked at your dog? Did they do an ultrasound or X-ray? A slightly enlarges spleen can mean many things, don’t fear the worst please. An enlarged spleen is usually a symptom of something and i guess you and your vet will have to get to the bottom of it to help her.

Best wishes,
Brigitte

[Vally]

Hi Michelle,

I can only image how upset you are right now, dealing with one problem and another shows up.

Can you tell us a bit more. What medication is Klaus on now? What PCV is he at? Do you have copy of blood tests? You can use the Urgent Advice at the top to attach them and they get emailed out. It might help to see where Klaus is with his bloods. There are some very clever people here who understand these things (I’m not one of them) and they can help you to understand.

The same with Diana. Do you have results of blood tests? If not, ask for a copy of them and you can send those through too. Freaking out is totally understandable. I think everyone that has ever dealt with this horrible disease is left very paranoid. I know I certainly am. I’m sure I’ve turned into a nervous wreck every time I see something that’s a bit odd.

Michelle, everyone here is just wonderful. You are very very welcome. We all love out dogs (and resident cat) to bits and we’d all love to help in whatever way we can.

Vally & Bingo

[Michelle sutton]

Tamara, I just wrote Dr. Dobbs to tell her what is going on. Six weeks ago she looked at his records and thought he had Thrombocythemia. My vet said she kept looking at this as a possibility but felt it was not correct. She did speak with Dr. Dobbs and agreed to try the treatment. After no response to the Meds she spoke with the pathologist and Dr. Cheryl London at Ohio State who is head of oncology and hematology and I believe use to be at UC Davis. She concurred with my vet. Since I am close to Dr. Dodd in CA I visited her and she said that my vet was very good and thorough and she saw lots of her cases.

I was about to take Klaus to UC Davis but the day before the appt. I fell and broke my ankle and leg. I can’t travel their for another opinion until I can walk which will be October.

Klaus is on Pred, mycrophenalate , atopica, a Gastro protectant and azathioprine. His PCV today was 17.

I don’t have the blood tests back on Diana yet but they will do an ultrasound Monday. I am trying not to jump the gun on her without more info.

Thanks everyone! What other info can I provide.

Michelle

[Vally]

Oh Michelle your poor leg.

Did Klaus’ bloods ever do better or have they been low the whole time? Was thyroxine ever mentioned? I know that’s often been used, even a small dose, to help get the red blood to start producing. Sorry there always seems to be a million questions.

Do you have any blood test results for Klaus?

Regards, Vally

[admin]

Oh Michelle

My heart goes out to you – what a rough time you are having with the dogs & your poor leg. No wonder you are freaking a little – anyone would with all this to contend with. As Brigitte said, there are many reasons for an enlarged spleen & it will probably turn out to be something minor. This disease leaves us scarred for life – I panic with my other non-IMHA dog too, so you are not alone!

I am glad to see you have been in contact with Dr Dodds about Klaus. I am wondering if you might consider contacting her again? I do believe she can help you more than anyone else can – she never gives up & has enormous knowledge. I personally trust her judgement implicitly. Klaus is a very complicated boy & I see he is on several medications – I presume he has been non-regenerative for a long time (from the beginning?). I assume his platelets are still very high (thrombocythemia)? Although high platelet levels are often seen at the onset of this disease, they usually settle down, but not always. Is Klaus on anti-clotting medication? I am just wondering if the mycophenolate & azathioprine may be suppressing his bone marrow now (they do suppress in the long term even though they are commonly used for IMHA). Cyclosporine does not suppress the bone marrow, so maybe an alteration in medications will make a difference, but again, this is Dr Dodds area of expertise. I also agree with the others – thyroxine (soloxine) can make a huge difference to blood cell production. It has helped many dogs on here to improve.

Please feel free to send the blood tests to us & we will have a look for you. You can upload them here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/urgent-advice/
Also, if you could give us the full story of exactly what happened to dear Klaus, what other tests (e.g. for tick diseases, iron deficiency, scans) have been done, plus anything else you think might be relevant.

We are all here to help & support you through this rotten time – this disease sends us all a bit crazy so don’t worry about saying you’re feeling freaked – it’s perfectly normal in the circumstances.

Sending you & the doggies hugs & support
Love Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxx

[joe]

I was told the same thing about Dunes. With the controversial injections that Dunes was give and recommended by Dr. Dodds, she lasted another year. She was weakened by pneumonia and kidney function decline. It was still one more year with many good times.

My vet had to be talked into the injections and the vet hospitals were against them. My vet hated it but I signed a relaese.

What was the point of not trying. They had all given up, Dunes and I did not. The vet said she was living for me.

I would not give up.