Bird, our big-eared, big-hearted girl

[Darice Bailey]

Hi, all — I’m so glad to have found this website. Our 1.5-year-old Pharoah Hound/Pit mix, Bird, was diagnosed with AIHA one week ago. She was lethargic on Labor Day and awoke the next morning with head tremors. After a battery of neurological tests, ultrasound, xrays, and a week of antibiotics for a persistent fever, our vet gave me the AIHA news. I wasn’t aware of the seriousness of the disease at the time, but about 1/2-hour of internet reading took care of that and had me in a sheer panic. Our vet immediately put her on cyclosporine and prednisone. She had a few days of no appetite…all she would take was rice milk. I was terrified. She was so lethargic and sad. In the past few days, her appetite has come back really well, and her fever is gone. She had a blood test on Tuesday, and her PCV had dropped to 16. She had a blood transfusion, which raised her PCV to 21, and our vet doubled her prednisone dose. He gave her 50/50 odds of survival at that point. And I came home a mess. Luckily I found Second Chance that night, and the Urgent Advice moderators really helped give me some peace that night.

The past couple of days since have been a little better. Her appetite is good…she’s been interested in a bit of her regular kibble, along with the fresh chicken and broth that she scarfs up. Her personality has come back a little. (Our neighbor was excited this evening when she barked and trotted to the door to greet the neighbor.) But I know these improvements may be the upside of the roller coaster. She was very restless and uncomfortable last night, which I think may be from the prednisone.

She has another blood test coming up on Saturday. I’m hoping her platelets are working hard, and that we’ll see improvement, but I know that she may have some dips before we get the meds right. Hoping that her youth and stubbornness (which can be frustrating in normal circumstances) will propel her recovery.

I’m interested in what’s been successful for all of you, and especially interested in learning about diet, supplements, and holistic treatments that may help along with her conventional drug protocol.

Thanks and best wishes —
Darice and Bird (and Harper, the big brother on the left)

[Vally]

Hey Darice, I’m glad you made it to the forum. Everyone here is truly lovely.

First of all what makes for success? and I’m sure this is not what you want to hear, is DRUGS. The miserable prednisone and big fat cyclosporine are the magic that can fight this horrible disease back for Bird. Sometimes different meds work better, different combinations, so if you find the current drugs aren’t doing the job, then other drugs can be added. Truly if Bird is acting a little better, that’s a good sign. I think Brigitte? said, dog’s don’t worry about what they’ve got, they’re just act how they feel, they leave the worrying to us.

As has been mentioned, when you get to the vet, ask about aspirin, stomach protection and liver protection. They’re all very important to help Bird cope with the prednisone. Ask for a copy of blood tests and send them through. A blood smear is really good as it particularly identifies whether the aspirin is needed. If needed, it is vital. The biggest killer of dogs with AIHA is not the low red blood, but blood clots – so we’re all very paranoid about the need for aspirin.

Foodwise, keep it good quality low fat proteins, preferably white meat (turkey or chicken) or fish. That helps the liver to cope with the prednisone that it’s processing. The liver will start to suffer and for sure there’ll be liver damage, showing in the blood tests if not immediately, soon, but the liver is a very clever organ and will recover very well. We usually recommend Denamarin as it’s the best there is for liver protection and recovery. It contains milk thistle and SAMe, but at a very precise dose so it takes the guess work out of just using milk thistle.

We’d love to see a picture of Bird, and Harper of course. If you’d like to post a photo use the Upload Your Photo on the right. It doesn’t appear immediately but will show up soon – that’s to protect the site. Bingo particularly likes to check out all the girls – tall girls are good (he thinks he’s much taller than he is).

Again, a very big welcome and wishing you the very best of luck on Saturday with some good results.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[admin]

Welcome Darice & Bird (& Harper too!)

So glad you’ve popped a message on the forum now. As Vally says, you will find everybody very supportive & kind – a lovely bunch of people.

I won’t repeat Vally’s wonderful & very good advice, plus what we’ve sent via e-mail, but I hope you now have the all info you need to ask your vet the important questions – looking forward to hearing from you very soon – good luck with the next blood test. You can post all your results etc for us here which means we can advise you on what’s happening:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/urgent-advice/

It’s great to hear Bird is eating better – it’s so important that they are happy in themselves. She sounds like a real sweetie too.

Sending love & supporting hugs – yes – we LOVE to see photos

Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx

[Amber]

I love those ears!

[admin]

I’m sorry to tell everyone that Darice informed us that Bird has passed away. We all send our deepest sympathy at this devastating time.
Sheena