Blood clots with AIHA

[admin]

Hi Meghan

So sorry to hear about the little scary episode, but glad she seems fine now – goodness, they give us plenty to worry about, don’t they? I think because she’s so weak, she’s over-exerted herself & doesn’t have enough oxygen at the moment to let her do this rushing about. I agree – it sounds like she just fainted for a second or so. Please tell the vet about this though, then they can check her out for you. These drugs have so many side effects too. I know you will have everything under control now on keeping her calm – how on earth you cope so well with two young children & a poorly pup is amazing, Meghan.

When is her next CBC test? Patrice has given excellent advice about the blood draw – there certainly was a big difference between the PCV & HCT readings which makes it suspicious. Fingers crossed for the next one – I will be thinking about you both

Love & hugs
Sheena x

[Patrice]

Meghan’s Gabby

[Vally]

Ohhhhh, she is so very very cute.

[Vally]

Making up a chart for Gabby. Can anyone see a problem with the timing of the drugs or a better arrangement? Meghan, this, of course depends on whether you work, your hours etc. Let me know if these times are no good for you and we’ll play with them some more.

6am – Cyclosporine (Atopica)
8am – Protonix
8.30am – Food with Clopidrogel (Plavix), Doxycycline, prednisone (1 tablet) and Ondansetron.

6pm – food with Doxycycline, prednisone (1/2 tablet) and ondansetron
8pm – Cyclosporine

Vally
xxx

[admin]

Meghan – Gabby is absolutely ADORABLE! How is Miss Cutie doing today?
Sheena x

[Meghan]

Hi all, I wanted to give you all an update on Gabby. Amazingly she started feeling a little better on Wednesday afternoon. We couldn’t believe it! As you saw in the hospital release papers, they didn’t really give her much hope. But they did do everything they could to try to help Gabby. Well….I truly think prayers have been answered and Gabby is on the road to recovery!!!! I took her in yesterday and her pcv is now 39!! And no evidence of active destruction of red blood cells. She still has some microscopic blood clotting in her large veins in her abdomen but they are significantly improved and blood flow is better. Her platelet count is still low, probably because of small clots. She is still at risk for larger clots developing so they are keeping her on the plavix for a while longer. Thank you all so much for your advice and especially for your positivity! If it wasn’t for you all, I probably would have thought I was crazy for continuing a “losing battle”. Thank god she is a strong doggy and is going to be able to celebrate her 7th birthday on June 6th!!!! yay!!!!!

[Meghan]

As far as meds, she is basically continuing on everything the same. They dropped the ondansetron. The plavix and cyclosporin stay the same. She stays on the protonix until gone then will take over the counter pepcid ac instead.
She continues on doxycycline until gone (about another week).
prednisone – 1.5 tablets for another week, then 1 tablet.
Does this all sound about right. We want to make sure she doesn’t drop too soon.
But we also don’t want her to be on meds forever either. What’s everyone else’s experience with this?
Also they gave us the prescription for the atopica because they said we can get it cheaper online. Is there a place that you all recommend?
thanks again for everyone’s help through this tough time!!!

[admin]

Hiya Meghan

Thanks for the update – I was wondering how things were going & I’m delighted to read all is going very well. It’s good that they are continuing the plavix too – you cannot risk her having a clotting problem. They are resilient little souls, our dogs & cats – they have no idea they are ill & carry on life regardless. A PCV of 39 is such great news – well done Miss Gabby, soon to be Miss Birthday Girl!

Reducing the prednisone should be done carefully as you say – here is what we recommend as a safe method of lowering the dose:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone-dose-reduction/
Take things nice & slowly, especially as Gabby is just within normal limits AND has the clotting history. There is no point in rushing things, finding a problem or a relapse & then having to start again.

Sending loads of congratulations to you & Gabby – thank you for this happy news

Love Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx