English springer AIHA Bone Marrow Aspiration

Sara

Guest

Hi I have an English Springer Spaniel Flossie She is 3 yrs of age. On April 21st after refusing to eat and heavy panting I thought she may have a flu and fever and turned her over to put a cold cloth on her tummy. I noticed her tummy was yellow ( jaundice). I immediately took her to our local Pet ER .. ( on hind sight she had been showing signs the week prior, such as not wanting to go for a walk, when walking being slow moving, a few times she let out moans while laying on the bed, not eating as much etc. but we thought it was due to change in weather it had gotten hot and she doesn’t like the heat )

Upon arriving At the ER her PCV was at 25 at Midnight . By Morning it dropped to 12 and they cross matched her blood type and began blood transfusion. Along with Medications ~ Prendisone ~ Baytril ~ doxycycline ~ Methaphenolate ~ Folic Acid and Vitamin b-12 shot ~ (Folic acid and baytril were introduced a few days later)

She did have 2 tick bites last year when we traveled to TX from CA. Thus the Doxycycline. Test came back negative for tick but they said those tests can five a false negative so felt best course of action is to treat just in case.

Also have sent out a genetic test to University of Penn but that test will be sometime before returning.

Either the 24th or 25th her PCV dropped to 18 and they gave her a second blood transfusion. She then bounced back to 25.6 By the 27th she had dropped to 20 Reticulocytes 10,000 the 28th up to 21 and reticulocytes 12,000.

We added on the 30th at my asking if there were any additional things we could add naturally for help ( 400mg Sam-E, 300 Mg Milk Thistle, 1711 mg Omegas, 500mg Blue green algae)

Today May 2nd she is now down to PCV 18. Reticulocytes at 18,000.

Now They would like to do a bone marrow aspiration. I have not read about any AIHA stories regarding bone marrow aspiration and how someones dog has faired through the procedure or the outcome and will this definitely bring an answer or not. I guess I’m even more afraid now .. I thought with all the treatment she would begin a turn around like many of the dogs I have read about. She is bright eyed great appetite of course drinking and peeing alot with steroid and looks good, even the Dr. commented how good she looks but that gums are pale and PCV slowly dropping.

Also removed Baytril from meds today. On the 28th and 29th after administering she began heavy breathing was dazed and could not get up . I gave it to her at 6p.m. and she was unable to get up until 4 a.m. at that time she was back to normal and remained that way the rest of the day administered again and same thing so called vet next morning .. we skipped a dose to see if it happened again .. it didn’t and then we administered lower dose following night ( Sunday) on lower dose she was able to get up but was dazed in her eyes and had heavy breathing for 2 hours. So Dr. said today not to give it to her any more.

Any thoughts to help us make a decision on what’s the best course to take would be appreciated. There was a mention of a third blood transfusion to give more time for the body to kick in a few days back, ( nothing mentioned of it today) but I know giving transfusions isn’t the best either .. so what to do …? Any support or help is much appreciated . Just as everyone else we love her so much and the thought of losing her is just horrible. We have gone a long way and we are willing to go further if need be but would like a little input, help etc …

Thanks so much for this forum looking forward to hearing back from someone.

Sara

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