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- Erica & Justice
Hi everyone – sorry this is a long post.
Erica has contacted under the urgent advice area about her beautiful dog Justice. I know everyone will want to help them. Here is their story:
Erica wrote:
My baby Justice was diagnosed with AIHA 10 days ago. She has had to have a blood transfusion and spent several days in ICU. She has return home and her PCV is up to 30 today! The vet says that her breathing is normal due to the prednisone she’s on. I would like to be able to talk to others who are going through what I have.
Vally wrote back:
I’m sorry you’ve come looking, but glad you’ve found us. We’d love to help.
First of all, Justice has done great with a of 30. How low did it get to before the transfusion and when did she become ill?
Someone will have a look at the blood results for you and explain things (I’m not good at that). What drugs is Justice on now, what breed is she and what does she weigh?
Ask anything at all.
You might like to post on the forum – there are others there – the Urgent advice only goes to the moderators. If you need help, I’d be happy to set it up for you. We’d love to see a picture too.
Erica replied
We went out of town for a few days and my mom watched the dogs. She thought Justice was coming down with a UTI or something because her urine was dark. When we got home on Wednesday (8/12/15) evening, I noticed immediately that she was jaundiced (all her pink was yellow). We rushed Justice immediately to Tampa Bay After hours emergency vet around 6pm. She was obviously jaundiced (yellow), with dark brown urine and a red blood count of 18. It’s been non stop since. She’s had every test possible and they have ruled it as an autoimmune disease. She stayed over night Wednesday at Tampa Bay Emergency and spent the next day at her regular vet in dade city (Dr. Taylor) then one night with me (Thursday). Friday (8/14/15) she went to see a specialist in Tampa at Blue Pearl. She was in the icu at Blue Pearl since Friday and had to give her a lifesaving blood transfusion Friday night when her Red Blood Count went down to 15. After that her RBC is finally up to 28! She stayed another night and day there at Blue Pearl. Good news is I just picked her up! Her red blood count has been steady at 28 and she’s on a schedule of prednisone, doxycycline and other auto immune drugs. I have never prayed so hard in my life during all this. I was a mess. She returned 8/16/15 and she was steady at 28. Her PCV was up to 30 today 8/20/15 when we went to the vet! She has been acting more like herself when she’s not sleeping. The drugs make her sleep and have side effects like panting and labored breathing when sleeping and bloating. But those same drugs are the only thing to save her life right now. Catch 22. The vet tech was nice enough to pull me aside after the appointment and tell me that her soul mate dog lived 7 1/2 years after being diagnosed with the same disease. And that he died of cancer not of the disease. She told me he looked just like Justice – I wonder if it was a genetic disorder? I am hopeful she makes a full recovery! She’s a strong girl. I love her so much! It’s been such a long 10 days.
I am hopeful that this regimen of drugs will work and that the critical stage is behind us.
Prednisone 20mg 2 tablets (2× daily) 6 am 6pm
doxycyclin 125mg 2 capsules twice a day (4 total) 6 am 6pm
Azathioprine 50 me 1 1/2 tablet every 24 hours (6pm)
Omeprazole 20 me 2 caps every 24 hours 6pm
Carafe 1 mg every 8 hours (12/8/4:00)
The specialist did prescribe 15mg aspirin but my reg vet wants to think about using it. I ordered it but it hasn’t arrived yet.
Sheena replied
Goodness me, you’ve had a rough time – glad you’ve found us – and YES we are all completely mad because of this disease. We all worry about everything! Vally has given you some wonderful help already, so I won’t repeat that. Bingo was a very, very sick boy, but he is doing great now. My dog Worzel is also in remission after going through a horrible time.
I have printed you blood tests & had a good look. It’s obvious that poor Justice has an infection – that was what triggered my dog Worzel too. Justice is doing really well & responding to treatment nicely. Great news! I also noticed the mention of nRBCs “suspected” – these are nucleated red blood cells or baby red cells which is the BEST news as it means Justice is making new baby red cells to make up for the lost ones. Holding PCV is great. I read your vet said to use aspirin – this is VITALLY important. Most of our dogs are at risk from abnormal clotting because of this disease & this is by far the biggest problem we face. You can buy baby aspirin in the chemist here in France – I bet you can over there too. If you tell me how much Justice weighs, I can tell you how much to give if your vet hasn’t said what dose to give already.
I would suggest adding denamarin – it contains blood building ingredients & will keep liver enzymes down. The drugs cause raised liver enzymes (we all just have to deal with that I’m afraid) so you need to give the denamarin to keep them from rising any more. You can buy it from amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3
Daps&field-keywords=denamarin
It would be great if you would post a message on the site – you will find everyone very supportive, kind & helpful – lots of advice will come from everyone & they will all want to know how Justice is doing. If you want, I can post something for you if you don’t have time. It makes it easier for us all that way, rather than e-mailing all the time. On the site you will find lots of information & we have a lot of explanatory videos & a glossary which you can look things up in.
We are all here to help – we’ve all been through this horrible scenario & completely understand you are worried sick.
Sending you supporting hugs
Love Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx
Reply from Erica:
She is 77 lbs . The specialist prescribed her 15 mg of aspirin, specially made. Should I feed her immediately after meds or wait until that settles? I know to give her the carafate30 mins before or 2 hours after.
Thank you so much for taking the time for writing me back and addressing my concerns. Right now I am going to try to get a little more sleep. I just gave justice her 6 am meds, with a slice of bread and peanut butter.
Thank you again.
Sheena replied
It’s no problem for me to put a message on for you. You get some much needed sleep – caring for them takes it out of you for sure. We were all saying how strange it is to have 3 of you from the same area with similar problems.
Carafate should be given 2 hours before or 2 hours after any other medication – not half hour – sorry. This is really important as it forms a kind if impenetrable mucus in the GI tract which will stop absorption of any medication. Hope that helps. Personally, I always gave two hours AFTER & a dose very last thing at night, two hours after Worzel’s night time pills. You can read about it here (carafate is a brand name for sucralfate
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/sucralfate/
Low dose aspirin (0.5 mg/kg daily) is the usual dose. 77lb is about 35 kilos, therefore your vet is right – stick to what your vet said on dosage. I presume the pharmacy is compounding them for you? That’s much easier than cutting them up I can assure you. Give with food as it can burn tummies!
Speak later – get some sleep
Love Sheena xxxxx
Linda replied:
Hi Erica. I am so very sorry you are dealing with this horrible, but treatable disease. The vet tech at Blue Pearl is absolutely right, Justice can beat this disease. Let’s see if we can help you – together, we’ll get through this.
Erica, I just had my sweet girl, Sadie, at Blue Pearl, last month. They saved her life.
I live in Tampa – I will help you in any way possible. Please do not feel alone.
Vally and Sheena are wonderful and their advice is right on. They have been with me every step of the way – Sadie’s story, along with Vally’s Bingo, and Sheena’s Worzel, are under ‘Our Stories’ on the forum site.
This forum, helped me every step of the way, and still do. They have become my dear, best friends, no matter the vast miles. They, and I, will help your and Justice too. Hang in here with us. Let’s get Justice on his way to wellness.
You have already done an incredible job. You caught it and got help right away. Justice is very lucky to have such an awesome fur parent, family.
Sincere and warmest regards,
Linda and Sadie
Thank you Sheena for taking the time to upload my story. I just returned from the vet for other dog Chase (German Shephard) who has an ear infection after rolling in a puddle the other day. When it rains, it ours sometimes. She will be fine – now I have 2 dogs on prednisine. I already have a love – hate relationship with that drug! It makes my baby Justice breathe shallow (pant), even when she’s asleep. But I know its the only thing bringing her red blood cell count up!
Linda, thank you for your story with Sadie. I will reach out an contact you later. Blue Pearl was a life saver, when our babies needed it the most. I plan on following their advice on the asprin 15mg meds. Should I give that with food, spread out from her other meds, morning / night – any advice? I hope the medication, which had to be compounded comes in todays mail. I did some research on the percentage of dogs that have a thromboembolic event when they have AIHA, I hate adding yet another drug to her regimen – but I believe it is best for her.
I do have some other concerns and questions. Has anyone noticed like a pooling of fluid around their babies chest and neck? I noticed this when I picked her up from Blue Pearl last week and they said it was from the fluid (hemotoma) and that with exercise it would go down. It did, but when I returned from the vet today I noticed it again. My son said she drank a lot while I was gone – perhaps she over did it with fluid again?
Thank you all for your replies. I am so happy to have found this group. It has been such a tough time thus far for me.
Hi Erica
Don’t think this is a haematoma – very unlikely, but others have reported fluid retention around the neck from the pred giving a baggy neck – Alyssa – you said this if I remember rightly? It is GOOD that they drink loads, Erica – dehydration is not an option & is dangerous for them- encourage her to drink plenty. I had a bowl of water in the bedroom as Worzel was gasping all the time for water. But that means loads of peeing too – perfectly normal on these drugs. Never fear prednisone – it is absolutely the cornerstone of treatment for many diseases including IMHA but we just have to work through the side effects as best we can. It is an absolute lifesaver. It’s only a “temporary” but vital high dose, so don’t worry.
Yes- please.please use the aspirin as directed (with food to help tummy) – it is VITAL as abnormal clotting is rife with this disease & is the biggest cause of death with our pups – don’t risk it, please again. I know we all detest drugs, but for us they are a life saver for our dogs. No choice, I’m, afraid – I have several papers that prove aspirin/clopidogrel/anti-coagulents are life savers – no doubt whatsoever. I’m writing very fast as we have massive thunder all around – power usually goes as we are remote. Please know I’m thinking about you & Justice all the time – your photo shows the huge love you have for her & she is just the most gorgeous girl. I hope your darling Chase gets on OK too – my goodness, its bad enough have one ill pup, let alone TWO!!!!
Love & hugs to you – trust us, please – we can help you through this
Sheena & the boys xxxxx
Thunderstorms are coming through here as well. My pups are all under my feet. I just gave Justice her 15mg aspirin with her dinner. She will get the rest of her meds at 6pm with a little more food. I believe you are right about it being swelling and bloating in the neck and chest area. I was mistaken in the term Blue Pearl used, they called it an Edema, not a Haemotoma. My son was with me and remembered the correct term. All of these medical terms are still new to me. Thank you all for your help. I will be calling you Linda, I have just had a draining day.
Oh Erica, Justice is absolutely beautiful!!! LOVE that pink tongue!! Is she a pit bull? I have a special place in my heart for pits and have recused (and rehomed, although, if I could I would have every unwanted or rescue dog/cat/animal out there!) several.
You know with all that rain and flooding we had, there is a lot of setting water that definitely is full of bacteria. It is really scarey. I am glad things are beginning to dry up a bit. I walk Sadie (not far, she’s still not able or willing) in the middle of the street, so she doesn’t go near the stagnant water sitting around. Poor Chase, darn stagnant water. I hope he’s better soon.
Try to get some rest. I know it’s been a whirlwind lately. Call any time.
Sending our love and huge hugs,
Linda and Sadie
![bingo-14-5_1200x775](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/bingo-14-5_1200x775.jpg "Vally\'s Bingo \\"Smile\\"")
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