Honey

[lynda]

Yet another transfusion today :-(
Decided it was better to do so now, rather than risk collapse…. it’s a long weekend. Poor Honey – she arrives at the vets, takes one look at the door, and says, oh no, not again!
Just wish she didn’t have to keep having these transfusions……

[admin]

Hi Lynda
I presume you sent Honey’s blood test results to Dr Dodds? Worzel actually “functioned” reasonably on a PCV of 16-18, probably because his dropped & dropped very slowly & somehow he adjusted to it. But “functioned” was the word, as he didn’t want to do anything at all – everything was a big effort for him. I don’t think he would have been able to walk or do anything at a PCV of 10. It was awful & seemed like every time we went for a blood test, it was lower – heartbreaking. His PCV was normally 60-65, so that was a huge drop. 10 is very, very low – I hope this is a mistake. I had to lift Worzel into the car & onto the bed etc, so I really sympathise with you – no doubt she is feeling very tired. Is there no way you could get hold of some cyclosporine sooner, maybe from another veterinary practice nearby? I really feel that this is urgent & agree that you should look for another vets with emergency facilities if yours doesn’t have an out of hours service. Why does this always happen on the Bank Holidays? I don’t know.

Sadly, I don’t have a very high opinion of some UK vets (not all) with regard to their treatment of this disease from previous experiences trying to help other UK owners. For some unknown reason, they are unwilling to listen to advice from veterinary experts on this subject & it can be a real battle for owners. I am not saying your vet is going to be like this, but for the sake of Honey’s health, I sincerely hope your vet will take notice of Dr Dodds – her experience is vast & her knowledge immense.

Please let us know how Honey is doing – whatever you do, DON’T despair – the addition of cyclosporine (or another drug – there are many choices) has been the miracle needed for many dogs to become regenerative. Vally’s Bingo & Linda’s Sadie are two great examples.

Thinking of you & your darling girl
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie

[admin]

Hi Lynda
Sorry – I was typing as you wrote about the transfusion. So was the PCV of 10 correct then? At least the transfusions are buying time, Lynda. I was watching the One Show a few weeks ago – there was a lovely big standard poodle who had had roughly 15 transfusions (he had had non-regenerative IMHA & has since recovered) so they will “keep her going” for now.
Keep positive, my friend. Greyhounds are incredibly sweet & soft, but they also have a steely determination to recover because they love life – especially when they have a great Mum like you.
Love Sheena & Co

[Ruth]

Hi Lynda, I’m sorry Honey is still struggling, but really pleased She’s getting that transfusion now! She really needs it!! They really do buy time for the drugs to kick in. Thinking of her, and you! Keep strong for her! Xxxxx

[lynda]

Thanks everybody….. 15 transfusions??!! Heck! At this rate, I will have to sell my body to pay the vets bills ;-)
Anyway, I do think she has, indeed, “learned” to adapt to some extent, Sheena and Patrice. The PCV of 10 may well have been something of a misreading, but her behaviour told me it had dropped. Whatever it was, it was low.
Even so, she managed to get up and (try to) rush outside when she thought there was a squirrel on the birdfeeder! This did need another rest afterwards.
The vet on duty agreed with me that it was wise to bring her in – perhaps she would have been OK for another couple of days; but perhaps not. Despite the risks of transfusions, it is still necessary to do them.
I have asked Dr Dodds some more questions about cyclosporine, as I know my vet is a little worried about the side effects.

[admin]

Lynda – I agree – transfusions are absolutely necessary & I’m glad she’s had another one to perk her up for now.

I know I’m starting to sound like I’m nagging now – I hope you don’t mind! OK, there are side effects with cyclosporine but you have to look at the big picture as these effects are mostly LONG TERM & in my personal experience with other owners, it is the first drug of choice of many vets for treating this illness. My specialist was going to put Worzel on it if he hadn’t responded to the azathioprine & I would not have hesitated to try it for a moment. If I were in your position, I would push for it – don’t forget it can take quite a while to work, so the sooner, the better.Please believe me on this – I promise that I say these things with good reason. Remember there is a fair risk of pancreatitis in the first few weeks with azathioprine & the long terms side effects of azathioprine can be horrible too – and sadly it hasn’t worked for Honey. So, go for it – try the cyclosporine.

Here is our glossary item on cyclosporine for you to read
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/cyclosporine/

Once you get Honey regenerative & stable, all these drugs can be slowly reduced & she can be weaned off them. Some dogs do not need to take any medication at all after the weaning process, but some need a low maintenance dose. Personally, I would be more worried about the prednisolone side effects – they can be ravaging, especially long-term on a high dose, although it is a necessary part of the treatment to start with. You have to look at the scenario that the sooner you can get Honey stable, the sooner you can start reducing the dosage of all these drugs.

Right, I’ll stop nagging now & am sending you all my best thoughts & wishes. We all want Honey to improve, you know that, and we are just trying to give you the best advice we possibly can.

Have a peaceful, happy weekend with your lovely girls
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxx

[lynda]

Thanks, Sheena …. it’s OK, I get what you are saying, and I don’t mind being nagged.
Waiting for the vet to call to pick her up – which will cheer poor Dora up, who has been totally depressed all afternoon!
xx

[lynda]

Happy to be home again – obviously feeling better to judge by the way she ran upstairs, and a PCV of 24.
Come ON bone marrow – make some reticulocytes!!