After Care Suggestions

[Nicole Bartell]

Hello all my name is Nicole ans I am thankful I found this page. On June 6th my baby, Macy (2 .5 year old shih-tzu/maltese mix) collapsed in my arms when I came home from work. After a few days of hell, 2 blood transfusions and a possible diagnoses of IMHA, she started responding to medications. During the first week she lost 2 pounds (from throwing up and diarrhea) (which is a lot for a 10 pound dog.)
I can proudly say she her PCV went from 20 %- to a solid 45 % (steady for the last 3 weeks-month). She also went from 8 lbs-9.8 pounds. She is doing very well, she has been weaning of the presidone (from 10mg-6.125mg) .
I am just worried about relapse and the possibility that this could happen again. From what I am understanding, a small percentage of pups can relapse. What are some suggestions? Any natural supplements to keep her immune system healthy? Diets? ANYTHING? I appreciate it :) I will pray for all your babies!

We have a follow up appointment on Friday.

We all love our babies so much, if we all work together and share stories and awareness we can find a better solution for our babies!

[Vally]

Hi Nicole and welcome. It’s funny, I was talking to someone the other day and we were saying how this forum gives you a free entry to the Paranoid Pet Owners Club. When something like that happens to you, you can never forget it and unfortunately, it does make us very paranoid.

I’m so so glad that Macy is recovering well. My advice would be don’t rush the reductions, we usually recommend no more than 25%-33% drop in prednisone over a 2-3 week period, with blood tests before reducing.

Do you have any idea what may have triggered her sickness? It can be anything at all really, but do you remember whether there may have been any bites or stings, any antibiotics, any sort of injections? Was she checked for possible tick bites?

I was never certain what triggered Bingo’s, but I suspect, as he had a low thyroid, that may have been the starting point.

For future advice, there are certain drugs that can cause problems, see:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/drugsantibiotics-can-trigger-aiha
Don’t be shocked at the list, but bear it in mind. Cephalosporins, sulfa drugs & penicillins are the most important ones to avoid, but sometimes we have no choice and must use them.

Other things, use Dr Jean Dodd’s heartworm protocol – see towards the bottom of this page:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/hemopetresources

One more thing, I’m going to change your heading to After care suggestions, as the AIHA at the beginning is trying to go to the AIHA Terms (the glossary of the site) and may block others.

My very best to you and Macy and good luck on Friday. Please come back and tell us how she is going.

Regards, Vally (angel Bingo) and Saba.

[Nicole Bartell]

haha, that is true.

Maci is being weaned off the medications by the vet. So on Friday, if her blood levels stay the same, I would imagine they’d wean her off some more

We are unsure how Maci got this disease. We did not get the tick panel, it was too expensive with everything else at the time. Also, we just moved into a house with a backyard with a lot of critters, it is possible she did get stung or bit…but we still don’t know.

I really appreciate you responding and giving me some more information to look at (I have been non-stop…so I am thankful to have found an interactive group)