Just been diagnosed with AIHA

Keymaster

Hi Matt,
I am really sorry to read about your mini pin Bailie. A PCV of 10% is quite low and it was appropriate for your vet to do a transfusion. This may get her up to around 20-25% PCV immediately. However, it is our experience that many dogs’ PCV % tends to slip a bit in the hours and days after a transfusion.

If your vet is a 24 hour emergency clinic, I would advise you let her stay there so they can monitor her for this decrease and also make sure she does not have a transfusion reaction. This would need immediate care. In addition, there is an increased risk of inappropriate clotting during this period of hemolysis. They can monitor her for this and make sure the risk is minimized by the use of low dose aspirin or othe drugs like heparin. Each clinic will have their own preferred protocol for this.

If you are at a vet clinic that will close and the staff will leave, then you really need to bring her home, do not leave her alone overnight. This can be very stressful on her and may worsen her condition. If this is your choice, then make sure they give you an emergency number and complete instructions. In addition our moderators are available around the clock and can answer questions via the urgent advice emails we get.

I’ve set up the website with a lot of information about these blood diseases. There are two short introductory videos in the AIHA Video Library. AIHA Terms has many medical terms explained as a glossary so that you can better understand what your vet is saying to you. These glossary items will also be underlined in the forum and hovering over a word will pop up a shorter explanation. Under Second Chance Resources you can read about some of the medications that Bailie may be getting. Hemopet Resources link to Hempet.org, a site run by Dr. Jean Dodds, and has extensive information about canine blood diseases, transfusions and hypothyroidism (a condition sometimes associated with anemia.) Dr. Dodds also provides owners with a consultation for difficult cases and that form is available as well. Most of us consulted with her when our dogs were ill and we found that the small fee was well worth the advice and help we got.

When you have time tell us more about Bailie and some of the things going on in her life right now, illnesses, medications, diet, exposure to ticks, recent vaccinations, bites or stings, anything that struck you as different or unusual in the past month is worthy of mentioning. This is how we will help you differentiate the primary from the secondary. I, personally, am of the opinion that most cases of AIHA are actually a result of some insult to a dog’s immune system and thus secondary. Finding those insults can be very difficult.

Be sure you get copies of all lab work and any extra testing that they may do. This paperwork belongs to you, you paid for it. Upload if via the same urgent care page you wrote us. I can look this over for you and explain the out of normal values to you.

Always be polite and thankful to the vet staff, but remember you are her advocate because she cannot speak for herself. You drive the bus. Ask questions, but not so many that they begin to get annoyed. They do know how upset you are and they will appreciate an owner who is calm, interested in learning and is willing to be a partner in her care. She needs you now, so please be strong for her.

We will pick up the heavy lifting in helping you understand what is happening right now. It would be impossible for you to learn everything you need to know in the next few days when you may have to make some difficult decisions. We want to help you make decisions that are based on information and not on emotions.
my best
patrice

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Sheena

Guest

Hi Matt, Hi Bailie

I’m sure you are worried to the point of exhaustion – I’m so sorry to hear this has happened to you – Brigitte is right – most dogs recover really well with the right treatment protocol – I hope that makes you feel a little better about what is happening to Bailie. Sometimes, we never find out what caused it, but sometimes the trigger can be found. In my dog’s case, it was an infection called ehrlichiosis coupled with a vaccination. Many infections can cause AIHA/IMHA, plus lots of other things too.

Couldn’t agree more with what everyone has said about the clotting risks (the biggest risk with this disease by far), tummy protection & getting a thyroid check done too. I won’t repeat it all!

Vally’s drug charts are brilliant – it is so hard to work out the drugs because it is absolutely vital they are given correctly. As Vally said. it would be useful if you can give us as much info as possible about Bailie – weight, exactly what drugs & dosage she is on & anything else you think might be relevant – never worry about posting a long message – the more information, the better. I am hoping she is on high dose prednisone & an additional immunosuppressant such as cyclosporine, as this is the “usual” treatment?

Please don’t be disappointed if her PCV drops a little – it happens quite often after transfusions & sometimes they need more than one. If so, it is really important to cross match the blood properly. Fingers crossed, she may not need a further one. It is sounding really good on that front at the moment – I’m so happy to read that.

Don’t hesistate to ask us for advice & support – we’ve all been in this horrible situation & completely understand the stress & worry.

One last thing – they are at risk of tummy upsets & pancreatitis because of the drugs, so a low fat diet is a good thing to follow. Your chicken & rice idea is good. Brigitte suggested “soupy” meals which is a fantastic idea as they need to keep hydrated – she’ll be drinking lots of water & peeing much more often as well – we had a few little pee-pee accidents, but it’s a minor thing they can’t help. Red meat should be avoided in the early stages too. Nice & bland for now. She’ll be starving hungry soon!

Sending all our best wishes,

Sheena, Worzel (diagnosed with bone marrow failure Dec 2012) & Ollie xxxx

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