Maltese with AIHA

Sheena

Guest

Hi there Christine

A BIG welcome to you & your pup – what is her name? You can upload a photo if you want to on the RHS of the screen under the photos displayed.

So sorry you had to find us because your girl is so poorly. She certainly had a low PCV & thank goodness they transfused her. It is not unusual for PCVs to drop again after a transfusion – we see that a lot, so don’t think it’s anything to worry about. What is her PCV now? Is it still 12? Just think of the transfusions as “keeping them comfortable” until the drugs kick in. Some dogs need quite a few small transfusions, especially when their PCV has been so low. You are in good company with many folks on here who have had to give their dogs several. They are a real life saver. She must be feeling very lethargic with such a low PCV, poor baby.

Here’s some information from our glossary (AIHA terms) on transfusions:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/transfusion/

These drugs take at LEAST a week (in my dog’s case 2 weeks on azathioprine) to start working their miracle. I would say it’s very early days for the cyclosporine to have had an effect, so be patient. Most folks here have used cyclosporine – it works really well, but not this quickly. We are getting more & more dogs here who are on mycophenolate & GI issues (sickness, diarrhoea) seem to be the main problems. I know Dr Dodds has had good results with it & in combination with cyclosporine, so let’s hope your girl will soon respond. It’s horrible playing the waiting game, but you have to – there is no quick-fire answer – I wish there was!

Here is some info on cyclosporine:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/cyclosporine/

Do you have any test results you could send us please? Always make sure you get a copy from your vets – it is your right to have a copy as you paid for them! It helps us to explain to you what’s going on – for example is she producing enough reticulocytes (baby red cells), does she have any clotting risks or abnormal blood cells etc. You can upload any tests, blood tests, investigations, blood smears here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/urgent-advice/

I’m sure owners using mycophenolate will reply to you as well, but here is our information:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/mycophenolate-mofetil/

As you can see, it’s actually quite hard to find much reserach on it, so it’s great to hear first hand from other people how their dog got on with it too. I think it is being used more often now, so we will be able to get more information on clinical trials etc in the future. For now, I would say stomach issues are the main side effects I’ve read about. The cyclosporine can also upset tummies too, but this improves as doses are lowered, or giving with a little food if really necessary. Unfortunately all these drugs (my new saying is weapons of AIHA destruction!) have side effects & we have to get through them as well as we can, maybe with anti-sickness meds etc.

Hope this helps & I haven’t overloaded you with reading material! Any questions on anything at all, just ask. We also have information on supplements such as denamarin which help prevent liver enzymes from getting out of control (drug side effect again) & tricks for bad tummies such as pumpkin.

Sending hugs & patience to wait for the drugs to start to kick in (I have NONE so I’m a fine one to say!)

Sheena, Worzel (diagnosed with bone marrow failure Dec 2012, in remission) & his friend Ollie xxxxx

PS I am in France – used to live in the UK, so forgive any time zone differences.

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