Newly diagnosed IMHA

[Kristen]

My 8 year old beagle/mini schnauzer mix was diagnosed with IMHA on Tuesday. He is currently admitted. He looked better to me yesterday and his hematocrit was up to 29 from 20 after getting some blood but dropped overnight back to 22. He’s back to 20 today. I feel like we’re back at square one. Very discouraging . The vets still seem optomistic. He was seemingly fine until Monday, saw his regular vet they misdiagnosed and first thing Tuesday morning we were In the doggie ER.

[Vally]

Hi Kristen and welcome. I always say sorry to find you here because that means you are very worried, but you are very welcome.

First of all, it’s quite normal to see bloods drop down after a blood transfusion because the transfusion is just to buy time for the drugs to work. It’s the drugs that need to start working to get the numbers to go up and stay up. Hopefully they’ll start to work quickly.

Your doggie is in the best place right now.

Ask anything.

My best, Vally

[Kristen]

Hi Valley,
Thanks for your response. Yes worried to say the least- I just can’t believe how fast it all came on when he is otherwise healthy.

I’m curious on others experiences – how long do they usually keep the dogs in the hospital? Originally I was told probably 5 days. But today is day 3 and with his numbers being back down I’m guessing we might be more than 5. I know every pup is different .

I’m not rushing them to send him home because I am kind of scared to bring him home after what happened but I do miss him

[Vally]

Kristen, it really is different with all dogs. My boy, Bingo, was in hospital for about a week and, I agree, I was terrified bringing him home.

Had anything happened in the days/weeks before? Any vaccinations, infections, possible stings or bites? Do you know if they have tested for ticks? Any info you have about what they’ve done so far would be great. Can you make sure they test his thyroid too. I’m sure they are doing all that but doesn’t hurt to ask.

Regards, Vally

[Kristen]

He had a rabies booster on 06/03 due to getting bit by another dog at the dog park but other than that no vaccines since October 2018.
No stings or bites that I am aware of or saw. We did take the dogs up to the mountains in NH for a few days 7/25-7/28 but nothing significant happened there. We stayed in a nice house and all relaxed.
They ran a big tick panel which was all negative (Lyme , Rocky Mountain fever, something with a B etc)
Yesterday he had an abdominal ultrasound- that was all good except for a couple of patches on his spleen but the vet felt it was related to what was going on and said we would recheck it when he is in remission just to be 100%.
He had a cardiology consult – he’s had a murmur since he was a puppy but it was louder (which she said can happen from the blood cell issue) they did an echo cardio gram and found 2 of his valves are alittle leaky but no cause for concern and not related to the IMHA. Another thing to just keep an eye on.
They are treating him with steroids, Plavix and something called Fragmin which is another blood thinner I guess .
He was kind of mopey yesterday and last night so they asked me to make him some chicken and rice as a treat and I’m going to bring him blanket from his bed today.
They were rechecking his blood around 8pm last night and if the number held at 20 from the morning blood they were going to let it be. Any lower and he’d get more blood.

I am not sure about the thyroid. I will ask today if it’s been checked. They seem very thorough so I bet it has but I will ask to be sure. What’s the theory behind the thyroid?

[Vally]

Kristen, hypothydrism can be an auto immune disorder and the thyroid controls the whole body, so it’s important to check it out. Thyroid medication can also encourage blood production, so it’s often recommended for our dogs. See here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/hypothyroidism

Regards, Vally.

[Kristen]

Thanks for the info Valley. I did check with them and his thyroid was checked and was normal . They do feel the IMHA is primary.

His numbers were good the other night, went up to 29 , then were 27 yesterday morning so they let him come home yesterday afternoon. He was definitely happy to be home. Slept most of the day. He’s on prednisone 30, Plavix and Prilosec. He’s been having diarrhea , so far 3 times between coming home and this morning . I assume it’s the meds but I did put a call into the Vet to ask if this is ok. I’m feeding him chicken and rice to go easy on his belly plus he is interested in eating it.

[Vally]

Kristen, yes I’m sure it’s the meds. You can try pumpkin for the diarrhea. Just plain pumpkin, add a little to his meal. Make sure it’s NOT the canned one with sugar.

I’m sure he’s over the moon to be home and I have no doubt that helps with recovery. Yell out if you’re worried about anything.

Vally