Shih Tzu Diagnosed With AIHA

[admin]

Hi Susie. I have been out of pocket for a bit – so sorry. But wanted to pipe in about the drop in PCV. We ALL here worry about that, but as all have said, not to worry – 36 is still good and Emily is doing well.

I go through this with my Sadie too. I do a tiny (never more than 20-25%) reduction in her prednisone (she has relapsed twice) and she’ll always drop from 3-6 points. The 6 points REALLY gets me. I would like to say I’m learning not to worry, but I do – of course.

I can not believe about the rat being eaten. Yikes!! But glad all is okay. We have had two here, outside. One was killed in our pool heat pump (poor little thing…..I know – I just hate to kill anything at all). The other though, I caught in a non-lethal, live trap (baited with sun flower seeds and tiny carrots – well fed little creature!) and took him to the woods. He got out of that trap and buzzed out instantly. They ARE fast!!! He was a very happy, either very large mouse or very small rat, but happy, none the less. But that was outside, getting into our lanai – inside may be a different story.

Oh and yesterday, Sadie rolled on a very dead, very stinky snake (small, garden type). The stinkier the better, says Sadie! Geese!!!! ;)

I hope both your pups are doing well. They sure are precious!!!

Love and hugs, Linda and Sadie

[Susie]

Linda,

Your reassurance means sooooo much to me! My outlook is quite improved since each of you have responded with encouraging information about this weaning process. You’ve all given the best information on the disease that I can find anywhere and I’ve come to trust you ladies above all others. I wish I could meet each of you and your beloved kids” ♡

I wanted to ask you if and when it might be safe to take Emily for a walk? I understand that the meds are suppressing her immunity so I’m wondering if I should hold off until she’s weaned a bit more?

Also, when Sadie drops, can you see it in her behavior? Emily is acting lethargic today so I’m hoping that’s normal. Its also just gotten warm here (California)…finally, in these last 3-4 days.
What is the deal with our dogs and gross dead animals?! I’m glad she didn’t try to eat that snake! Emily probably would have!!

Much love to you & the lovely Sadie from me & the girls ♡

[Vally]

Susie, with a walk, I did take Bingo out for really short walks. I have a park across the road from where I live and I would carry him over and let him walk around a bit, he loves showing off his cute butt to other dogs :o and socialising. I was always very nervous he would get knocked over though, and many times he did with more boisterous dogs, particularly as he was very unsteady on his legs, but he had a great time. After about 5 or 10 minutes, I’d pick him up (to his disgust) and carry him home.

Quite a few times, I would have to explain to people that he’s been very sick (not infectious!!!) and was still very weak. People kept thinking the mean old Council Ranger had turned up in the park which, at that time, was leash on only.

I do have a friend, who’s dog was also being treated at the same hospital as Bingo with high dose steroids (not AIHA) at the same time, but they wouldn’t allow their dog on grass outside their home at all. So see what others say about that.

If she’s acting lethargic, check her gums when she’s alert, not sleepy, and keep an eye on the colour. I certainly found the heat knocked Bingo around a lot, so it’s possibly that too, but just bearing in mind the drop in PCV, keep an eye on the gums.

Love Vally & Bingo

[admin]

Hi Susie,
I know that these drops in PCV can be so upsetting. We want to move forward and preferably fast. Unfortunately this disease is anything but fast healing. So be patient! I agree that the last higher PCV might have been at a point when Emily was a bit dehydrated. They can get dehydrated even though they drink immense amounts of water. The high prednisone doses puts these dogs metabolism in a kick start so they are always hot. Add the high temperatures and you see them panting and getting tired. Emily has to do a lot of healing and that is always exhausting. All this could be the reasons why the PCV was lower at the last test and why Emily is tired. Of course you don’t ever want to let your guard down and always keep a close eye on her. I think you already understand that and I don’t even need to say it:) You already got very good advice from the others what to look for. I think checking gums becomes a total obsession with parents of AIHA dogs! There is an other little test you could do on Emily , the capillary refill time. When you check her gums press on them fairly hard with one finger, let go and see how fast the blood returns to the spot that turned pale when you pressed on it. The faster the better. If it is very, very slow you might want to get her checked out.
About walks, I always went with my gut feeling and also with how my dog felt and what he wanted. I definitely stayed away from strange dogs. A side effect of the medications is that Emily’s muscles are weak, so are her ligaments. If a dog is playing with her too roughly or jumps on her, she would be easily injured. But I always felt that it was good for my dog to have a bit of normalcy, a routine and going for a short walk was part of that. I also felt that it was good for him to get fresh air and see something else than our house and backyard. Never push for exercise at this point though, go with your gut feeling and you will do the right thing.
Best wishes,
Brigitte

[admin]

Hi Susie

I’m really sorry – I didn’t answer your questions – here you can read about what Brigitte & I mentioned – checking gums:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/capillary-refill-time/

Here’s the pred reduction:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone-dose-reduction/

I know it doesn’t mention that drops of up to about 5 in PCV are pretty common (not every dog has this) but we all know this more from experience than anything else! See also the prednisone article – near the bottom you will see about a “significant” drop. Again, from experience on here I would personally put that figure over maybe 8 as then is when I would have been a bit concerned. If a “significant drop” was seen, I would recommend another PCV in a few days time. I think a drop of more than 10 means you might have a problem & you need a re-check & to be cautious – if the re-check also shows this drop, put the pred dose back up again.

Remember the blood tests will always vary by a few points – that IS normal! Sorry if I am repeating myself here, but this is important – be consistent about where your vet takes the blood from – neck or leg – always use the same place. My specialist insisted Worzel’s blood draw was always taken from the NECK – he said it gave more accurate results & was less prone to handling errors. So that is what we did. Sometimes Worzel did not drop PCV, sometimes it went up, sometimes he did drop. The average drop was 5, the biggest drop was 8, but a retest came back 4. I hope this puts your mind at rest a bit.

When is the next test Susie? Crossing everything for you & sweet Emily

Love Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[admin]

Sorry Susie – link to pred – see weaning/tapering, near the bottom:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone/

[Susie]

Sheena and Brigitte,
Thanks for the info!
Emily goes back this Wednesday. I think she is doing well now, but I’ll update once I know for sure.
😊

[Vally]

Good luck Susie on Wednesday.

Vally & Bingo.