Sophie – Possible Relapse?

[JENELLE HALLOCK]

Sophie, a black and tan mini doxie, was diagnosed with IMHA at the end of March 2015. She was acting completely fine, we noticed that she peed blood and we took her in ASAP. She went to an emergency vet and stayed there for a week. She had multiple transfusions and finally started showing interest in food and stabilizing. They released her home to us and we began our recovery! An odd thing that happened (right after discharge) to her was that her ear tips/edges died and broke off – so she has notches in her ears now.

Sophie was always reactive to vaccines – she had a wierd ear thing before after her vaccines – all of her ear hair fell out and the edges got crusty. The vet told me to make sure to always pre-treat her with Benadryl before vaccinating, which I always did. Last spring she got fleas for the first time ever and the vet put her on Revolution. I believe that this is what triggered her IMHA.

She has been able to steadily reduce her meds – She was on 5ML Mycophenolate every other day and 1/4 tab of 5mg Prednisone on the alternating days – She is always on Plavix. Sophie’s PCV has gone up and up – it has been in the low 50’s for 6 months. She recently got off of Prednisone, approx one month ago. When she went in for her recheck yesterday the vet said she thinks she is relapsing/coming out of remission. Her reticulocites are low and her CBC shows funky lab values. Her CMP is all within normal ranges. The vet put her back up to 5mg Prednisone 2 times per day, 5ml Mycophenolate 2 times per day, continued Plavix. The vet also found some pyoderma on her belly and prescribed Simplicef for that.
Sophie is my child – I do everything for her, include work from home so I can take care of her and keep a close eye on her always. I do everything possible to keep her safe and this just kills me. She is lethargic and not as bright since starting all these meds back to starting doses. I am worried as usual – I think I should seek a thyroid analysis from Hemopet – any other recommendations?? Help!? Are we going overkill on the meds??

 

 

[Vally]

Hi Jenelle,

I’m sorry you’re looking for answers and I know you’re very worried.

First of all, do you know what Sophie’s PCV was on that last test? Did it drop down from the 50s?

Do you have a copy of the funky blood test? If you attach it to the Urgent Advice up the top, someone can have a look at it for you.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/urgent-advice/

How is Sophie acting? What are her gums like?

Vally & Bingo

[Vally]

Jenelle, sorry before restarting the meds, I meant, what was she like?

Vally

[Sheena]

Hi Jenelle

It sounds like Sophie made a great recovery & you have hit a glitch. As our lovely Vally says, please do send us the bloodwork as soon as possible – we might spot something.

So many things can cause a relapse (let’s say for now it’s a glitch, not a relapse), infection, stomach upsets, allergic reactions, tick diseases, certain drugs/antibiotics – endless list! It is frustrating for you for this to happen when she was doing great.

Did the pyoderma appear before or after she got worse? We advise IMHA dogs to avoid some antibiotics – cephalosporins, penicillins & sulfa drugs. So I would be happier if you could discuss changing the antibiotic (Simplicef is a type of cephalosporine) to tetracycline or similar – your vet really has to make the decision on this. Please don’t panic about it either – it’s no big deal – sometimes we have to use the ones to be avoided if they are the only way of killing off that particular infection. It is worth knowing about these things & talking with your vet.

As Vally said, it would be good to know about anything you’ve noticed at all that has changed with Sophie – the smallest thing could be a pointer as to what’s made her have strange results!

Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxx

[Vally]

Jenelle, your Sophie is a very pretty girl.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[Sheena]

Jenelle – Sophie is adorable! How’ she doing? Did you do the thyroid testing?
Sheena xxxx