Split: Split: Nula (5yr old English Cocker Spaniel)

[admin]

Ruth, don’t panic! These levels do fluctuate. There is so much that plays into it. How hydrated the dog is, how stressed, time of the day and more. Having said that I am glad you are going in to get her checked out and get to the bottom of it. having a pathologist looking at the blood will give some clarity.
How is Nula acting? Still pretty happy and eating? That should also give you some indication if this drop is serious.
Best wishes, thinking of you,

Brigitte

[admin]

Hiya Ruth

Hey, I know you are worried & Brigitte is right – these readings can vary depending on factors such as hydration, stress etc & the way the test is done.In my opinion, a variation of about 5 is not that significant, but any more than that needs a re-check. With Worzel, we often saw a small reduction when the pred was dropped, but the next time, it had come up again. Wait & see what happens with the PCV at the specialists tomorrow – wishing you loads of luck.

Nula has not been stable for very long (am I right in saying the PCV of 39 was the 13th? – that’s only 9 days ago) & if she really has dropped this much, you can easily put the dose back up again & must then wait patiently for a few weeks before dropping it again, so absolutely no need to panic. It is a great idea to get a full CBC at the same time in order to cover every aspect of the individual blood cells.

You have done an amazing job, Ruth, and I know you now understand exactly how important it is to take it slowly. Do NOT let the vets push you into anything you do not feel happy with. Please do NOT let them tell you to reduce any further at the moment unless then PCV is near to or better than 39. We are here for help & advice & you know we only have Nula’s best interests at heart. I am glad you only dropped the pred a little, so having to increase it again is not a big deal.

Remember slowly, slowly beats this disease. If in any doubt, do not reduce the prednisolone.

Loads of love from us all
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxx

[admin]

Ruth, as I was reading Sheena’s post I had a thought. It could also be that that reading of 39 on the May 13. was off. Maybe Nula was dehydrated at that point and she was actually lower than that? Of course that would mean that this last reading is not lower, at least not by as much as you are thinking. I would still look at how Nula is acting, do you see a change? Usually the hand measured PCV is higher than the HTC that is measured by machine. But then with AIHA nothing is black and white. At more than one occasion Kahlu’s PCV at the vet was lower than the sample we sent out. So all I am saying is, don’t panic! :) I know easier said then done…

Best wishes,
Brigitte

[admin]

Brigitte – good thinking, you genius!
Ruth, this is a distinct possibility. Is it also possible that one was HCT & one was PCV? The two tests are done differently. ALSO – I should have remembered this – I’m sorry – the blood MUST always be taken from the same place. My specialist insisted on the sample ALWAYS being taken from the neck as it was less likely to be prone to miss-handling. He explained that a sample from the leg taken at exactly the same time could vary as the blood vessels are so much smaller. So you must stick to the same place for taking the sample & use the same method of analysis every single time, otherwise the comparison could be false. I also found Worzel’s leg veins reacted quite badly (swelling & discomfort), so the neck was actually better for him.
Play safe Ruth. Let us know what happens tomorrow – thinking of you & hoping for a good result.
Love Sheena xxx
See AIHA Terms for information:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/hct-hematocrit/
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/pcv-packed-cell-volume/

[Vally]

Ruth, the ladies are right, don’t panic.

Bingo the wretch did exactly the same thing to me in the early days. He went from a PCV of 31, to a week later a reading of …..47!!!! Of course we lowered prednisone and of course just one measly week late, he was back down to 32. We ended up putting the prednisone back up again just in case the 47 had not been a mistake in which case there had been a big drop, but his vet agreed that he thought the results of 47 had probably not been accurate possibly due to dehydration. He went on to say that when they have dogs in hospital on drips, they find that their PCVs always drop because the dogs are kept constantly hydrated.

Waiting on tomorrow’s results.

Love Vally & wretch.

[admin]

Dear Ruth

I’m so sorry to hear about all the problems you are having with your own health, which sounds awful and it must be making all this even more difficult to cope with.

I just want to echo what the others have already said – as hard is it is, try not to panic. PCV results are not always accurate. Molly’s was 13 at our local vet, 17 at DWR. The specialists explained that there are lots of things which can cause the test to be a little inaccurate. Brigitte also raised a really important point about the difference between HCT and PCV. I think you are right to have her checked out with the specialists. They have a super duper Pathologist there and I would imagine their equipment is also more advanced.

How is she doing in herself? Any change in gum colour, appetite or behaviour? Your instinct as Nula’s owner is very important, as you are the most likely to pick up on these subtle things which can be invaluable.

Very best luck for tomorrow. Do let us know how you get on.

Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Hi Ruth

Just wondering how Nula got on at her appointment today? I do hope you got good news.

Mary & Mable x

[Ruth]

Thank you Mary! And thank you everyone for the info! Good to know it can vary with a lot of t! But, it came back at 21 this morning with DWR! Clinically she’s coping well but keep a really close eye on her and any symptoms go straight to DWR. Appt Fri to check her bloods again. So feeling rather crap tonight! :( What do you guys think/advise/thoughts? On the plus side, she’s back to her pre admission weight… Xxxxxxx