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Hi Ruth
I’m so sorry to hear that Nula has been so unwell. Molly was also at Dick White’s – I spent a lot of time there! Don’t be afraid to call them any time for updates. They are very used to it. I also visited at all hours.
When Molly was admitted to DWR, they re-did scans which had already been done at our local vets. I think this was partially as they have both internal medicine and radiology specialists, and are therefore able to look in more detail than primary care vets. They also do a lot of in-house testing, meaning you are able to get results quickly. Have they discussed bone marrow sampling with you?
Are they transfusing with whole blood or Oxyglobin? There are pros and cons to both, although whole blood tends to last longer depending on the regenerative status of the IMHA.
Hang in there Ruth. It’s such a difficult time but there is hope. Hopefully the specialists will get to the bottom of it, get her on the correct medication regime, and on to the road to recovery.
Sending love and best wishes,
Mary x
Dear Ruth,
the great vet Dr. Dodds who is a specialist like no other in this disease told me once “Where there is life there is hope”. I know you are devastated but please remember Nula is not in pain, she is just very tired. You have to believe that she can get better, she is well taken care of where she is and once she comes home to you she will improve by leaps and bounds.
Take care and best wishes,
Brigitte
Hi Ruth
Nula is getting the best possible care – I’m really sorry to hear the news about the platelet problem, as well as the red cells. The treatment is the same – transfusions if necessary & high dose immuno-suppressants – dogs can & do recover very well from Evans Syndrome too.
It may be helpful to mention to your vet about Hemopet – they can provide cross matched blood & blood products for transfusions.
http://www.hemopet.org/canine-blood-bank.html
I agree with Vally – finding a Specialist in Internal Medicine with experience of AIHA/ITP & Evans Syndrome would be a good idea. My vets did not hesitate to put me onto a specialist as soon as they realised they were out of their depth. Worzel did not respond to prednisone on it’s own – it only slowed down the red cell destruction, but he was making no new cells at all to replace the ones he had lost, so was becoming more & more ill. The Specialist added an immuno-suppressant called azathioprine & a couple of weeks later, he was producing baby cells. Azathioprine may not be appropriate for Nula, but maybe cyclosporine or another immuno-suppressant would. Only a specialist would be able to advise on which is the best drug to use.
Hospital is the only option for Nula to get the 24 hour care she needs, but it is always horrible to have to leave them there. Let us know how things are going when you have time. Ruth, I will be thinking of you & Nula constantly – please know we are ALL here to help & support you through this.
Big hugs to you & Nula from Sheena, Worzel & Ollie
Hi Linda
Thank you for your lovely words. I do miss Molly dreadfully but Mable is a dream at making it a little bit easier. One strange thing I have noticed, is that Molly had white whiskers, and Mable has always had “peppered” whiskers. Until recently, when some of them are now white. It’s a silly thing but I call them her Mollywhiskers!
The wink was sadly not done to order! I just got lucky with the camera timing ;)
I hope you and Sadie are doing well today, and thank you again for your lovely post
Mary and Mable x
Hi Ruth
It’s lovely that you have found us, but I’m so very sorry that poor Nula has this nasty disease. We were all shocked when we heard our dogs or cats had been diagnosed with AIHA/IMHA, so understand exactly what you are going through. There is always great advice from everyone on here & if you have any questions at all, just ask away.
As Vally said, prednisone has horrible side effects, but it is an absolutely essential drug to beat this disease. Your vet will probably add a long-acting immuno-suppressant to the treatment. Along with Patrice, Linda & Mary, I can only emphasise that the RIGHT treatment protocol is essential. Here are the vital bits & the links to our information;
High dose prednisone – see
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/prednisone/
Long-acting immuno suppressant e.g. azathioprine, cyclosporine
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/azathioprine/
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/cyclosporine/
Anti-clotting medication – please – this is very important – see https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/abnormal-clotting/
Tummy protection (e.g. sucralfate/pepcid)
Liver protection (milk thistle) as these drugs affect the liver.
Possibly antibiotics for any infection (I say this as her temperature was high) & maybe other drugs too.
I hope I haven’t overdosed you with information!! You certainly have a lot to read now.
Most of all, Ruth, keep on fighting for Nula. This disease can be beaten. My dog Worzel was diagnosed with a rare form of AIHA in Dec 2012. He was pretty exceptional as he didn’t need anti-clotting medication, but the vast majority do. His blood test yesterday shows he has made a good recovery (crossing everything for it to continue!), so I hope this makes you feel happier that Nula CAN get better.
It is really useful for us to have as much information as possible. You are doing an amazing job & thank goodness you saw that something was wrong so quickly. Please let us know how Nula is doing & what we can do to help you.
Sending you & Nula all our best wishes
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie
Hi Ruth, and welcome, although I am very sorry to hear about your circumstances.
I’m the resident cat owner on the site, and went through this with my girl a few months ago, with a similar situation of a seemingly sudden onset. It’s a terrifying time and I know you will have a lot of questions and worries.
Vally and Patrice have already given you excellent advice, and I totally agree with what they have said. As Patrice has mentioned, it will be helpful if you can provide us with more information when possible. When does your vet plan to recheck Nula’s PCV? Personally I would want it testing every couple of days at the moment. How did your vet arrive at the diagnosis? Was a bone marrow biopsy taken? Have they told you whether it is regenerative or non-regenerative?
As Vally said, it is extremely important that Nula is given an anticoagulant to prevent blood clotting, as well as a stomach protectant.
Has Nula been well until now? Has she suffered any other unusual reactions or illnesses?
It also seems that Prednisolone, whilst very beneficial, may not be enough on its own to halt the AIHA. Other immunosuppressant drugs, like cyclosporine or azathioprine may be added in.
Keeping Nula nourished may be challenging, as they will often lose their appetite with this condition. Hopefully she is eating well, but let us know if not and I’m sure we can help with some suggestions. As Vally mentioned, she will be probably be quite lethargic at the moment and will be very tired, as well as likely feeling hot and drinking a lot. You can help by keeping her water very close to her bed etc, limiting the energy she has to use.
As for littermates – I was informed by our specialists that there is no evidence of a genetic component, and that Molly’s sister was not at any great risk. However, there is evidence of certain dog breeds being slightly predisposed to AIHA, so I would think that contacting the littermates’ owner/breeder would be a good idea.
I’m sorry for so many questions, and please don’t worry if you can’t answer them all. I know you must be frantic right now, but I am pleased you have found this site and hope that we can support you through this.
Very best wishes to you and Nula,
Mary & Mable x
Hi Sheena
Thanks for your kind words. It is a bit of a sad day BUT I can think of no better way to spend it than hearing that Worzel and Bingo are doing so well! I have just had a natter with Mable whose tummy is looking noticeably chunky. The vets will just have to understand that having a slightly fat cat is a continual blessed relief!
She would like to send a nudge nudge, wink wink to the boys, both about the size of her tummy, and about their day at the vets.
You aren’t paranoid at all and I can totally understand now that you explained about the chlorhexidine and boil washing. I hadn’t thought of that, as I suppose cats are usually in baskets. Although, it’s a good point from when they have been out on the bench. I always keep a bottle of hibiscrub at home as I know it’s safe to use on cats. Mabes might have to put up with washed paws after future visits!
Anyway, I really am thrilled to hear your news (And Vally’s).
Lots of love, M & M x
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Hi Mary!
Thank you for your lovely message. I probably am daft. I can’t be too careful as Worzel won’t be having any vaccinations ever again.The chlorhexadine is to kill off anything he might have picked up on his feet at the vets (especially parvovirus which can be spread that way) & Ollie has to comply too! The duvet they lie on in the car gets boiled up just in case as well. It’s just part of my crazy, paranoid world of IMHA & I hope everyone gets a good laugh at my antics!
On a sadder note, I’m sorry this has come on the 4 month anniversary since Molly died. You must be feeling very sore still & you know I wish it had been better news for you & Molly. Give her beautiful sister Mable an extra-special cuddle from all of us here & take care of yourself too.
Sheena & Co
![bingo-14-5_1200x775](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/bingo-14-5_1200x775.jpg "Vally\'s Bingo \\"Smile\\"")
![Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4.jpg "Brigitte\'s Cleo, Ripley, Enzo and Guest \\"Rockin\\"")
