Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia diagnosis today

[DKim81]

My dog (Benny the beagle) was diagnosed with this today due to pale gums, lethargy etc.. I read up online about it and it looks like the survival rate is pretty low.

Does anyone have experience with this disease? He is only 3 years old and I very distraught and concerned. He will go on prednisone (immunosuppresant), an iron supplement, and an anti-biotic in addition to some special food.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[bubbatd]

Sorry I can't help.....please keep checking and let us know !

 

[Martine]

Sorry I can't help, but just wanted to send you my best wishes, I hope Benny gets through this.

 

[Renee750il]

Here you go - this just might help you! http://home.earthlink.net/~bushmstrky/aiha.htm

Please keep up posted on Benny the Beagle's recovery - 'cause that's how we're going to be thinking about this!

And welcome to the Chazhound family - you'll find we all worry about each other and each others' critters here!

 

[DKim81]

I'll do that for sure. He is on Prednisone right now with Bayril and A/D prescription food in addition to an iron supplement. His gums are still a little pale pink. His PCV on Thursday was 15 and I'm going back to the vet tomorrow to get it re-checked.

Eating perfectly fine. I'll keep you guys updated. Thanks for the concern and glad to be a part of this forum.

 

[showpug]

I wish your pooch a full recovery...it's so heartbreaking when they are sick with something serious. My thoughts are with you.

 

[Renee750il]

You know, I'll just be that Mordy would give you some sterling advice about boosting Benny's immune system with diet! Why don't you post the question in a new thread in the Dog Food forums where she'll see it for sure?

 

[DKim81]

Actually we need to depress his immune system because it is attacking his blood cells. I'm giving him A/D food.. which is supposed to be high in calories and help replenish RBC's.

 

[Renee750il]

Oops, got that backwards! Who makes A/D? If it's Hills I'd definitely be looking elsewhere.

 

[DKim81]

It is Hills. What's wrong with it?

I only need to feed it till this Thurs.

 

[Renee750il]

It's just a very low quality food sold for a very high price. There is a lot of excellent info on the differences in foods in some of the threads in the Dog Food forum - and you should really check out Mordy's site (you'll find the link to it in her signature at the bottom of one of her posts) to get the real comparisons between feeds.

You wouldn't believe the trash that goes into most dog food! I was appalled when I stared researching it [shudders]

 

[Ash47]

I think all vets sell this "food." I know my work does. I don't think the natural foods are as widely known. Are they Mordy or Renee?

 

[DKim81]

Prednisone causes excessive thirst and therefore urination, which has been the case for my dog. He has had 3 accidents while I was sleeping and I was wondering if it is okay to limit his water intake? I just left it out in order to satisfy his thirst but I am wondering whether he is drinking too much? His urine is clear and does not smell whatsoever so maybe he is drinking too much.

 

[Renee750il]

As long as he's on the Prednisone he especially needs free access to water. Prednisone is really rough - especially on organs like the kidneys and liver, so that water is essential.

Pro47 - you're right, most vets do sell Science Diet. I've been informed by people who worked in the industry that most of the scant nutritional training vet students receive is from seminars and studies that are underwritten by Hills and Eukanuba. These companies also have a huge profit margin built in for vets. And too many vets don't WANT to know about the far better quality foods that are out there. There is one vet in my area who actually sells Innova though.

 

[DKim81]

What do you suggest I do at night about the problem? I know he will pee at night around 4 or 5 am but I am a deep sleeper and usually cannot wake up until it is too late. Anything out there that will help him pee on something other than the carpet? It feels like house-breaking all over again but it's all love baby.

I know the poor guy is trying to hold it but it is just too much for him.

 

[Renee750il]

I'd set him up a corner next to the back door or someplace like that with a wee-pad. Sprinkle a few drops of ammonia on it - lightly - and it should give him the idea that it's okay to go there.

 

[DKim81]

I visited the vet today (the one I was seeing just left the clinic) so a new doctor was there. His PCV went up to 17.9 (up one week from 15.4 and the doctor was starting to insist that it was pyruvate kinase deficiency because he was not responding to 80 mg of Prednisone.. however, his numbers went up.. just slowly.

If this is auto-immune, wouldn't his numbers climb up with Prednisone as it has? She said the meds have done nothing but my last doctor told me it would climb slowly.

I am concerned because if it is Pyruvate Kinase deficiency there is no cure and I think the death rate is very high.

 

[DKim81]

Well my dog's health is not improving and I will have to take him to the specialist.. but the problem is I am a student with absolutely no money left. What are my options? I know the specialist will cost about $500 at least but that's about all the money in my bank.

 

[necterine0]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Maybe you could Talk to them and set up some low monthly payments to keep you from having to use all that is in the bank. I'm sure if it came down to having to do that you would, but patments might help you out.

I really hope that your baby gets better. When is his visit to the specialist?

 

[candy722]

Gosh that's a really hard decision.