Any info. on auto immune defiency in dogs please!

[Beth Va]

my 4 yrs. beagle Casey may have this. She's anemic and is under two vet's care, they aren't sure what she has but did mention the possibility of the immune deficiency. Any ideas or advice or comments is appreciated. I am very upset and concerned about Casey. I don't know what kind of prognosis we may be looking at about her if it is the auto immune defiency the doctor was very vague and couldn't tell us a lot. I don't want to put her through any unneccessary pain if all hope seems useless.


What is even more upsetting is that this emergency vet clinic has warned me that they don't have any available donor dogs or blood if she needs a transfusion, yet they went ahead and charged me for Blood Crossmatching and a Blood Trafuse Canine. What is that all about? I don't understand why we've been charged that when she hasn't needed it yet and we were told if she does need it they probably can't provide it.

[Ash]

I don't know much about this disease and veterinary procedures, but I would be very upset if I were you with your vets lack of communication as well as what looks to me like a lack of diagnostic procedures. Is there no way to tell whether she really has this immune deficiancy? I think I would see another vet.

I'm sure Traci will be more helpful!

All the best!

[Beth Va]

The blood tests they took should tell us. I hope. I am very lost and I am not sure what to do. I don't want to put her through a lot of pain and suffering only to find out its not working. I wish I knew more about the success percentage on getting her through this. I am aware if it is this she can possibly go into remission and stands a chance at relapses. They don't know what causes it and apparently isn't able to cure it or so I've been told. Is this true? Are we left with just an attempt to try to regulate it?

I need to leave in a little while to transport her back to our regular vet. I'll check back to see what others suggest. Its frustrating and upsetting to have to take her back and forth because each office closes. It would be nice to have a place that is able to monitor her 24-7 instead of stressing her by having to unhook her IV and make her take a car ride that stresses her even when she's well. Sorry mini vent from lack of sleep and being upset.

[Ash]

I'm so sorry I can't give you better advice, but I'm sure Traci will!

I understand you must be upset, I also get so worked up every time there is something wrong with my babies. And if you don't have the feeling that you can completely trust your vet and not enough info is given it can be such a stress.

I'm sure Traci will be able to help you! Just try and relax now with Casey, do something nice together, take a deep breath. All the best!

[Traci]

What diagnostics have been done thus far, and did your vet rule out tick exposure, as well as neoplasia? The latter would be rare in a young dog, but it's worth consideration if the bloodwork rules out other immunoligical problems.

So, immediate things to rule out: tick exposure, heartworm infection, hemorrhage (GI, spleen, etc), rodenticide toxicity (or ingestion of human meds like aspirins, NSAIDS, warfarin, etc), neoplasia. You may be faced with a full immunological profile that may need to be sent to an outside lab, but if your vet is not acting agressively, see a new vet immediately and get a head start on this.

Your vet probably cross-matched her in the event he finds a donor dog (whom will also need to be cross-matched), as a precautionary method prior to a potential transfusion. But, since he doesn't have a matched dog available, I'd be for finding one ASAP, and you'll probably have to seek another vet to do this. Oxyglobin should also be available, and any emergency clinic should be able to provide transfusion services.
I would also ask your vet or the new vet who they refer their emergency patients to in the event she may require a blood transfusion or IV fluid treatment, she ideally needs to be in a constant care vet facility for this.

[E's]

Two separate - and/or opposite - terms have been combined (inadvertently no doubt) in this topic's headline, which makes some of the thread difficult to follow.

There are conditions of 'immune deficiency' wherein an individual's immune system is not strong enough (to fight off some diseases/conditions)...

...And then there is 'autoimmune' which means basically that an individual's immune system is TOO strong, so that antibodies are produced which act against natural substances in the same body, causing diseases/conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus.

Here is a link pertaining specifically to canines which I find helpful.

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/autoimmn.html

[Beth Va]

What diagnostics have been done thus far, and did your vet rule out tick exposure, as well as neoplasia? The latter would be rare in a young dog, but it's worth consideration if the bloodwork rules out other immunoligical problems.

So, immediate things to rule out: tick exposure, heartworm infection, hemorrhage (GI, spleen, etc), rodenticide toxicity (or ingestion of human meds like aspirins, NSAIDS, warfarin, etc), neoplasia. You may be faced with a full immunological profile that may need to be sent to an outside lab, but if your vet is not acting agressively, see a new vet immediately and get a head start on this.

Your vet probably cross-matched her in the event he finds a donor dog (whom will also need to be cross-matched), as a precautionary method prior to a potential transfusion. But, since he doesn't have a matched dog available, I'd be for finding one ASAP, and you'll probably have to seek another vet to do this. Oxyglobin should also be available, and any emergency clinic should be able to provide transfusion services.
I would also ask your vet or the new vet who they refer their emergency patients to in the event she may require a blood transfusion or IV fluid treatment, she ideally needs to be in a constant care vet facility for this.

Thanks Traci. She's been seen by our regular vet and the emergency clinic vet since one closes in the evening and the other opens. Its sad and seems wrong to have to distress an animal by moving them but we have no choice. Neither doctor has a clue about what's going on with her they haven't ruled anything out completely. She's had several tests and was even x-rayed in case she had swallowed a coin. Her x-rays showed that she didn't have an obstruction. Everything seems fine except for her being anemic. They are treating her with steroids and anitbiotics and two other things to give her body a boost. I need to go purchase some liver to feed her, she's never had raw liver I hope it won't upset her stomach. The emergency vet is very doubtful that she has auto immune deficiency even though he first suggested the thought to me, I hope he's right. Our regular vet hasn't rule it out yet. Oh and I found out I wasn't charged for services they didn't provide it was mentioned on the estimate and was my mistake. It worries me though that the emergency clinic is without a donor and they don't have any available blood. The media reports blood shortages for people but neglect to mention for pets. The vets are wanting to avoid transfusing her because of the high steroids and her immune system being unstable. She's responding well so far to their treatments. I hope this is an isolated case and she doesn't relapse.


Thank you E's for the link. That was so sweet and helpful of you.

Ash, thank you for the support that really means a lot.

[Traci]

Unless it was advised by your vet (I can't imagine why), do not feed any raw meats, this is the last thing you want to do....you can't risk contamination in an anemic dog (nor vomiting, diarrhea, GI tract infection).

I don't understand why the emergency vet doesn't have oxyglobin, your regular vet needs to call around and find out what vet's have a supply, or a donor dog if necessary. One can't operate an emergency facility without oxyglobin for a variety of purposes, I can't imagine how many pets have gone untreated without this vital service.

[Guest]

Unless it was advised by your vet (I can't imagine why), do not feed any raw meats, this is the last thing you want to do....you can't risk contamination in an anemic dog (nor vomiting, diarrhea, GI tract infection).

I don't understand why the emergency vet doesn't have oxyglobin, your regular vet needs to call around and find out what vet's have a supply, or a donor dog if necessary. One can't operate an emergency facility without oxyglobin for a variety of purposes, I can't imagine how many pets have gone untreated without this vital service.

The vet specifically wants us to feed her half a cup of raw liver. She's kept it down ok, I wasn't sure she was going to. I think the meds are working she's more alert and is interested in eating again. She greeted me at the door with one of her toys today so that is another good sign!

I don't know what's going on with our area's emergency vet services. I've only used them once and that was in 2001 they've since moved since I had last used them. I spoke with our vet about them, I bet she'll be in contact with them. Hopefully we won't need their services anytime soon again. But I agree with you others may have needs. Maybe there's a shortage with their supplier. I know there's a shortage with donor dogs and even cats in our area. I contacted a well known rescue agency in our area they are helping to see what they can do and plan to contact others to help.

[CrystalsMom]

Beth, I'm so glad you see an improvement in her demeanor today. I hope they find out what's wrong with her soon and can treat her.
Keep us posted, and give her some extra hugs..........anyone who has to eat raw liver deserves at least a few extra hugs.