Any info. on auto immune defiency in dogs please!

[Traci]

Are you giving her medications with a small amount of food? If not, and if you're giving her meds by themselves, then she drinks a large amount of water, the meds could be making her nauseated because they aren't getting absorbed with food.

I would also ask your vet about the doxycycline dose, just to ensure that it doesn't need to be adjusted, especially if she vomits directly after it's administration.

If the above doesn't apply, then offer her small amounts of water throughout the day, such as 1/4-1/2 cup, wait for about a half hour, offer it to her again. If she continues to vomit after water consumption, you might want to ask your vet about her medications (adjusting), and to make sure she doesn't have an obstruction somewhere. If the detox and B-vitamin happen to be in capsule form, make sure they are given with food so that they are swallowed and not lodged in the esophagus (which can cuase nausea and vomiting).

I once again suggest talking to your vet about sub-q fluids at home, call him and ask about it.

As for the CBC results, I assume you meant to type TP rather than TS, which is total protein, and it appears normal. However, her PCV is dangerously low, and they need to monitor her CBC on a frequent basis while on the pred and doxy, you should be getting this done every day or every other day. If the PCV has risen since these lab results, that would be a good sign, but if it is decreasing, I strongly suggest hospitalizing her promptly.

Did the chemistry panel show anything unusual with vital organ function, such as liver, kidney, pancreas, etc? (the heart murmur is probably unrelated).

[Beth Va]

She's finally responding to the meds! Our vet was pleased!!!!! Her PVC went from 17 to 28. Still not normal but she's getting there. Normal is around 40. She is also looking not as washed out I see some pink coming back to her toes and her belly doesn't look as pale white. Her skin looked more pale than some of her white fur. She's also more energetic and alert.

Her vomiting is better but she is still having episodes. She gulps down the water. I don't know how to convince her to slow down so I have to take away the water dish for a bit so she won't over due it. The vet is thinking the prednisone she's on is causing some of her thirst. As for limiting her water that's not an easy task when 5 other pets insist on drinking out of the same water dish. Its also difficult to separate them as they want to be close to one another and me.

Thank you so much for the prayers, please keep them coming. I will be taking her back to the vet in a week to see how well she's progressing. I am feeling a lot less tension now.

[Beth Va]

Forgot to mention when she does vomit she recycles it and for some crazy reason its stays down then. Maybe that is also why she's not too dehydrated. Our vet would like to see her a little more moist than she is.

I tried to post last night but for some reason couldn't. Our vet requested that I give her Pepcid twice a day it seemed to help yesterday. Maybe the stress of the vet trip today and the severe thunderstorms we had to travel through may have caused her to stress as well. She didn't vomit until after her PVC pack cell test. The vet techs took her into the back for her test and I think I heard her yelp a bit stressing her again but I know its something she needs. The clinic was terribly busy today with pets and people. I've never seen it that crowded before guess the holiday weekend is causing them to overflow. Casey's fine right now, calm and comfortable. She's back to following me from room to room again. Between yesterday and today I am finally able to see her progressing. There are moments when Casey looks so sad and depressed it hurts me to see her like that, then I let the emotions and thoughts overtake my brain. After the exam with the doctor today I am feeling better about things. That there is still hope.

[CrystalsMom]

Beth, I'm so happy to hear this!!! I was hoping you would see improvement in Casey and feel optimistic about her recovery. This is really wonderful news.
Did they ever do a transfusion or is she responding well just to the medications alone?

[Guest]

Beth, I'm so happy to hear this!!! I was hoping you would see improvement in Casey and feel optimistic about her recovery. This is really wonderful news.
Did they ever do a transfusion or is she responding well just to the medications alone?

No transfusions, she's responding well to the meds finally! I can't help but to wonder if there was some other kind of infection going on along with this since her white blood cells are so high. Unless its part of the boost from the meds. If I am remembering right hers is around 243,000 or thereabouts instead of the usual 60,000. I could be wrong though since I don't have the info. in front of me, our vet quickly showed me and tried to explain. She said her proteins were in the right range too. Looking at her again tonight she looks even pinker than earlier today! I hope she continues. I have enough meds to take me to next thursday when we return to the vet. I also purchased some more fresh liver which she likes, it sure makes it a little easier to get her detox and b-plex down.

[Ash]

I'm so glad things have started to get better! You're a great mommie and friend to Casey. You seem very strong, going through all this alone and having to care for your other animals as well. Well done! I hope Casey will continue to improve and respond to the meds. Big hug to Casey and all the best!

[Traci]

Has your vet requestd a CBC and PCV check within the week's time? If not, I would sure want to get a recheck at least once or twice, you need to ensure it is within safe limits. In the meantime, keep a close eye on her mucous membranes (her gums) and if they seem more pale or white, get her back to your vet immediately.

Doesn't sound like limiting her water is going to work, so maybe at least try elevating her water dish.

[Guest]

Has your vet requestd a CBC and PCV check within the week's time? If not, I would sure want to get a recheck at least once or twice, you need to ensure it is within safe limits. In the meantime, keep a close eye on her mucous membranes (her gums) and if they seem more pale or white, get her back to your vet immediately.

Doesn't sound like limiting her water is going to work, so maybe at least try elevating her water dish.

Not sure about the CBC what is that?

They just checked her PCV its up to 28 last week it was way down to 17 then 19 then stayed around 19 or 20. Our vet and I were both pleased that it was up to 28 yesterday. She seems to be finally responding to her meds. She will be rechecked on July 7th. I am keeping a watchful eye on her. Today she looks even more pink and she's more interested in things and more alert. I am still making sure she rests. The vet gave me some treats for her to eat at home, she was very interested in those and enjoyed them last night.

What would be good to elevate the water dish? I can't make it too tall or the cats might turn it over. Despite repeated attempts they all insist on drinking out of the same dish.

I wonder if she can be weaned off the meds like our vet is hoping?

[Traci]

The CBC is the complete blood count, which monitors white and red blood cells, inflammatory cells, immunosuppression, infection, dehydration, etc. The PCV is packed cell volume which uses centrifuged (spun) blood to seperate red blood cells from serum, which allows your vet to determine low red blood cell count. Both tests should be done frequently during an anemic crisis and/or during the initial treatment approach with corticosteroids and tetracycline drugs.

When the PCV is in a critical low range, these tests should be done frequently UNTIL the PCV is within normal range, to both monitor the blood counts and to determine favorable response to medications, allowing your vet to make adjustments to the medications (either increasing or decreasing or tapering off)

Once Casey's CBC, PCV, blood clotting abilities are within normal limits, and once your vet is confident the condition has responded favorably to the medications, he will slowly decrease the prednisone, tapering it off. Pred shouldn't be ceased suddenly because it can have serious adverse effects if ceased suddenly, so your vet will taper it off slowly, within either a few days' time or a couple weeks or so. Tetracycline drugs can be ceased whenever necessary.

Serious cases of reoccuring anemic crises may require long-term use of antiinflammatories or corticosteroids, it depends on the condition being treated. Since Casey seems to be responding thus far, there's a good chance that eventually, her meds can be decreased and eventually ceased, but your vet needs to determine that underlying cause to hope to prevent it from reoccuring.

As for the water dish, any pet store will carry racks to elevate dog dishes, they can't be tipped over by the cats.

[davet]

i don;t know where the original posts went but some one asked about AIHA and vaccination... here are several site but the consensus on vaccine is as follows:but it appears they may trigger an underlying cause...

A temporal association between vaccination and onset of IMHA has also been suggested. As this correlation was associated with modified and killed vaccines against common infectious diseases from different manufacturers, it appears likely that vaccines may trigger or enhance a smoldering immune process rather than be the underlying cause. The higher rate of :


http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/conted/vetmedfo ... nheuer.pdf
http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/imhaitphandout.htm
http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Pr ... r00153.htm
http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Pr ... R00152.htm