Auto-immune mediated hemolytic anemia

[SherryNadra]

On Sat the 20th my Skookie-boy, who will be 3 years old in November, was diagnosed with Auto-immune mediated hemolytic anemia. Our follow-up appointment yesterday showed better levels, indicating the medication is working. (?) I'm supposed to bring him in once a week for a while, to check the levels.

I just wondered if any of you have any success stories with your Newfs and this condition. I can't remember what the name of the stat is, (maybe a red blood cell count? I have to ask) but "Normal" is supposed to be like 35 to 50-something, and on saturday Skookie's was 17. Monday his level was 21, which was considered a good improvement from Saturday. And my vet said "12" was the lowest number she saw a dog come back from.

I new nothing about this disease, or rather, though I may have heard of it, i didn't retain anything about it, so it was pretty much a big surprise when I took him in for loss of appetite and a little mopeyness, and got this diagnosis.

Forgive me if you've discussed it recently and I've just missed it... My life has been so busy I haven't spent as much time on Newf Net as I would liked. I guess I'm a bit rattled, so I'm checking with you folks.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

I don't know anything about it but thought I'd let you know you and your Skookie boy will be in my prayers. Hope you find the answers you need. I looked up about it on line a little and Dr Jean Dodds name came up....I think people in here have mentioned her before.

 

[Erika]

hugs and prayers from here

 

[chumleysma]

A normal RBC packed cell volume (PCV) or simply hematocrit (HCT) for a canine is 35-55%. As the dog's immune system attacks the RBCs, the hct decreases. Platelets may or may not be involved as well. It's sad to think a dog could survive a hct of 12%. I'm happy to hear your dog is getting good care and on the upward swing.

 

[SherryNadra]

So Far So Good

Today Skookie is acting like his regular self, and he's interested in food again--so I can see he's feeling better. Won't be checking lab work until Tuesday unless he shows signs of backsliding.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

 

[ardeagold]

I'm glad to hear that he's feeling better with the meds. Hopefully the blood tests will show great improvement!

Keep us posted please!

 

[R Taft]

I have never known a dog with this, but I am glad he is feeling better. prayers and positive thoughts from us :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: : Ronnie

 

[SherryNadra]

The day he was diagnosed his count was 17. One week on medication and his count was 21. Second week on medication and the count was 29. Doc says needs to be in the 40's for thirty days before we start weaning him off the steroid. I'm a little concerned that he weighs LESS instead of MORE than last time... I may run him by just to get weighed before the next appointment, in 2 weeks.

But other than DRINKING and PEEING excessively, he behaves as though there was never anything wrong. It seems like everything is okay--so we've just got to get through these coming weeks without backsliding...

Thank you all for kind words, prayers, and good thoughts. We sure love our Newfs.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

So glad to hear he's feeling better and more prayers that everything works out for the next couple weeks. Prayers and hugs to both of you!

 

[2Paws]

I'm not familar with this either but so glad to hear he is responding to the treatment. Will continue to send positive healing thoughts for your boy.

 

[Annina]

I know of two newfoundland with this, but unfortunately they both passed away very soon after the diagnosis (as it was caught too late). The first was a bitch with a three few-day-old puppies, the other a bitch with 6 puppies (ultrasounded, hadn't given birth yet). These were unrelated bitches, one-off incidences that I know of, both cases activated through the pregnancy.

EDIT: This is "Capri (Bettina)" writing this, accidentally logged in on my sister's account.

 

[hankbaby]

Hey I have a success story for you. First I am very sorry to hear about this. My newf Hank was diagnosed with IMHA at around 7 months. He started prednisone at that time and was finally weened off of it about 1 1/2 - 2 months back and knock on wood he is doing great. He is roughly 2 1/2 years oldnow. He is as healthy as an ox and so energetic. I am very ocd and have done so much research on the subject that it's not even funny so if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

 

[hankbaby]

Oh yeah also the rbc count range is 37-55 and when hank was diagnosed his count was down to 10. He is now at 42.

 

[Clyde]

He is probably on Pred, and that will cause the excessive peeing and drinking. He seems to be rebounding well! I know of a Newf who had an even lower red blood count, and rebounded. But he had to have his bladder drained manually for a few weeks til he could pee by himself, because of the steroids. He did rebound. I hear sometimes this could happen again. Watch for pale gums, easy bruising, and lethargy. Sometimes this does not return, I hope this for your dog.

 

[sarnewfie]

My vet used to work emergency at Appleton Wi Cinic. She said at least 3 dogs every weekend came in with this. She "suspected" and this is not a scientific answer, That it was mostly hitting altered pets and there was one other thing she said they had in common. This is not breed specific. She saw all kinds of dogs get hit with this. I knew a couple with 2 newfoundlands. Both of them got this within a year of each other. They did live quite a few years with it also. So there is hope. With monitering and proper care you can get them through this.

 

[SherryNadra]

Here's Skookie's counts so far: 17, then 21, then 29. The 29 was two weeks ago. Today he goes in for another check. I was concerned that he lost some weight at the last checkup; I wonder if that will go up this time, too? My vet says on this drug they can lose some muscle mass. Have you guys seen that, too? I asked her when do think about weaning him off the drug? She said he should be in the 40's for 30 days.

 

[SherryNadra]

Oh, --and Skookie is still intact, by the way... He'll be 3 years old in November.

 

[sarnewfie]

If he is on Prednisone it is a necessary medication. You can ask if there is an alternative to the prednisone. Definatly do that for your peace of mind. Others here may know of one but to my knowlege pred is the preferred medication for this. Unless in the last few years there was an advance in treatment.

 

[SherryNadra]

Well, I thought it was prednisone, but she was carefully saying prednisolone, so when I looked it up i found that it is a "better" form of the drug--one that is safer for dogs. I can't remember now--I think it had to do with the amount of work or stress on the liver. Anyway, I am satisfied that my vet is using the best thing possible.

 

[sarnewfie]

I hope he does well and continues to improve for you.