Rudy has IMHA

shirleymcv · #1 11-04-2009, 12:45 PM

We're now in the third week of this disastrous disease. Two weeks ago Rudy was in the hospital and his red blood cells were at 15. He got two transfusions and two injections of cyclosporine. He is on two cyclosporine tablets a day and 60 mg of prednisone a day. We see the vet every other day and four days ago the blood was at 13, two days ago it was at 12 and today it was back to 13. Rudy is still eating very well but he is very pale and listless. Has anyone had experience with this disease? I'd like to know what I may expect in the coming days. My baby Rudy is 9 1/2. and I can't face the fact that I might lose him.

laneysmom · #2 11-04-2009, 01:59 PM

I'm sorry I don't know anything about this disease. But, I am sending healing (((vibes))) to your little boy, Rudy. My thoughts and prayers go out to him....

auntthelm · #3 11-04-2009, 07:59 PM

I am sorry to read that Rudy is ill. Sending lots of healing vibes, and prayers to Rudy and ((((((hugs))))) to you.

Buttwiggles · #4 11-04-2009, 09:02 PM

I'm so sorry. I understand what you are going through. Sending positive engery your way.

Murp.mm · #5 11-05-2009, 07:54 AM

I'm saddened to hear about Rudy's disease. I don't have any info but just wanted to send lots of healing vibes his way. Hugs.

TwoDogs · #6 11-05-2009, 10:10 AM

My dog was treated at Tufts just over a year ago for Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. His RBC was down to 13 and he rallied back. After the transfusion he was at 22 and at discharge (3 days after being admitted) he was at 25. He did dip back down to 21 that first week, but steadily climbed after that. He was treated with prednisone and azathioprine with great results. Though cyclosporine is commonly used to treat cases of IMHA, it was my understanding given discussions with the doctors at Tufts that at Tufts they prefer to treat with azathioprine (unless other health factors preclude doing so) due to results they have had with it.

We were seeing some not-so-nice side effects from the prednisone and weaned off that a bit earlier than the usual protocol called for. Even though he was eating, he was wasting away and had lost over 10 pounds. Interestingly enough, he had been holding steady around the 38-39 mark for a long while, but when we discontinued the pred, he rose to 42 immediately. I felt sooo much better once he got into the 40's. He started gaining the weight back right away as well.

Right from the beginning I asked my vet if there were any dietary changes I could make to help, and I got no real answer. I sort of expected as much, but was hoping for something. I needed to be actively doing something, not just sitting around waiting between blood draws. I chose to add a Vit C supplement to his diet and also added cooked liver to his meals. Liver is a good source or iron and the vit C aids in the absorption of iron. My vet agreed that it wouldn't do any harm, but she doubted whether it would do any good either. My feeling was that if his body was destroying his RBCs then the least I could do was feed him things that would help him make new ones. I don't know if I was just grasping at straws, but it made me feel like I was doing all I could. I think my guy liked the fact that he was getting liver atop his meals while his sister just got plain old kibble.

Just the other day I was remembering how for months I got up at 2am for potty breaks while he was on the prednisone so that he wouldn't have an accident in the night. I don't miss that at all. I still stick a white napkin under his pee stream once a week to look for biliruben, and I'm always checking the color of his gums. It is such a devasting condition, and I am always a bit worried it will rear its ugly head again. I am thankful every day that he is happy and healthy now.

I wish you the best, and hope Rudy shows improvement. Hang in there. This thing can be beaten, so don't get discouraged.

shirleymcv · #7 11-05-2009, 10:34 AM

twodogs:

Thank you so much for your reply. The vet just called with results of cbc and its good news. His red blood cells are increasing and white is decreasing but still not at good levels. The test now is whether or not his body will destroy the new red blood cells. Your boy's levels apparently never got as low as Rudy's after the transfusion but it's so encouraging that this disease can be beaten.

shirleymcv · #8 11-19-2009, 04:56 PM

Rudy is doing better. His red blood cells had gotten down to 12, then up to 13, then 16 and 20 and today a week later its at 22. He is getting back to his old self and the pink is returning to his gums and ears. The vet still has him on Cyclosporine($$$), Azathiopine and Prednesone and Rudy will remain on them all until his blood reaches about 35 so we still have a while to go. For some reason he stopped sleeping on my bed when he became ill. I suspect he found it easier to breathe on a hard surface. Last night he climbed into bed with me and stayed all night so I know he's feeling better. Thank you all for your good wishes. I think he's going to make it.

RoxiesEcho · #9 Yesterday, 08:15 AM

I'm glad to hear Rudy is feeling better. I've been reading about another dog with the same disease on an all breed website and coincidently it is a boxer too. What a rough disease to deal with. Thankfully Rudy is responding well.

TwoDogs · #10 Yesterday, 09:28 AM

That's great news! I'll keep my fingers crossed for Rudy and hope those numbers keep climbing.