I have a 9 year old male miniture dachshund. About a month ago we brought him to the vet because he had low energy and lost weight. They did a CBC and his red blood count was below 10. They did a blood transfusion and put him on medication (prednisone cyclophosphamide). $2400 later they still dont know what is wrong with him and when we took him home his red blood count was normal. We have brought him in to the vet every Friday now to check his red blood count and it continues to go down. It is now at 23 as of last Saturday. Our options that the vet gave us were to do another blood transfusion or a bone marrow test. Each over $700. We can not afford either of these because his last bill tapped us out finacially. I am hoping someone on here may have some suggestions or experience with this and help me save my puppy. If his numbers continue to go down, I may have to put him to sleep in the next couple of weeks. PLEASE HELP!
2006-10-12 07:03:30 · 4 answers · asked by IkeandTina 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Have they ruled out AIHA? How are the immature RBCs, well shaped and numerous? You may want to ask them about using Azathioprine in conjunction with the Pred, depending on the diagnosis. This drug is not often used by Vets but it really helped the dog I had with AIHA. Is he on a pretty high dose of Pred?
2006-10-12 11:10:21 · answer #1 · answered by whpptwmn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know, I feel for you. You have gone the distance with this dog. Now, you have to ask yourself, are you willing and able to pay for more tests and treatments.
It is sad, I know and these are tough decisions.
I do not envy you and I hate to say this, but maybe, just maybe it would be best to put the dog down in this case. If he is over producing white blood cells and under producing red ones, there may be no effective or long term treatment. The bone morrow test is the only way to know for sure, why his body is not producing red blood cells properly. I am assuming his white blood cell count is up or not?
After the bone marrow test you may end up electing to put him to sleep anyway. It could be an untreatable disease.
Anyway, I know you will do the best you can do. It sounds like you have done a lot so far and really love your dog. So, don't be to hard on yourself.
Good Luck and Take Care
2006-10-12 07:15:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
After 2400.00 the vet should know what the problem is. If it were me he WOULD know or I would take my dogs records, test results and anything else that was pertinent and fine me another vet sound like some for of cancer leukemia maybe.
Bless you. May be time to let him go.
2006-10-12 16:42:10 · answer #3 · answered by MANDYLBH 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
poor puppy has some sort of blood disorder. ask the vet - tell them your financial hardship and ask if the problem is curable and what your options are.
good luck
2006-10-12 07:09:32 · answer #4 · answered by island3girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋