Polycythemia is back

[JoannC]

Please, has anyone treated polycythemia with drawing off blood and replacing fluids. The reason I ask AND I have an appointment with our Homepathic vet on this, is that Teddy internal medicine is trying to figure what is triggering his bone marrow. He wants me to stop cold turkey ALL his supplement of Ubiquinol, standard process renal and cardiac support, his probiotic, the 7 mg a day of CBD and only keep him on his phenobarbital. Then in 8 weeks rech Dr him before drawing blood off with sq hydration????? And then looking at going back to anAFFCO approved canned food?

If still high he said once bleed off are lowered he will start him on methotrexate?

Teddy was beginning to become more subdued on his increase dose of phosphorus but what a difference from Jan 2020 to Nov 2020

Jan 2020WBC 4.0
RBC 16
HGB 16.6
HCT 46.6

Then blood drawn at home and sent to Louisiana overnight was a shock for me and that is why 3 days later I took him to His internal medicine specialist to redraw.

The home draw was
WBC 4.4
RBC 21.5
HGB 22.3
HCT 72.5

3 days later at internal specialists
WBC 3.8
RBC 21.4
HGB 21.3
Hct63.3
Spun POV 70%
MCT 29.6
Platelets 90k

My question is there anyone and Dr Christina I will want to talk with you this month, who understands how to treat this, or a specialists who know, is it possible that his supplements are invoking his bone marrow to do this, or did the aloe detox in the summer do this, do powerful antioxidants do this, I was giving SFN at each meal a pinch.

I have not slept and won’t until I find some answers. I don’t want him stroking out but is it possible that Dr Koch has it backwards, that the polycythemia returned because we increased the phenobarbital by about 1 mg and the cbd do these drugs cause blood dyscrasias.

Thank you, and if he needs a draw off of his blood HOW should the fluid be replaced, venous or sq.
And waiting 8 weeks before another sample is he in danger of stroking or seizing.
Thank you!!!!!!!!

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hi JoAnn-

I'm sorry to hear that Teddy's polycythemia is back. It's not uncommon for an older, and unresolved, symptom or dis-ease to return during treatment. @dr_ judy herman can definitely talk to you further about this when you consult.

How's his BEAM now?

SQ fluid replacement is fine for after a phlebotomy (removal of blood).

Are you aware of any vets in your area using medical leeches (Dr. Christina might know of someone if you can't find anyone). Here's an interesting case report about leeching for polycythemia:

Abstract
Polycythaemia Vera was diagnosed in a three‐year‐old domestic shorthaired cat referred because of seizures and a high packed cell volume (PCV). Laboratory examination revealed severe erythrocytosis (PCV 79 per cent). Diagnosis was reached by excluding causes for relative and secondary absolute polycythaemia. As phlebotomy proved impossible for initial treatment due to hyperviscosity, four leeches were used to suck blood and the PCV was consequently reduced to 64 per cent. A further 24 hours later, when bleeding at the sites of sucking had stopped, the PCV was 56 per cent. Long‐term management of the condition was achieved with hydroxyurea (100 mg/cat once daily) and intermittent phlebotomy. Initial treatment using leeches in cases of polycythaemia Vera is a simple, non‐invasive, well tolerated and effective method where phlebotomy is not possible.

 

[JoannC]

Hi Dr Jeff, his BEAM is at 92% with the 8% for energy. He has a good appetite and I have an appt with Dr Judy this week.

Thank you for answering how to give fluids back if phlebotomy is used. Does it depend on how much is taken. Some vets sa no it must be venous saline return fluids but I think Dr Koch mentioned sq?

When I brought him back a day later Timmy started sneezing? On Sunday I gave him aconite200c 1 pellet in 8 oz of distilled water, and a q tip dose. That’s all I had on hand. He sneezes about 3-4 times in a row about 4 -5 times a day for past 3 days. No discharge from nose or eyes. Would ferrous phospecum6c be better for this?
I think he has something viral. His BEAM is 99%. Just the sneezing and a bit slowed down, still plays. Thank you.

Thank you, if you know of anyone or any papers on polycythemia if CBD use or phenobarbital can cause blood dyscrasias I am trying to research this. I have a call into RX vitamins for some help on CBD and blood dyscrasias.