Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - 12 1/2 year old Cocker recently diagnosed

I am starting a new thread for Heather's post so more people can see it. Joanne Heather, Washington Stat My 2 1/2 yr old cocker was just diagnosed on Thursday with AIHA after a terrifying collapse. We had no idea what couldve been wrong as he is quite an energetic little boy. This disease has left him looking like a tired old man. It is heartbreaking, but he dosent seem to be in any pain so we went ahead with all the diagnostics and medicating. His PCV rose up from 12 to 22 and we got to bring him home today. He is on Pred, Famotidine, Immuran and Asprin. Although he is pale, he acts like he is improving (and surely happy to be home). I just hope we made the right decision to go ahead with fighting this. I just want to do whats right for him, and best for him. Im just scared to take on this struggle. Any helpful hints or suggestions?

Heather Washington State

Heather, I am so very sorry to hear that your most beloved 12 1/2 year old Cocker has recently been dignosed with AIHA. If you have not read my Web site on AIHA/IMHA as yet, you might want to do so. The URL is http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ Be sure to follow the links on the first page to many other sites on AIHA/IMHA that will be very helpful to you and do read the SUCCESS STORIES pages. They will show you what has worked for other dogs in terms of treatment options as well as give you a lot of HOPE. These stories will show you that dogs CAN and DO survive AIHA/IMHA and go on to live happy healthy lives. I know this is so hard so please be assured that both you and your most beloved canine companion are in my thoughts and prayers during these most diffcult days.

Joanne MN

Hi Heather, I am so sorry to hear about your pet being stricken with this disease. We've only been diagnosed less than two weeks ago so I know the shock you are feeling as my dog was fine one day and collapsed the next. All you can do is take it one day at a time. This forum is so helpful too. It provides you with ideas about feeding your pup, medication ideas, etc. And, you are not alone in this frightening time. I don't have too many tips yet as I'm new to this as well, but I was told about pee pads as your pup will have to pee all the time due to prednisone. We (my husband and I) take turns getting up in the middle of the night to let her out. Obviously we are not getting a good night's sleep anymore but, truthfully, we didn't much before this happened either!! Take care, Gail

Gail SD

Hello Heather. I'm sorry to hear about your pet. This disease can hit them like a ton of bricks. Our Trixie came down with AIHA last October. There will be good days and not so good days. You have come to the right place for support Heather, everyone here is very helpful. Prednisone, will cause pets to drink a lot and it will seem they are hungry all the time, careful of your pet over eating , weight gain in some. Trixie has gone from 17kg to 27kg within 3 months, panting is another sign and basically they seem very tired all the time. Please keep us updated. Tricia

Tricia UK

Heather; I am so sorry to hear about your little guy. You didn't tell us his name. I too have a Cocker w/this. His name is Sam, and you can read our past blogs. We have been "lucky" so far. What does your little guy look like? You can see Sam on one of the previous postings. Hang in there. Miracles Do Happen! Becky and Sam (I Am)

Becky San Diego

Hi Heather, Like Joanne said go to her link where you will find lots of helpful information and any questions that you cannot find there are so many people on here that will be sure to help you. Sounds like your little guy is on the right track with the meds and sounds like you have a knowledgable vet. Our Holly was diagnosed last March 2007 and is still fighting hard, but it has been a long and expensive rollercoaster, so just be prepared. She is still on prednisone and Imuran. One thing you might also want to talk to your vet about is a stomach coating protectant like Sulcrafate, it basically coats the stomach. Up until about 1 month ago we did not have Holly on that, and then we got a scare with what they thought was the start of a bleeding ulcer from all the prednisone. Not to scare you but we are up to around $9,000 in medical bills from the last year with Holly. Just keep loving him and hopefully he will continue to grow stronger. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Heather, I am so sorry to hear your boy has been diagnosed. I hope you have found time to look through Joanne's site. It will help prepare you for this hard road ahead. Be sure and read the success stories too. It will help if you start a journal so you can track meds/ blood results etc. Your head will still be spinning for a while so it helps if you have something you can look at to see what is going on. You have come to a place where you will always find support from people who understand what you are going through. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Heather, I would have been able to give you a totally positive spin on this situation until yesterday. My cocker Tristan, got diagnosed last summer at 11 yrs old. Went thru lots of meds, blood tests ect. but was not nearly as expensive as some have noted. My vet was great, kept close eye on him and after about 3 mos he was off all the meds. Then I took him in on 2/20/08 for his "wellness" check-up-he had a lab CBC, urine and full exam. All his bloodwork came back normal. A different vet(same place) treated him this time and she said let's skip his Dist/Parvo vacc since research has shown it may cause his IMHA to recur & only do a rabies vacc for him. Well, yesterday, 10 days after his vacc he got a terrible relapse. hematacrit tested at only 8, vet has started him up on all the same meds again & hopefully he'll recover again.He doesn't want to eat much at all. But I can't help but think it was all unnecessary-if not for the rabies vacc he would probably be fine. My guy is 12 yrs old in 2 mos, so don't let age fool you. He was doing fine until the vacc. Had been perky, playful & sweet as ever. Good Luck & don't get any vaccs for your dog after this disease!

Deb Hayes Kentucky USA

Hi Heather. Sorry to hear about your dog. This is an awful illness. This site is a good source of information and the people here are supportive because they have all "been there". Just a couple of things. Penny mentioned keeping a journal of all information which is really helpful when you are trying to recall facts to relate to vets and specialists. I also always get my vet to print out an extra copy of my dog's CBC results and keep them in a folder to refer back to if needed. It sounds like you have a vet who is on top of things. But if you ever feel you need a specialist, the doctors at Washington State University in Pullman are top rate. We took our dog there when he was in the very early days of this illness and we were so impressed by the facility and at how quickly they got Duck diagnosed and on a treatment plan and also, how understanding and empathetic they were with us. We were emotionally a mess when we showed up at their door. Please keep us posted and good luck to you. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

This thread was discussed between 17/02/2008 and 03/03/2008

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