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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - 9 year old Corgi diganosed 3 weeks ago
| I am starting a new thread for Mary's post so it can be seen better. Joanne Mary, Allen TX, maryh@gpatpa.com We have a 9 year old female corgi, Maggie, that was diagnosed three weeks ago. She has had cortisone shots with B12 and been on prednisone tablets, in addition to getting an anabolic steroid shot last Friday. It's such a strange disease, she has days where I think I can't stand to see her sad face and watch her try to get out of her bed in the morning, to days like yesterday, where she was going outside and barking at the birds and jumping up on the furniture. Is this common, to have such low days and then better days? One very strange thing lately, when she goes outside, she keeps licking our patio (made of rocks and cement) don't know why she is doing that. I feel so bad for everyone dealing with this awful disease and the loss of their wonderful dogs. Has this been a disease that has been around a long time, I had never heard of something like this. Our vet thinks our Maggie got this disease from her vaccinations at the end of November. Does anyone else have this experience? Take care all, and I am praying for you and your babies. Mary |
| Mary |
| Mary, I am so very sorry to hear that your most beloved Corgi, Maggie had recently been dignosed with AIHA. If you have not read my Web site on AIHA/IMHA I urge you 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 While AIHA/IMHA is a very difficult disease dogs who have been dignosed with it CAN and DO recover and go on to live happy healthy lives. To answer some of your questions: 1) Yes, it is very common for dogs with AIHA/IMHA to have good and bad days. 2)If you read the Success Stories I mentioned above you will see that several of these dogs had the same symptoms you mentioned of licking and/or eating dirt, rocks and/or cement. There is some thinking that this sort of behavior is actually a sign of anemia. Whether this is true or not, I know of many AIHA/IMHA dogs who have exhibited this sort of behavior. 3)There is some evidence to indicate that dogs can develp AIHA/IMHA after vaccinations. Once again, if you read the Success Stories I mentioned above you will see that many owner/caregivers mentioned their dog was diagnosed with AIHA/IMHA not too longer after receving vaccinations. Also, I have seen many dogs, (including my own Meisha) who relaped with the disease after vaccinations 4)The disease has been around for a many years. But few if any who have a dog diagnosed with it have ever heard of it before their dog became ill with it. When my Meisha was diagnosed with AIHA 16 years ago, I was told it was a rare disease. I have since learned that is not the case. I know this is all so hard and confusing but each and every person on this forum has stood in your shoes at one time or another so we are here to help you. Be assured you and your dear Maggie are in my thoughts and prayers during these most difficult days. |
| Joanne MN |
| Hi Mary Sorry to hear about Maggie. As Joanne has said, many of us have and are standing in your shoes. I never heard of this disease either until Trixie came down with it late last year. They do have good and bad days and yes, it's heart breaking to see them so unhappy and tired. Remember though, there have been many dogs here that have made a complete turn around. It's a bit of a roller coaster though. What has helped me is this forum, I'm here every day reading the posts, I have asked questions when I have been unsure of something. The link that was posted for you is very informative. My thoughts are with you. Tricia |
| Tricia UK |
This thread was discussed on 01/02/2008
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