Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - A year later

It's hard to believe, but we have now passed the one-year mark, living with an AIHA dog. Penny, our cocker spaniel, was diagnosed Oct. 20, 2007, and came home from the hospital on Oct. 27. During that week I discovered this board, and it really helped. I remember my first post was on the Wednesday of that week to ask if there was any hope to be had. Penny's PCV was 6 and she was autoagglutinating, so could not have a whole blood transfustion. I really thought that I was going to have to let her go on that Thursday. The words of comfort and hope that I recieved that night helped me hang on. The vet finally was able to transfuse her with whole blood on Thursday night and her response was nothing short of miraculous. Penny is not the same dog she was before AIHA -- she is "older" by far. Her fur is thin and she is still taking cyclosporine. She sleeps a lot. We are very grateful that we still have her, though, because she is the goofiest dog, and she lights up our lives. We know that her time with us is short, but we value every bit of it. I wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped me, and to give all of you the reassurance that even in the darkest moments, there can be hope. Christine

ChrisJ N.CA

Christine - I wonder if Penny is on only Atopica and if so how much - was she able to come off pred. Also how old is she and was she spayed? Clare and family on behalf of Millie

Clare Fox Foxhens@aol.com

Clare -- Penny is now 7 years old, and she was spayed as a puppy. Penny is now on human cyclosporine, 100mg 2x-week. She had to come off of the prednisone (after 9 months) because she because it was causing serious problems on its own. She is also getting prilosec every day because she remains somewhat nauseous, and that seems to help.

ChrisJ N.CA

Hi Chris, As like yourself we too discovered this website just less than 2 weeks ago, when Daisy was diagnosed with AIHA with the hope people could help and hopefully point us in the right direction of getting help for our baby Daisy,the help and advise we received from everyone was over whelming and unbeleivable, unfortunatley the same day we joined Daisy died, there was nothing anyone could have done, guess she was just one of the unfortunate ones and her time was called upon, we know she has gone to a better place and will be looked after for ever. This site is amazing Chris, i've never joined such a website where you will receive the help, support, guidence and kindness of others. Everyone has either gone through it wheather it be success or loss or are going through it like yourself. You are so lucky to still have Penny, she is definatley a fighter and is certainly determined to be rid of this horrific disease - we wish you all the very best in her continued battle. What you have to remember Chris is that Penny wont be the same dog, especially after what she has gone through, she will still be tired and wont be able to do the same things as she used to do with her PCV'S at only 6,Daisy's was at 9 even after her blood transfussion. Penny's poor little body has had to put up with so much, it will take time, but i'm sure she will make a great recovery. Please keep us updated with her progress, if you want to email us personally then please do so, that would be lovely. Take Crae. All our best. Thoughts go out to you Love Claire, Jason, Dan, Jake & Our Skye (our othe english springer spaniel) xxxx

Claire & Jason Stebbens Leeds

Chris, thanks for your update on Penny. Glad to hear that you also found this site comforting in those early days and that you have Penny with you still at the one year mark. We are about 1 1/2 years in with our dog Duck and even though he is doing well, we too feel that his time with us will be shortened by all the meds he has to take to keep the AIHA in check. Is that a blessing or a curse? I have a continuous background sadness that Duck will not be with us for a full life span and yet, that awareness helps me to cherish every moment of every day that I do have with him. Take care and enjoy your girl Penny! deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

I agree with everyone, this stie has been a blessing for us and for our Holly also. Plus all the wonderful friends we meet here along the way and so much valuable information. Without all this information, we would never had the knowledge to pursue issues with the vet and internist. Holly is now at her 20 month mark and still fighting hard every step of the way. She will be 4 next month, and 20 months ago when we sent her down to a hospital in Atlanta with our boss, we really did not expect to ever see her again. Thank God for Dr Dodds and all her expert advice and we are now on a schedule of decreasing the drugs. Wed wil be 2 weeks of going every other day with the aziathioprine, and on Wed we will start the every other day of the prednisone for two weeks and then re-test on Dec 8th and hope for good news. So far she is doing great on this schedule. I have complete faith in Dr. Dodds. Linda

Linda Sapphire

We are so happy to hear of Penny's good fortune to have survived a year since she was first diagnosed. I was just wondering if she is on Pet-tinic it is a vitamin that my vet and Dr. Dodds recommends, might help with her energy level. Also has your vet every tried to very slowly reduce the amount of Cyclosporine Penny is on? Ginger was on 200 mg a day but she has had a good PCV for about 3 months now and we are very gradually reducing it, trying o get it to the lowest dose we can or even do away with it. She also is on 50 mg of Azathioprine EOD. I wish Penny continued good health and enjoy every day with her! Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Congratulations on the one year mark! It seems like a daunting anniversary. I hope that we can celebrate that day when it comes next summer. Thanks for the update and the hope. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Christine, I am so happy for you both. Enjoy every day with your special girl. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

This thread was discussed between 17/11/2008 and 19/11/2008

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