Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Angelo Update

Hi guys, As I had told you last week, Angelo had gone to the Vet with pain from Arthritis. It was now time to cautiously start him on a NSAID to give him quality of life. We started him on Metacam last week and it started working almost immediately. Tonight we went back to the hospital 1 week later to re-check Angelo's bloodwork. All is well!!!! EVERYTHING was still normal, his PCV is 44.8, his RBC is 7.27, his Platelets are 190,000. His weight was up to 71.8 which was .4 more than a week ago...ooppss too many treats! We are keeping him on the medication for another 6 weeks and then will re-check his bloodwork on his kidney, liver and platelets. If all is well we may discuss a slight wean from the medication. I know that this is not directly and AIHA post but those of whose dogs are in remission and are getting older still need to know what will work and not work for their dogs to STAY in remission. Thanks for listening and thank you for all of the good thoughts... Jeanne in New Jersey Goldens, Angelo & Archie

Jeanne New Jersey

Hi Jeanne. Great news for Angelo and you. So glad that the Metacam did the trick. Quality of life is everything for these guys. Give Angelo a big hug from us. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Hi Jeanne, Thanks so much for posting an update. Great news about Angelo's bloodwork! And that the Metacam is working! Please keep us posted and give Angelo a hug from me. Take care, Aden

Aden Jerusalem

I think it is really important that any development in dogs who survive AIHI is passed on. So many of us lose our pets and like me eventually take in a new dog. The shadow of AIHI never goes once you have been touched by it. I know I check my dogs Jess and Sox since we lost Georgie. It means a lot when I read about dogs like Angelo that have survived. So a big thank you for all of your updates AIHI related or not. Steph

Steph Wales

Hi That is great news. Fingers crossed for Angelo. Bertie had a vet trip himself tonight. Im hoping it is a bruise as I think he hurt himself outside on Tuesday as Im pretty sure I heard him yelp and he came runnign to me but seemed to be ok. The vet has said keep an eye on it and his gums in case he is not clotting. Im staying positive that it is a bruise and will go away. He is ok in himself and his gums are bright pink so I think that is a good sign. Anyway, give Angelo a hug from me Lisa

Lisa West Aust

Jeanne, That is wonderful news. My dog TC is still recovering (Sept 2007) but he has arthritis which has become more pronounced with the predisone. I have him on Cetyl-M for now and he is much better, but good to know about the NSAID's.

Wendy Florida

Hey there Jeanne, That is such awesome news on Angelo. That just proves that even our older boys have tons of fight in them and that will give so many others hope. Jacob will be 13 in just 4 months. Its hard to believe because he certainly doesnt act like it. We went and stayed at a cabin last weekend and he wore us out pulling us down all the nature trails. Please give your boy a big hug from me and a hi five from Jacob. Give one to Archie too! Thank you for the update. Teresa and Jacob

Teresa va

GREAT # Angeloooo!

josh cal

Jeanne, Happy to read Angelo's good news and thank you for posting about the arthritis/meds - as we all know, if you are one of the lucky ones and your dog survives IMHA, you live with it for a lifetime and all subsequent medical issues have to be viewed in an entirely different way from non-IMHA dogs - it's a terribly complex puzzle so it helps to have this network of people who share the "common denominator". Thank you for taking the time. Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Jeanne, wonderful news for Angelo! It is really great to know that for older dogs there is hope that there is some arthritis pain relief available. Kent is 10.5 now, and almost to his first year anniversary of IMHA diagnosis, followed by IMT - Evans syndrome. He also has some pains from getting older and used to be a very active dog. I'm exploring different glucosamines for him, and hope that eventually he will come as far down as possible on the pred and not need anything else. Then maybe he too can get help with his aches. Congratulations Angelo!!!!!! A big dog bone for your pooch!!! Christine

Christine Florida

This thread was discussed between 29/11/2007 and 27/12/2007

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