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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Antibiotics
| My Mom's Cocker Spaniel Sheila was diagnosed on Monday with AIHA. I'm confused about something. Last night my mom said the vet has Sheila on prednisone and is keeping her for a few days to see if she responds. But they also put her on antibiotics. I thought this would be the worst thing for her right now. Has anyone else heard of this? Thanks, Laura |
| Laura New York |
| Laura, I am so very sorry to hear that your mom's Cocker Spaniel Sheila was diagnosed with AIHA on Monday. If you have not read my Web site on AIHA/IMHA as yet, you might want to do so when you can. 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 your mom 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. In regard to antibiotics, most vets will put a dog digaonsed with AIHA/IMHA on antibiotics at the onset of the disease. The reason for this is because predisone and other meds used to treat the disease suppress the immune system to the point of leaving the dog very open to infections. The antibiotics do help fight these infections. |
| Joanne MN |
| Thank you so much Joanne. I saw the website you mentioned. I've been researching everything I possibly can about this disease. So devestating. Sheila is the center of our family, however nuts that sounds. The vet said that the good thing is that we caught it very early. All of her internal organs are fine, her liver is slightly enlarged. I'm just praying she responds to the prednisone. This is a fantastic website, I'm very grateful. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this disease. I will keep all of you along with Sheila in my prayers. Laura |
| Laura New York |
| It is common to administer antibiotics when diagnosed. I know out here there is a possibility of tick-borne disease (ehrlichia - sp?) and many dogs are presumptively prescribed doxycycline while awaiting results of tick disease blood panels. There are also other drugs besides prednisone as I'm sure you are finding out through your research (Imuran and Cyclosporine appear to be the most common). I hope you will bring up the information to your vet if he/she does not suggest anything beyond prednisone. If your vet does not treat this condition often, it is well worth a visit or telephone consulatation with a vet who specializes in Internal Medicine. Best to Sheila. |
| Ronda So Cal |
| I heard that ultra low dose aspirin can help a lot. Should the vet be giving this to Sheila at this stage? |
| Laura New York |
| Laura, Having your vet prescribe a low dose aspirin for Sheila may be beneficial right now. When my dog Tipsi was in the hospital after being diagnosed she given injections of heparin and then slowy transitioned to the low dose aspirin. It helps prevent the formation of blood clots that are very deadly with this disease. May want to discuss with your vet. Best of Luck, Layla & Tipsi |
| Layla Raleigh |
| When Matilda was first diagnosed she was initially put on doxycycline and prednisone until all the tests came back. Since her lyme disease titer was elavated (2500) and in the "grey" area, she stayed on a 2 week course of doxy, along with prednisone, cyclosporine, azathioprine, and also omeprazole to protect the stomach from ulcers (acid reducer) I talked to my vet about aspirin, and he said it was used only on an individual basis - depending on the dog - the trends shown by the weekly blood tests, etc. My vet explained that the tendency to develop stomach problems was great with the dosage of prednisone required to get the disease under control - so the potential to cause stomach bleeding/ulcers with the addition of aspirin should be considered and then if you decide to add aspiring, closely monitor. Fortunately, Matlida has shown no indication that we need to add aspirin to the mix. I think these are the types of questions that make me realize how fortunate I am to have the vet I have. Each case can be so different, so a vet well versed on this disease - that also talks to other vets to combine their knowledge to battle it - is just so invaluable. And also why Joanne's website for Meisha's hope is just a godsend! you will be in my prayers jeanne |
| jeanne texas |
This thread was discussed between 29/05/2008 and 30/05/2008
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