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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Beasley's Journey with IMHA
| Beasley is my 6 year old clown of a labradoodle. He has always been healthy. Being the holidays there had been so much commotion going on. On December 21, my two sons were flying home for Christmas and I was excitedly awaiting them. On the 22nd I was upstairs with one of them going through some things in his room to give to charity. As I started up the stairs, I noticed that Beasley just stood in the hallway below, watching me. Normally he would excitedly bound up the stairs ahead of me to be sure to be in the middle of the action. I thought it odd, but didn't think any more of it. The next day I went to work until around 1:00 and then came home to start cooking and getting ready for 15 people on Christmas Eve. I was busy in the kitchen and normally Beasley would be right in the middle, counter surfing, looking for any scrap to fall to the floor, or just being there. He stayed in the dining room, just laying down. Once he came halfway to kitchen and just stood there, looking at me, and left. Around three o'clock I went to pet him, give him a hug and talk to him, and I don't know what made me do it as I've never done so before, I pulled his eyelids down. He looked albino. I immediately called the vet who said to come out. After blood tests he instructed us of the fastest way to get to the emergency clinic. More blood tests there and a confirmation of IMHA. His PCV was 18. We just kept hoping it wouldn't get down to the transfusion level 0f 15. What a punch in the stomach - a perfectly healthy dog one day. And one close to death two days later. By the next evening his PCV was 22, and by Christmas morning 25 and he came home. On Monday, 12/27, PCV was 39. He get tested again Friday, 1/7. He is on 70 mg of prednisone once a day. And he will maintain that dosage until mid-January when the slow taper will begin. When I asked his prognosis, both vets say "guardedly optimistic". I guess it depends on how the weaning process goes. He doesn't have much energy, but at least he's alive, home, eating well, and still with us. What a horrible disease. I had never heard of it before. I feel very lucky so far, and can't imagine how hard it is for those who lost their pets before it even sunk in that they were so sick. |
| Terri Kansas |
| Good luck to you and Beasley. It sounds like the transfusion was a big help. And now he is on to the drug therapy. I am new to this board like you and have found it a huge help to check in here for advice and reassurance. Pat & Juliet |
| Pat Vermont USA |
| Terri, What a way to start the New Year.... I am so sorry. But you came to the right place for information and understanding. If you have not already found Joanne Dicksons Website, please go there: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/index.html go to the Success stories and you will find the stories of so many dogs that have survived and are doing well. I must say Beasley's PCV improved very quickly. This is quite unusual. It is common for int to stay in the mid 30ies for quite a while. Maybe somebody else has an idea what that could mean. In any case, make sure the weaning from the prednisone is done VERY slow. Not more that 25-33% every 2-3 weeks and not before a stable PCV has been tested. I hope Beasley is also on a stomach protectant, these high doses are harsh on the stomach. I hope Beasley is feeling better soon, keep us posted, Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
| Thank you for comments. Pat: Beasley fortunately did not get to the point of needing a transfusion. Brigette: Yes, fortunately his PCV did rise quickly. I think Beasley is protecting his stomach with "food"! Wake up, go outside, Eat, take medicine, go outside, drink, go outside, rest, drink, drink drink, go outside! Quite a routine we have these days. To be expected. The vet says mid-January (at the three week point) as long as his PCV is stable we will go from 70 mg prednisone to 50. That seems like pretty slow weaning. I have a tiny theory about all this. Had a mouse problem in basement. I stupidly put D-Con out - placed very high so I know for sure that he did not get the D-Con, but.....I think he did get a dead mouse a day before his immune system went haywire. The vets found no evidence of the poison in his system - they checked for it because I told them what could have happened, plus his size (65 lbs vs. the tiny amount in the tiny mouse). But STILL, I suspect it played a part in the immune reaction. I may be totally wrong and it could just be coincidence. A lesson learned nevertheless, never, EVER put out D-Con. I feel so guilty, even though they assure me that's not what caused it. He is stable, wish his energy level would rise a little, but he's been through a lot and it will take time. Beasley is going to be a success story. Another blood test this Friday, hopefully the PCV maintains a good reading, and has gained a few points. The vet told me he would be pleased if it just stayed where it was. Keeping fingers crossed for a Happy New Year. |
| Terri Kansas |
| Terri, You need to get Beasley on some kind of protection for his stomach. The steroids are very harsh on them. It is a shock to us all how a dog can seem so healthy one day and be at deaths door the next. He is really turning around fast so I wonder if it was the d-con? This can be a roller coaster ride so hang on tight and know that any questions you have you can post on here and get answers pretty quickly. Keep us posted. Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| I have spent the day mostly reading a book called "Shock to the System". I don't know about the mouse theory, but according to this book's author and documentation to support the allegations, I think the cause of Juliet's IMHA goes back to a rabies booster she received in September. When was the last time Beasley received a booster vaccination? But, that said, all we can do is speculate because there is no indisputable proof...yet. Juliet is havining her most motionless day today. She's still drinking, eating and relieving herself, but I am very worried. Is Beasley similarly just staying prone? Pat |
| Pat Vermont USA |
| Sooooooo sorry about Beasley! I agree w/ Pat. I too am convinced that my beloved shi tzu "Chance" developed AIHA because of being vaccinated with the required annual coctail! Is it possible that Beasley's problems stem from that? |
| Denise Gilbert |
| Terri, so sorry to hear about Beasley's diagnosis. This DOES sound like a toxic reaction to a poison given how fast the crit responded. Usually these cases respond much much quicked as the poisons leave the body! Milk thislt would be a great idea cause as we know ANY poisons are incredibly hard on the liver ( & kidney). Have you had a chemistry panel done? Thoughts and prayers for the both of you. Johnny & TEssy |
| Johnny |
This thread was discussed between 31/12/2010 and 02/01/2011
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