Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Bella - Diagnosed

It's been one month now since my wife found her on the floor, unresponsive, extremely jaundiced and closer to death than we ever possibly could have imagined. An emergency trip to the Vet yeilded that Bella had AIHA, also known as IMHA.. and the prognosis was not good. She's had TWO transfusions, a daily dose of 20mg of Prednisone, Iron Pills (for the first week), 12.5mg of Azathioprine daily, and 6ml of Famotidine daily since her initial visit. Her blood counts (PCV & Reticulites) have varied WILDLY from 4 % PCV with NO retic's to her current 33% PCV and 7 to 7.5% retic counts. Her appetite is DEFINITELY back and she's regained the 4 lbs she lost the first two weeks. Her attitude is much better.. She's back to walking around with her tail UP and [arading into the kitchen ANY time she hears the 'fridge open, a bag crinkle, or a cabinet door opened! We are down to one blood test weekly and just today the Vet, Dr. Bruce Crull, at Murrells Inlet Vet. Hospital, backed her dosage of Prednisone down to 15mg/day. I hope that we have reached that critical 'turning point' where Bella is now holding her own and is able to produce the red blood cells that her body needs. Weekly blood checks will determine whether or not our hopes prove to be true. Update- Nov 19, 2007 Blood test today shows that Bellas PCV is a tad lower but her retic count is back down to 2%. I have to take her back in for another blood test tomorrow to determine if this is a trend, or if it could have been an anomaly of sorts. For everyone who has had a pet diagnosed with IMHA/AIHA, this has to be the worst roller coaster ride I've ever been on. It pains me to see the shape Bella is in right now. She's up and mobile, but she just looks so sad. The Pred. has her swollen up and she's just not herself by any means. She IS much better than she was, but she still has a way to go. You thoughts and prayers are appreciated and any words of encouragement are welcome! Jason-

Jason Myrtle Beach

Hi Jason. Reading this post is like having a flashback to our experience with our dog, Duck. At his crisis point he was down to a PCV of 5 - your poor doggy was even lower! In the early weeks I remember that I would often wonder if we were doing the right thing for Duck. His PCV had started to climb slowly but he had no quality of life. And, Duck seemed so sad and depressed. It was around this point that I found this site. Everyone who had been through this assured me that the swollen belly, increased urination, muscle atrophy and weakness, ravenous appetite and thirst and many more things, were all symptoms of the prednisone. They assured me that when we reduced the dosage of pred, these side effects would subside. They were right. We are six months into this now. Duck is currently on 5 mg. prednisone/day (as well as cyclosporine and azathioprine). His original dose of prednisone was 80 mg./day. He is a different dog - energetic, alert and happy again. So I'm glad we persevered. And while there is no guarantee of lasting remission, my feeling is that if we have bought Duck some good quality time, even if only a short time, it has been worth the roller coaster ride. And it has been such a roller coaster ride. Hang in there - you aren't alone in this - we all understand. It sounds like you have things well in hand and that Bella is getting good care. Just a couple of things you might want to ask your vet about. Famotodine is Pepcid - you know that antacid that us humans take. For the first while I was getting Duck prescription famotodine (10 mg. pills) but through this site, discovered that Pepcid is exactly the same thing and comes in 10 mg. pills. My vet okayed me to switch and it saved me a bit of money. The second thing is aspirin. The vet internist that we have been dealing with at Washington State University wants Duck on a small amount of baby aspirin for as long as he is on the prednisone. There is a chance of blood clots forming - especially in the early days post crisis. Duck is 55 pounds and takes one quarter baby aspirin twice a week. You might want to ask your vet about aspirin or heparin and get his/her thoughts on that. Good luck to you and Bella. This is a great place to ask your questions and also get support from people who can totally relate to how you are feeling. Take care and please keep us posted about Bella's progress. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

A roller coaster ride, indeed. Much patience and a separate savings fund are always in the primary focus of an AIHA pet owner! Blood results waiver, pred dosages are changed, we reach out for homeopathic consults. My boy was diagnosed 14 month ago requiring four blood transfusions several hospitalizations and needless to say many, many blood tests. My vet bills are $9,000. Had to take out a loan. I'm just a working person. He's my boy. I love him. We all feel the same about our pets. We feel your pain. Keep the hope alive and just take the best care of Bella you can. Provide her with immune support supplements and high quality food. Don't use ANY flea control products or vaccinate. Keep us posted. Jan

jan philly

Hi Jason, I second what Debbie is talking about regarding the Pepcid and the baby asprin. While treating our schnauzer Schotzie we gave her Pepcid AC (NOT PEPCID COMPLETE). We lost her due to blood clotting. Had we known about the clotting being a side effect of AIHA/prednisone, we would have given her the asprin. Hang in there, Dave

Dave CO

Jason, I agree with Deb and Dave, regarding asking your vet about baby aspirin / heparin. Dave - I/m very sorry about Schotzie. We also lost our Miniature Schnauzer, Gus, because of clotting - most likely a pulmonary embolism. I had taken Gus to the vet on the morning of July 9 - 10 days after he was diagnosed. He had one blood transfusion, when his hematocrit dropped to 12%. On July 9, his hematocrit rose to 30.6%, which was great news. He had seemed to be improving as far as his breathing/panting and appetite for the past two days. While at the vet's office, I inquired about baby aspirin, because an Internal Medicine specialist veterinarian had suspected that Gus might be developing pulmonary emboli/clotting four days previously. However, neither vet would recommend baby aspirin or heparin, because of it possibly causing internal bleeding. During the early evening of July 9, Gus died suddenly from a clot. His death was devastating. I wish that his vets would have been more aggressive regarding the use of baby aspirin or heparin. Not all dogs develop clotting/pulmonary emboli. But I would at least mention it to your vet. Sue

Sue PA

UPDATED 11-23-07 Bella is still undergoing weekly bloodwork. Her PCV counts are back up in the 30's range and her retic count has climbed to between 7% and 8%, which is not the best in the world, but is far better than where she was the two months ago. Unfortunately, she had a slight relapse of sorts over the last week. Her routine Monday bloodwork showed a drop in PCV count to the high 20's and a retic count of 2%. The vet had me bring her back in today for a re-test, just to be sure that was nothing really out of line taking place. Today, her PCV count was at 30%+ which is good, and her retic count climbed to 5.7%, which is also a good sign that nothing really wrong is taking place. I have to say, this has been a HUGE roller coaster ride from the start. It's painful to see something you love so much so out of sorts and knowing that there is nothing that you can do to make it better, at least not immediately. Bella has gained a couple pounds, but she looks HUGE compared to her normal self. This is due to the prednisone.. which will be slowly backed down as she maintains healthy blood counts, which, for me, can't happen fast enough. I just want her to be herself.. she looks like she is beat all the time now.. little energy... sad expression on her face... just not 'Bella'. BTW, Thank you all for the kind comments and words you have shared.

Jason Myrtle Beach

Hi, I just had my Bichon, Sophie, diagnosed with IMHA. It is so sad to see. And you're right, it is a rollercoaster. Her PCV count was @ 23 and now is at 18. What is puzzling to everyone is that she is extra perky, alert and responsive, eating and drinking eagerly now, even though her PCV count dropped. She still has pale gums. She is at the vets during the day and the hospital at night. This is her third night and I miss her at home. I visit her 3x a day and when I do she is happy and tail wagging. She is on Prednisone (steroid), Dexamethasone (antibiotic), Cyclophosphamide (steroid) and another aggressive steroid that an internal med doc prescribed. We are hoping she doesn't need a transfusion, but are ready to do it if needed. I hope that will cure her. Is there a cure for this? Do any of you know how canines get IMHA? My docs don't have answers, they only have ruleout testing and then back into a diagnosis. i did hear that even a xfusion could fail. She is ony 5. She is my best friend. Please keep her in your prayers as I am keeping your beloved pets in mine. Thanks! God Bless. -Cherissa

Cherissa Austin

Hi, my cocker (Bailey) is taking 20 mg. pred. daily, is showing some stomach area enlargement, but is perky, barking and being her old self, including trying to eat everything in sight. This is a new situation to me as well, but people on this board have helped me deal with and understand the emotional roller coaster that this disease causes. I take her back to the vet on Dec. 3 for blood work. I'm hoping her meds can be reduced to a less aggressive level. I think that she relapsed before because she wasn't getting the pred into her system completely. She won't take her meds unless I hide it in a tiny ball of cheese. My thoughts and hopes are with everyone who has a pet fighting this illness. And thanks to everyone who is helping support each other.

Al Floroda

Hi My Bichon Bertie was diagnosed back in Dec 2005. It will be two years this Dec and all going well so far. He need two transfusions before the drugs kicked in and took about 6 weeks to show any signs of regeneration. So hang in there. My thoughts are with you all who have posted. It was the worse time of my life and he was only 7 months old when diagnosed. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. Lisa

Lisa West Aust

dont give up man!!! bella can pull thru and its great you guys are giving her the chance to. my dog had 8 transfusions in a 2 month period at the beginning...her PCV was constantly dropping into the single digits. even now, after 6 months her PCV has yet to go up on its own...it is holding steady however at 23% and has been for the past 8 weeks. its a draining battle but it can be waged and i wish bella the best

josh california

This thread was discussed between 22/11/2007 and 29/11/2007

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