Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Daisy's AIHA is back

Daisy (cocker spaniel born 11/7/2001) was first diagnosed with AIHA in 4/2006 (my threads are archived in 2006, after 3 blood transfusions and pred treatment she bounced back and has been fine since then. We watched her blood, urine, gums and stopped vaccinations etc On 1/15/08 living in Cleveland we had snow when I let Daisy out in the morning, I saw what I dreaded the most in my life since Daisy’s bout with AIHA, rust color urine. I immediately took her to the vet and her RBC was at 24, gods please tell me this is not happening again my poor baby not again. The Vet gave her a steroid shot and 40mg of pred but I was not doing what I did last time, going home and waiting for this terrible disease to take over my baby. I asked my vet for a specialist and they referred me to a Veterinary referral clinic in my area and I went straight there. By this time they were closed so I went to the emergency side of the clinic to have her checked out and her RBC was still at 24 so I made an appointment for the following morning and we went home. Daisy seem spunky, begging for food, gums looked good then in the morning I gave her the 40mg of pred and with in the hour she collapsed so we rushed her to the internal medicine specialists. Her RBC was now at 16, they gave her a blood transfusion and that took her RBC to 25 but over night it has dropped back down to 17. Today they are finishing the rest of the blood from yesterday and they have her in Pred and Imuran. I am scared to death being back in this roller coaster and all I am hearing is that it is very hard the second time around to get them back into remission.

Tina Cleveland

Oh Tina, I am so sorry to hear your news!, you must be so worried, my thoughts are with you and Daisy, please keep us updated. Tricia x

Tricia UK

Thank you !!

Tina OH

Tina, I am so sorry Daisy and you are back on the roller coaster. Remember it takes sometime to get the Pred working and it is not unusual to drop after the transfusion, just take it a day at a time and remember all dogs are different in the way they fight this disease so forget about what others say about the second time and save your energy for just Daisy. I am holding you both in my thoughts and prayers. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Well,the rest of the blood that they gave her didnt do any good and her count is still at 17 Now what...

Tina Cleveland

Tina, I am so very sorry to hear that your most beloved Daisy has had an AIHA relapse. While relapes can be difficult to deal with dogs can and do recover from them as they do the intinal epsoide of AIHA. While it may be disappointing that Daisy's PCV is still 17, the good news is that it has not dropped any more. If you have not read the Success Stories at the Meisha's Hope Web site http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/successstories.htm you might want to do so when you can. Some of these dogs have had relapses and recovered from them. My own Meisha had several relapses in the first few years after her diganosis. we finally got her into a sustained remission where she did so well, to look at her you would never have been able to tell she had been sick a day in her life. Hang in there, I truly do know how hard since I have walked in your shoes on more then one occasion. Be assured you and your dear Daisy are in my thoughts and prayers during these most difficult days.

Joanne MN

Tina, My thoughts and prayers are with you and Daisy! Jeanne in New Jersey Goldens, Angelo & Archie

Jeanne New Jersey

Tina, She is still holding at 17. There are no quick fixes and unfortunately it seems to take forever for them to show considerable signs of improvement. Jasper took a good 5 days to show ANY signs of improvement. He literally stayed on the floor in the same place, not doing anything, only drinking water and watching us with his eyes. We even had to help him out to go for a wee. But he is still here 4 1/2 months later, and getting back to his old self and bad habits! Thinking of you, Jackie and Jasper

Jackie pembrokeshire; west wales; uk

Thank you, I am trying to stay positive We went to see Daisy last night and she was at least walking even though her PCV was at 17 but her gums were pure white. When we left she wanted to go home with us - it broke my heart Last night her PCV as at 18 and ate her dinner The Vet called this morning and said her PCV was at 19 so it holding and she was cautiously optimistic. They are keeping her for the weekend but I can come see her during visiting hours. I am exhausted

Tina Cleveland

Tina, I know what you are going through and my thoughts are with you. Trixie is still at the hospital, she has been there since Tuesday and will be there over the weekend too. I have thought about driving up to see her but as much as I want to, I'm afraid. She may well think we are there to take her home and I can't bear the thought of having her watch us as we leave her behind. Tricia. P.S. Keep us posted about Daisy's progress.

Tricia UK

So sorry to hear of Daisy's relapse. Hang in there.

leslie ca

Hi Tina Sorry to read about Daisy. I pray that she her pcv keeps going up and she gets through this relapse. Lisa

Lisa West Aust

Tina -- I am so sorry to hear that Daisy has suffered a relapse. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and Daisy. Please take care, because you need to stay strong to sustain Daisy and yourself.

Brenda VA

Tina -- I am so sorry to hear of Daisy's relapse, especially since my yellow lab "Daisy" is fighting back. She has gotten so weak from the Prednisone that we are weaning her off (down to 15mg/ day) I pray every day she will continue to improve. I hate to hear of dogs relapsing since it could happen to any of us. keep your faith up...your "Daisy" needs you more than ever....Ron

Ron B San Mateo

Tina, This is my TC's 2nd go round with IMHA also. He relasped late September 2008. After 3 blood donor tranfusions (greyhound donor) and 6 days in the hospital TC came home and is recovering. His RBC is up to 34 now and he is regaining quality of life, he is 10 years old. Don't give up hope, they do get better although as some have said the road is long and costly. Having the right Vet that knows this disease is crucial. My sympathy and best wishes for Daisy's full recovery.

Wendy Tampa

I'm so sorry to hear of Daisy's relapse. Please keep us posted on her progress. For what it's worth, I agree with Penny: forget what others say about relapses. Daisy's not just any dog: she's your dog. You and she beat AIHA once, and and you can do it again, just like Joann and Meisha did! Best of luck. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Daisy. Sandy & Shadow

Sandy Utah

This thread was discussed between 17/01/2008 and 20/01/2008

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