Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Doing well 5 months post-diagnosis

Hi everyone, I wanted to share the good news about Kola, my standard poodle diagnosed with AIHA in December. He has been making steady progress with his PCV, which was 48 at last 2 week check. He will be tapered off prednisone entirely next week, while continuing on same dosage of Azathioprine. The vet said to be sure to use tick collar. Even though no tick borne disease was found in his tick panel, she said its the most common cause of relapse. His personality and energy are just as they were before diagnosis. I hope all newbies to this site have some hope. I know I could have used some success stories when Kola was diagnosed and admitted to the veterinary hospital just a few months ago. Leslie

Leslie Phila

Leslie, fabulous news. Really happy for you and Kola! deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Leslie, Congrats to you and Kola!

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Bravo Leslie and Kola! Happy that he is doing well :) melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Congratulations Leslie and Kola! It is so nice to hear good news that make us happy! Thanks for posting. Have you ever lowered the Azathioprine? We are stuck with the same numbers we had a month ago, only the liver enzymes seem to get worse. But then we had a week without vet visit and will only go back the end of next week. I can't wait to have my old boy back. Patience, patience.... Brigitte and Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

That's pawsome news Leslie and Kola. Keep up the good work. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Thanks for the warm thoughts, everyone! Brigitte, Kola has been on the same dosage of Azathioprine- 50 mg every other day- ever since he went in to the hospital. There seemed to be plateaus in his PCV along the way so far. His liver values had also been very high but they have been steadily dropping. The plan is to keep him on the Azathioprine for a while to make sure he does ok once the prednisone is tapered off. I've been following your threads about Kahlu, and I'm hoping so much that he continues to progress and that you see your old boy back soon!

Leslie

Leslie, I am seriously thinking it is the Azathioprene that is holding Kahlu back. He has been on 50mg every day for 9 weeks now and was put on it 3 weeks after diagnosis. He is still on 10mg prednisone 2x per day. I am thinking we should go to every other day with the Aza at the end of this week. Dr. Kahlu has his good moments, especially when he sees other dogs. But his coat starts to look awful and his skin feels strange, oily and flaky. I am starting to think that the Thyroid medication is to much too. But apparently there is no use to test that now, because it would be all wonky because of the prednisone. Thanks for your good wishes and please keep us posted on Kola's progress. Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Leslie, This is excellent news! I remember how rocky Kola's progress was in the beginning. I absolutely love Standard Poodles, why they are almost as smart as Giant Schnauzers. <VBG> (And far more elegant.) my best patrice

Patrice NYS

This thread was discussed between 26/04/2009 and 28/04/2009

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