Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Dylan update - video & photos, good and bad

Hi, I just wanted to put some video up of the different stages Dylan has faced. It has been a hard few days emotionally for me seeing such caring people have to struggle so hard. Brings back that sense of panic all too well. I thought it would be nice to not only see the difficult times, but also to be able to see the good side too before I posted anything. Dylan is now able to run again and her posture looks very normal, muscles slowly returning, wounds healing. The recovery video is from last week and she has improved remarkably since then as well, especially in her hind end. Tomorrow Dylan will be going to 5 mg (2 X 2.5 mg) prednisone every second day. If all goes well she will be off prednisone completely a few weeks after that. Scary thought, but I do have an attack plan in place if I ever see signs of this disease again (of course I pray not to and thank God every day I have with Dylan). I had orignally tried to post each video as an individual link, but learned a little about getting blocked by the automatic protection. These include, Dylan prior to AIHA in my backyard with my other dogs. Dylan suffering from anemia 3 days after hitting rock bottom - exactly one week from her first symptom. Coping with prednisone induced muscle loss and hind end paralysis - using a harness and sling to go pee. Recovery - 3 months, even trying to play again :-) The video can be found at http://www.youtube.com/gnrdogs (the other videos of my puppies and the water hose are pretty funny if you want a good laugh too) Dylan's Photo Journal updated http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.177206759001413.58939.100001362714581&l=9a192fafa5 Very happy about Dylan, very sad about the others still struggling and the new dogs I meet with AIHA every day. Richard

Richard Burnaby

Richard, Even with the terrible effects of the pred Dylan is a fine looking girl. She is so lucky to have such a great Dad. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

What an amazing improvement! In the video Dylan has that same "I don't feel well, Daddy" look that Reggie keeps giving me. So difficult to watch them suffer, yet so rewarding and worth every penny when they make it through to the other side!

Amy Wisconsin

What a huge difference, she looks wonderful and you did such a good job taking care of her. Hoping for continued good health for Dylan. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile PA

Thanks, she is beautiful (but I am sooo biased :-) She is not just looking good, but how she moves and stands and behaves is so nice to see. Normal! Amy, there is a big differnence in the anemia video and the muscle loss/hind end paralysis video. No aggression in the anemia, just that sad, I don't feel so good look, although when she could not get up and was confused, she did show fear aggression, but never otherwise. In the other video, she shows her aggression to try keep me from helping her, even though she needs me. You can see her energy despite her inability. These were and are very important differences to me, especially now as we lower prednisone even more and attempt to get her off it completely. Now in her recovery, she waits for me and looks back for me every time I let her out for a pee or a poop. Despite any aggression she has ever used, I know how much she loves me and it seems like we are even closer and more connected now than ever. Big Smile and Big Thank-you for your help, Richard

Richard Burnaby

OMG don't them looks bring back memories!!! That's exactly how Tessy looked at me when being treated! AND YES....she's beautiful!!! :) Continued thoughts and prayers. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

And so the drug free journey begins. Today is the first day Dylan was scheduled to get prednisone and won't as she takes the final step back to being drug free. Dylan is doing great and hopefully has taken her last dose of prednisone that she will have to take. She sure is a fighter. She fought to survive from the time she was young and wild in Maple Ridge, BC and apparently is still a fighter now. I am amazed at how well she handled everything she has been through and we are even closer as a result. Of course, no one can predict the future, but it seems that whatever caused her immune system to attack her red blood cells is gone and in my opinion has been since early on. Her behavior clearly shows how energetic and healthy her underlying physiology is. She is clearly not anemic in any way and prednisone was certainly a factor in suppressing her recovery in her red blood cell counts that we saw in the first few months. I still believe as well that sticking with her raw diet is partially responsible for her recovery and the fact that her liver and other organs have managed very well throughout her ordeal. Her immune system is no longer suppressed and there is no sign of the disease physically, or behaviorally. Her recovery from the prednisone side effects is also doing very well. She has recovered all of her mobility, including her ability to express her love of people with the wiggling of her tail and in her case, most of the way up her spine. She is now going for walks, visiting with people and dogs and teaching our neighbours of canine AIHA and what a survivor she is. I never know if it will attack her again and she still has a few symptoms of the prednisone I hope to see disappear, but her recovery is now about building muscle and excercise and not about survival, at least for now. When I thanked my vet again last week, for saving Dylan, she said No, that I saved Dylan. I know the truth was that working together WE saved Dylan. We worked hard together to make the best decisions we could for Dylan and I am very grateful for that and every moment I have with Dylan as a result. I know not everyone will be so lucky, unfortunately. I will forever appreciate Janice (and Susan) at Mosquito Creek in North Vancouver for their up-to-date knowledge, for always taking my input seriously (much of that came from this list, thank-you too) and for making recommendations with everything in mind, often changing from the norm to meet Dylan's specific needs. Dylan is off prednisone in three and a half months as a result. I continue to hope and pray that I have seen the last of this disease in Dylan, but know I cannot take her current health for granted. I hug her regularly every day and I am happy for every day I have a smilin' happy Dylan. I do miss those dogs I have met recently that have not made it, but having met so many great people who care so fiercly about their dogs has been one benefit of AIHA. At least for today, we can smile :-) Richard and Dylan PS. I updated photos with some happy smilin' pink tongued Dylan.

Richard Burnaby

Richard, A big congrats to you and your girl. I am so happy for you and wish you both the best for many happy healthy years together. Live each day to the fullest. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Richard, I looked at all the pictures of Dylan....she is such a beautiful girl!! You have done an amazing job managing all her treatment, and I am so thrilled for you both that she has recovered so nicely. Thank you for being willing to help guide us "newbies" as we begin this difficult journey....I'm going to get copies of all Bentley's numbers (hopefully) tomorrow, and post again.... Sally

Sally Louisiana

Richard - hi, It's great to see Dylan looking so well - I've followed your story from the beginning and it is remarkable how far she has come - I'm sure she'll be a great inspiration to many who face this awful disease. I have a somewhat off-topic question regarding tapering prednisone (my dog has been on a "maintenance" dose post-IMHA) and I would like to get your perspective given your experience - I was wondering if I could email you privately as I didn't want to take the lst off-topic. Thank you - Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Thanks everyone, still working hard to make sure Dylan is okay every day. She continues to do well without prednisone. I too hope that having a good outcome for Dylan helps people fight through this disease. It is not easy, but worth it. No matter what happens in the future, I am grateful that Dylan is drug free and getting stronger. Feel free to email me Bonnie. Richard and Dylan

Richard Burnaby

Hi all, I would like to pass on some good news. Dylan has been doing great off prednisone now for 9 days. Most of the numbers in her blood test yesterday were within normal range with some leftover symptoms of the prednisone. To quote my veterinarian, Janice, "She is a force of nature!! Yippee looking fabulous!!! I expect that the remaining issues are all prednisone related and should resolve. Congratulations!" Her PCV is now 42 and I am hoping to see it continue to climb not that she is off prednisone. She is out walking everyday and putting on muscle. She has fat on her body and is filling in. She is now stretching her back legs regularly, because she has muscles there again, yeah! She now gets very excited with people and my other dogs and can try to do more than she is capable of, so I still have to protect her from an accident. It is still pretty easy for her to get her limbs in a position she does not have the strength to support, but this is easy for me compared to the rest of her treatment and recovery. She has some issues with her skin, from prednisone, which are beginning to clear up now as well. No sign of the disease, not sure what caused it, but just trying to be very protective on what kinds of food she eats and what she has access to on the ground. I probably hug her 100 times a day, or more, but I am just so damn happy for her and to have her here. Thanks again too for all your support. I still feel a need to continue learning about this disease. It can come back and certainly could hit one of my other dogs one day in addition to all the other dogs that will be struck with this disease. Also, like many people here, I just feel it is so helpful to have this place for people to come to ask questions and get some support. Most of us know absolutely nothing about it when our dogs are diagnosed and get completely thrown into the fire and absolutely need support. Because of this I will be sticking around and trying to learn more so I can be of more help. Wishing everyone the best, Richard and my miracle girl, Dog Dylan

Richard Burnaby

Richard, it is so wonderful to hear that Dylan is doing so well! Especially with being off the medication. I hope she has a lifelong remission and that her IMHA never rears it's ugly head in your household again!

Jenn Ontario

This thread was discussed between 24/06/2011 and 15/07/2011

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