Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Feeding a Hemolytic Anemic Pet

My 12 year old Aussie/Heeler was just diagnosed with this horrible disease. I don't know who I feel sorrier for - her or me. We've been trying to prepare ourselves for the day when we lose her, but she/we are not ready yet! Is there any advice on feeding? (Years ago I had a leukemic cat that I think I kept alive and well for several years by feeding him cooked beef liver and vitamins.) I'm grasping for help!

Gail SD

Hello Gail I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. What has your Vet said? Our dog Trixie came down with this disease last Sept/Oct, it's a long process but there is light at the end of the tunnel. She is on medication as most are and she has picked up over the past week or so. I am feeling positive. My thoughts are with you. Tricia

Tricia UK

Tricia, Thanks for your email. She has been holding her counts for two days now at 20. No increase or decrease but she was just started on Pred Tuesday afternoon. The Dr. is cautiously optimistic as she seems to be holding her own. She is coming home tonight as we can give her so much more love than at the hospital. She's coming home on Pred, Amoxicyllin and a Immodium (?)- it's to help her tummy. We're to go in on Saturday for a blood check. That's all I can do for her now, I guess, other than love her and tell her how much we do love her. I am just heartbroken but this forum has helped already as I know I'm not alone in this.

Gail SD

Dr. Dodd just recommended aliver sparing diet-no soy, corn or wheat. It is home cooked with fish chicken and potatoes. www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com follow at bottom the liver cleansing diet.

joe ohio

How much experience does your vet have? I'd keep a close eye and also look for a specialist.

Joe Ohio

She said she sees at least one of these cases a month. She is concerned and helpful though and is taking time to talk to me and answer questions. I like her and trust her so I'm giving that trust to help me take care of my girl.

Gail SD

I wish you the best-sent you an email. Dunes, during the first week declined rapidly. Her count was 15 when diagnosed. Less than a week later, she was down to 6 and would have not lived through the night if I had not taken her to a specialist clinic for transfusions. Until the meds kick in, you need to closely monitor her (even after that). There is no relaxing with this disease and Dunes has stabilized faster than most dogs. I'm not trying to scare you but just want you to know from my experience, you are in a critical stage. Keep us up-to-date. I will keep you in my thoughts. Take care!

joe ohio

Hi Gail. Here are some commercial foods recommended by Dr. Dodds: No more than 24% protein and 12% fat No wheat, no corn, no soy, minimize dairy. Natural Balance Wellness Eagle Pack Solid Gold Treats: apples, carrots, perhaps or Sam's Yams or Pegetables Also, if you are into home cooking here is a site that gives a recipe for Dr. Dodds liver cleansing diet: http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/liver_diet.htm I feed my dog Wellness - Sweet potato and white fish kibble. It's a high quality food and Duck (my dog) does really well on this. Generally dogs with AIHA are put on prednisone and maybe other drugs. But most owners report that their dogs have ravenous appetites from the high doses of prednisone. Please keep us all posted. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Gail...When you go in on Saturday you might ask for a prescription for Sulcrafate to protect your dogs stomach, and get some over the counter Pepcid AC also. The Immodium is taken to stop diarrhea in humans, and I assume for your dog as well.I don't think it really protects their stomachs? The Pepcid AC reduces the release of stomach acids, and the Sulcrafate coats the stomach. I think ideally, you want to give the dog the sulcralfate 30 min or more before the other drugs. Someone else on this forum will have a better idea than I do. We didn't give it to Daisy and she developed an ulcer.

Ron B San Mateo

Ron, Yes, keep the Sucralfate separate from all drugs as it will interfere with absorption. Ideally, at least an hour on both sides. We put two hours on both sides to make sure. So first thing at 5am was Liver Support Factors and Sam-e. At 7am the sucralfate. At 9:30-10am the cyclosporine. Noon, pepcid. And 1pm meal with prednisone. Repeated the same kind of sequence later in the day with the other meal. Sam-e best on empty stomach. Patrice

Patrice New York State

Gail, I'm sorry to hear about your Aussie/Heeler. My Golden was diagnosed at 10 years of age and is currently in remission and will be celebrating his 13th Birthday in April. Please know that there is hope for older dogs that are diagnosed with this. Does your Vet know what is causing the AIHA? Jeanne in New Jersey Goldens, Angelo & Archie

Jeanne New Jersey

To add to the original question. I was giving my dog her meds wrapped in a very small pinch of real cheese, at first, then american process cheese slices(like sandwich cheese slices). The amount was just enough to hide the pills. She swallowed the meds w/o trying to chew. After reading the comments, I decided peanut butter but when I read the ingredients, it has full trans fat including soy. Is there anything, besides expensive lunch meat, that can be given? Or is the pinch of cheese ok? Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated. She was diagnosed last Nov., had one crash and a partial relapse last week. Overall, she's holding her own.

Al Florida

Al...Have you tried "PillPockets" they come in various sizes depending on the dog and more importantly, the number of pills you are giving. They seem to be made of beef or liver and are easy to fold over the pills and the dogs seem to like them. Petsmart or vets havethem or probably online.

Ron B San Mateo

Al, We used a whole bunch of different things. A little peanut butter won't hurt, if you are worried about ingredients you don't like, buy natural pb. We also used canned real cheese (this was a BIG hit), salmon flavored cream cheese, small bits of butter, canned fish like salmon or sardines. As the novelty wore off, we rotated to a new thing. The vet said that the smellier the better. Patrice

Patrice New York State

MY 5 1/2 month old GSD puppy was diagnosed with this on Christmas Eve day. Lucky for both of us, it has been an absolute climb from 14% pcv the first time to her now stable blood count of 50% for over two weeks on lower Pred... From the first blood count, she was given Pred, Famotidine for her stomach and Doxycillian for infection. I am assuming you live in South Dakota. If so, have your vet change the antibiotic to Doxycillian instead of Amoxicillon. Doxycillian will work for tick or mosquito induced anemia, where Amoxi won't.AIHA from the tick/mosquito is a type of Eurlichia(sp) and the antibiotic needs to fight those bugs, so to speak. Sofie's blood count started to climb back up the second day she was on Pred, and is now off of all antibiotics, half dose of Pred (50mg once a day)and 20mg of Fatomide twice a day. I did find a great food recently because I wanted to give her a natural food but didn't want to go raw. So, she is getting Blue Buffalo dry. It has no wheat, no corn, no soy, no artificial colors, no animal by product,lots of chicken,(or one of the other meat source) vegetable, fruit, etc. You can find it at Petsmart, its expensive, but well worth the change. Sofie changed to it easily and I feel the cost is well worth the knowledge her diet is so "pure" of a bunch of stuff her system does not need at this time.

Joanne Wyoming

Thanks, everyone! I bought my dog "Pillpockets" and Blue Buffalo food. Pricey, but she's worth it. And I'm sure that Bailey'd thank you if she only could. You all are the best!

Al Florida

I have a 7year old italian greyhound. Just found out 4 weeks ago today she has IMHA.Her rbc was at 24 when we found out . Went down to 10. We were refered to SF veterinary specialists. She recieverd 2 blood transfusions. She is regenerating. But she dosent seem to be getting any better. She seems weaker if anything.It is so hard to be positive,about this horriable disease. So many ups and downs. I know it takes a long time to get this under control. Its just so difficult Kathy

Kathy Pacifica

My dog who is 12 yrs is taking sulcrafate for upset stomach and diarrea. Also feeding chicken/rice with kibble. Stool clears up, then gets diarrea again. What will help him?

V. Montantes Tucson

V, My Dog TC had a really tough time with the meds and diarrea. We are down to 10mg every third day and he still has loose stools. I give him Olewo, it is dried carrots, 100% natural, www.olewo.com His stools are wonderful and it is great for their coat. Some people on this forum use pumpkin but that did not work for TC. My holistic vet recommended this.

Wendy Tampa FL

Hi Al, I just discovered an amazing food that Kent looovves and I can put his pills in it without any problem: its the dog food roll from Natural Balance. It is not wheat free, but it is a whole food - a meal in itself with lots of vitamins etc.. It can be sliced, grated, and more. He loves it, and i am giving it to him as a treat with the pills inside. He has a spring in his step i have not seen in a while. It smells a lot like beef jerky, pretty tasty smelling. I wrote the company to ask about sodium content and it is less than 0.9% which compared to the sandwich meant, tuna, etc we try to sneak the pills in is very good. They sell 75cent little mini rolls, you could try it and see. Christine and Kent

Christine WPB FL

This thread was discussed between 07/02/2008 and 21/02/2008

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