Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Great news for Holly!

First I would like to say how sorry I am to hear about all the losses, our prayers and thoughts are with you all during this difficult time of loosing your babies. Again, feeling guilty to post Holly's good news, but I feel important to let the ones still fighting know that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel, as I am now starting to see it, after 20 months of this horrible disease. One month ago, per Dr. Dodds suggestion we had an ultrasound done on Holly and all was good, so she gave us a schedule to start reducing the prednisone and aziathioprine. 2mg of prednisone, 1mg in am and 1mg in pm to every other day for 2 weeks, then we started every other day with the aziathioprine on the off days of prednisone for 2 more weeks. Yesterday's blood draw was good! Her hematocrit was 52.0, wbc good at 6.7, and her Alkaline Phosphatase came down 600 points to 1038. Her Lipase went up about 300 points, not exactly sure what that means, but we are happy with the other results. I have faxed the results to Dr Dodds and am awaiting her next suggestion for med reduction. ALso very happy to report that in the last few weeks, Holly is becoming a changed dog. Her energy level has increased so much and she is again playing with toys as well as her sister (well trying to play with her cranky sister, HA!) It is so refreshing to see this change in her! Thanks, Linda

Linda Sapphire

Way to go Holly and a BIG paws up from Ginger! Ginger's PCV has ever gotten out of the low 40's so 52 sounds really, really good. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

YAYYY Holly! I think it's very important to share the good with the bad here on this board, especially after the rough couple of weeks and all of the terrible losses. We all share the grief and the successes together! Way to go Holly! Tiggs also has recently rediscovered his long lost ball that he hasn't touched since he was diagnosed in July, it's so nice to hear him chewing away on it. I can see those head muscles finally growing back in! He also just wrestled with his older 'sister' Winnie (just a little bit, but we'll take it!). Way to go Holly, melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Linda -- congratulations to you and Holly for the continued progress. And don't feel guilty about posting good news. People need to hear that dogs do respond and recover -- it just takes time, patience, good vets, and love. Please take care.

Brenda VA

That's wonderful news! Isn't it so nice to see the old dog come back when the Prednisone gets reduced. I was SO happy to see that, I thought she'd never be the same again--she acted so different on it.

Lori USA

Linda, That is such great news! I think you have gotten the best Christmas present ever. It must be wonderful to have your Holly back. Congrats to you both. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Linda, that is great news about Holly! I too feel guilty about posting good news and didn't with Wylies test on Saturday, but I will so people can see there is hope. She was at 47!! Went from 27 to 47 in 35 days and she is 11+ years old and no spleen. Laurie

Laurie CA

That is Super Good News Linda ! I wish Holly well.

Karen Augusta

Go (our) dachshunds!

Jan PA

Linda, speaking on behalf of someone who lost her dog to this disease 2 1/2 weeks ago, PLEASE share the good news. Readers here need to understand that cures do happen, and dogs survive. I know I needed that news desperately when I came to this board initially, and there's no reason to give up hope for others reading or lurking here. So happy to hear about Holly! Sharon

Sharon CT

Linda, Don't feel guilty about posting Holly's wonderful progress. It's encouraging to hear about a victory over this dreaded disease. May Holly continue to be healthy and happy for many more years. Karen

Karen NC

This thread was discussed between 10/12/2008 and 11/12/2008

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