Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Help...I'm new to all this...

Hi, everyone. I just found this site tonight, and was relieved to find others who have gone through this. My beloved Raven, a beautiful, loving, 11-year-old black lab was diagnosed with this disease about a week ago. It took the vet a full week to even diagnose the disease. Initially, I was thrilled it was at least something that was treatable, but as I read more, I get increasingly nervous. She had a transfusion a week ago, and was put on the drug cocktail all of you are talking about (pred, az, doxi). She was doing so well we took her to a park, where she ate something and got violently ill and was in the vet hospital. (Like someone else said on this board, I had no idea how important it was to keep her away from EVERYthing.) After two days, she came home last night and was SO much better. Now it's been a week since the transfusion, and while her appetite is back, she got up and seemed very wobbly, so I'm worried again. I have a feeling this disease is going to be quite a roller coaster ride...and I'm scared. I have no kids, so she is my life and heart. Plus, I just moved here 3 months ago with my job, so I don't have much of a support group here! Sharon

Sharon CT

Sharon, how sorry I am for you. This disease is extremely horrible, but can be treated with meds and mostly with a lot of prayers. If you haven't already, go to http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ You will learn a lot. My 3 1/2 year old American Eskimo, Mia Grace was diagnosed almost 4 weeks ago. I had never heard of this either so I had not a clue what to do. Thanks to the internet, I have learned a lot. I have done more research on this than anything! What is Raven's PCV level? What are the mg of each med? Mia's lowest PCV was 3. She is now at 27. Another PCV test is tomorrow. This website is great with great people. I wish you the best of luck. This disease effects dogs differently. If you ever need anything, just come here!! I will be praying for you and Raven. I can't have kids either, so I know EXACTLY where you are coming from. I wish this pain was on me instead of her. Prayers and thoughts your way! -Liz and Mia

Liz Nashville

Sharon, You will have a great support group here at this site. It gave and still gives me great comfort knowing that I wasn't alone in handling this. Karon

Karon SC

Sharon, I am so sorry you have had to join us but like it was said you will find a lot of support here. I am sorry your Vet took so long to diagnose your poor Raven. Have you found an internal medicine specialist? It is very inportant to have a Vet who is very familiar with treating this or at least one that is open to your input. Start keeping a journal or a spreadsheet so you can chart Raven's meds/moods/ readings etc. It will come in very handy. It is indeed a roller coaster ride both financially and emotionally. The weakness you are seeing is partly from the drugs as well as the disease. What is her current PCV? How often is your Vet checking it? What dosage of drugs do they have her on? Feel free to toss out any questions or discuss what you are feeling. We have all been where you are. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Isn't the Internet amazing? How else could I have found all of you? Thanks for the wonderful words of support. I'm realizing how much more serious this is than I originally thought. I do have a good internal medicine specialist, who ultimately diagnosed her after more blood tests, aspirating her spleen and then a bone marrow biopsy. I'll send along the drug info -- would be interested to know your all thoughts. She seemed MUCH better this morning. Is this typical? I'm taking her back to the doc this afternoon just to double check her blood count. Plus, I want to be more clear on what I'm looking for when he says "blanched gums." Thanks to all of you. You have no idea how much this means to me. Sharon

Sharon CT

Sharon, You need to be seeing pink gums, pink tongue and pink on the indsides of the ears. If they're pale, that's an indication that the PCV has dropped. Sometimes, if the PCV gets way too low, a transfusion is called for. Darcy has had three and Dr. Dodds says that they can be given as many times as required to stabilize or reverse the condition. If you notice that Raven is looking extremely pale and is weak, won't eat, etc., get in touch with the specialist immediately. That's just some things that I've learned to look out for in my dog. Hopefully, the medications will resolve Raven's problem and you won't have to go the transfusion route. I wish the best for you and Raven. Please keep us posted. Karen

Karen NC

Thanks so much, Karen. I'm learning...I know it's not cancer, but it seems like it in so many ways. Raven is much better. Her PCV is 25...typical for a lab is around 40, so I'm more clear on why she's so weak. She had a transfusion last week when she was at 16, and so far, she's maintained the 25. Today, she seems almost back to normal...I can't believe how she's so different one day to another. How's Mia doing, Liz? Darcy sure sounds like a fighter, too. Hugs to all.

Sharon CT

Hi Sharon, I too have an 11 year old, but he is not the AIHA dog, its Wylie my 11 year old 50# mix who was diagnosed with AIHA in April. Raven is on Doxycycyle which is the first thing vets administer when suspecting or diagnosing AIHA since so many dogs get it from tick borne disease and doxycyclene is the drug for this. I would have your vet if they already havent done so do a complete tick panel which has to be sent away to a lab. This can diagnose a possible cause to ticks. Here I am in CAlif an mine had to be sent to Michigan! Okay here is a little of my history and what I recommend. We were lucky, we caught Wylies AIha early and her HCT never went below 32, the vet noticed her jaundiced in a routine exam. We had been monitoring this weekly and then her HCT fell. She was immediately put doxycyclene and a few days later and a more drops in the HCT while the combs and tick tests came back she was put in pred. Conmbs tests casme back positive, also a mild RMSF tick disease but vet said it was and said that wasnt cause. What to do. I found this site and people recommended a internist /specailist decision. I consulted with our only internist in town. She said at 11 years old, most AIHA causes are from cancer of the spleen and suggested an ultrasound. I did that. It came back showing a growth on her spleen< I was devastated. I was lucky again, it was benigh but the vet said these benign growth can gro and blled out causing AIHA. We removed her spleen in May and she went off pred end of June, (I know probably soo to soon,) but her latest hct was 42 and and she is acting like she was 2years ago! So I would make sureRaven gets a full tick panel and an ultrasound to rule out any problems with the spleen Laurie

Laurie CA

I just saw your latest post. I forgot to mention, but I also consulted with Dr Dodds. she is a specialist in AIHA that many here have used via email. THis was before the Splenectomy and she said its good if seniors can hold a 32 HCT Laurie

Laurie CA

My 11 year old Lab is showing signs of AIHA and today I am awaiting results of the Coomb's test. The 40% neg. result on this test concerns me as the only definitive way to diagnose beyond that is marrow biopsy. Besides the pain of the disease, the depression is the hardest thing to watch. Jake and I walk in our gorgeous N. GA neighborhood 3 miles each day. From one day to the next he wasn't able to keep his usual pace. The vet's suspition was immediate with one look at his gums and then reviewing his blood work. The last few days have been emotional to say the least!

Vicki GA

This thread was discussed between 16/10/2008 and 05/11/2008

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