Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Henri-Update

Hi Everyone, I wanted to give an update on Henri, our baby Westie. As you might remember, Henri was diagnosed with vaccine-induced hemolytic anemia on 02/26/09. He required one blood transfusion to stablize. His original immunosuppressant medications were cyclosporine, prednisone, and azathioprine. Over the past several months we have been very slowly weaning Henri off his medications. Now he is off the cyclosporine and prednisone. Later this week, we will start his first azathioprine reduction. Throughout all the medications reductions, Henri's hematocrit has held steady at 40%. He is doing very well. We thought we had a mellow, well-behaved puppy until we removed the prednisone---the puppy came back:) The light came back to his eyes and with it, all the puppy curiosity. He has been busy chewing up our tubberware and laundry, digging in the fireplace, etc. The only bump, we have had in weaning the medications, was that when we stopped the prednisone, Henri became itchy. We aren't sure if it is an allergy or his body adjusting to all the changes or a combination of things. Henri did lose over 50% of his hair while he was ill and it is all growing back in. At the moment he looks like he has chemo hair--he has the stress hair which is long and wispy and the all this thick new hair that is only about 1cm long growning in---definately hat hair! Henri's journey has gone very well. We feel blessed that he has done so well. We read the posts to this group every day, following each story, and praying for the furkids that are struggling. Thank you for all your stories and help. Warmly, Ella, Jeff, Bella (3-yo Westie with Addison's Disease) and Henri (11-months old)

Ella Seattle

So happy to hear how well little Henri is doing. I bet you don't mind the naughty puppy behavior too much. I remember when Tiggs started doing little mischevious things again, I was actually quite happy :) melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

How long was this process of reducing meds take? were you doing it weekly bi weekly. how much for how many days. We hope to be doing this starting next week, if Rosie's tests come back good. Thanks Pam

Pam Illinois

Hi Pam, I believe we did a medication reduction every 3 weeks with a blood check 2 weeks after each reduction. We worked on weaning one drug at a time. The first drug weaned was Cyclosporine. We went from 50mg/day to 25mg/day to none. The second drug weaned was Prednisone. We went from 10mg/day to 7.5mg/day to 5mg/day to 2.5mg/day to 2.5mg/every other day to 1mg/every other day to none. As you can see, this all took months to do, as we would do one reduction every 3 weeks. We will tackle the azathioprine now, going from 12.5mg/every other day to 7mg/every other day. Now that we are getting closer to being completely off of meds, these final reductions will occur every 6 weeks. I know every dog is different and what works for one dog, may not work for another. Henri was only 5-months old when he became ill. He is about to turn 1-year old, later this week. Hope this is helpful, Ella

Ella Seattle

Way to go Henri, that is wonderful news Laurie

Laurie CA

Hi Ella and Henri. Great jon Henri!!! I also have a young dog with IMHA. Calypso was 9 months old when she becam sick in June of this year. We are just about off the Prednisone (we started weaning that first)....We just went to every other day Prednisone and hope to stop it in about another week. Then our vet's plan is to wean her Cyclosporin by 25 mg every 30 days. We are going on vacation in a few weeks so we will not do any weans close to the time we leave just because it makes me nervous, but I figure better to be safe!! Wendi

Wendi Ohio

Happy Birthday Henri! Love Sue

Sue Kingston Ontario Canada

Ella, I am so happy you are seeing the puppy you have missed for so long. I can remember when you felt Henri might not make it so I am glad you have posted so others can read that no matter how bleak it may look there is always hope. My non AIHA dog is starting to show signs of his annual allergy attack. I will be stopping on the way home tonight for some Benadryl. It may be something in the air for Henri as well. Congrats to you all! Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Thanks for all the support!! Our baby boy turns 1-year old on Friday. What a journey this first year has been for us all! Give a extra treat to yourself and/or your furkid in celebrate. Warmly, Ella, Jeff, Bella, and Henri

Ella Seattle

That is wonderful news and I have a feeling Heni will be having an extra special birthday!!! A big paws up from Ginger too:) Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile pa

Congratulations! Henri has come such a long way. How wonderful that he is back feeling good and acting like a puppy. We still have some skin and hair issues with Kahlu. I have learned (from Patrice) that the prednisone might have taken care of allergies and other problems that can surface when you reduce it. we still fight the constant UT infections. I hope you will have Henri off medications soon and he will continue to be a real terrier boy. give him a birthday hug from us on Friday! Best wishes, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Bravo Henri!!! My girl was 10 months old when diagnosed so I know what you mean by seeing the puppy behaviour again. I was so grateful!

nicky gvaz

Nicky, How old is your dog now? I know this is rare thing to see in puppies. Thanks for cheering for Henri! Ella

Ella Seattle

Hi Everyone, Thanks again for all the cheers. If anyone would like me to send them a photo of Henri at his birthday party on Friday....email me. My email is: westiepack@yahoo.com We had his party last Friday...I got some great photos of him eating his first pupcake :) Ella

Ella Seattle

Hi Ella, That is such great news about Henri... Madison has been drug free for 2 months now and she is now back to her normal self, she improved even more once she was drug free. Well done to you both Samantha & Madison

Samantha Perth

Dear Ella, That is the most fantastic news! I am so glad little Henri is going well. It's so cruel for any dog to be struck down with this disease, let alone a baby. Your little Henri was diagnosed 4 days after my Millie, so I've always wondered how he was going and hoped for the best. Millie sends high paws to Henri for his 1st birthday! Samantha & Millie.

Samantha Geelong Australia

Wonderful news. I am so happy Henri is doing so well. Happy Birthday Henri!

Mardi Northern Calif

This thread was discussed between 16/09/2009 and 17/09/2009

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