Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - How do I find an AIHA Specialist?

Can anyone help me find a specialist who treats this disease? My 9 yr. old bulldog was diagnosed with AIHA. I live in Waterford, MI and am not sure how to find a vet who is experienced with this disease.

My Chloe Michigan

I went to the ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Medicine) website and entered your state, Michigan and small animal internal medicine. I came up with a list of 14 specialists that are available in Michigan. Your vet may have a special relationship with a board certified internal medicine specialist so be sure to check with them. The most knowledgeable vets would be DVM., ACVIM., http://www.acvim.org/Specialist/Search.aspx However, sometimes your local vet may have some special knowledge or interest in certain conditions that would make them a first good place to start. Patrice

Patrice NYS

Thanks, Patrice! I went to the site and made an apointment with a specialist in my area. Do most of you all see a regular vet or a specialist?

My Chloe Michigan

To get Duck through the initial crisis we were dealing with specialists at Washington State University. But since Duck has stabilized, we are dealing almost solely with our regular vet. If I have questions about med reductions etc. I still sometimes e-mail the specialists and have also sought advice from Dr. Dodds a couple of times. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

I am sorry to hear that Chloe was diagnosed with AIHA. Lindy continues to see her specialist and we only take her to the local vet for blood work in between her check-ups. It all depends on your regular vet's expertise. We had invested so much energy and money to insure her survival, I wasn't willing to put her care into someone else's hands. Good luck with Chloe. Nancy and Lindy

Nancy CO

We only see our regular vet for blood check ups and that is only because they charge us half what the specialist does. Our specialist requires our regular vet to send them all test results. I am like was said previously...we have spent so much time, energy and money I don't trust Lucy with anyone but the best money can buy at this point.

Crissy Kansas

My dog TC sees an Internal Medicine Specialist who is 40 miles away. TC relapsed from IMHA September 30, 2008 and he is doing well now. The Specialist checks his RBC but also does a test to see how hard his bone marrow is working and does periodic tests on his liver and overall health. He is still on Pred, 10 mg every three days....

Wendy Tampa FL

Crissy, Kansas We only see our regular vet for blood check ups and that is only because they charge us half what the specialist does. Our specialist requires our regular vet to send them all test results. I am like was said previously...we have spent so much time, energy and money I don't trust Lucy with anyone but the best money can buy at this point. ************Quote******************* Crissy, When you have the blood drawn at your local vet and they send it to the specialist--if the meds need to be adjusted or there's a problem--does the specialist get in contact with you?

My Chloe Michigan

Thanks Crissy for posting the most important part, "the regular vet sends the blood test results to the specialist." We drive 70 miles one way to our specialist. Actually, I would drive to Alaska if I had to! :-) When the blood test results come in from our regular vet, I call Dr. Bayliss and repeat the numbers on her voice mail. Somehow, when our local vet sends her a fax, she never gets them. I wanted to make sure she got the information. Nancy

Nancy CO

This thread was discussed between 20/03/2008 and 22/03/2008

Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) forum index

This thread is from the Vetnet archive. The live Vetnet forum is active now.