Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - I'm new here

Hi everyone. I've been reading the posts here and I really love this forum. I find it easy to read also. My dog Willow was diagnosed in July of this year with a disease that is very similar to IMHA and treated exactly the same way. It's IMT, which is low platelets instead of red blood cells. IMT can become IMHA also. Willow has been on Prednisone and we are at this point trying to continue to reduce her dose. She's currently at 10mg every other day, down from the 80mg daily she was on when we started all this. She's a 7-10 year old chow chow, about 50 lbs. She's also on the Denosyl and Marin and Pepsid a lot of the dogs here are on. I look forward to getting to know everyone better. Lori

Lori New England

Hi Lori, Welcome to you and Willow. Glad to hear that you are starting to reduce some meds, that must mean things are working for you guys. Did Willow need a transfusion of platelets, or were they able to catch it with just meds? What where the symptoms? Best of luck, keep us posted, melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Hi Lori. I'm sorry to hear about Willow's illness. My 4 year old labrador, Toby, was diagnosed with AIHA in July. This forum has been such a tremendous help both in terms of support and information. My vet was surprised at how much I have learned here. Best wishes to you and Willow. Karen H.

Karen H. Missouri

Lori, welcome -- you'll find the people here are some of the kindest, smartest folks I've found anywhere. They've been such a gift to me through this process -- and really no one knows this process until you've gone through it yourself! Sharon and angel Raven

Sharon CT

Lori, I am sorry to hear that your most beloved Willow has been diagnosed with IMT (Immune mediated thrombocytopenia) also known as ITP. We don't have a lot of discussion about ITP/IMT on this forum but I certainly do think it is important that every dog owner/caregiver be aware of this disease as I think they should be aware of AIHA/IMHA. Saddly that is not the case. You might want to go to this Web page http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/imhaitphandout.htm and read a bit about ITP/IMT from the handout from the Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. At the bottom of the page are a couple of links to more info on ITP/IMT as well as a link to the story about "Midnight the Miracle ITP Dog" who had Zero platlets when she was diagnosed. I have seen a lot of AIHA/IMHA dogs who later have developed ITP/IMT. Also sometimes we see dogs who have AIHA/IMHA and ITP/IMT at the same time. When that happens the dog is said to be suffering from a condition called Evans Syndrome. Evans can be tougher then AIHA/IMHA or ITP/IMT alone but I have seen many dogs survive Evans and go on to live happy healthy lives. If you read the Success Stories at the Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Web site: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/successstories.htm you will read about several dogs who have had Evans Syndrome or even of some dogs who have developed ITP/IMT after recovering from AIHA/IMHA. Sounds like Willow is improving if you are lowing the meds. Best wishes to you and your dear Willow for a compelte recovery.

Joanne MN

Lori, Welcome to the board. I am glad Willow is at the stage that you are able to reduce her meds. As Joanne pointed out there have been a number of dogs on this board who have been diagnosed with ITP as well as AIHA. Be sure to read the success story of Jeanne's dear sweet Angelo it is inspirational. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Thanks so much for the warm welcome. I've been reading the posts here and went to the links and I can definately relate to the stories. Willow was actually diagnosed by accident. I had taken her for blood work because she had Lyme disease. And, they found her platelets to be very low. They were checked and rechecked and I even took her for a second opinion before starting the Prednisone. Her platelets at the lowest were 12,000--a frightening number. If some of you are not familiar anything under 40, 000 puts the dog at risk of spontaneous internal bleeding and if they should get banged or bumped or anything, it could be very serious. I was a zombie during those initial days. I could barely function I was so scared. The ONLY reason they didn't transfuse her was because she was doing OK. She walked into all her appointments on her own steam and was eating and basically you couldn't tell anything was wrong with her. They don't feel sick like they do with low red blood cells. But, we were very fortunate to have found the problem because if those platelets had gone any lower without us knowing. . .I shudder to think what could of happened. Fortunately, she did respond very well to Prednisone and within three days her platelets went from 12,000 to 76, 000 and up from there. She's had some liver inflammation from the Prednisone and had to be on antibiotics for a couple of weeks for that. She's gained some weight after initially loosing about 6lbs. Tomorrow she'll be having more blood work done. Two weeks ago we weren't able to lower the Prednisone further like we had hoped because her numbers had dropped significantly. So, I'm praying that was just a normal variation and things will be better this time. Thanks for reading and sorry it did end up so long. Lori

Lori New England

Hello Lori. I am sorrry Willow developed this problem on top or her IBS--isn't it IBS that she has? I know you have had trouble with her digestion on different foods. I had not realized until reading your posts under the new AIHA t/hread on i-dog that Willow had a disease so like AIHA. I hate hearing of any dog coming down with any similar disease. I come here and sometimes leave crying over a death, sometimes smiling over good news. One thing for sure, all here have been on that dreaded roller coaster ride. hoping or the best for your "blue chow"---I think she looks blue--Willow.

SANDRA TEXAS

Im wishing you and Willow the best, welcome..this is a good place

Josh California

This thread was discussed between 29/11/2008 and 27/12/2008

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