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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Immunoglobulin success?
| My 5.5 year old english springer spaniel was diagnosed with IMHA on 6th june 2010 after collapsing suddenly. She was stable for some weeks but showed no improvement on steroids or immunosuppresants and has suddenly deteriorated this week. She has had a blood transfusion today and antiobiotic treatment for a secondary infection (caused by suppression of immune system). My vet is organising human immunoglobulin treatment for monday but has advised me that her prognosis is very poor and that i may just be prolonging the inevitable. Does anyone have a success story with immunoglobulin treatment or just any experience of this treatment at all? It feels like a life time since she was diagnosed and until this week she had not been suffering after her initial crisis (her pcv was 30, so not that low really). I am so devastated. I don't want to carry on fighting if it will just prolong her suffering but i don't want to give up if there is hope. Best wishes to you all. xx |
| libby South West |
| Libby, I am so very sorry to hear that your Springer Spaniel has been diagnosed with IMHA. While IMHA is a very difficult diseases, dogs CAN and DO survive it and go on to live happy,healthy lives. If you have not read my Web site on Canine AIHA/IMHA as yet you might want to do so when you have time. The URL is: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ Be sure to follow the links on the first page to many other sites on AIHA/IMHA that will be very helpful to you and do read the SUCCESS STORIES pages, they will show you what has worked for other dogs in terms of treatment options as well as give you a lot of Hope. I have seen a few dogs that have been given IVIG. One of them that I can think of right off the top of my head is Willy, the March 2007 Success Story. You can read Willy's Success Story at this URL; http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/archives18.htm At the end of Willy's story are several links to pages that have info on IVIG. I truly do know how hard this is so be assured both you and your most beloved canine companion are in my thoughts during these most very difficult days. |
| Joanne MN |
| hi libby so sorry to hear that your dog has been diagnosed. our dog casper was given human immunoglobulin because his blood count and platelets just keep free falling and the prednisone, neoral were not working fast enough to help him. when he relapsed he was also given human immunoglobulin along with prednisone, neoral and azathioprine. he is doing well these days and altho he is still on medication, he is able to live a full and happy life. we pray that your doggie will be able to beat this also. |
| leslie ca |
| Leslie, Thank you so much for mentioning that Casper was given IVIG. Libby you can read Casper's Success Story here: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/archives20.htm Scroll down to the May story |
| Joanne MN |
| Libby, I'm so sorry to read about your dog - mine was diagnosed after a sudden collapse episode as well. I don't have experience with IVIG but wanted to let you know that my dog also developed an infection as a result of his immune system becoming too suppressed by the IMHA meds. At that point, he looked/felt worse than at any other point in his illness. Once the vets were able to get the infection under control (with several antibiotics and cutting back dramatically on the IMHA meds) he did much better. I hope it is the same for your dog - I know how awful it is to see them like this but wanted you to know that some dogs are able to make it through. Take care and I hope we hear good news for you soon. Bonnie |
| Bonnie Chicago |
| Libby, I just wanted to let you know that I am keeping you and your girl in my thoughts and prayers. Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
This thread was discussed between 22/07/2010 and 23/07/2010
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