Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Its been a year since Wylies relapse

and my 12+ year old gal is doing pretty good. She was diagnosed with AIHA April 08. Last Nov 1 she had a relapse. I knew it immediately, while were were on our walk and suddenly she had no energy to proceed. I thought were were going to have to get the car to get her home but she made it. Her gums were still the pale pink they always were. When she was first diagnosed a growth was found on her spleen, so her spleen was removed luckily no cancer. Because of the lack of spleen the HCT is usually lower, so she had been around 39. SHe got to the vet that morning and I told my vet she had a relapse. He said oh I dont think so I have never had a AIHA dog relapse. He came out sheepishly and said you were right, Her HCT is 27. I should no better than question you. She was started back on prednizone and has been off of it since March and the best news is her HCT is running around 45 with bright pink gums. I think it was the low dose of Bioprep I had given her. We think the relapse was caused by Hartgard Plus I had given her a week before. So she is on interceptor now. I am a little worried about stomach issues though,that started about a month ago. She had been throwing up for 3 days, I took her to the ER, they gave her something for the stomach and she was fine. Last week-end she started having gas again. LOL only on this site can I talk about BM's. Then Tuesday night I took her for a walk and she had a lot of red blood in her poop. I took a sample wed to the vet tech and it was clear of parasites, I found 2 other poos with blood. Wed night she only had a drop and now its fine except she still has runny poos. I am going to talk to the vet vet tomorrow about a possible baterial infection. She gets into turkey poop all of the time so I am wondering if she got something from that. She is eating ravenously Laurie

Laurie CA

Hi Laurie, Great news about Wylie and her high PCV! Sorry to hear about her new problem. Oh yes the gas, it can be so bad at times, well let me say it used to be. I just wanted to mention one thing, sounds like Wylie and our Holly love to eat other animals poop or whatever they can get a hold of. Holly has had several bouts with different things in the last 2 years, vomiting, runny poo, even some blood about 2 months ago. The last episode when she got hives and had blood in her poo and vomiting cost us $350 at the vet, and other then her getting into something which we never did figure out she has been fine. The one thing we did do, was to switch her dog food to California Natural, Lamb and rice and also started her on Pet Dophilus (Probiotic Supplement). Ever since this she has not had any problems and she still continues to eat Squirrel or Bird poo in the back yard, we are always yelling at her. I just give her like a 1/8 teaspoon in her dinner and I really think it has helped in keeping the good bacteria in her stomach especially with all the crap she eats outside. I got it from this new little pet store in town and the lady there was very helpful. It is made by Jarrow. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Laurie Sounds like Wylie is doing excellent, you did a great job of taking care of her. 45 is an awesome number and I hope Ginger can get there one day. We wish Wylie continued good health! Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile pa

Hi Laurie, Wiley is an amazing senior! My senior dog has horrific gas too and her tummy is always gurgly, I wonder if it goes with aging. Have you tried any pro-biotics in her diet? We have experimented a little with food, and found some good ones that don't seem to have the er...side effects. I know Patrice mentioned something about blood in stools, and the consensus on that other thread was that if it's a dark blood, it's coming from internally, and if it's a red, fresh blood, there could be an irritation in the bum or rectum...wouldn't explain the vomiting though...but sometimes our seniors are extra sensitive. Hopefully with some culturing you can get some more answers. I hope you get to the "bottom" of it..sorry, I just couldn't resist! Go Wylie! 45 is amazing!! Keep us posted on how you both are doing and what you find out! melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Linda, Wylie is on a probiotic and digestive enzyme. You won't believe this, but I am switching Wylie off of Calif Natural chicken and rice. She has been on now since she had her first AIHA bout. so 16 months. I think it maybe the cause of some of her stomach issues. Both times this has happened. The color of the kibble was a different color. THe first time I contacted Calif Natural and they said that happens. Well, I dont know if its coincedence, but she started this latest stomach problem not loing after I got a new bag that again the color was different. She never had a problem the years she was on Purina Pro Plan. I am now mixing a little of Pinnacle duck and potato, thats for senstive stomach to see if this will help. Cheryl, I do hope Ginger gets a 45 too. How is she doing? Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie, Wow that is interesting. Of course the food will drive us crazy I think. We had Holly and our other dog on Natural Balance for over 2 years, Holly got the fish formula but the other one was allergic to fish so she got chicken. Then when Holly has this last go around with the hives and we didn't know from what, so the lady at this pet store said it is always good to switch foods around every so often which is why we went to the Calfornia Natural, but we do the Lamb and Rice, she told us this was better for dogs with sensitive stomachs?? I know with Natural Balance, they told me that dogs build up allergies to certain dog foods also, it is just crazy. Hope you figure out what is going on. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Yea Wylie. Gassy little Wylie! Aren't you the lucky one. Keep up the good work. I'm glad Wylie is doing great, albeit the gas situation! take care.

Mardi Northern Calif

happy to hear about wylies resiliency... :)

josh california

Linda, I think the person saying about the CN lamb and rice being better for sensitive stomachs is because of the limited ingredients, less to cause problems. I just talked to my vet about The CN food concern and he sia that could very well be causing Wylies problems. That possibly they are not using the exact same source of meats causing IBS. Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie: Always good to hear that Wylie is doing great! Gas or no gas - senior dogs are the best aren't they? Hope things continue to go well - it's always good to hear that the old dogs keep hanging in there! Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Rita, I do love senior dogs, I have 2, WYlie still has so much much vigor, but is slowing down. She gets out of breath easily, probably the heart murmur. my lab the same age, is struggling in his walks now. So far Wylies digestive issues have resolved. She is now fully on the Pinnacle so hopefully it was just the other dog food. Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie, that's great to hear the good news about Wylie's PCV being at 45. I hope you can get the stool and stomach issues under control. I know all about the gas issues! Tessy's gas comes from the mouth more often than the other and boy doesn't it stink. She's forever burping in my face...the little buggar. Easy way to get my attention though I guess. Hope to hear how the change in food goes for you after more time goes by. Hugs to Wylie from Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

This thread was discussed between 01/11/2009 and 08/11/2009

Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) forum index

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