Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Jasper update....

Jasper has been for his 3 month check today. He has been med free for 2 months and his bloods are are excellent and well into the normal dog range. The vet was pleased with him. He does seem a little stiffer and maybe a little older the last few months, but then again he has recently turned 12, and maybe the steroids have been giving him a boost over the last 8 months. Nevertheless we are thankful he is still here with us. It somehow doesn't feel right to post such good news when others are really struggling. We have lost so many over the last few months to this horrible disease. Jasper was diagnosed on the last day of August last year and it has taken to the last few months to combat the disease. I really hope that by posting it does give hope to everyone out there who are having such a rough time. We have been there and have kept faith and plodded on taking small steps along the way. Good luck to each and everyone of you. Jackie and Jasper

Jackie pembrokeshire; west wales; uk

Jackie, Never hesitate to post good news. I am sure it helps everyone who is fighting. Even though I lost my dear dog Salome I am thrilled to read that someone else's dog has fought and won. Enjoy every single day with your boy. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Jackie -- I'm with Penny. We are always glad to hear good news, and no one should ever be concerned about posting because of others' sadness. It is wonderful to hear when a dog and its family succeeds against IMHA. Please take care and give your sweet boy a big kiss and hug for being a fighter.

Brenda VA

Good on you. I just lost my Zeke but it is so encouraging to hear that it can be beaten. It gives hope to all those on the forum now and all those that join! Keep up the fight.

TERRY SPAIN

Terrific news Jackie. I think of late there has been alot of very serious cases that have turned out bad and we all need to see the good ones that live and have long and happy lives. Tasha has been fighting this disease sine mid-March and we are just now starting to see improvements. They do come slowly, but patience and determination do seem to come. Our biggest step has been no blood tranfusions in 3.5 weeks and we are finally starting to regenerate. This morning I took Tasha to the vet for her regular every other day check up. Yesterday she had a tough time holding her food down and I was concerned. Her PCV on Monday was 24 which was up 2 points from last Friday. Today she is at 26 and looks pretty good. The doctors are going to look closely at her medications and try and maybe decrease some that are not needed, mostly supplements. Well again congratulations and I don't want to steal your thread. Keep up the good work. Steve

Steve VA

Great news Jackie, give that handsome boy a big hug from me and little Ern. :-)

Sue Northants UK

Sue, How is Little Ern doing? I suspect he will have had a haircut with the current heat... no need for his Sherlock Holmes coat! To everyone who are currently fighting, Jasper had many little steps forward followed by a good few back too. It took several months before he showed a good improvement followed by 2 mini relapses where it seemed to have taken hold again. Sometimes its a case of perseverance and patience and I think alot of luck too. There is heartache along the way and each day often brings different challenges, but sometimes the smallest of improvements mean everything to us. We each know our dogs better than anyone else and we learn that all important 6th sense when you know something just doesn't seem right. We still check his eyes daily as we do his gums. He just looks at me as if to say... here we go again. He has really off days where he is very tired and can't be bothered to do anything and then days where he runs around like a fool. AIHA is always in the back of our minds, especially on his off days. Its something we have had to learn to live with and will continue to do so. Keep the faith and keep believing. Jackie and Jasper

Jackie pembrokeshire; west wales; uk

Little Ern is doing great. Into his 5th month med free and all bloods perfectly normal. He's had his summer haircut and the sherlock coat is stashed away ready for the next winter. He's even more ball obsessed than he was before and it's a hard job persuading him to come in from the garden these days. He's also been digging behind the shed and trailing mud all over the house, but he knows full well he's forgiven anything!

Sue Northants UK

jackie, thanks for posting and congratulations. Our little Matilda was diagnosed March 17 2008, and we are still fighting this. It is good news like yours that helps to keep our spirits up during the down days. Hopefully we will be posting similar news someday! thanks and continued good health for Jasper! jeanne

Jeanne texas

This thread was discussed between 13/05/2008 and 15/05/2008

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