Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - lets fight back

For the Last 3 weeks since Cochise was diagnosed with AIHA and subsequently passed away from it, i have read everyones stories, advice, supportive words and what, and how to treat for AIHA. It all just hit me that with everyones knowledge and expirence with fighting for and grieving for AIHA, That we all can put are collective brains together and fight back against this. What do you all think about writing a pamphlet to educate Vets and Dog owners alike. I read that someone uses a spreadsheet for the meds, i read what red blood cells and platlets do, i read about so many different medications. I read about so much in such a short time and you all know so much that we could really too so much good. I am not so great with words so i hope you get my point. Daniel

daniel provence france

I know in Pembrokeshire there is little known of this disease. I think its a brilliant idea. Jackie

Jackie pembrokeshire; west wales; uk

When Ern was first diagnosed I contacted our old vet who looked after my animals for 20 years. Unfortunately I no longer live in her area but I call her for advice whenever I feel it's necessary. She told me that all vets know OF this disease but most don't have much practical experience of treating it. She is the only vet in her practice to have been on a course specifically about AIHA. By a sad coincidence, a few months after her course her own dog was struck down with AIHA. He did survive and is doing well 3 years on. With the advice she gives me I feel much better equiped to challenge the vet treating Ern, I think he's realising fast that in 3 short weeks I probably know as much about this disease as he does. I think writing an information pamphlet is a great idea, I know I would have been grateful for it when Ern was first diagnosed. Sue

Sue Northants UK

I knew nothing about this disease until Sammy was diagnosed on Saturday 20th Oct 07, I spent many sad hours whilst Sammy was at the hospital being treated searching on the internet about AIHA. All the vet was able to tell me was that his prognosis was poor. I would have welcomed a pamphlet which could have informed me what signs to look out for, and what to expect. I still can't help thinking that if I'd known about this disease Sammy's sad outcome could have been different. I think its a great idea. Emma

Emma Devon Uk

I think a leaflet is a great idea, especially as it is becoming more obvious that the numbers of dogs affected by AIHI is on the increase. I lost my precious Georgie on July 31st after a 6 month battle. I now have two more dogs, a Border Collie, Jess and a Lhasa Apso, Sox. Not a day goes by that I do not check them both for signs that I now know but without the experience with Georgie, I would put down to the dog being "off colour". I donated to Meisha's Hope after Georgie's death as Joanne was a great support both on the forum and by private e-mail. I am sure that would be a good place to start as they have completed a lot of research already. Steph

Steph Wales

I think that would be a great idea!! Without this forum I would have been clueless about AIHA when my dog Tipsi was diagnosed on September 21st. Fortunately I live very close to an excellent veterinary teaching hopsital that was able to provide my dog with the best care possible. And luckily it paid off because my Tipsi is doing much better now and is still fighting this disease. However, many people don't have the benefit of living near a VTH and any extra knowledge or advice we could give them would be an amazing gift!!

Layla Raleigh

While the idea of brochures or pamphlets sounds like a good idea one must think through the whole idea very carefully such as who is to write these documents, what info is to be included in them, who pays for the printing and what is the method of distribution. Thankfully all of these questions have been taken care of when Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) printed brochures on AIHA/IMHA after we created the Meisha’s Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 at MAF http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/newhope.htm As a matter of fact these brochures are now into their third printing and I am hoping to here they are back from the printers soon. The gal at MAF who does the majority of work on the Meisha Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 is sending out these brochures on a regular basis to breed clubs, vet clinics and other places for distribution. The brochures contain info on some of the symptoms of the disease as well as info on the Meisha’s Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338. So since brochures are already being done, a really good way to help fight the disease is to make a donation to this Fund to sponsor studies on AIHA/IMHA. All the info necessary to do so is listed on this Web page http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/newhope.htm Donations can be made via postal mail or online at the Morris Animal Foundation Web site If you donate at the MAF Web site, be sure to check the Meisha’s Hope box on the online donation form. So far the Meisha’s Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 has sponsored or co sponsored several studies on the disease and the results are appearing to be very promising.

Joanne MN

Lets not forget the great work that Joan and the vets at Tuffs university and the great informational brochure they made and can be read at: :) http://www.home.comcast.net/~joan.ogg/aiha_info.htm Dolores

Dolores Wi

Seems I typed in the wrong address. It is: http//home.comcast.net/~joan.ogg/aiha_info.htm hope this is correct now.

Dolores

Seems I typed in the wrong address. It is: http//home.comcast.net/~joan.ogg/aiha_info.htm hope this is correct now.

Dolores wi

Hi Joanne Are the brochures distributed in the UK? The only information I could find when Georgie was ill was your web site and this forum. Since I found you at the beginning of the year there seems to be an increase in dogs affected in the UK but still nobody having heard of AIHI until their dog was diagnosed. This is why I suggested the Meisha's Hope Fund. I suppose if you have the internet, but still not everyone does still in the UK, the information is there. Keep up the good work Steph

Steph Wales

I had no idea what AIHA was until I took Trixie to the vets. As soon as I was told, I came home and that same day, googled it and found this site, thank goodness! It has been an enormous help reading everyones posts and getting feed back. I think it would be great for a booklet to be put together. I found no information about it at my local vets, only what the vet told me herself.

Tricia UK

This thread was discussed between 24/10/2007 and 25/10/2007

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