Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Low titers...need suggestions!

Calypso’s parvo titer came back low (< 1-8) which means she lack immunity. Her Rabies titer was 0.08 and anything > 0.05 is acceptable, so we are okay as far as Rabies. So thoughts on what to do about the low parvo titers? We have a call into the specialist to ask their thoughts. My vet says we can do one of 3 things: Do nothing (mean not vaccinate for parvo) Vaccinate for just parvo Vaccinate with the distemper/parvo vaccine If we do vaccinate I need to decide whether we premedicate or not. Things have been going so well and she is off all her meds so I am wary to rock the boat, but being that she is only 2 years old I worry that she will be exposed to parvo. Thanks! Wendi

Wendi Ohio

Hello Wendy, Isn't it all so confusing? I just went through a similar dilemma with my now 8 month old Standard Poodle Enzo. The situation is of course totally different because Enzo does not have AIHA (but his uncle died of it). He had his initial puppy shots at 7 weeks (too early grrr) his first titer still showed immunity to distemper, but zero to parvo. So we immunized that. Next titer a couple of months later showed immunity to both. On his last one 2 weeks ago he had immunity to parvo and low(1-10) to distemper. My regular vet recommended immunizing. Because she does not carry the separate immunizations I went to a holistic vet. This vet gave me two options. Either immunize for the distemper or treat with nosodes. Since Enzo only had one distemper shot so far, we decided it would not hurt giving him a booster. After the shot he got some nosodes to avoid any reaction. This holistic vet has a lot of experience with titers and she said there are dogs (she mentioned Flat Coated Retrievers) that just can't hold an immunization. They would just always be at risk and the only treatment is to try and improve their immune system over all. I think you have to look at how many times Calipso has been immunized, has she ever had a high titer? I would definitely choose the parvo only vaccine, I am assuming the distemper was good. It is so confusing, because it is not black and white. If Calypso is exposed to parvo and you would do a titer the next day, her immunity could well be up to 1-50 but she could also get sick. Would it maybe be possible to send an e-mail to Dr. Dodds and get her input? Good luck and best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Wendi, Get the complete lab results from your vet. Go to Dr. Dodds' site www.hemopet.org. Fill out the test form for consultation only and submit the paperwork with a $35 consultation fee. You can do it yourself or your vet can submit it. Add a note to Dr. Dodds asking her to evaluate the titers and advise you what to do. I personally would never guess on this on my own. I just had her evaluate Cassie's blood work and thyroid. She will return an email to you very quickly. The test results for the thyroid had been marked as "equivocal" or "we aren't sure what this means." She checked her files of Giant Schnauzer values and notified me that the range has changed for them and Cassie is fine. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Dr Schultz (a leader in immunology research) says any titer indicates immunity In your dog's case I would not vaccinate, but agree talk to Dr Dodds as she often speaks at the same events as Dr Schultz

Rottlady NH USA

Hi Wendi, I concurr DO NOT VACCINATE your dog. Email Dr Dodds. Dr Dodds and Dr Schultz work together--she is in California. Our dog, Henri, cannot have vaccinations, as he has vaccine-induced IMHA. His titers are low...but Dr Dodds said they are adequate. The science of vaccine immunity is very complicated, I would not rely on the knowledge of a general vet. Additionally, Dr Dodds is the more knoweledgable than a general internal medicine vet on this issue because it is her research area. Henri's general vet and internal medicine vet defer all vaccine questions to Dr Dodds. Good Luck! Keep us posted. Ella Henri, West Highland White Terrier, 2-yo today!, diagnosed with vaccine-induced IMHA on 02/26/09.

Ella Seattle

Thanks everyone, looks like it will be a good idea to email Dr Dodds. Unfortunately we do not know for sure how many times Calypso has been vaccinated, she is a pound puppy. We know that she got shots twice but that is all we know for sure. Thanks for the info and comments :)

Wendi Ohio

Just a quick update. Our specialist reviewed Calypso's labs and said that he would not vaccinate her right now. He does want to keep her out of high risk areas to be on the safe side (which I already started). His recommendation is to recheck titers in a year, which we will do through Dr Dodds. THANKS EVERYONE for your feedback!

Wendi Ohio

Wendi, I think you and your vet have made the right decision. Hope it is a smooth ride from here on out for Calypso! Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Wendi, I know that holistic vets give "nosodes" to improve immunity. Maybe it would be worth looking into that? Some people don't think they do a thing and some swear by it. Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Me too Penny! Thanks Brigitte, I will look around for a holistic vet

Wendi Ohio

This thread was discussed between 17/09/2010 and 01/10/2010

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