Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Millie update

Hi Everyone, Because it's so quiet, I thought I'd share some news on Millie. PCV currently 42, and we are now into our 10th month fighting IMHA. Millie is off the Pred, and down to 1/4 Imuran tablet every second day. We've had upset tummy and diarrhea over the last few weeks. Her first vomiting episode resembled the ones she had before her diagnosis. Needless to say, we rushed to Emergency... to my relief, no relapse.... This disease has made me so paranoid. One little sign, and I'm convinced little Millie is relapsing. Hoping all others are doing as well as us. Samantha & Millie.

Samantha Geelong

Hey Samantha! Its great that you share this news, its brilliant for you and for Millie, and also for those of us who aim to reach that goal. I can understand the paranoia. Its not quiet any more - I hear fireworks! :) Can you let me know how they checked for relapse? Was it checking the bloods? I would also like to know how you manage to cut that little Imuran table into quarters.

Silka Melbourne Australia

That is wonderfule news and we are so HAPPY for Millie ( and you of course). Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile pa

Good for Millie! We all know that fear of relapse- life is never the same again after going through IMHA. But, our kids know just how much we love them, don't they? Tiggs is probably tired of me opening his mouth, grabbing his gums, then smothering him with hugs and kisses :) melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Good news for Millie....10 months, wow. How wonderful. Take care.

Mardi Northern Calif

Great news!!!

Robin NYS

Thanks Everyone! I am so proud of Millie - it never ceases to amaze me how resilient dogs are. No matter how sick Millie got, she always had a tail wag for me whenever I was near or spoke to her. Silka - I took Millie to Werribee Emergency (this was a Sunday morning about 4 weeks ago). They did a full blood screen and looked at her blood on a slide. The blood screen came back with a PCV of 45 (highest ever), and all other levels normal. There was no sign of agglutination on the slide, however the vet did say that in the early stages of IMHA/AIHA this may not be visible. We retested a week later and had PCV at 42 and everything normal. I cut the Imuran into quarters using a pill cutter I bought from the chemist. I used to do it with a sharp kitchen knife, but that was difficult and my husband came up with the idea of the pill cutter. We are still battling with tummy upsets though. Diarrhea is bad at the moment, but otherwise she's her energetic happy little self. Samantha & Millie.

Samantha Geelong Australia

10 Months is amazing so very happy for you girls! Best Wishes, Effie.

Effie Melbourne Australia

Hi again Samantha, this is a little bit off-topic, but on reading your last post in this thread, can you confirm that Werribee are able to do full blood screens, including biochemistry, on the spot, or do you have to wait? I usually get it the next day, but I did wonder about the facilities at Werribee. Thank you.

Silka Melbourne Australia

Hi Silka, Yes Werribee can do full blood screens (including bio-chemistry). I've never asked them to do it on the spot (except for the time in Emergency, but I waited for about an hour, and we did not get bio-chem done then). They have their own lab on site. We normally take Millie first thing in the morning for her blood screen appointment, and Leonie our vet normally rings by lunchtime with the results. Takes the nerves away a bit of waiting overnight (I know I'm always anxious on blood test days, thinking the worst!). How is Riley going? Samantha.

Samantha Geelong Australia

42 is an awesome number

josh california

Great news with Millie, Love those success stories !!! I'm paying particular attention to your reductions. We are at 8 1/2 months with Cooper and are following about the same pattern of reductions as you are. Keep up the good work we are right behind you. RON & COOPER

Ron

Hi Samantha, thank you for the response to my question. Its such a way over there for me, but I am keen to go. In response to your question, Riley is kind of doing ok, I worry so much about his comfort and breathing, which I guess is from the pred - I would really like to reduce this, but I know it cant be done too quickly. More blood results to be taken this Thursday, and my regular vet is back, yay! At the moment Im trying to find a mobile groomer to get both dogs clipped back for the heat - Riley is all over the place anyway, bits and pieces gone, due to ultrasounds and drips etc. Im going to go back through some of the stories to give myself some more knowledge about the medication. Again, congratulations to you and Millie for coming so far and not giving up - I realise how amazing that is for many of you. You can probably tell Im feeling a little despondent today.

Silka Melbourne Australia

Hi again Samantha I started to go back through the archives and found a story about an 11 year old maltese shihtzu, and as Riley is the same breed, I started to read this, and lo and behold it was YOUR story! I have printed it out to be able to learn from it, and it gives me hope, as you and Millie have come through so much, and particularly that horrible heatwave that Victorians will always remember. It is amazing that you and Millie have got to where you are today. Thank you.

Silka Melbourne Australia

Hi Silka, I am so sorry to hear that you have had a 'down' day. I know exactly how you feel. However, I am glad to hear that your regular vet is back - that must be reassuring. Grooming is an issue for me too - I don't want to take Millie back to a salon (just because of the stress). I also have a Maltese X Foxy who needs a clip as well, so I have enrolled to do a weekend grooming course through the TAFE here in Geelong in a couple of weeks. I hope that my story helps you in some way, I know Millie and I had a rough first month - but we pulled through and are still fighting today. I just re-read my story - it's funny to look back knowing what I know now.... I do hope it is a comfort to you in what you are going through and I couldn't have got where we are today without the help of people on this forum. Take care and keep us updated on Riley. Samantha.

Samantha Geelong Australia

Samantha, congrats to you and Millie. 42 is such a positive number to have. Can't wait to get Tessy there. I also use a pill splitter to cut Tessy's azathioprine into quarters. Works great. As far as the grooming goes, I bought my own pair of clippers and started to clip my own dogs. Tessy's been done 3 times now since being diagnosed....but only after she stabilized and was on the road to recovery. As some of you may know I have several dogs and grooming can become quite pricey so by buying a good pair of clippers I'm actually saving a load of money and I think it gotta be so much more easier on Tessy stress wise to have me do it instead. She just lays there and lets me do it....of course with the help of treats. Hope everything works out for the best for you and Millie. Thoughts and prayers to you both. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

This thread was discussed between 28/10/2009 and 08/11/2009

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