VetNet®
VetNet® AIHA discussion forum
VetNet® Forum
Lifelong Learning Network
www.vetnetlln.ac.uk
Veterinary Recruitment
Premier Partner Program
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - mom of an IMHA survivor
| I just stumbled onto this site and I'm really happy to find a place to be able to get and share information about a disorder that seems to have presented itself without much warning.. We have a 10 yr old corgi/terrier mix who's 9 mos into this conditon. She had always been on a duck & potatoe dry food diet. (allergies- to everything) I would usually add 3 drops of salmon oil to her food to help with skin/coat etc. she thoroughly enjoyed it. She would even wait before eating her food if I would forget to add it. She never had a reaction. For a period of time (2months) I was not able to get the specific oil-so I discontinued using it. When it was available again I put it on her food. The very next day was the beginning of a very long ordeal for us. She stopped eating for 3 days after eating the last..she had no energy and she would just sit in yard and stare. She would usually never miss an opportunity to greet me upon my return from work.. However,she just sat. My husband took her to the vet and they wanted to keep her for testing. (blood work, xrays & ultrasound) We got a call a few hours later w/ a preliminary diagnosis.. poss IMHA(Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia). When test results came back she had a CBC-WBC of 19.6. I was told this condition in this area has a 20% chance of survival. At this point I'm panic stricken and feeling helpless. My precious didn't even look sick, just lethargic. she was immediately placed on 20mg/prednisone, 50mg/Azathioprine, aspirin,pepcid & Famotidine. It took a couple of weeks for her numbers to turn around but she survived. Her count is in the low 40's and she has been reduced to 5mg prednisone twice daily, along with aspirin & AZO. and she's never looked better.. We were so blessed and impressed with the speed at which she was diagnosed and treament began, it surely saved her life. She is an important part of our lives and we were not prepared to give her up without a fight.. As I'm typing this, she in the bed next to me and I hear her snoring. funny, it doesn't bother me anymore. Thanks for reading. |
| Angela Colorado |
| Angela, I am glad your little girl is doing so well. Isn't it funny how the things that used to bother us become something we relish? Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Hi Angela, Glad you found us and were able to share you baby's success! It's always nice to hear good news and give others hope. We moved to Utah from Colorado, and when Tiggs got sick in July, we returned to CSU for a second opinion. They, along with our family vet, have been incredible and our Tiggs is in remission as well. Thanks for sharing your story, please visit again! melissa and tiggs |
| melissa slc |
| Thank you for sharing your encouraging story. We were also fortunate to have the diagnosis made correctly and swiftly and proper treatment started immediately. We are less than two months into this crazy ride so it is very encouraging to hear of others successes. There are few websites that are as helpful as this and Joanne's Meisha's Hope website - one other is marvistavet.com - they all have very good info on the different drugs used and other success stories. Welcome and keep up the good fight! Lee and Lucy |
| Lee Florida |
| Here's Joanne's website... http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson |
| Lee Florida |
| that is great, 40 is a amazing number |
| josh california |
| Angela, Great to hear the good news that your little baby is recovering and doing well. Quick and proper treatment plays a huge role in defeating this evil disease. I know what you're saying about the snoring...Tessy snores all the time now. I get worried when she stops sometimes. She's also doing it as I write this. She never seems to want to leave my side! Keep up the good work and give your little girl hugs from us. Johnny & Tessy |
| Jonathan |
This thread was discussed on 12/03/2009
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) forum index
This thread is from the Vetnet archive. The live Vetnet forum is active now.
