Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - My love just diagnosed with AIHA

Hello I have a loved Black Lab/Irish Setter that was diagnosed with AIHA as of Tuesday. Otis is 3 years old and has lived a wonderful life. I have a 2 month old baby and I feel so bad that I may have missed a few signs that Otis was sick. He was hospitalized for the past few days and is currently home. His PCV levels are currently at 15% and he was discharged. The vet made it very clear that he is not out of the woods but they are confident that he will make a decent recovery. Currently he is very sleepy and a bit lethargic but nothing compared to the day I took him. Overall I am here for support and information and I would appreciate any well wishes for my Otis. He goes back tomorrow to get tested again and is currently on Prednizone (sp?) as well as an antibiotic. I am very worried that his levels have not really increased but I do realize that this is a long road and will take time. I appreciate any information as well as support. Many thanks, Carol.

Carol USA

Carol, hang in there with Otis. Don't beat yourself up with regret. This disease knows no bounds and raises it's ugly head in very rapid fashion. Just love Otis with all your heart and check here for all the advice you can find. Treasure every minute and know you are doing the BEST you can with what you know. You are a good mom to both Otis and your baby and it is obvious you want the best. Stay with this site for support and love throughout this terrible fight. God Bless and love and prayers to you and Otis and your family.

sharon pa

Hi Carol I am so sorry to hear that your dear Otis has come down with this dreadful disease. However, you have come to the right place for support and information. Everyone one this site has been or is going through your current situation. AIHA is a disease that you have to stay on top of and learn as much about as possible. In a lot of situations, it is vital that you make sure the vet you have, has had experience in treating this disease. If your vet hasn't then I would highly suggest seeking out a qualified internal medicine specialist. Just a couple of other things you may want to consider.....If Otis's PCV values have not improved at your next visit, talk to your vet about adding in a second immuno-suppressive drug. The two that are most often prescribed are Azathioprine and Cyclosporin. It takes a while for these drugs to begin working, but are typically very good once they have kicked in. My dog Tipsi was initially started on Azathioprine but had to come off of it because she developed pancreatitis. She has since been on Cyclosporine and it has worked wonders. Also, make sure the dose of prednisone that Otis is on is high enough. It should be at least 1mg per pound of the dogs weight per day divided into two doses. Something else to consider is possibly putting Otis on a blood thinner such as a baby aspirin. This is to help deter blood clots. Blood clots are one of the major complications resulting from this disease. I wish both of you the best and goodluck in your fight. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. We are all here to help! Layla & Tipsi

Layla Raleigh

Carol, I'm so sorry that you and Otis are having to go throught this. You certainly have your hands full with a new baby, too. I agree with Layla about the importance of getting a qualified internal medicine specialist who is familiar with treating AIHA. My beagle was diagnosed with non-regenerative anemia which they believe is IMHA, different from AIHA. I'm glad you found this forum. There are lots of understanding and supportive people here for you. I have gained encouragement and loads of helpful information from people who are in a situation similar to mine. One morning when I was praying about my dog, God gave me a Bible verse --- Joshua 1:9. It has given me the strength to fight for my dog and it reminds me not to get discouraged. I believe in the healing power of prayer. I will include you and Otis in my prayers tonight. God Bless, Karen

Karen NC

Carol, It sounds like you have enough that you are carrying on your shoulders without adding the burdens of guilt and second guessing. I encourage you to instead save your energy for the fight ahead...and go to the Meisha's Hope website for valuable information and many Success Stories of dogs who have won this battle...sometimes against all odds. You have somehow found your way to this gathering of fellow warriors and heroes/heroines, which means that Otis has a great advocate on his side. If your vet is not well-experienced in treating AIHA you might check around for a veterinary teaching school at a university in your area where there might be a greater likelihood of specialty vets and vets with the latest knowledge about some of these most difficult canine diagnoses. This can not only help Otis but assure that your funds for his care are spent wisely, since this process can become money intensive. We're all behind you and Otis and your family...and willing to share all the knowledge and support we have to give. It gives us a chance to pay back what has been so openly supplied to each of us as we found our way to this IMHA/AIHA family. Cheryl (and always Barkley)

Cheryl Medford

Carol, I am so sorry to hear of Otis' illness. If you haven't visited my Web site on AIHA/IMHA as yet http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ you might want to do so when you can. Be sure to follow the links on the first page to many other sites on AIHA/IMHA that will be very helpful to you and do read the SUCCES STORIES pages, the will show you what has worked for other dogs in terms of treatment options as well as give you a lot of HOPE. While AIHA/IMHA is a very difficult disease dogs CAN and DO survive it and go on to live happy healthy lives. Be assured both you and your dear Otis are in my thoughts and prayers.

Joanne MN

Hi, my dog Jack was diagnoised with this last Monday, he had peds 30mg but although he perked up and his spleen had gone down the latest results say his count has gone down dramatically. he is now on 19 tablets a day in the hope they can help. Please help me understand this disease!

sam exeter

Hi Sam I hope you don't mind but I started a new thread for you and Jack. I will keep you and Jack in my prayers. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger

I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR OTIS. YOU WOULD NOT BELIVE HOW MANY DO NOT SE THE SIGNS BEFORE HAND IT WAS ONLY AFTER MY JUST TURNED 4 YEAR OLD GOLDEN RETREVER WAS DIAGNOSED THAT WE REALIZED THERE HAD BEEN SIGNS, ALONE THEY MEANT NOTHING, BUT TOGETHER...WELL. WE DO KNOW HIS WAS BROUGHT ON BY THE 6 MONTH INJECTION FOR HEART WORM PREVETION. PROHEART 6. TEN MONTHS AFTER HIS DEATH ITV WAS PULLED BY THE FDA BECAUSE IT HAD KILLED SO MANT DOGS, AIHA BEING ONE OF YHE LEADINGG REACTIONS/CAUSES OF DEATH. I WAS IN TOUCH WITH MANY VIA FORYUMS, E-MAIL WHO LOST THEIR DOF TO AIHA FOLLOWING PROHEART INJECTION ANDS NONE SAW IT COMING, MANY IN HIND SIGHT SAW THE SIGNS THAT SOMETHING HAD BEEN WRONG. DON'T BLAME YOUR SELG/F BY THE WAY, AFTER BEING OFF THE MARKET FOR 4 YEARS, THE FDA RECENTLY ALLOWED A "REFORMULATED" PROHEART6 BACK ON THE MARKET WITH A LONG LIST OF WARNINGS ON LAbel. i will never allw it in another of my dogs.,

SANDRA

This thread was discussed between 12/09/2008 and 26/09/2008

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