Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - My second dog -again!

I can't believe I'll be writing about my story again on this site! We lost my mini-daschund 3 years ago to IMHA. Since that, we adopted another 10 yr old mini-daschund who's Friday night was just diagnosed with the same disease. I really don't understand. Buddy is although the same breed but no related to Devon. We do differently with him, no flea/ticks, no heartworm pill and no vaccines. We have bloodworks for him every quarter, but what's the odds? We picked Buddy up from our friend after we went out of town. Wednesday, I noticed he's not being himself. He seems loss of some his energy and his urine bit more orange. Again Thursday, he seems a bit tired. Then, we took him Friday to the vet. The Vet looked at his pale gum and drew his blood. His PCV was at 22. The complete test wont' be ready until Saturday morning. His X rays doesn't show any internal bleedings/cancers. The Vet also took stool sample and didn't find any bloods on it. God, I was just crying and crying when the doctor ruled it that it sounds like IMHA. I remember the emotional stroll vividly with Devon, almost exactly 3 years to this date. I remember how fast this horrible disease took my beloved Devon. Right a way we started treatment with 5 mg Predisone twice daily and Famitodine three times daily. Sat morning, we went back and PCV was still at 22. I'm so glad. The complete test - Coomb Test Negative, No blood clot, No lympe disease. Thanks God that his blood test showing production of young red blood cells. The Vet adds another medicine just to make sure on the possbile tick disease (even though the test is negative), Doxycycline. We are going back Monday morning for blood work and thryoid test. Until know, Buddy's condition seems stabil. He still walks around, barks, eats his food. No diarrhea, no vomitting but His gum still pale. Please pray for us that this time will beat it. Thank you all!

Evi Illinois

Dear Evi, what a freaky coincidence! the good thing is, this time you will be prepared for the fight. It sounds like your vet knows what he is doing and also Buddy seems to be responding to the meds. Keep positive, there are lots of dogs that made it through this disease and are pretty healthy now. I have to keep that in my mind every day, because my dog is still on prednisone and azathioprene and I am constantly worried that he might relapse. Please go and read the success stories on Joanne's site: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/successstories.htm they are a constant source of hope, comfort and education for me. Like Joanne always says: They CAN and DO survive this disease! You will be in my thoughts and I send lots of positive energy to your little Buddy. Best wishes, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

As someone who has been through it twice, my heart is with you. I know what you are feeling...I will keep you and Buddy in my prayers. blessings, Julie

Julie IL

Evi, I am just stunned. It is terrible enough to have to deal with it once let alone multiple times. That is a very good sign that Buddy is still producing RBC's. I sent you an email last week to thank you for making a donation to Meisha's Hope in rememberance of my Salome, that was so kind of you. I wasn't sure if you got it because I have had computer crashes since we last "talked" Please email me if you need a shoulder to lean on. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Penny

Penny Lytle Crek Calif

Oh Evi, I'm so sorry that you have to walk this path again. I try to think that for some reason, maybe we are given this challenge because we can handle it. But twice just breaks my heart. I hope that Buddy comes through with flying colors. A PCV of 22 is hopeful, it sounds like you may have caught it early, and are hitting it hard. We will be hoping and praying for your sweet guy. It sounds as though this time, you at least know what lies ahead. We'll be thinking of you, please keep us posted. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Evi, I am so very sorry to hear this news about your most beloved Buddy. Be assured both you and he are in my thoughts and prayers during these most difficult days. Joanne

Joanne MN

Evi, How devastating to have this happen a second time. It just doesn't seem fair. I know I will always have this disease in the back of my mind with any other dog that I get. Hopefully this time around will not be as bad as the last. It sounds like you caught it early and know the treatments needed so you are a step ahead already. You and Buddy are in our thoughts and good luck with the blood work today! Chris & Alex

Chris Pa

Evi, What terribly discouraging news that is indeed! We have been there too except that our second dog got thrombocytopenia (ITP: like aiha, but the platets are "attacked" instead of the red blood cells, but treatment is the same). I can still remember that sinking feeling when the vet told me what it was and we were back to the routine of meds/prednisone and so on. You are going into it this this time armed already with lots of info and a fantastic amount of support right here on this site. Whenever you need a pick-me-up, check the success stories both here and on Joanne site and remember that this *can* be overcome. I'll be sending healthful prayers to you and Buddy and hope to read of improvement soon, Christina

Christina Campbell River

Dear All, Thank you so much for all your supports. Your ecouragements and prayers mean the world to us! So this morning, Buddy's PCV is at 23.5. It's up! He also showing more energy and playful. He tries to jump on the kitchen counter to steal some food like he always does. We'll keep the same medication until Wednesday, next blood work. Also, We will be checking his retic count again. The VET may want to add another drug that can push the bone marrow to produce more RBC if it's needed. Forget to ask the name of that drug? Thyroid test wont' be ready until next week. I'm hopeful this time. His WBC from Fri' test was just slightly higher, 18 from the normal range (6-17). There's some posting here that mentioned Dr. Dodds. Thank you so much for the info. I emailed her and she responded right a way even though at the moment, she's in Italy until June 03. Anyone can suggest good food/snacks for AIMHA dogs? Buddy hasn't had any vomits nor diarhea. I would love to keep him this way, but worry if soon or later would upset his stomach even with Famitodine. God Bless you all, Sincerely. Evi @Penny: You are very welcome. I didn't get your email but that's not matter. It's been a long overdue.

Evi IL

Christina, Kahlu and I also live in Campbell River! so maybe there is something to be said about location and AIHA? i would be interested who your vet is and how your dogs were treated and if they survived. I don't think I have seen you on this list before. Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Penny: I meant it's been long overdue for me to do that for you and your family. That's the least I could do. Thank you so much for you support!!

evi Illinois

Evi, this sounds really positive! We had great success with pumpkin added to Kahlu's food. It is the regular canned pumpkin, not the pie filling. I add a heaping tablespoon to every feeding and after the first 3 weeks of horrible diarrhea his digestion is pretty good. He is a 60 lbs. dog so for Buddy a tablespoon would probably be right. For treats, I steam some fish (snapper) and give him bits of that. He loves it, it is not fattening and good for him. Best wishes, Brigitte and Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Oh Evi--my heart sank when I read your thread title. I couldn't imagine going through that again. Like the others said, at least you got a jump start on it and your vet sounds like he's on the ball with it. Prayers are with you and Buddy.

Kriss PA

Evi, my heart and support goes out to you, your family and of course Buddy. It is very unfortunate to have to go through this whole process again. However...the fact that you have already went through this and are knowledgable gives Buddy an added advantage. You'll know what to expect and watch for this time around. It's great to hear his PCV is rising and he is regenerative and showing more energy. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and Buddy. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny Nova Scotia

Evi, Many of us here have experimented with home cooked diets during the IMHA crisis- boiled chicken, steamed white rice, sweet potatoes, fish, etc. That might help, and also the pumpkin for the upset tummy if he develops one. You might also add temporarily something like a high calorie canned food- we used Hills A/D for a couple of weeks, along with the above mentioned home cooked diet. Please keep us posted, it sounds like Buddy is already working hard to get well. Take care of yourself too! melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Evi, I knew what you meant :) I just have always felt a particular closeness with the families that were fighting at the same time as I was. It sounds like Buddy is doing well. Energy and food stealing attempts are a very good sign! I am sorry that you have had to come back to this board as a person with another dog diagnosed but like the last time you know you have a lot of people to lean on. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Brigitte & Melissa, Thank you for the pumpkin idea. I went to look for a canned pumpkin this afternoon and only found for the pie fillings, so didn't get them. The store clerk @ a Jewel grocery also helped me looking. But anyway, I am sure I will find it at other places. Dr. Dodds also suggested Pet-Tinic. Stopped by at PetCo - they didn't have any. I'll look online. Buddy's update tonight: His energy is still good, up and down stairs. I, of course, had to buy him a new toy, to see if he's still interested to play and he is. His Gum is slighly brighter. He hates it when we check his gums though. I hope I'll have more better updates on Wed after his blood check. Thank you all. I really do feel so blessed with all of you. Regards, Evi

Evi IL

Evi, My best wishes are with you and Buddy during this trying time. It seems you and I are members of an elite club, for I, too, have encountered this disease with two different dogs. My first dog was a 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel who had both IMHA and TCP (thrombocytopenia--destruction of platelets). After 10 days in ICU at Cornell Veterinary Hospital, she came home and did well until a particularly aggressive form of cancer took her from me 8 months later. One month after her third birthday, my new dog (a rescued Beagle mix) was diagnosed with IMHA; she also spent 10 days in Cornell's ICU. She is now 8 years old, and while she has been and continues to be the absolute joy of my life, she is also my biggest heartache. During the past 5 years, she has had a few episodes of TCP, which, while potentially fatal, is much more treatable than IMHA. But this past January, during a follow-up visit to check her platelet count, the blood work revealed that her PCV was down to 24; Circe (pronounced "Sir-See) had a relapse. What is amazing is that she survived the relapse, but things have been incredibly difficult and touch-and-go many times during the past 6 months. Because of the drug therapy (she has been on a maintenance dose of Azathioprine since the initial onset), she developed liver toxicity, pancreatitis, hypothyroidism, Cushings disease, and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. The newest action plan is to wean her off the Azathioprine while slowly introducing Cyclosporine, the hope being that many of her current problems will resolve if we get her off the Azathioprine. I should mention that for most of the past 5 years, Circe has been happy, active, and a bundle of energy--her quality of life has been good. As this story reveals, there is hope for the IMHA dog. But as the Vets at Cornell told me: "Once an IMHA dog, always an IMHA dog." It's not an easy road, emotionally or economically. Stay positive and good luck. Cindy

Cindy Upstate NY

Cindy, Thank you for your email with support and encouragement. You made me smile with your comment "elite club". I guess we are! I am very sorry to hear what you've been through with your first dog and Circe. But It does sounds Circe has strong will and you are a very good mother. I hope nothing but the best for you and Circe. It's amazing that we as dog parents worry so much and will pause everything for their own health. The good news is Buddy's PCV last Monday is at 32. His gum is pink and he's at his normal energy level. We will be back next Monday for a complete blood check and possibility of med reduction. I'll keep posted. You are right about "once an IMHA dog, always an IMHA dog" It's going to be a bumpy road. Evi.

evi Illinos

Evi, Glad to read Buddy is doing so well. Just be careful not to lower the drugs too soon or too fast.

Penny Lytle Creek Ca

What a nightmare! How awful that Buddy too has been diagnosed. Sometimes you think lightning won't strike twice but from posts on this board, I know it does happen. So sorry you have to go through this again but hopefully Buddy will beat it.

leslie ca

Evi, Thank you for your best wishes. Evidently we'll be needing all the prayers we can get. The vet told me yesterday that Circe's most recent blood work revealed that her bone marrow production of new red blood cells has decreased. Again, she thinks this is a side effect of the Azathioprine. Hopefully, we can wean her off the Aza and onto Cyclosporine without any major incidents. I can't begin to tell you what a difficult year we've had. I'm thrilled to hear that Buddy is responding so well to the drug therapy. From what you've mentioned, everything sounds really encouraging. Of course it helps that he has such a caring Mom! On a different but related note--does anyone out there know of a reliable online source for obtaining Cyclosporine at discounted prices? My local pharmacy is charging me $107 for 30 tablets, which wouldn't be too bad except for the fact that I'm already spending at least $500/month on Circe's other medications and prescription food. Then there's all the lab work . . . at this rate we'll lose the house and end up living in my car! Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Keep us updated on Buddy's condition, Evi. You and he are in my thoughts and prayers. Cindy

Cindy Upstate NY

Cindy...you think $107 for 30 tablets is bad....I have to pay almost $135 for 15 100mg caps here in Canada.

Johnny

Evi -- have just gotten up to date and learned that you have another sweet dog who has been diagnosed with IMHA. I'm glad to hear that Buddy is responding well, so will keep both of you in my prayers. I remember when you and your sweet Devon were fighting, and it seems hard to believe it was three years ago. Take care.

Brenda VA

All, Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! Can't thank you enough for all of that!! The husband took Buddy to the vet today and his PCV is at 37! They ran also a complete blood panel which from then, the Vet will decide to lower his meds. I know we are not out of the woods but hopefully a step away from the critical stage, and hope for his fully recovery. Brenda, Yes, that was me fighting for Devon's life three years ago. I am hopeful this time the outcome is different with Buddy. Cindy, Please keep us posted on Circe's progress. Be careful with cycolosporine. I know Devon always puking after taking them. And did you try Costco Pharmacy? They should have discounted prices. With thoughts and prayers to all IMHA dogs and parents, Evi

evi Illinois

This thread was discussed between 31/05/2009 and 16/06/2009

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