Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Need Help for a Senior IMHA Dog in Remission

Hi Everyone - I don't post too frequently anymore but I'm on the board most days - reading, cheering, crying for everyone who is fighting this disease. I need some help/suggestions for Murray - he was diagnosed with non-regenerative IMHA at the level of the marrow in March 2007. After a very long time he has been stable and is only on a very low dose of Pred every third day (he had a very scary, atypical road to get well so, as hard as it is, do try to hold on to hope - not even the best doctors know for certain what will happen). Murray is a senior Wheaten terrier mix(he's probably 12-15 years) who showed serious signs of abuse/neglect when he was picked up as a stray six years ago. He has begun having tremors and difficulty standing - he will lose his balance (he hasn't fallen yet) and he will occasionally stumble on his walks. I'm trying water treadmill therapy and he has seen a chiropractor regularly for some time. But, my vet is now talking about nervous system issues and isn't giving me much help in thinking through where to go from here. So, I wanted to reach out to this community to see if anyone had ever faced anything similar and ask how you handled it. As I'm sure we all do, I'm always keeping IMHA in mind when assessing options for him. Is anyone aware of an anesthesia protocol for IMHA dogs? I'm trying to assess the risk of putting him through some diagnostics - most likely an MRI. Also, he's been on a mostly home-cooked diet with several supplements since his IMHA diagnosis that many vets have looked over and "approved" but, honestly, I don't feel they are giving it much thought so if anyone is aware of a good on-line nutrition group, I would really appreciate having that information. I realize he's an old guy and this may not be good news for us but I want to do what I can to help him live comfortably for as long as he can. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions you can offer. Best Regards, Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Bonnie I felt so sad after reading your post,your ageing boy has come through so much and now he's hit with something else! I take hope from him though as my Nollaig, a 3 and a half year old beagle,has been 6 months now non regenerative anaemia in the marrow and so far no response to drugs,but we go on fighting! Just a thought has Murray been tested for tick diseases/parasitic infections as from reading about these I know that they can attack the central nervous system and cause tremors/difficulty walking etc... Also they can lie dormant in the body and then flair up...I know they can be the cause of some non regenerative anaemia at bone marrow level too.Just a thought that you may like to get checked out. I do hope you get some answers soon and that you can get Murray another few years of good health. Glad you're still coming to the forum and let us know how Murray gets on. My best wishes Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

Bonnie, I am so sorry your coming back to post on the board has to be about problems with Murray. Try to think about what you have been through and beaten. Murray is definitely a fighter. I think a number of dogs on this board have had procedures where they had to be sedated and come through with flying colors. What kinds of test have they run so far? I will be keeping you both in my thoughts. Hugs Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Thank you, Penny and Kathleen, for getting back to me. The question about tick disease is one I haven't thought of. They ran a tick panel to rule that out at the onset of his IMHA and everything came back negative. He hasn't been rechecked since. But, I will definitely ask about repeating that and try to learn more myself in the meantime. So far, it's been physical exams and lab work - his CBCs are checked bi-monthly and chem panels every four months. When the tremors began, I took him to a neurologist who said it was most likely cerebellar in origin and may be caused by a primary underlying congenital problem combined with any number of things from his recent illnesses (IMHA and the sepsis infection). Beyond that, I've been reluctant to take him for an MRI - because 1) it requires anesthesia, 2) it really stresses him out to be hospitalized all day (and they don't like him because he's pretty vocal about it - would think they might be more understanding) and 3) not sure it's worth putting him through if it would only tell me bad news that we could do nothing about - that happened with my last dog, Max a mini schnauzer. the MRI said "yes, there's a brain lesion" and the options were just far too radical to put him through. So, that's always in the back of my mind as well. Thanks again for your thoughts - I've saved a lot of your notes Penny. I know this isn't a direct IMHA problem but am hoping someone who has been caring for an older dog post-IMHA crisis may have thoughts to add. And, Kathleen, believe me I know how hard it is waiting for that bone marrow to kick in and the lab results that say things are finally moving in the right direction. It's a long story but Murray's came when we least expected it. So, do hang in there - let me know if you would ever like to talk more to someone who has been where you are. Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Bonnie, I am so sorry to hear abut Murray. I am in the same boat as you, and glad you asked. My Wylie is 11+ and was diagnosed AIHA 4/08 and has liver and teeth problems that would require anesthetic and I don't know what to do. I think an MRI would only provide mild sedation, if that were the case I think I would have it done. Is Murray seeing neurologist? I also would get a 2nd opinion from a specialist. here is some good info on diet for a senior. http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/category/seniors/ Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie - thank you for your note and the link - I will definitely go to that site. Dr. Dodds has been involved with Murray for some time now - she sent a message this morning to say that he should be able to tolerate anesthesia from the IMHA perspective, which made me feel a bit more comfortable. I wanted to let you know in case you get to that point with Wiley. Also, with respect to his teeth, if his issues are related to cleaning, I found a board-certified veterinary dentist in the Chicago area and I took Murray in for a consult. She was very concerned about putting an IMHA dog under anesthesia for a cleaning and recommended scaling his teeth as a suitable alternative. I was surprised at how well it worked. Again, just wanted to mention it in case that's what you were dealing with. Murray has been seen by a neurologist - on paper, he is the best one in the Chicago area (I took my mini schnauzer to him so we have a "history") but the practice isn't set up well to care for a dog with Murray's issues so it's a matter of do the pros outweigh the cons ... I'm strongly considering an opinion from a second neurologist in the area... you're right - as far as diagnostics go, the MRI is fairly benign. I hope all goes well for Wiley - it is a challenge caring for these dogs - as Dr. Dodds told me, "once an IMHA dog, always an IMHA dog"... but I'm sure none of us here would do any less than all that we can. Thanks again, Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Bonnie: Sheba, our 12 1/2 year old GSD/Cocker Spaniel mix is a 17 month survivor and has also been experiencing more rear leg weakness lately. She goes for a PCV check tomorrow and her vet and I will be discussing causes, solutions, etc. If I come home with anything useful I will let you know. As for anesthesia - Sheba had x-rays of her rear legs some time back as well as a teeth cleaning and she did fine. Every dog is different, of course, but I was more concerned about her being put under because of her age than I was because of her IMHA status. I hope Murray feels better soon and you get some answers. We know how frustrating and worrisome this can be! Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Hi Bonnie and Murray - I dont post too much either these days. My Kent was 9 when diagnosed with AIHA, and survived another 2 years. He was an elderly schnauzer, but no history of abuse. He did have a bad disk in his back but this was normally not a problem. Tremors and fainting did become a problem, and it did happen several times. Our vet tested for possible brain infections - meningitis etc. but everything was negative. Other than the brain, it could be the heart. One month i had exrays of his lungs and heart, all clear, and 6 weeks later was a giant mass bigger than his heart, and i think that his fainting at the end could have been from this. I dont even know what that mass was. I guess you have already had ultrasound and xrays etc? I would be very leery of anesthesia for any elderly aiha dog - kent never had his teeth cleaned again after diagnosis and was never again vaccinated or anestesized.(sp). Diet: yippeee - you home cook! Now, try yahoo k9nutrition group. I have been meaning to join but have heard excellent things about them. Christine and Kent

Christine Fl

Hi Everyone- I just wanted to say "thank you!" to those who took the time to respond to my post for Murray. The people on this forum who were open and thoughtful enough to share their knowledge and ideas are amazing! I truly appreciate all your input. Christine - hi, I do remember you and Kent. Thank you for the name of the nutrition group - I believe that is the one I saw before but I couldn't find it when searching previous threads. And, Laurie - I hope Wiley is doing better and it was nothing too serious. Take care everyone - all the best, Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Hi Bonnie, Laurie, All, I noticed Laurie and Bonnie mentioning teeth cleaning. I said Kent didnt have his teeth cleaned again, but i should also have mentioned that i used a product recommened to me called petzlife. It comes as a spray or gel, and enzymes clean the teeth. It really works, and i can also admit to using the spray myself on occassion! For liver issues, i honestly recommend trying supplements like denamarin - these work miracles often. Also, with getting a bit unsteady on the feet, i wonder if omega 3 fish oils wouldnt help? I apologize for the doom and gloom of my post above - it was heartwrenching what we went through. Any unsteadyiness on the feet can also be low blood pressure, or something as simple as that. A holistic vet of my mom's elderly dog, Rudy, prescribed 'geriatric vitamins' for him - a powder. I looked over the ingredients and was pretty impressed with them. They come in a plastic screw top round can, and the label is gray with purple scrolly writing on it - i cannot remember the brand or exact name - but Rudy, who has alot of health issues, is doing well on this. Maybe someone's vet would recognize it by the description - This may help some of the elderly dogs on here. Also, all elderly dogs who have been through IMHA should probably take some pet-tinic, in my opinion - it cannot hurt, but can help with nutritional balance. You are all in my thoughts, Christine

Christine Fl

I have a yorkie that is in remission from Lymphoma for 23 months now. He all of the sudden started having instability in his lower back and back legs. The doctors told me it was neuro in nature and that he probably had something going on in his cerebellum. I had asked if there was anyway that it was just some sort of injury and they told me "no way." They wanted to do an MRI that costs $3500 and worse - the anesthesia time would be around 1 hour under - I was told by his oncologist that anesthesia is one of the worst things to do for a dog in remission - so an hour is a long time. I was extremely upset and not sure what to do. I took him for accupuncture and he has had 3 treatments and is almost 100% better. So apparently it was just an unjury. Try accupuncture - it might help but surely would not hurt. Best of luck.

Debby Georgia

This thread was discussed between 20/08/2009 and 10/09/2009

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