Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - New Puppy

As many of you know we lost our 3 1/2 yr old American cocker, Sadie to AIHA. We have had a very difficult time coming to terms with losing her and dealing with the guilt that we should have/could have done more. It has been a very difficult time. Enter Baxter - 13 wks chocolate cocker - adopted last week. He has had his first shots, and is due his second. We are scared to death to let him get them as we could not bear to lose him to AIHA. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what they have done with these suggested vaccinations? Since cockers are predisposed to AIHA - is it worth the risk to not proceed with the puppy vaccinations - or should we just step back on the adult vaccinations? We have had 5 healthy cockers who lived long, happy lives - but all it took was one sweet little girl to lose hers to scare us. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks Sherie

Sherie NY

Sherie, Congratulations on your new baby. I am on the fence about the vaccines too. Here is a link to Dr. Dodds recommendations. http://www.wellpet.org/vaccines/dodds-schedule.htm A lot of Vets now will not even see your dog unless you can provide proof of vaccinations. The last thing you want to encounter is an emergency when they are already in trouble and have to pump them full of shots. It is a tough call no matter how you look at it. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Congrats on your new puppy, he won't ever replace Sadie, but hopefully will make life happier and easier. I lost my beautiful 2 yr old cocker, Brady last year, and am still awaiting a relative of his from my breeder-the dog she has has had 2 false heats in a row! I have a theory, have posted several times asking this question, with very few responses. Most dogs get their puppy shots the same, 3 series of DHLPP and rabies with the 3rd set. Does this final rabies/DHLPP combo predispose our dogs to be at risk later in life, then a heartworm pill or Frontline triggers the disease when the dog is older? I lost my 2 yr old Brady, and he had no vaccine triggers prior to onset, only heartworm pill 2 weeks prior to onset, but he did get his rabies with his DHLPP at age 14 weeks together. My breeder told me to space out the vaccines, but not specifically those 2, so at the time, not knowing, I chose those 2 and waited on the Lyme, as I live in a high Lyme area. I gave my vet Dr Dodds recommendations, and now my dogs get rabies at 6 months. Because state laws say 3 months for rabies, I think that is why many dogs are vaccinated too much together. You can also google a Holistic Vet Practice in Concord, NH-they have an awesome website with their procedures on vaccinations and alot of interesting info on spacing out vaccinations, titers, etc. They do not take new patients as they are full, but I am following their and Dr Dodds recommendations. Please join us on the Zim Cocker Spainiel forum-you will love it there! Sandy

Sandy NH

Sandy I was glad to read your post - thanks - Baxter was vaccinated w/o the rabies - I elected to wait until he was older - my vet was not happy about this - but she agreed to go along with me. I was still nervous letting him get the paravo/distemper shot - but weighing the risks of those diseases - I had to err on the side of caution. I am aware of the Zim cockers - and actually used their ear solution on Sadie as she was quite prone to ear infections. Thanks for inviting me and I will see you there. Sherie

Sherie NY

Sherie, We also got a new doggie after we lost our Schotzie to AIHA. We will always remember Shotzie, and the new addition (Maggie)is sooo much fun, a real clown! Out vet has been very cooprative with vaccinations. We do a rabies every 3 years as required by law, and do a titers test for distemper/parvo. The test is just as may $$$$ as the vaccination, but a heck of a lot safer. I know some vets don't like to do the titers test, and insist on the shots. Dave

Dave Colorado

Hi Sherie, congrats on the new addition, I am one of the oldies, I started when this forum was brand new to the game, we had a cocker named Torie, she came down with aiha when she was just 2, but survived until she was 12. She went thru so many relapses, but kept chugging along with the bright cocker spirit.We then got a chocolate cocker, she was not a puppy, but I have a pengent for chocolate, Tori was tri, Tori had her shots, and that was the beginning of the problems. I would advise doing the titers and go from there, they do not loose their resistance in that period of time, that is every three years, and if you do not kennel the dog they basically need only rabies, that is given usually every three years. That seems to be the new proto call. Take care Bev

Bev canada

I had a discussion with my vet about this - and since he has dealt with this disease enough, he takes a lot of precautions - and tries to get the owners to allow blood tests BEFORE vaccinations. While it is just one guess - he said he has actually diagnosed IMHA in a dog by doing this - before the vaccines were given - and before any symptoms- and was able to start treatment before the dog reached a crises stage. I just wonder how many dogs have already been compromised (by one of many things we expose them to), and are walking around with the time bomb ticking - and their blood being destroyed slowly - and then we set off the bomb with a vaccine or flea med or heart worm med -or one of many many things with do to our poor pets. just one of my late night rants to myself - jeanne

Jeanne Texas

Sorry - I meant to end my rant with - I might suggest spending the extra to check the blood levels - at a minimum - before any vaccine.

Jeanne Texas

Congratulations on the new puppy. Best advice, ONE shot at a time with several weeks in between. No gang shot (all in one) or several at once. This is too much for the immune system. Let the system rest and get used to one vaccine at a time. Good Luck. Jack, New Hampshire

Jack NH

This thread was discussed between 17/06/2008 and 19/06/2008

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