Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Peaches

Our cockapoo, Peaches, was diagnosed with AIHA last weekend. She's about 20 months old and was previously quite healthy. She had become extremely lethargic and short of breath, and she developed hematuria (blood in her urine). We were fortunate that the emergency clinic vet we saw recognized the hemolysis immediately, and she was started on steroids and Imuran. Her total bilirubin was 24--with normal being 1--and she was a very sick little dog. She had a rocky course initially, developing pneumonia due to the severe vomiting. Her PCV got down to 14, and she required a transfusion yesterday. But after the transfusion, her blood counts remained stable today, so they hope that the hemolysis is under control. She's off oxygen now, and is able to eat and take oral meds, so she may be able to come home tomorrow. I've done a lot of reading about this condition recently, on sites like this one. I know she has a long way to go and will be on medications for some time. We have no idea what might have caused this, but really appreciate all the helpful info people have posted! I'm wondering what complications/ issues people have had with dogs on long-term steroids, if future vaccines are ok, and if anyone knows if this is possibly more common in cockapoos. Thanks!

LuAnn Austin

Hi Sorry to hear of your cockapoos diagnosis but it all sounds very hopeful. From what I have read the last couple of days I believe that AIHA is particularly common in both cocker spaniels and poodles as well as a couple of other breeds. Fingers crossed for you.

kath Scotland

Luann I am very sorry to hear your dog Peaches has been diagnosed with AIHA. If you have time please check out the Meisha's Hope website. Please read the treatments and the success stories. http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/newhope.htm Try to find a vet that has experience in treating AIHA. Keep us posted on how Peaches is doing. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Luann, Sometimes you may never know what the trigger was but with Peaches being so young it could be from her shots. Some breeds are also more prone to developing it. I am so glad you had a Vet that was on the ball and recognized it right away. Do not panic if her PCV drops a little, that is not uncommon after a transfusion. Hopefully the meds will kick in enough to get her home soon. The fact that she is willing to eat is also a good sign. Dod the Vet start her on anything like Pepcid to protect her stomach? If not you might want to ask about it. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

LuAnn- Wishing the best for peaches... 1 bit of advice going forward that i think is extremely important. future vaccines = NOT okay.

Josh California

Hi LuAnn. I also have a young dog just recently disgnosed with IMHA. We are alsmost to 60 days since my Calypso got sick, she is now 11 months old. Calypso was started on Prednisone and Cyclosporin. Her HCT level was 14 when I took her home from the emergency vet, but she had a good retic count and was not clinically symptomatic. She got 2 blood transfusions while in ICU. It was 2 weeks before her HCT came up into the 20s. Then lucky for us ain another 2 weeks she was almost normal at 35. Potential causes for us were vaccinations or reaction to the sulfa medication she was on for her kennel cough. While there are other possible causs that is what we had attributed it to. Had peaches had vaccinations within the last 30 days? Since vaccinations are linked in so many IMHA cases, it means that they can not get immunizations again. We will just check titers. For rabies we have not yet checked our state law, but either way we will take our chances and not vaccinate her. As for complications we are already seeing some of the muscle wasting from th eprednisone, but we exercise her regularly and the specialist has told me that he has not seen the same joint and muscle issues in a young dog as he has with his older patients. Calypso also hs mildly elevated liver values so we started her on Denamarin. Someone else mentioned a stomach protectant, which is very important since Prednisone is so hard on the stomach. Calypso is on Pepcid twice a day. Also have have they discussed starting low dose aspirin? While I have not been actively posting here, I have read everything just to increase my knowledge, but seeing how you also have a young dog I wanted to relay my experience. Wendi and Calypso

Wendi Ohio

Thanks for all the comments! I really appreciate your insights and well-wishes. Peaches came home today after almost a week in the hospital. She looks comfortable, but is quiet and sedate--nothing near her prior energy and activity level. She is on high dose prednisone and Imuran, and we go back next week to check her HCT--it was over 30 at the time of discharge! :) Peaches got her adult DHLPP-CV vaccination on July 10th, plus an adult Bordetella. In talking with her vet today, that certainly may have been the cause. The vet said we could check parvo and distemper titers, and Peaches isn't due for rabies vaccine for 3 years anyway, so we'll wait and see on that one. She was on low dose aspirin in the hospital, but they didn't recommend continuing it after discharge. And Wendi, we'll check on the Pepcid too--especially since she did have an aspiration pneumonia while she was so sick. We're glad to have Peaches home!

LuAnn Austin

LouAnn, i am so glad you have Peaches home and she is clearly heading in the right direction. She has gone through a lot and it is not surprising, that she is tiered. It took my poodle Kahlu 6 months to get his energy back. You have to be patient. It is usually two steps forward, one step back. But it is all worth it! I totally agree with Josh, no immunizations anymore. At diagnosis my vet even said, if he would be my dog, I would never immunize him again. Even if the immunization was not the trigger, you could be taking a risk. Best wishes, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Glad to hear Peaches is home and has a HCT over 30. Sending good doggie vibes your way! Definitely check on the Pepcid, we give 10mg twice a day (Calypso weighs ~40lbs). We just but the generic at the pharmacy it is cheap. Being that I have been on high dose prednisone many times myself for ulcerative colitis I can tell you how horrible it makes your stomach feel. It might help her feel better :)

Wendi Ohio

LuAnn, Glad you have your girl at home. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hi LuAnn, how is Peaches doing?

Wendi Ohio

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2009 and 05/08/2009

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