Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Question on slow hair regrowth

Hi everyone, Wiley was diagnosed on 3/9 and when he was in the hospital, his belly was shaved for some other tests and also his leg was shaved for the IV. It has been over 4 months and his hair is barely growing back. Is that a side effect of the Pred? Also, Part of his belly has a blackish tint to it. Does anyone know what that is all about? His nose is also a bit dry on one side. Was reading the archives and I see that Vitamin E oil is recommended. I have a bottle at home so I will try that out later. Thanks for reading! Lisa

Lisa CT

Hi Lisa, Our dog was diagnosed around the same time as yours, Archie looked so odd with all his bald patches but they are now growing back. Seems to have got much better over the past couple of weeks and now he has stopped the meds we hope it will all grow back soon. Hope Wiley does the same soon, Sue and Archie

Sue Cambs UK

Lisa, You should have his thyriod checked. This is typical disease that is brought on by all of meds and one the main signs is the very slow or lack of hair re-growth. Take care Laurie

Laurie CA

Buster was shaved over his belly and legs in April and his hair is barely starting to grow. As we have lowered his doses of meds, the hair is slowly coming in. If he is otherwise feeling well, I wouldn't worry to much about it. Ronda

Ronda Illinois

Hi Lisa, My IMHA dog Benson was shaved in several places due to IVs and surgeries to address abscesses. While he was on pred, his fur did not grow back and his wounds did not heal properly. He also had a lovely fluffy tail. A few months after he was diagnosed with IMHA, I found that his tail had gone wimpy and wispy. Everything grew back and healed up after he got off the pred. I hope that Wiley will be okay. Take care, Aden

Aden Jerusalem

Hi Lisa I know of which you speak!!! Mercedes (standard poodle) was in full adult "show coat" when diagnosed. Her coat was so profuse it took hours to comb through. Now her tail almost looks like a rats, there is so little hair. She has ugly bald patches behind her elbows, and on the back of her legs. The hair on the top of her ears, and her topknot is so very thin you can see her black skin. The hair on her legs is so thin you can see the entire form of her "leg" right through the hair. A poodles hair grows continuously, however, Mercedes hair growth has come to a complete stop. She looks like a dog you would see in a third world country. She is only on 2.5 mg of pred. every second day, and aziathiopine daily. We will be discontinueing the pred next week. I'm hoping she will begin to grow some hair then. I guess our rather bald ratty dogs don't look terribly attractive right now, but it beats the alternative---right! I am thankful that our Mercedes is still alive!!! I can live with the ratty appearance, and I am sure you feel the same about your puppy. One thing I will mention though, I have found that in the areas Mercedes coat is extremely thin (i.e. elbows, pinbones, etc.) the skin looked quite red and irritated as there is no hair to protect it. You will need to keep that skin lubricated, so it does not dry out and sores develop! That could lead to skin infections---something you really do not need to be dealing with, on top of everything else. Here's to growing a luxurious new coat soon!!! LOL!!(Or at least before the snow begins to fly again!!!) Maureen and Mercedes

Maureen BC Canada

Lisa, If you would like to see how my dog's coat changed from shabby to back to good please check out the first three photos in this group. They show Chance when he was very sick, when he began to recover and one year later when his coat had returned to normal. http://www.flickr.com/photos/patricel/sets/72157602714279765/ My best patrice

Patrice NYS

Tessy's JUST starting to grow hair back in certain areas! Her hair is really really thin right now ...a year and a half post diagnosis!!! I'm hoping she gets a good coat for the winter!

Johnny

Lisa: Changes in hair growth/loss/etc. are common. When Sheba was on pred she stopped shedding - completely. We're talking about a GSD/Cocker Spaniel mix that routinely shed some daily (indoor dog) so it was a bit weird! On the one had it was great - didn't have to swiffer everyday - but on the other hand it was disturbing because you knew it was because of her meds. After she was off pred she started shedding with a vengeance - we could literally pull her fur out by the handfuls. We would joke about the size of the fur bunnies on our kitchen floor - they were HUGE! Eventually everything returned to normal but it did take some time. Patience, a sense of humor and lots of positive praise got us through it. Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Hi Lisa, My standard Poodle, Tootsie, suffered from hair loss and bald spots also. At one point her skin was flaking white flakes in her black coat. I gave her a bath using an oatmeal/aloe shampoo ($14 a bottle) and I was amazed at the improvement. After the bath there was black poodle hair all over the tub though. After 15 months her coat is back to its natural thickness and shine even though she is still taking a small dose of prednisone and aza twice a week. It just takes a lot of time to improve. Best wishes to all. Barb and Tootsie

Barb Ohio

Hi Barb Thanks for jumping in and letting me know how your poodle faired in the "hair-growing" department. A thick shiny coat is something I will look forward to!!!

maureen BC Canada

This thread was discussed between 28/07/2010 and 01/08/2010

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