Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Questions from Claire

I have a 2 year old West Highland White and we've been battling for 5 months. Initially she responded well to pred 20mg a day but then was dropped to 10mg. She then crashed and its been awful ever since. Blood transfusion this week, the az (which I was never sure about) drug which has now caused liver problems. She's had diruetics for fluid retention this week, tablets for her stomach too. Today she is having a scan on liver and heart. The vet wants to try cyclosporin. I feel terrible but don't think we can go on like this much longer. Things seem to be getting worse and worse. I was told she had pure red blood cell aplasia to begin with but now they don't see sure - they think it might be IMHA too. She'd had bone marrow biopsies at the beginning and numerous blood tests and scans. We have insurance up to a limit but I'm starting to wonder if its fair - where this is all going and with the ever increasing bills whether we can go on funding it all. Clare

Clarie Fox United Kingdom

Clare, I am so sorry to hear you have been going through this for so long. The beginning sounds very much what my dog went through. Have you considered contacting Dr. Jean Dodds for some treatment advice? She will provide this to you if you can send her a concise email that has the current treatment details and the results of a the last few cbc's. Write her at hemopet @ hotmail .com Delete the spaces in the email address to use. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Hi Claire If you can and your vet agrees I would give the cyclosprine a try, however it may take up to 4-6 weeks to show results. It is costly but to me it is worth every penny as it really helped my dog. We will be keeping you and your dog in our prayers. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Our Ethel really turned the corner when the vet switched from oral prednisone to IV prednisolone for a few days, then discharged her with oral prednisone. Unfortunately I don't know if being in a relapse versus the initial crisis makes a difference in the indicated therapy. If you get a good response, tapering the pred more slowly afterwards may be appropriate. With how long the cyclosporine can take to be helpful, hopefully the pred is getting bumped back up and your dog will be able to tolerate it enough to stop the relapse.

Brian Vermont

Claire, After the specialist took Darcy off of the Azathioprine, lowered the Prednisone, and increased the Cyclosporine, we saw great improvement. Initially, the specialist gave me the choice of putting her on Azathioprine or Cyclosporine. I went with the Azathioprine because of the cost, but had I known some of the side effects and the fact that it takes a long time for it to get into the system, I would have gone with the Cyclosporine. Unfortunately, we had to double the dose of Cyclosporine before we got good results. And, I also recommend checking with Dr. Dodds. She suggested putting Darcy on Soloxine (thyroid med) even if her levels weren't low because it might make her bone marrow start producing RBCs. Cyclosporine is expensive, but had I started with it at the beginning I might have avoided some problems and other added expenses. Every dog responds differently, so I'm just sharing what seemed to work for Darcy. I wish the best for you and your little one and urge you to hang in there and fight for her. My prayers are with you. Karen

Karen NC

Claire, I hope all goes well, it is an awful awful disease. I lost my dog, Holly an English Springer Spaniel to it last month, it struck without warning and has left me devestated and looking for answers. Need to make more dog owners aware of this condition before it claims more lives. Whereabouts do you live? Keri

Keri Lynn Wales

Clare, Wishing you and your puppy the best. It's a long road. I wrote last week as I was near putting Alex to sleep. To make a long story short when the vet said it was time, I took him home for my husband and son to say their goodbyes... and he perked up!! He's eating good - PCV is up to 46 now which is wonderful - but strange as he still doesn't have alot of energy. Definitely a little more than he's had though. In addition to the hemolytic anemia, and the liver damage from the medicine, this past week he has developed several lesions that are infected. I know what you mean about cost - it just goes on and on - and there is no easy answer. It may be that things look bad now but they may turn around. Seems that is the rollar coaster ride of this disease. It really sounds like you have been trying your best though to get to the bottom of things with all of the tests. Some things that have really helped me are Meisha's website- http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ with alot of good information, Dr. Dodds which I believe you have the e-mail above, and especially the help and support of all of the wonderful people on this site. Good luck and hope things are improving for you and your puppy. Chris

Chris PA

Thank you all for your helpful comments - it's a comfort not to be all alone in this and feeling so singled out and heartbroken. Back to the vets today for more blood tests etc. Vet more or less implied it was make or break time over the course of the next week following the blood transfusion. Millie is now on 20mg pred and Atopica so there is little more to be done. I asked what had caused the liver problems and they implied it was the steroids but its actually pancreatits. I wondered (hoped) it was the Azathioprine as she is off that now she was only on it a few days. She's eating and drinking but has little energy but we've become used to that. She did pick up her toy pheasant yesterday. Unfortunately I think and so did the vet that her gums looked paler. I bought some more prescription diet food to go with her kibble. I've prepared the children (told them things could still go either way)although I think they've hated seeing Millie so sick and will keep her warm, fed and clean and loved - I guess that's all we can do. Clare Fox Oxon, UK

clare fox Oxon

good luck clare, just remember...sometimes the vet's write our dogs off, so to speak, and they are wrong! follow your instincts...if you think that Millie has the fighting spirit, you might have to advocate trying some things that your vet might be resistant to. we'll be thinking of you today, hugs to you and millie. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

This thread was discussed between 24/10/2008 and 27/10/2008

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