Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Sheba - One+ Year Later

We just wanted everyone to know how Sheba, our now 12 year old GSD/Cocker Spaniel mix is doing one+ year after being diagnosed with IMHA. Sheba was diagnosed on April 3, 2008. She spent 6 days in the ICU at Iowa State University's veterinary teaching hospital. She required one blood transfusion while there when her PCV hit a low of 17. Sheba came home on doxy, 50 mg of pred and 250 mg of Atopica daily. Over the summer she did contract several staph infections but they always cleared up with some medication and special shampoo. She stopped shedding completely while on all that medication and her allergies didn't flair up at all either. After being weaned off the pred in mid-September, however, her fur started falling out by the handful and she developed patchy, dry skin. With a special medicated shampoo and some time, that problem eventually cleared up, too. Sheba was completely weaned off the Atopica in mid-December and her PCV has been holding steady at 37.5-38. While at the bottom end of normal, it is normal and so we are happy. Today Sheba is suffering from some rear leg weakness due to muscle loss caused by the high doses of pred and a lack of exercise over the winter months. We are working on strengthening her leg up with daily walks and a little bit of stretching. The other problem we have is weight - and we are hoping the daily walks, some special diet food and fewer treats will help. (Although we also had that issue before she got sick so that's kind of "normal" in our household!) So far our efforts seem to be paying off some. So our message to everyone is this - if your beloved fur baby is battling this horrible disease - hang in there, things do get better and dogs do survive and go on to live happy, healthy, normal lives. To Joanne, Patrice and everyone else on this list who answered questions, offered up hope, support and prayers, kept us in their thoughts and shared their own stories a big THANK YOU! We really appreciate it and hope you know we are here for you, too. And finally, on Tuesday, May 5th we will celebrate the 3rd anniversary of Sheba's adoption from our local animal shelter. If someone had told us when we adopted her that we would have to go through this - we would still have taken her in to our home. We can't imagine life without her and we thank God every day for bringing her into our lives. She is the heart and soul of our little family! Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

That's great to hear stories like Sheba's. Hopefully over time her muscles will get stronger. Keep up the good work and give her a hug from me and Tessy. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Rita and Mike, Congrats to you both for being such good doggy parents to Sheba. Glad to hear she is doing so well. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Thanks for the update Rita. These stories of full remission give us all hope. Give Sheba a huge hug for us! Sue

Susie Delaware

I'm so happy for you and your family! Sheba is one lucky gal to be surrounded by a family like yours. Thanks for giving us all hope! Chris & Alex

Chris Pa

Bravo Rita and Sheba, thank you for sharing! melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Rita, that is so wonderful to hear about Sheba from from another 12 year old one year remission girl Wylie says to Sheba, way to go! thats pawsitively great! Laurie and Wylie

Laurie CA

congratulations rita and sheba :)

josh california

Rita -- thanks for sharing the great news about Sheba. It is so wonderful to hear good news about dogs and their parents who are winning against IMHA. Congratulations also on the third anniversary of your adopting Sheba and bringing her home. You and your husband are special people to have brought Sheba into your family and to have fought so hard to give her a chance for a longer, happy, loving life.

Brenda VA

Rita, Thank you for sharing your story... Keep us all posted. I know there are a bunch of us that just can't wait to tell our own success story in one year! Carol

Carol J Vancouver Wa

So great to hear! Made me cry. Lucky Dog to have wonderful folks like you! What kind of shampoo did you use? I pray for full recovery for my Doodle, Layla & continued good health for Sheba. Terese

T. Rose & Layla Erie

To everyone: Thanks for all the good thoughts - we really appreciate them! As to the question from T. Rose and Layla regarding the special shampoo - we purchased Virbac's Keratolux from our vet. It really seemed to help. I can't remember what it cost now and the tag seems to be missing. I was going to offer to send you what was left but I see that it has expired. Hopefully your vet can recommend something of you have a place nearby that you can find something similar. As always, we will be keeping everyone here in our thoughts and prayers - Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

This thread was discussed between 02/05/2009 and 13/05/2009

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