Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Sheba Update

Sheba had a PCV check up today and we were thrilled to hear that it was 44.5! Last time around (end of May) it was 40.75. This is the highest it's been since she stopped taking meds back in December. (It was higher once or twice while she was on the Atopica.) We celebrated by taking a walk at a nearby park and with a beef chewie stick. As for her rear legs - Dr. Holm thinks her spondylosis has probably gotten worse and this is causing the stiffness, occasional leg collapse, difficulty going up stairs, etc. Because of her IMHA, we are avoiding the heavy duty NSAIDs and are going to try some aspirin and see how that goes. So, tomorrow morning we will start one baby aspirin once per day. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this helps some as I would like to see her a little more active again. Other than the rear legs issue and being overweight (always working on that!), Sheba is happy, healthy and mentally sharp. So we are pleased and looking forward to several more years of being Sheba's easily manipulated companions! Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Wonderful news. Congratulations.

Mardi Northern Cali

Rita, Congrats to you and Sheba. Glad to hear she is enjoying life again. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Rita, so glad to hear SHebas # are hanging in there. Wylie is the same age as Sheba and was diagnosed the same time, so I always follow your posts closely. She just get checked Wed and it was 45, her # has been between 42-45. As for Shebas stiffness, do you have her on any kind of joint supplement? Wylie is on Syn-flex and it really helps. When she was first diagnosed I went to an internist for a 2nd opinion. She wanted to know everything Wylie as taking and when I mentioned Syn-flex, she said she also took and said it had been her life saver to continue her vet work. Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie: Glad to hear Wylie's numbers are also good. It is nice to see other "old" dogs hanging in there! Sheba is on Dasaquin and DLPA, which is something Dr. Dodds recommended. We also just started the aspirin Sunday and it seems to have had an immediate effect. She's been more active and raring to go then she has been in a long time. We'll have to see if it continues! I'll have to keep the Syn-Flex in mind. It never hurts to have additional options! Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Way to go Sheba, the older dogs really are incredible, brave, and I think their wisdom helps them through. And they can get away with anything :) melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Hi Rita Congratulations on Sheba's progress - as you mentioned the older dogs seem to pull back from brink due to their strength and I think that they have had so many years of love and attention they do not want to leave their beloved owners. Something to think about re: Sheba's stiffness - when Phoebe first had symptoms she had a sore back leg - we were referred to a wonderful hydrotherapy pool in the UK by our vet - initially as we thought Phoebe's problems were either her leg or her back we took her for a session in the pool. They put in fresh water and heated it to a temperature higher than normal as she is a older dog - although her condition went on to be diagnosed as AIHA I think the time in the pool really helped her and should she ever get to a point where Sheba is I would definitely reconsider taking her back. When I say pool - it is like an extra large fish tank with a treadmill which can have the speed adjusted for the dog - the water takes all the weight and it is just like us having hydrotherapy. Maybe worth a try? In any case, congratulations not just to Sheba but to you, Mum, for hanging on in their and believing in your furbaby, its fantastic to here such wonderful success stories - such an inspiration to us all!! Kindest regards Gill & Phoebe

gill uk

That's awesome news. Congrats to both you and Sheba. I bet the park and chewie stick was a good treat for her. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

What good news! Joey is overweight too and my vet nurse advised we put him on senior kibble as it's less in calories may be worth asking about. Best wishes,our thoughts are with you, Corrie & Joey.

corrie marney Dagenham Essex.

Thanks everyone for your good wishes! Melissa - yes, senior dogs can get away with just about anything! And it's even worse when they've been seriously ill and you've faced the terror of losing them. Spoiled rotten just about covers it in Sheba's case! Gill - we discussed the possibility of hydrotherapy for Sheba. Unfortunately, the closest place that we are aware of is at Iowa State's veterinary teaching hospital (where Sheba was treated for IMHA) and it's just a little over an hour away. If things don't improve we might contact them but for now we are going to try the aspirin. It does seem to be helping so far. The other issue with hydrotherapy is that I'm not sure how Sheba feels about water. She's never shown an interest in swimming or wading in water so I'm not sure if she'd like it. Corrie - right now Sheba is on a combination of foods. Two overweight management/reduced calorie foods and a senior kibble. She becomes bored with the same old food all of the time so we mix the three and she seems to appreciate our efforts. The biggest problem is probably us - too many treats! But again, when you've faced life without them, it is really easy to spoil them silly! One of these days we'll find the right balance! Again, thanks for all of the good wishes and as always, we'll keep everyone and their fur kids in our thoughts and prayers! Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Hi Rita Just to add that Phoebe 'hates' the sea, and rivers and even the bath but being in the 'hydrotherapy' bath did not seem to bother her - I think she was concentrating on walking on the treadmill - and the water only comes up to the top of their legs - at least its another option. I certainly won't be trying it again for Phoebe for some time until I am sure she is fully back to recovery - if that is at all possible. Best wishes to you mike and sheba gill & Phoebe

gill uk

Rita - I was happy to read that Sheba is doing well. And, I completely understand what you mean when you say you look forward to much continued manipulation! I also noted what you and Laurie are giving for stiffness. Murray has been on Arthroplex for ~18 months and I'm not sure it's helped so I'm glad to have some alternatives to look into. Also, how did your vet go about diagnosing her spondylosis? I'm wondering as it's been mentioned as a possibility for Murray ... Sorry for so many questions - I mainly wanted to say congratulations on Sheba's good results. Take care - Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Bonnie: Sheba had x-rays done in November 2008 on her rear legs/hips and spine. It was from them that her doctor diagnosed the spondylosis and arthritis in one hip (can't remember which). We started the aspirin about a week ago and it does seem to have made a difference. She's been a little more active this past week and seems a little more "chipper". We'll keep it up and see how things go. Thanks for the wishes and we hope Murray feels better soon! Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

This thread was discussed between 22/08/2009 and 29/08/2009

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