Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - some questions

Hello everyone, I'm so glad I found this site. My 3 y o standard poodle was diagnosed in December with AIHA. He received two blood transfusions at the veterinary hospital, and has been doing pretty well since his release. His PCV has been holding in the mid 30's, and he is down to 15 mg of Pred. I have several questions, but the first has to do with longterm use of prednisone and/or Azathioprine. I am very nervous about potential for relapse if he is fortunate enough to continue to do ok and to slowly wean off the meds (the vets say he will eventually wean off completely if all goes well). What do you all think about dogs going completely off the meds?

Leslie Philadelphia

Leslie, Welcome to the board. Isn't it nice to find a place where everyone knows and understands what you are going through. If you haven't found your way to Joanne's site yet be sure to go there and check out the success stories. www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson A lot of dogs do end up being med free others must stay on very low doses for life. The steroids are very very hard on them so hopefully you will be able to eventually wean your dog off them completely. What is his/her name? Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Ca

Hi Leslie, I too have a standard poodle. He is 2 1/2 years old and was diagnosed a bit over 3 weeks ago. We are riding the roller coaster! I was very exited and glad I found this board. A lot of helpful, knowledgeable and compassionate people on here. We are not quite at the point where we can reduce drugs, we are still adding more all the time it seems. Thank goodness for pill pockets! In the beginning Kahlu was not eating and it would have been impossible to give him pills without stressing him. The vet recommended the greenies pill pockets. They work like a charm. Actually I call Kahlu my druggie, because he stands right there when I open the case with his pills! I know I will be scared to reduce the prednisone as much as I want him to be off it asap. It is so hard on him. I have a shedding poodle! I hope I will not end up with a giant Chinese Crested. Take care and give that poodle a hug from me, Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

Hi Leslie, We are at the point where it is being discussed to drop the last of the meds, and I must admit, I'm terrified! Tiggs' was diagnosed on July 16, and he's now on Pred and Azathiaprine only every other day (we alternate, one day pred, one day aza). I don't want him to have complications from meds down the road, but I am also always afraid of relapse too. We are just taking it really, really slow. Long term effects of Pred can be Cushings, and other things, I think there is a lot of good info on the meds. Also, the Aza long term can damage the liver, and cause pancreatitis. I know recently Tiggs was diagnosed also with Hypothyroid, and we've added those meds into the regimin as well. Hard to say if it was the IMHA, the drugs, both, or neither that contributed to the thyroid issues. I'm sure it all ties in somehow. Best of luck, I hope your poodle is on the mend! melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Hi Leslie, My dog Benson was successfully weaned off all meds and did not require any maintenance meds at all. He was lucky because he did not suffer a relapse after we stopped the meds. Reduction should be gradual and incremental. Unfortunately IMHA means constant vigilance, even after the dog is off the meds. I never stopped checking his gums and I reminded every single vet who ever saw him (and there were far too many) that he had IMHA. If Benson had relapsed (and we had successfully gone through the whole awful process again), I would have requested that he be put on a maintenance dosage. I am glad to hear that your dog is doing well and hope that he continues to do so. Keep us posted. Very best to you and your dog, Aden

Aden Jerusalem

Leslie & Brigitte, Wow two standard poodles in one thread. My standard poodle was diagnosed shortly after his 3rd birthday. I wonder if there is something with this breed and it showing up around that age. I've had two other standards, not of the same line, and had no problems whatsoever until they were up in years. I love this breeds personality and the no shedding is a big plus. Chris & Alex

Chris Pa

Ren was on meds for four months. Very slowly weaned off Pred at first then the Aza. I can not say that my vet took her off meds too soon, but Ren did have a relapse one year later. This time i believe that she will be on some form of medication (pred, Aza, cyclosporine)one or a combo, for the rest of her life. I will not risk her having another relapse. SUE

Susie Delaware

I think the decison as to whether on not to continue any sort of medications long term is one that is different for each dog and can only be made with a lot of thought and input by the vet and owner/caregiver together. My Meisha, relapsed several times after being taken off pred and I now know that that was because the pred was reduced too quickly. If I ever had another AIHA/IMHA dog I probably would try and take them off all meds very very very slowly to see if they could stay in remission without meds. But there are many AIHA/IMHA dogs who live very happy healthy lives while on some form of long term medication for the treatment of AIHA/IMHA. You can learn about some of these dogs by checking out the Success Stories page at the Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Web site. http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/successstories.htm

Joanne MN

Thanks everyone for all your posts! I just checked the site now after posting last night. You all made me cry with your warmth and kindness for Kola and I. Your input is very helpful, even though it sounds like it isn't one size fits all with this disease. Thanks for what you've shared so far about Kahlu, Benson, Tiggs, Ren & Meisha (and Chris's standard poodle too)!

Leslie Philadelphia

My rottie/mixed 13 year old pooch almost died of auto immune disease about 5 years ago. out of nowhere, she became terribly ill and was admitted to the local animal hospital intensive care for several weeks. she recovered beautifully, but still remains on prednisone. However, two weeks ago, i bought her greenies, something i had not done since before she became sick 5 years ago, and today i found myself in vet's office. full round of blood tests. deja vu: my dog's red blood count is low, she is lethargic, no appetite, vomiting, and NOT WELL! I have heard about greenies causing problems with intestinal blockage, but now i am starting to wonder if they may cause auto immune shut down in certain dogs?? anyone experienced this?? i am horrified that i may have caused my best friend to become seriously ill again! Jess and "Aliya"

j nyc

My Welsh Terrier, Jack was diagnosed almost 2 years ago at age 2. Weaned very slowly off pred (6 months) and relapsed; weaned VERY slowly to a very low dose for 6 months - he was great and routine blood check (every 3 months) caught him crashing! He's been back on a moderately high dose with all the pred side effects for a week and we are waiting for blood test results on Monday. I am so frustrated - is the roller coaster just part of the illness? This is horrible for Jack, gross for me and heartbreaking for the family.

Sara Eden Prairie

Sara, i am so sorry jack has a relapse. My Standard poodle Kahlu was diagnosed 2 1/2 months ago and we a re still new at this. i was wondering if jack has ever been on anything else than prednisone? Azathioprene or Cyclosporin? Most of the dogs I am reading about are put on a second or even third immune suppressant. Best wishes to you, your family and Jack. Brigitte and Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Jack has only been on pred so far.

Sara Eden Prairie

This thread was discussed between 16/02/2009 and 06/04/2009

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