Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Suddee Recently diagnosed

I am reposting this for CeeJay so others can see it. Joanne Posted 27 November 2009 at 21:22:51 UK time CeeJay, U.S., wolfmountainstudio@yahoo.com My dog Suddee Lou ( a 110 pound Dobe) was just diagnosed with autoimmune Hemolytic anemia. Its nice to see that others are as attached to thier pets as I am to my Suddee. We have been to 4 different vets and they all seem a little clueless. She is on Presidone and a immune system suppressor. She is eating, but is still sleeping 90% of the time. I don't know what else to do for her..

CeeJay

CeeJay, I am so sorry to learn the your most beloved Dobe Suddee lou has recently been diagnosed with AIHA. While AIHA is a very difficult disease, dogs who have been diagnosed with it CAN and DO recover and go on to live happy healthy lives. If you have not read my Web site on Canine AIHA/IMHA you might want to do so when you can. The URL is: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ Be sure to follow the links on the first page to many other sites on AIHA/IMHA that will be very helpful to you and do read the Success Stories pages. They will show you what has worked for other dogs in terms of treatment options as well as give you a lot of HOPE. If you have been to 4 vets and they all seem cluesless you might want to seek an additional opinion from a veterinary internal medicine specialist or a veterinary teaching hosptial. It is very important to have a vet who is up to date on all the treatment options available for AIHA and who has had success treating the disease. I know this is so hard so be assured that you and your dear canine companion are in my thoughts and prayers during these most very difficult days.

Joanne MN

Dear CeeJay I too am sorry to hear of Suddee Lou's recent diagnosis. I am new to this as you probably saw, and it was a shock to find out what it was and what is involved, not to mention emotions, expense etc. etc. There are others here who have been doing this a long time, and also with lots of knowledge - its a matter or piecing it together to find out what suits you and Suddee. My advice is to look around for someone in your area who knows this illness, someone who isnt clueless - who has given you the prednisone and what is the immunosuppressant that has been given, and what are the doses? Ring a teaching veterinary hospital or go there if you can to have a consultation - you posted in my thread, and I have just done that - waiting on some results to see whats next. Can you tell us how it all started? Have you any blood results to tell us, as this is part of it, medications, monitoring and taking blood regularly to see how its all going. Read those stories that Joanne posted, the success stories, and read some of the archive stories here. Again, Im sorry, this is not something any of us wish to have happen to us or our doggies. One minute they are normal, happy, playing dogs, and the next, so ill its inexplicable. I would say if Suddee is eating at least she is getting nourishment - she is sleeping because she is anaemic. Gosh, I dont know what else to say, because Im working through this as well, along with some others, but there is a heap of experienced people on here. Another site as well you may find helpfuk is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CIMDAsupport Lots of information online as well - its a battle CeeJay, but one hopefully you will win, as many have here. Tell us more.

Silka Melbourne Australia

Sorry CeeJay, I didnt mean to sound that simplistic about Suddee "sleeping because he is anaemic" because that is not all that there is to it - the first night Riley was diagnosed, he slept also, but when he woke he couldnt walk, back legs dragging. I took him to the emergency vet and he needed a blood transfusion. Please let us know Suddee's blood values and how high/low they are, and also the medication dosage. Others will tune in when they are awake, Im an Aussie so times are upside down with the rest of the world. Hang in there.

Silka Melbourne Australia

I am very sorry to hear of Suddee's recent diagnosis. It is an awful disease but can be beaten. Try to remain strong, become knowledgable about the disease and don't be afraid to reach out and ask lots of questions. We are all here for you and your pup.

Mardi Northern Calif

Just wondering how Ceejay and Suddee Lou are doing. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

my thoughts are certainly with CeeJay and you, stay strong

Josh California

My special little schnauzer, Riley, has just been diagnosed with hemolytic anemia. Our first schnauzer, Willy, died of this in 1991 and I cannot believe that I am going through this nightmare again. I suspected this was what he had 2 weeks ago but the vets reassured me that he did not. Now, his blood count is down by half of what it was and he is currently at the vet on an IV and prednisone. Tomorrow night I will be bringing him home for 1 1/2 days. Please send your prayers for him. He just turned 8 and he has always acted like a puppy.

Christine BC

Hi Christine Im so sorry to hear about your Riley - I have a Riley too - unbelievable that you are going through this nightmare again, it doesnt seem fair. I have a maltese shihtzu, and I understand the shihtzu dogs are predisposed to this illness, and I had not heard of it at all before Riley contracted it on 3 September. I send lots of Aussie white healing light to your Riley. Please let us know how you are going. Maybe start your own thread so we know its you - I tuned in here wondering whether there was any update on Suddee. Best wishes, Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

CeeJay, We haven't heard from you in a while now is everything going o.k. with Suddee Lou? kelly & Coco

Kelly Redding

This thread was discussed between 27/11/2009 and 12/01/2010

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