Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Tipsi's 2 Year Anniversary

Hi Everyone, Unfortunately, it seems like there has been a lot of sad news posted within the last several weeks. So I thought I'd share a bit of good news with the group. Today is the 2 year anniversary of my sweet Tipsi's diagnosis with AIHA. For those of you who don't know Tip, she is a 6 year old miniature dachshund. Upon diagnosis, Tipsi spent a rough 2 weeks in ICU at the NC State Vet School and had a poor prognosis from all the veterinarians. Not only did she have AIHA with a PCV level of 14, she also suffered from ITP, DIC, acute renal failure and pancreatitis within this 2 week period. The odds were not in Tipsi's favor and I had braced myself for the worst. Fortunately, Tipsi was a fighter and pulled through this critical time. When Tipsi left the vet school, she was on a wide array of medications and had many check ups and blood draws for well over a year. But I'm thrilled to report, that 2 years after her diagnosis, she is in remission and med free!!! Tipsi is back to her old self and I must say, I wasn't sure if that would ever be possible. But I never gave up hope and neither did she. At her last blood draw, Tipsi's PCV was 52!! :) I know many of you are still fighting this awful disease, but always know that miracles do happen and dogs do go on to live happy and healthy lives!! Tipsi is a true testimate to that. Wishing everyone the best, Layla & Tipsi

Layla Brantley Raleigh

Layla, What great news about Tipsi. I am so very thrilled for you both. Enjoy your special day. To others, If you are interested in learning more about Tipsi's battle with AIHA, you can do so at: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/archives22.htm Tipsi was the Jan. 2009 AIHA/IMHA Success Story at the Meisha's Hope Web site. Again big congrat's to you both!!

Joanne MN

Layla & Tipsi, That is such great news!!! Happy Anniversary to both of you, you Layla for taking such good care of Tipsi and to Tipsi for being such a fighter! Doxies rule! Linda

Linda Sapphire

This is wonderful news about Tipsi. We've had enough sad news for awhile. Congratulations. Take care

mardi Northern Calif

nice to hear doxie's can make it too. I go tomorrow for Rosie's PCV if it goes as well as it did last time, we may start reducing her meds. I'm just worried that she's doing good with what she has, that if they reduce them she'll have a relapse. However being on them isnt good in the long run either. Pam

Pam Illinois

Layla, That is really great news! Congrats to both of you.

Penny Lytle Creek Ca

Great news for you & Tipsi... Keep up the good work. Samantha & Madison

Samantha Perth

Happy new Birthday Tipsi, I hope you celebrated with love and luxury! Bravo, melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Layla Thank you so much for posting this positive encouraging news about Tipsi, because as you say there's been some very sad losses this past couple of weeks, so it's great to hear a positive outcome and especially for a dog who had the odds stacked against them at the start!What a fighter Tipsi is and to be two years down the line and doing so well,it's fab. It's very encouraging for me whose beagle Nollaig is still fighting away against IMHA(pure red cell aplasia),I just pray Nollaig will be in Tipsi's good health in two years time.She's certainly doing well at the moment, although don't know what her pcv is,but she is feeling well and that's the important thing. Well done Tipsi and Happy 2nd Anniversary,I hope you got a great treat for it!!! Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

Congratulations Tipsi you go girl! Sending you all my best wishes for a happy and healthy life long. Effie xx.

Effie Melbourne Australia

Thank you for this post; I take great heart from this. Tipsi sounds amazing, what a fighter.

Silka Melbourne

What great news! I am curious to know whether Tipsi had no further episodes, because I'm trying to figure out whether my dog really had AIHA, or whether his illness was a result of eating some onions. My little guy had an episode of acute hemolysis in early July, one day after ingesting onions and 2 days after Frontline. His PCV nose-dived from 42 to 21 in 2 days, then at 18 within a few hours he was transfused, and put on prednisone. However, within a week, his PCV was 40, then 48 5 days later. He was weaned off of prednisone by early August, and has maintained a good PCV. (Still a little pudgy, though!) His vet is inclined to believe that such a rapid recovery would not be typical of AIHA. I remain vigilant---always checking his urine color and gums. Your dog clearly had a very serious episode of hemolysis, and you don't mention any alternative explanations for her hemolysis. Has she maintained a normal PCV since her recovery? Maybe Toby and Tipsi are that rare breed---AIHA patients who only have one episode. (From my mouth to God's ear.)

Ann CT

Ann, In regards to your questions, Tipsi has only had that one episode with AIHA. I have not been able to link that with anything out of the ordinary. (eating onions, flea/tick preventatives, vaccinations, tick diseases, etc.) All the vets are convinced Tipsi had an idiopathic case. Where there is no known cause of the disease. Tipsi did have a long recovery and it took months before her PCV was back within normal ranges. She stayed on prednisone and cyclosporine for about a year. But she was weaned off of them very slowly. I was cautious of having her meds reduced too quickly for fear of a relapse. I still worry about her having relapses, but we no longer have her on any flea or tick preventatives, but do give her monthly heartworm tablets. I hope you are right about her and Toby being the rare breeds and only having one episode. I certainly pray for that each day.

Layla NC

This news just made my day! Congrats to a job well done Layla and Tipsi. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

This thread was discussed between 21/09/2009 and 24/09/2009

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