Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - What a blow

Hello Everyone Mike from Gloucester England here. Our bitch Spoof 4 year old blue roan (she's actually a hermephradite i.e. a bit of both) was fine on Saturday but suddenly on Sunday she was very weak and pale. Went straight to vet who immediately suspected and is now confirmed at haemolitic anaemia. She's not responded to intitial treatment and is now receiving Oxyglobin transfusion. We are gutted. We just pray that she has the strength to come back. If you can please pray for her, and our other orange roan Bonnie who is lost without her. Many thanks Mike

Mike cockerdog@blueyonder.co.uk

Mike: I'm so sorry that your lovely Spoof has come down with this disease. You've come to the right place for support and advice. My terrier mix did not respond to Oxyglobin (her pcv fell instead of rising), so if Spoof doesn't respond, you might want to try a blood ransfusion. The first can be from a universal donor (most are greyhounds); the subsequent ones need to be from a typed and cross=matched dog. Best to you and your wife, Spoof and Bonnie. This disease, particularly in its early stages, is a horrible roller coaster, but you ALL, especially Spoof, can survive! Sandy & Shadow

Sandy Utah

Thanks Sandy We have seen Spoof tonight, very tired and a be jaundiced. The vet said we will have to wait to see if she turns the corner. Prayerfully she will respond a bit tommorow. Can't stand seeing her like this. Thanks for support Mike Glynis and Bonnie

Mike Gloucester England

Mike, Boy do we all know what you are going through right now. If you haven't found your way to Joanne's site yet here is a link http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ It will give you a lot of answers to questions you may not know you have yet. What drugs do they have Spoof on? It sounds like you have a heads up Vet if they are already trying the Oxyglobin. Remember the drugs take a few days up to weeks depending on the drug to start to work so hang in there and keep us posted. My thoughts and prayers go out to Spoof and family. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

i hope spoof pulls thru! good vibes sent

josh california

Praying for Spoof and your family..

keefer Downingtown

Mike, Our dog Jasper (SPRINGER/ COLLIE)has been treated for AIHA since Aug 30. It took him a good 5 days before he showed any signs of improvement as the meds take a while to kick in, so take heart it won't happen overnight. Wishing you the best of luck, Jackie and Jasper

Jackie pembrokeshire; west wales; uk

Hi Everyone Thanks so mush for encouragement. Vet said Spoof is back to when she came in on Sunday, which is better than Mon/Tues. She managed to walk outside to do her business this morning so thats a good sign. She will stay there and hopefully she will improve. She has'nt eaten since Monday and is still vomiting. Fortunately she is a military spec cocker with good reserves of fat. Just keep on thinking and praying for her. Thank you so much From Spoof, Bonnie Mike and Glynis

Mike Gloucester England

We will be keeping Spoof in our prayers.. Jess

Jess BC

Hi again Mike here Spoof has started to to come back, pcv has gone from 9 to 14, not good but she is improving. She wagged her tail and is drinking water but still very jaundiced, looks worse due to Oxyglobin. Still @ critical but we are praying she pulls through. Possible cause of onsett may have been too strong an atibiotic administered 3 weeks ago, that may have tipped her over. She probably was tootling on with a low pcv quite nicely before antibiotic was given. We will let you all know the name and doseage of antibiotic that was used so you can question before your vet prescribes it for your pooch. Keep on praying Thanks Mike Glyn and Spoof

Mike Gloucester England

Mike, I too have a cocker who has AIHA. She's responding well, right now, w/pred and another suppresent med. I'm pulling for your dog to make a recovery soon!

Al Florida

Hang in there Mike!

Allison TX

Mike, glad to hear that you got some positive news. I vividly remember how stressful those early days of Duck's (yes, the dog!) illness were and my heart goes out to you. Please keep us posted. You have found a great site for support and information. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Mike: I feel your pain. One of our Peke's, Bella, was diagnosed on 9-28-07. Her PCV was 4% with no retic count when she was rushed in. It took a total of a week or better before she had any noticeable improvement/stabilization. As others have said, please prepare yourself for a hairy roller coaster ride of good days/weeks bad days/weeks. Spoof will likely be on a daily regimen of a variety of meds for the next few months in efforts to get this terrible disease under control. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you. I was at the breaking point, financially and emotionally, when Bella finally hit her biggest turn around, which was only two weeks ago... She's s-l-ow-l-y getting back to herself, but she still has a long way to go. Bella and I will say a prayer for you tonight from Myrtle Beach, SC.

Jason Myrtle Beach SC

Mike: We have been dealing with this since July,07 It truly is an emotional rollercoaster. This site is a good place to double check any advice you may get from your vet. There are many on this site that have done extensive research, along with a culmination of all the advice each of us have received from our Internal Medicine Vets gives you a good resource to monitor Spoof's treatment. Good luck to you both...Ron & Daisy

Ron B San Mateo

Hello Mike I'm Sorry to hear about Spoof and we all know how you must be feeling, this site is a wealth of information and so much support is given by everyone. My dog Trixie in now into her 3rd month and still on the same medication, it's quite a slow process. Not for all, I must add, some dogs have sprung back quite quickly. Please keep us updated. Tricia

Tricia UK

So sorry to hear about your little one. This is a horrible disease, but many dogs do overcome and live a long life after diagnosis and a few rough months. If she is relucatant to eat, try some fresh boiled chicken. My golden would refust most food, bue he would eat the chicken i took him 3 times a day while he was in ICu--til the last day when I lost him. His AIHA was druyg indueced--brought on by a 6 momth heartworm preventative injection. One thing is for sure, when your little girl goes into remission, avoid all vaccines that you can. My Hunter would have never had another vax had he lived. By the way, the same drug was killing his liver and 10 months after his death our FDA had them pull it from the market bcause of the high number of reactions/deaths it caused and two of the leading ones were AIHA and liver damage and my beautiful golden retriever had both of them. Here is wishing the best for your girl and my she live a long life.

Sandra TExas

Hi everyone Mike here. Spoof came back home on Christmas Eve, what a present. Many thoughts, prayers and lots of encouragement have been a real help, bless you all. Spoof walked down the path when we came home and even managed to raise a bark to tell our neighbours dog she was back home. She is very slow but her appetite, assisted by the steroids, is good. She has 3 resonable sized meals a day. The jaundice is slowly going. This is going to be a long recovery, but we are prepered for that. I will keep you all posted on her recovery. Once again many thanks for all of your support. Mike Glynis and Spoof.

Mike Gloucester UK

Mike & Glynis What a wonderful Christmas present for you having your girl home. What are her current numbers? Hopefully the New year will see her back to her old self. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hi everyone, Spoof here. Just wanted to tell you my bloods back up to 30!!!!! and I feel real good, but very hungry due to steroids my mate the vet keeps giving me. Mike Glyn Jenny and Bonnie (the other spaniel I share my digs with) want to say thanks for all the support you gave me. Me, well I could lick the lot of you. Oh thanks from me too Spoof

Mike Gloucester UK

Mike, Excellent news! This is indeed a good number. Eating is good too! You have done a great job as an owner. Tonight you should relax and enjoy your New Year's Eve! My best, Patrice

Patrice New York State

Mike. It was great reading your news about Spoof! You must be soooooooooooo happy :+) Thanks for keeping us updated, it's so heart warming to read such positive news. Tricia

Tricia UK

Mike: Great news that Spoof is doing so well. Having PCV is the 30's that fast is really good! Hope all continues to move positively for you guys...

Jason Black Myrtle Beach SC

Spoof........Jasper is really delighted for you. Mike and the rest of the gang. His PCV count is brilliant. Remember that it all takes time and patience. Little steps at a time.... and all improvement no matter how small is the best news ever. Jasper is entering his 5 month of treatment and we have had hiccups along the way.We are currently reducing his medication. Nevertheless, keep believing. Take each day as it comes........They will have off days when they just can't be bothered or just seem out of sorts......but they do pick up....and never leave any food around........as Jasper has taken to stealing.... as he thinks of food 24/7. Good luck, Healthy and Happy New Year, Jackie and Jasper

Jackie pembrokeshire; west wales; uk

This thread was discussed between 18/12/2007 and 06/01/2008

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