Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Willie

Hi all, I've been lurking for a couple of days. I think you are all wonderful and I thank you for all the caring and the great information. I never heard of this disease until Friday night when we took our beautiful, noble-souled, 3 1/2 year old Schnoodle named Willie to the emergency vets. He presented with a PCV of 14. They gave him a blood transfusion and his PCV went up to 18. The next day they gave him a second transfusion and his PCV was up to 23.5. I called this morning for an update and he had backpeddled to 20. From what I've read here, it's not uncommon to lose a little ground and it takes awhile for the prednizone to take effect. The vet wants to add another med; she wasn't sure what; she wanted to go do some research. We're not sure yet if Willie is coming home tomorrow or if he has to be transferred to another care facility. Needless to say, my wife and I have shed a lot of tears this weekend. I cry as I type this. Thank you all for being there for each other.

Reid Hanson Wisconsin

I'm sorry to hear about your dog Willie. Most of us here at this web site have been where you are now. Some of us more than once. Please know that my family is praying for your family. This disease is complex and sometimes vets are not well informed about it and it's treatment. Time is of the essence for treatment, although it sometimes takes a few days or even weeks for the meds to start taking effect. During that time, try to remain positive and show your Willie lots of love. Offer him some of his favorite foods to keep his strenght up. Also know that this disease is not something that is "cured" overnight. Your Willie will probably be on meds for many months. His body will undergo some changes do the harsh medication that he will be taking. Be strong for him! I pray that Willie has a swift and total recovery. SUE

Susie Delaware

Thank you for your kind words and caring, Susie. It's truly appreciated. We're on our way to go visit Willie right now.

Reid Hanson Wisconsin

Hanson Family: Sending you the best from neighboring Michigan. I take it that a Schnoodle is a Schnauser-Poodle? My Kit was a Pudelpointer - German Pudel(poodle)-Eng. Pointer. They say Poodles have been tracked to have some predisposition to AIHA. I don't know if you have any inkling what triggered Willie's illness. It sounds like Willie is in good hands. I'm sorry you've joined our circle, but know that you have an automatic cheering squad in your corner. Many of the owners on this site have dogs in remission. They are a wealth of knowledge. Your dog is young... he's got that on his side. I know it's hard - stay as positive as possible.

Cynthia Grosse Pte

Reid, I am so sorry to hear about this sudden emergency with your Schnoodle Willie. I have two Giant Schnauzers and love any other "variation" on Schnauzers. Schnoodles are extraordinarily smart dogs. I have sent you a private email with some help. Please keep an eye out for it so it doesn't go into spam Patrice

Patrice NYS

Hello. I'm sorry to hear about Willie. It's a terrible shock, isn't it. If your vet isn't sure what medicine to try, you may want to search the archives for Dr. Jean Dodds' protocal for treating AIHA. I had a difficult time at first getting my vet to prescribe enough prednisone. Finally, she consulted with a specialist who convinced her. Best of luck to Willie. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Karen H.

Karen H. MO

Reid, I'm sorry your little guy is going through this, but it sounds like you caught this early on, and it's an added plus that Willie has young age on his side. It's good that the vet is doing her research. Perhaps she can refer you to a specialist who is more knowledgeable or maybe there's one with whom she can consult. The prednisone alone may be enough in Willie's case, but sometimes it's neccessary to add in other meds and then determine dosage amounts. In our case, we are doing blood monitoring of PCV levels weekly and a full CBC panel every few weeks. There's also another blood test to monitor absorption levels of the meds. We've been through a series of adding/eliminating/adjusting the meds. This is not a battle for the faint of heart, but I can tell that you love Willie and I'm sure you're willing to get in there and fight for him. I pray that Willie will soon be well enough to come home to you and your wife. I know it's hard having to leave him, but at least he's getting the special care he needs. Please keep us posted. Karen

Karen NC

I'm so sorry to hear about Willie. I have a poodle that was diagosed at 3 years of age. I have read that poodles have a predisposition to this disease but as you can see from this forum this disease seems to afflict all breeds and many mix breeds. It's good that your vet is consulting with others that have treated this disease. As you've probably heard us refer to this being a rollar coaster ride - hang in there if things seem tough because they can improve quickly too. We are thinking of you and wishing the best for Willie. Chris & Alex

Chris PA

Thank you so much, Cynthia, Patrice, Karen, Karen and Chris. I'm so glad you guys are out here with your caring and good information. I know I'll be leaning on you as we try to assist Willie in his fight, and, as I told Patrice in an email, I will be darn sure to pay this forward!

Reid Hanson Wisconsin

Reid, praying for you to be reunited soon with Willie and that he will improve really soon. Stay in touch here, because the love, comfort and support is amazing. Everyone here cheers the joys and cries with the sorrows as we all know the pain of this horrible disease. Keeping you in prayer for strength during this trying time. sharon and angel Brandy

sharon pa

Thank you, Sharon. The emergency vet clinic called a little while ago and Willie's PCV count is up to 29. We are encouraged by this and it looks like he'll be home with us tomorrow morning. I'm going to give Willie's normal vet Dr. Dodd's protocol for AIHA (thank you, Patrice!) and we can begin the collaborative work of trying to manage this nasty disease.

Reid Hanson Wisconsin

Reid, Sorry you have to join us but you have come to a great place for support and knowledge. Have you checked out Joanne's site yet Meisha's Hope? You can access it from the link under treatment on the main page. Hopefully your Willie will get to come home tomorrow. It is great that your Vet is open to outside help, it is very important to have someone with experience with treating this disease available as well. Keep us posted, Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Well guys, Willie's PCV was at 30 this morning so they sent him home with me. He's sleeping on my lap right now. He has to go back to the vet tonight to get another reading. And, thank you, Penny for the kind words, and yes, I did check out Meisha's Hope. Excellent site.

Reid Hanson Wisconsin

Reid, I am glad your Willie is at home. How long has it been since his last transfusion? Hopefully his PCV will hold on its own and keep climbing. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Penny, He had his last transfusion on Saturday. They were considering giving him a third on Sunday because his PCV count backslid; but then it jumped back up later in the day. Quite the roller coaster indeed! He's going to see the vet in 3 hours to get a new blood check. I'm of course quite anxious to get the results. It seems like we owners live and die by these numbers.

Reid Hanson Wisconsin

What wonderful news! I hope things continue to go well for you. Karen H.

Karen H. MO

Thank you, Karen.

Reid Hanson Wisconsin

Reid, This is indeed wonderful news that Willie's PCV is climbing! He sounds like a fighter. Keeping you and Willie in my prayers, Karen

Karen NC

I'm so glad that Willie is home with you. Way to go Willie!!

Chris PA

Willie's PCV went from 30 at the time of discharge to 22 this evening at the vet. Very discouraging. Our vet introduced azathioprine and she wants to see Willie first thing in the morning. I'll tell ya, I can see already that this ride is going to be a bumpy one.

Reid Hanson Wisconsin

Thinking of you....we are all riding the bumps with you. You have new friends the world over. Chin up for Willie's sake. Dogs are so intuitive!

Cynthia Grosse Pte

Reid, hang in there! We're praying for Willie. And, as far as spoiling goes, I took a roast to the vet last summer so that Toby would have something to eat over the weekend.... They kept telling me he wouldn't eat anything, and I was determined to get him to eat --- he did. LOL, Spoiling is a good thing! Karen H.

Karen H. MO

Reid, Sorry to read about the drop. It is not terribly uncommon after transfusions for that to happen and sometimes we get to caught up in that number. The drugs still have to have sometime to work so don't despair just yet. This is indeed the roller coaster ride you believe it to be both emotionally and financially so just try to take things a day at a time otherwise you and your wife will be exhausted very quickly. Pay the most attention to Willie's overall behavior it will give you a lot of clues as to how he is doing. He will be extremely tired due to the low oxygen level this is normal so hang in there and know that a lot of people are cheering Willie on. We have a Coon dog named Willie so I am naturally partial. Ha! Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Reid, Good deal about the aza. It will take some time to work. Right now the prednisone is doing all the work. Keeping the pcv up around 20 or above is ok. I hope things will be ok in the am. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Thank you for you caring Cynthia, Karen, Penny and Patrice. This is all so helpful. Karen, it's going to be hard to top that roast story! ;-)

Reid Hanson Wisconsin

This thread was discussed between 30/11/2008 and 02/12/2008

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