Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Worming

Having a six year old cross terrier bitch who was diagnosed March 11 and is now doing extremely well, I have taken advice from people here and have not had her vaccinated but where do I stand with worming. Used to worm her every 4 months but am unsure now what to do. She looks great - no visible signs of needing worming - advice welcome Thanks Karen

Karen

Karen, We have a Westie, Henri, with vaccine-induced IMHA. He was diagnosed at 5-months of age. We have dewormed him several times without problems both when he actually had worms and prophylactically. Hope this helps! Furhugs, Ella and Henri

Ella Seattle

Our vet told us to continue with Sentinel (not sure if that's what you use) and we use it every month without problems.

Monet Sammamish

Check with your vet but routine worming isn't always necessary. If you live in an area where there is heartworm, esp year-round, the use of some monthly heartworm pills will provide the benefit of worming at the same time. I use Interceptor for this reason in addition to providing protection from heartworm. I followed Dr. Dodds advice when Chance was really ill and spread the time out to 45 days instead of monthly. This is still effective, but you must not exceed the 45 day time frame. With our climate change it is advisable to use heartworm year-round in most areas of the US now. It's still warm enough here some days to see mosquitoes. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Our Tori has IMHA/ITP (Evans Syndrome) and because we live in a tropical climate 9 months of the years, we also have continued to use HeartGuard every 45 days, but no later. We keep her on Frontline Plus, too but make sure we are a at least 7-10 days later in giving it to her. We never give them both to her at the same time, since the near fatal IMHA diagnosis. Our vet concurs. We knew that her main trigger was from zinc poisoning from swallowing a small jewelry "O" ring that lodged in her lower esphogus. Her white blood cells went crazy trying to fight the intruder (like it would an infection). Hope this is helpful. Blessings, Cindi & Tori (Evans Syndrome)

Cindi FL

Thanks everyone - still unsure

Karen North east England

just make sure you check with your vet first, and proceed cautiously. we were told charlie could never again be vaccinated or receive any oral flea or heartworm treatments. He can have a spritz of adams spray (the stuff in the blue bottle that has been around forever) he was also allowed to have a tape worm tablet a while back when we discovered he had them. Your vet can get you a waiver from being vaccinated in case you need it traveling or what not. Good luck!

charlie

Oh, we have, also, given Henri Sentinel without problems since his diagnosis. Dr Dodds was OK with that. My husband calls Henri a walking flea resort, as they love him but not our other dog. So sometimes, in bad months, we have to Frontline him, too. Furhugs, Ella and Henri

Ella Seattle

Charlie and others regarding heartworm preventative: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE find a safe effective preventative for your IMHA dog! When my cocker spaniel Beau was diagnosed in late-October, 2010, I took both my dogs off the preventative because I wasn't sure if that was a possible trigger for the disease. Being in the Philadelphia area, by late-October it was cold enough that mosquitoes were non-existent (or so I thought) and besides, I had never heard of anyone in my area having an issue with heartworm. My GSD Chloe then tested positive for heartworm in the spring. We were fortunate that it was in the early stages, but not early enough that she was bitten in the spring -- it was sometime around the October time she came off the preventative. She had to undergo the pre-treatment and then injections. THE TREATMENT IS HORRID! The adulticide they use to kill the heartworms is ar*enic-based. And very very rough on a dog - they need to be kept extremely quiet for eight weeks (try that with an adolescent GSD!). At times -- especially those late nights/early mornings trying to get her to eat ice cubes to get her fever down -- I thought we would lose her. In any event, I thank God that Beau did not encounter the same mosquito -- there's no doubt in my mind that the injections would have been fatal in his state. I now use Interceptor for Beau, which I understand is kinder and gentler than Heartgard (which I use for non-IMHA Chloe). Fleas - I can deal with. But untreated heartworm is almost always fatal, and the cure can be as well! Sharon

Sharon PA

Thanks so much for your warnings, believe me i was horrified when i was given that instruction -- we were using interceptor at the time -- i have since heard of differnt dogs having severe reactions to this dewormer -- it is so hard to find something with no risks -- working with your vet is always the best choice. in regards to heartworm treatment once you encounter a positive test -- i deal with a lot of rescue dogs and have had a few come into my care with a heartworm positive test -- i have used two different routes, one is the horrible one you mentioned above and you are right it is horrid. there is a different avenue to take but it requires a lot of patience. you can start with a heartguard chewey appropriate for their weight, this will kill all baby worms, it will not kill the adult worms and their life span is 2 years. you will need to watch your dog closely for the 2 years while continuing with the heart guard. once the adult worms have died you will finally get a clear heartworm test. i have done this and it does work and your dog doesn't have to endure the horrible injections. i am relieved we are having colder non-mosquito weather,once summer gets here we will re-evalute and see what to do, it is a toss up as we all know once a dog has imha they will be forever linked to a relapse. hope this info helps -- again i am not a vet so it is always best to do what your personal vet suggest.. wendi

charlie

This thread was discussed between 01/12/2011 and 02/12/2011

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