Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Wylies update - its been one long year

I wrote a pretty lengthy note on Wylies year but I keep getting locked out, Joanne is not sure why, so here is a brief synopsis. April 08 Wylie, 10 1/2 years old diagnosed with AIHA, after routine visit showed jaundice and then 2 weeks later her HCT was down 37 then to 32 she was confirmed with AIHA with a coombs test, started on pred. Consulted an internist who said at her age most AIHA are acaused by cancer of the spleen and to do an ultrasound. that was done and a growth the size of a quarter was found, her spleen was removed, it was benign, she did great her HCT was 39-41, had a bout with a very bad reaction to denosyl, losing fur and weight, after mulitple tests and nothing showed up we took her off denosyl, she showed immediate improvement. Was doing great, 11/1 she went for her morning walk and just stopped, I knew it was a relapse, got her in asap, vet didnt agree, said he never had an AIHA dog relapse then sheepishly came back saying yep, her HCT was 27. She was back on pred and 30 days of azi. her HCT went up to 47 in 30 days. She has been slowly weaned off and stopped 3 weeks ago. This morning her HCT was holding at 46. The vet thinks her relapse is from the heartgard plus she had taken 7 days earlier. We dont know what caused her original bout. But so happy she is doing so well Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie, What a year for you and Wylie. I am glad your vet was able to learn something new and hopefully he retains it. It is interesting that he actually said that he thinks it could have been the heartgard that caused the relapse, has he taken Wylie off of it? Keep up the good work and I know it is a labor of love. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Thats great Whylie is going great and off the medication - i am so looking forward to Madison being off all medication. Its so nice hearing a positve outcome and i wish the same for all the dogs on here. Samantha & Madison

Samantha Perth Australia

Laurie -- congratulations to you and to Wylie. It is always wonderful to hear of success against IMHA. My very best to you and keep up the good work. Sounds like a little celebration is definitely in order. I have been hoping and praying that your Wylie would be okay. My Wiley was 10 1/2 years old when IMHA struck her in May 2005, but we were not successful.

Brenda VA

Laurie, I'm so happy for you and Wylie. I'm inspired too, even with that scary setback and relapse, Wylie has her health back. I hope and pray that she stays healthy and happy for many years to come! melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Congratulations Wylie, we wish him continued good health. We treated Ginger's anniversary like another birthday. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Wylie. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Laurie, congrats on Wylie's good health. It terrifies me the thought of relapses now that Tessy had one. Wylie has heart and a good mom. Hearing stories like these gives people such inspiration and hope. Keep up the good work and give Wylie a hug from me. Johnny and Tessy

Jonathan

Thanks everyone, Actually Wylie is older, she was a stray that adopted us almost 10 1/2 years ago, people said she was between 8 months and 2 years so she is doing quite well for however old she is. We were so lucky on catching her relapse. We had a huge storm moving in and it had just started to sprinkle when I thought I want to get her out since she didnt get to go the previous week-end due to rain. And even after that walk where she stopped, she looked and accted just fine except lethargic, I dont think I would have noticed anything amiss in her actions until she probably really crashed. Penny, because of the relapse so close to her taking the heartgard plus I vividly recall him talking about the plus part as being the possible actual cause and we should look at what we want to do when the season starts again, which is now. He was talking about using Interceptor which I dont get because it has the parasite stuff in it too. I want to do just regular heartgard and that will have to be ordered, I am waiting for him to call back today to discuss. Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie: Glad to hear Wylie is doing well. Sheba is also one year out (diagnosed 4-3-08) and hanging in there. Will be having PCV check on 4-18, along with her bi-annual check up. We're keeping our fingers crossed that we are holding steady at 39. So, from one "old" (but young at heart) 1-year survivor to another - way to go! It's good to hear good news about other seniors! Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Rita, yes its good to hear of another senior survivor, way to go Sheba!. I am still surprised at Wylies 46 level because of her age and no spleen. Laurie

Laurie CA

This thread was discussed between 06/04/2009 and 10/04/2009

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