WELCOME to the AIHA or IMHA thread. Because this thread has been around so long, but it also tends to be something people "search" for, we're endeavoring to help make it more useful with an index.
Hope this works -- In order to be able to EDIT the Index, we've actually started a new thread which will be merged INTO the old one. It may put some page numbers "off" by a page.
HOW TO USE THIS INDEX:
If you are on the first or last page of this it has a unique URL. However, if you click on ANY numbered page that shows you'll get a URL similar to the one following. Go to the *top* of your browser and copy/paste this URL but with the page number you want at the end of the URL. (In other words if you want to go to page 134, put that number at the end in place of the 174:
http://community.dog.com/forums/t/90432.aspx?PageIndex=174
But in place of the "174" at the end you just put in whatever page you want to go to -- if you want to go to page 15 you'd type:
http://community.dog.com/forums/t/90432.aspx?PageIndex=15 That way you go directly to the page you want rather than having to page thru the entire thread. At first I was trying to locate the posts on a particular place on the page but it just got to be too time-consuming to keep up. Sorry!! I try to update this about every 25 pages or so.
Page 1 -- General Introduction/overview of IMHA -- Page 1, Page 14, Page 65
Page 1 -- IMT & IMP (Thrombocytopenia & Pancytopenia) -- Page 1, Page 54, Page 58
Page 1 -- First post by Gratefuldawg re: Cloppy’s IMHA -- Page 1
Page 2 -- Milk thistle & Sam-e and Marin, Denosyl, Denamarin -- Page 2, Page 19, Page 48, Page 49/various, Page 88 (later pages contain comparative info); Page 126; Page 131; Page 135 (high doses), Page 139; Page 145
Page 115 -- Financial help & description of Care Credit --- Page 3, Page 115
Page 3, 26, 117 and more --- Triggers & discussion of “triggers” of IMHA -- Page 3/last half of page, Page 26 /Last several posts; Page 117; Page 140 - Discusssion of triggers generally and specifically in one dog Tramadol as potential trigger (known allergen to dog); Page 143 - discussion of emotional trauma as potential trigger for IMHA
Page 4, 34, 89 --- Dictionary of IMHA terms – helpful for those beginning this journey & signs of relapse -- Page 4, Page 34, Page 89
Page 4, 113, 171 Emotional toll and decision-making difficulties of guardians -- Page 4; Pages 114 - 118; Page 171
Page 11 -- NRIMA (non-regenerative immune mediated anemia) & description of that specific type of IMHA -- Page 11
Page 12, 38, 72,. 88, 112, and more -- Pred side-effects (the more severe ones -- beyond drinking/eating - muscle spasms, sudden arthritis onset, emotional/ muscle side effects of pred (including suggestions & pet massage) -- Page 12-13, Page 15 & Page 39, Page 72, Page 88, Page 112 (diabetes as possible long-term side effect); Page 140 -- discussion of various things to treat arthritis and pain side effects (including herbs that are relaxants that won't fight with the steroid-like drugs)
Page 13, 22, 34, 38, 60, 113 -- COMMON TOPIC -- Prednisoone & cyclosporine side effects (particularly various– skin problems & UTIs-cyclosporine side-effect & discussions) -- Page 13, Page 18, Page 22, Page 34, Page 38, Page 48., Page 60 & 61/ Page 63, Page 113 (frustration), Page 114, Page 117 (discussion of various drugs and what combinations are used), Page 145 - Discussion of how to cope with UTIs -- dos and don'ts (not like normal dogs) - excellent discussion on possibility of water 'bloating' potential dangers; Page 158 Discussion of various skin problems; Page 187 -- skin/ear problems -- bathing and various skin helps
Page 175-176 some discussion on a dog refusing to eat and possible cyclo side effects
Page 14, 42, 119 and more Food suggestion helps specifically for IMHA -- Page 14, Page 42; Pages 119 - 121
Page `14, 34, 40 and more -- Stomach protectant -- Page 14, Page 31, Page 34, Page 40, Page 66/Posts 14 & 15, Page 67/1st half pg, Page 87, Page 184
Page 15m Page 194 -- Cyclosporine levels – need to have blood word drawn to check -- Page 15
Page 18, 121-122 -- Nose/dry/cracked -- discussion of ultra dry nostril/edges of lips as cyclo side effect -- Page 18; Pages 121-122 (pictures of Willow)
Page 20, 131, Page 194 and more -- Herbs generally & how to use & choose -- Paged 20; Page 131 - discussion of herbs (particularly milk thistle)
Page 23, 40, 60 and more --- Cyclosporine Generic– IMPORTANT POSTS -- Page 23 & Page 40, Page 43, Page 60 –two forms of generic cyclosporine; Page 97 costs; Page 98 more specifics on modified/un-modified and where to get.; Page 140 further discussion on modified/un-modified cyclo
Page 24, 34, 113 and more -- Doxycycline – IMHA occasionally as mis-diagnosed tick disease or caused by tick disease -- Page 24/first half page &Page 34; Pages 113 - 117; & 124 -- discussion of where a dog actually has Tick disease and began to respond once on Doxycycline; Page 156 discussion of doxy & use with IMHA; Page 188 & 189; Page 192
Page 25, 40, and more -- Giving Meds easily - suggestions on giving pills, organizing & training-- Page 25/Posts 4 & 5, Page 40 – Page 41; Page 97; Page 126; Page 145 - description of how to give meds
Page 26 -- Iron – discussion of serum iron & checking bloodwork for after a few months -- Page 26
Page 27, 186, 187 and following -- Rabies vaccine (must not have) – rabies titer discussion (to obtain state waiver) -- Page 27; Page 186, 187 and pages following - discussion of RI's new law and how to approach vet. Also discussion - the 3 yr and 1 yr shot are THE SAME.
Page 28, 115, 180 - 185 --- Not responding/Obtaining help - going to a vet school vs. specialist – don’t wait! -- Page 28+ several, Page 115 - 16 (continues for several pages),
Page 30, also some page 33– discussions on skin problems as side effects from cyclosporine & pred
Page 131, 66, Page 194 (common theme) Aspirin– Baby aspirin doseage & discussion of stomach protectants - Page 31, Page 66
Page 34, 46, 153 Wean off -- discussions of lowering/weaning off drugs – Page 34/various, Page 46; Page 153 various methods of weaning/pulsing
Page 34 -- Signs of relapse Page 34
Page 34, 38 (common theme throughout) UTIs– discussion UTIs as cyclo side effect & treatments -- Page 34, Page 38, Page 48, Page 63
Page 38, Page 194 -- Cyclosporine absorption– general discussion re: dairy inhibition of absorption Page 39/Last half of page
Page 42, 119 -- Beef heart – iron foods Page 119 -- 121 (iron foods)
Page 44 – discussion of drugs NOT to use w/IMHA (triggers)
Page 45, Page 68, Page 72 – Slippery elm cocktail (suspected ulcer/stomach help); Page 144 & 148 -slippery elm cocktail; Page 152 suspected ulcer & slippery elm suggestion/discussion
Page 49, Page 57 (all) -- Milk thistle & sam-e , Marin, Denosyl & Denamarin (discussion/contrast)
Page 50-Page 51, Page 55, Page 182 – Vaccines as IMHA triggers
Page 53 – good post regarding Killer T-cells & IMHA
Page 53 - Homeopathics to treat & help treat IMHA; Page 117; Page 156 suggestions for pain; Page 172 -- one dog treated homeopathically very successfully
Page 57 – Various discussions on milk thistle
Page 63 & 64, Page 76 – discussions about drugs to treat UTIs while on cyclosporine (Baytril particularly)
Page 66, Page 194 – discussions on cyclosporine vs. azathiaprene and how long to work
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Page 72 – Pepto Bismol
Page 76 – Dr. Dodds discussion of IMHA triggers
Page 70 – TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veteirnary medicine) helpful, acupuncture/ Chinese herbs; Page 140 -- Discussion of TCVM herbs and where to buy online; Page 148 Discussion of benefits in IMHA; Page 161; Page 184 and ensuing 10 pages -- finding a TCVM vet and what to expect/Frisby's vet visit
Page 80 & 81– food discussions (diet with IMHA generally)
Page 82 & Page 83 – various drugs/recommended drugs for IMHA & general side effects vs. “official stance” of what vets say about side effects
Page 88 – Knox Nutra Joint to help with arthritis side effects; Page 129; Page 136
Page 91 – More on baby aspirin
Page 92 – various things that can inhibit cyclosporine absorption
Page 95, Page 182 – most of page – discussion of various heartworm preventives/flea preventives use with IMHA dogs and risks/concerns; Page 182, 183, 184 -- discussion of heartworm (and flea) preventives and how they work -- impacting the possibility of trigger/relapsing of and IMHA dog
Page 97 – temporarily lowered PCV can be caused by the spleen re-storing it’s supply of blood; Page 136; Page 138
Page 98 – discussions throughout page of the weakness some dogs show for several weeks as IMHA side effect
Page 110 – discussion of skin & coat p; Problems/thyroid testing during/post IMHA; Page 121- 123; Page 146 lengthy discussion on need for thyroid testing despite the fact that steroids skew typical results (need for expert help in reading)
Page 113 -- discussion of post-illness behavioral issues - once dog feels better occasionally there is reluctance to go back to the vet "I'm NOT sick any more!!"
Page 114 -- use of Selsun Blue, benzoyl peroxide shampoos, tea tree rinses and various discussions on treatments for the common skin infections that can occur after long-term dealing with IMHA/immune-mediated diseases
Page 114 (continues for several pages) - Discussion of Evan's Syndrome (IMHA and thrombocytopenia at the same time); Page 127 further discussion of Evan's
Page 115 (continues for several pages) -- Discussion of various heart involvement that can occur with some dogs -- dogs being treated for IMHA and with sudden onset heart problems AND pre-existing heart problems
Page 117 -- Frank discussion of how discouraging some vets are and why sometimes you must seek OTHER treatment
Page 119 -- Link to Dr. Dodds Liver cleansing diet
Page 119 - 121, Page 174 (mirzatine and other drugs used) -- tips to encourage eating and various diet suggestions (avoidance of grains, types of meat, etc.); also discussion of Dr. Dodds encouragement to home-cook or alternative diet instead of commercial foods as a help for IMHA dogs
Page 123 -- Discussion of bone marrow testing/aspirate -- why and how done and what it tells
Page 125 -- Discussion of possible heart diseases as a pre-cursor or as a result of the body dealing with IMHA
Page 125 -- link to Dr. Dodd's protocol for treatment for IMHA
Page 132 - 134 -- discussion on reduction of prednisone and the other drugs (protocols for reduction and differing medical opinion)
Page 132 - Dr. Dodd's encouragement of CO-Q-10 to help get oxygen to the body and lessen heart stress; Page 178 -- it helps oxygenate the body
Page 137 & 187 - Discussion of Rabies waiver for dogs with IMHA/auto-immune problems
Page 138 -- Discussion of importance of KEEPING copies of bloodwork to refer back to as comparisons -- not just at vet's office but at home
Page 139 - Pet Tinic as supplement
Page 138 -- Discussion (continued) on need to sometimes be stubborn when asking vets to do something and suggested ways of dealing with issues
Page 140, Page 178 -- General tips regarding posting and how to reference "quotes" in post and how to jump from one numbered page to another without having to page thru all of them
Page 144 -- suggestions to tempt palate;
Page 144 -- Discussions on how to spot "crashing" (dropping PCV) and how important it is to react quickly
Page 146 - probiotics/prebiotics and IMHA -- potential risks
Page 146 - loss of muscle mass (goes on for several pages -- very typical of the drugs used in IMHA it can cause severe tissue loss in face and body giving skeletal appearance)
I have some pages to add -- but I'm out of time right now.
Page 148 - use of heparin as blood thinner (and potential side effects)
page 162 - C-Q 10 to help heart/get oxygenation to cells
Page 174 - Long Discussion of BioPrep and potential dangers (not advised by Dr. Dodds)
Page 174 -- Divorcing meds from food in cases where dogs may go off food entirely because of suspecting food has meds in it
Page 174 -- Emotional toll on owners -- particularly when a vet is out of town or unavailable.
Page 174 - 175 Howell Jolly Bodies -- what they are and sometimes seen
Page 177 -- Pancreatitis (not unusual to see a dog who has been on immune-suppressors for a while get pancreatitis); 190 and following (Tessy) signs to watch for and adjustment of food
Page 179 & 180 -- Leflunamide (added as an additional immune suppressor) and potential problem side- effects (not often used b/c of liver problems)
Page 179, 187 -- Discussion of sending blood to Hemopet to Dr. Dodds -- very often the drugs can suppress the production OF red blood cells and by supplementing the thyroid (even if it is not extremely low) can often help raise the production of red blood cells.
Page 179 & 180 -- Discussion of high cholesterol -- usually it is combined with thyroid issues
Page 184, Page 191 -- Discussion of how excessive water drinking or dehydration can lower or raise the PCV temporarily
Page 185 -- Discussion of how to report a vet to your state board -- sad case of an anemic dog put thru surgery and the owner's options on how to deal with the vet
Page 187 -- Mis-diagnosis of IMHA
Page 188 & 189 -- LINK TO ARTICLE ON LONG TERM IMMUNITY BY DR. SCHULTZ -- about post 10 -- links to Kris Christine's discussion and link to Dr. Schultz's article -- important link for help in obtaining waiver