AIHA or IMHA

labrickner

At about 60 lbs, he was at 20mg twice daily.  Fortunately, Prednisone has done the job both times the IMHA reared its head, and we haven't had to go the route of the other (more expensive) meds.

Frankly, I think the ER dropped the ball there if they only put him on that low of a dose with the blood work results he had. 

For a point of reference, Willow was on 40mg, twice a day at 45 lbs to start.  From what I understand, you need to use a whopping dose in order to achieve immune suppression. 

And, about the ticks that you mentioned DEFINATELY use Frontline Plus and be extremely vigiilant in checking for ticks.  They can be a major trigger. 

labrickner

I also found the Tea Tree Oil at Walmart, and have been rubbing it onto suspicious areas. I suppose I should find a spray bottle for it, since it makes a greasy patch when I just rub it in.

Please email me and let me send you my article -- but honestly we *must* talk because there is such an enormously critical line here between auto-immune and immune-suppression, and there are things that may trigger auto-immune that can be incredibly tricky. 

The tea tree oil is best used very sparsely in the final RINSE after the benzoyl peroxide bath.  You could use a minute dab on the sore but don't use a lot and don't use it where he can lick it off full-strength. 

Be really REALLY careful of chemicals -- particularly pesticides as there are medical schools of thot that even those can trigger auto-immune resonses again.

But if you email me I will send you my article on demodex and some of the supplements should be beneficial.  You won't want to wage an all out "immune-boosting" war with the body like you normally would with a puppy BECAUSE you don't want to trigger auto-immune.  but supporting the immune system will be beneficial.

I'm taking Cooper to the vet afterschool today to check his PCV. Cross your fingers! :)

Absolutely.  fingers, toes and paws crossed

Everything crossed for Cooper! 

That's awesome news!!!! 

willowchow

That's awesome news!!!! 

  Sure is; way to go Cooper!!!!!

Way to go, Cooper!!!  Give that boy some scritches for me. lol

Coopbay

The vet said that his gums are much more pink and that his heart murmur is barely there anymore.

That's awesome!!  Have them keep monitoring the heart even IF the murmur goes away.  Billy didn't GET his until after he was pretty well off the drugs.  But it was a damage that occurred because of them. 

I'm so glad he's doing SO well!!

Coopbay

Great news for Cooper and Grey's Anatomy is new tonight. Happy day!

Amen sister! Half an hour left, my time :) Keep it up, Cooper!

As soon as Clop was up to 25 they could no longer detect a murmur and haven't found any sign of it since.  The blood was so thin and watery when the PCV was in the single digits.. just nothing for the valves to seal around and push. 

Glad Coops doing well.. lets hope for 25 or above for next week.  That Cyclosporine will have had some time to start kicking in by then too.

Hey GratefulDawg and everyone else in here.  I'm new to this board.  I have a 4 year old femal cocker named Tessy that has AMHA.

It's good to have a place to come and get help.  Hope everyone in doing good today.

Johnny & Tessy

Hey Johnny,

I remember you from Vetnet.   So glad you stopped in here.  I like Vetnet but I find it easier to communicate and keep track of friends on this board.  How is Tessy doing?  How long has Tessy had IMHA and what is the PCV at right now? 

You'll find a lot of help and support here - 

I think we were talking about getting a better price for Cyclosporine, would be glad to give you that info if you were interested.

Mike

 Welcome to the forum; I'm sorry Tess has this horrible disease and hope she's doing well.