AIHA or IMHA

• 09-18-2009 2:20 PM

  In reply to Al's Mom

  willowchow Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 8,136 Points 445

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Hi everyone, just checkin' in.  Callie is so thorough in her answers I really don't have much to add!  I can really relate to the side effects causing the dog to just want to lay around.  That will turn around though as they start to wean off.  I thought I'd never have "my dog" back but gradually as the meds were reduced she was much like her old self again.  She doesn't have the stamina that she once had but other than that everything about her came back.  It seems like it never will when you are going thru it but it will happen.  I also slept on the couch while she was on Prednisone and didn't get much sleep during that time.  I can relate!! Just take one day at a time.  Sometimes I took just one hour at a time.  I'm keeping up with everyones stories.  Lori

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• 09-18-2009 3:43 PM

  In reply to willowchow

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,864 Points 3,330

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact willowchow: Hi everyone, just checkin' in.  Callie is so thorough in her answers I really don't have much to add!  I may know the minutia -- but there is NOT a substitute for just plain "been there" or "slept on the couch while she was on Prednisone".  The huge strength of this thread is giving folks that comfort of knowing we've all been there and done that ... "   Maybe we should just have a contest to see which one of us has used the greatest number of rolls of paper towels in a week ... *rolling eyes* -- we've ALL got those stories.

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• 09-18-2009 7:16 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  Smokie's Mom Joined on 08-11-2009 Posts 39 Points 5

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact What a relief the box of cyclo I got at Costco says modified, I asked the vet about it and he said that will be absorbed better.  The ones I got at Walgreens looked different, I'm not sure if they were modified or not but Smokie is still doing well so maybe it didn't matter.  He's down to 100mg of cyclo and 175mg of Milk Thistle 2xs a day and that is it. I went to the drug store yesterday and bought a pill organizer but hopefully I won't be needing it for long.  I was surprised they even have trays that separate morning, afternoon, evening and night.  I think for those of you giving meds 2 or more times a day this could really help.  Espeically if you are ever out and have someone else giving medication for you. I'm glad to hear everyone is still hanging in there!  Keep up the fight!  Cookies and dog kisses for everyone!

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• 09-18-2009 10:23 PM

  In reply to Smokie's Mom

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,864 Points 3,330

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Smokie's Mom: I went to the drug store yesterday and bought a pill organizer but hopefully I won't be needing it for long.  I was surprised they even have trays that separate morning, afternoon, evening and night.  I think for those of you giving meds 2 or more times a day this could really help.  Espeically if you are ever out and have someone else giving medication for you. ONLY on an IMHA forum could you discuss the merits of pill caddys *rolling eyes*  SHEESH.(as Callie springs right in -- lmbo!!) I write on the outside of mine AM or PM (and I have THREE dogs that take meds -- so keeping this organized is a mega deal).  I had one of the big ones that did multiple itmes a day and hated it -- because I couldn't get my fingers in the compartments to get out the pills and the one I had didn't 'click" shut so if you turned it to tip out the pills 3 other days fell out (can we spell "d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r"???  Oh i was NOT a happy woman!)  I was so happy the day I bought it ... and 3 days later I was .... (laughing to remember) ... NOT.   Also -- for those of you giving milk thistle in bulk (no capsules -- it's just a bag of powder) -- again, I get the pill caddy that snaps tight -- but I actually have a separate one for powders -- cos Billy took D-Mannose (cos of the UTIs) and milk thistle and another supplement -- so I just measured all of them into the second pill caddy -- so once again, at mealtime all I had to do was turn it over and "dump" it and stir it in.  Smokie's Mom is right -- it REALLY saves time.  (Now if everyone can just learn from all MY mistakes so you don't have to learn the "hard way" -- sheesh) Remember tho -- typically they are on these meds for a YEAR (or longer).  Billy was on 18 months.  When they begin weaning off it gets slower and slower and slower -- and towards the end I had to make an actual "list" to keep track of what days he'd HAD cyclo and what days he hadn't.  I literally had a calendar I kept with the meds/dishes. The other thing -- and for SOME of you up north this is NOT a biggie, but I'm in Florida -- land of the eternal "damp air".  So I'm always looking for the pill caddys that shut *tight* so they don't draw moisture.

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• 09-18-2009 10:40 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  willowchow Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 8,136 Points 445	Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Oh, yes!  I had a hard time keeping all the pills and what time she needed what straight too.  A pill caddy is a really great idea! So glad Smokie is doing so well, that's AWESOME!!
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• 09-19-2009 2:45 AM

  In reply to Al's Mom

  Norcalmom Joined on 09-14-2009 Fremont, CA Posts 26 Points 10

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact  Thanks for all this great information.  She seems to be doing so much better, still on the full course of meds, we have an appt next week to check her PCV and then taper down if all goes well.  She is walking around and seems to be tolerating it well.  She had stomach "issues" for a day, called the vet.  She has been on rice and baby food, chicken, hopefully she continues to be on the mend and to improve.  I know it is going to be a long road, but I'm so thankful, especially after reading through the posts, my heart goes out to everyone here. It's so hot here in California this week, and next week we have a big heatwave coming (above 100 degrees) ugh.  I live in the Bay Area.  I found a flea on her, and then another one, probably brought in from our other dog.  He is on flea meds and since her IMHA is active, I've completely stopped everything for her.  Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to keep a flea infestation under control, and especially NOT biting my girl, who is already low on blood?? I also found a solution and got to sleep in my own bed, I put a fan on my dresser, which is same level as my bed and she loves it and sleeps through the night *yay*  I get to sleep on my temperPedic bed and she gets to sleep where it is familiar and "normal" to her.  You know you love your furbaby when you even clean your room spotless and set it up comfortable for them :) Furbaby Mom and Lover

  Post Points: 0

• 09-19-2009 3:18 AM

  In reply to Norcalmom

  willowchow Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 8,136 Points 445

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Norcalmom: I also found a solution and got to sleep in my own bed, I put a fan on my dresser, which is same level as my bed and she loves it and sleeps through the night *yay* That's great!  Is she jumping on and off the bed?  That's awesome if she is.  Willow stopped getting on the bed and hasn't gone back up on it to this day.  You might already know this but, just be careful and help her up and down if she is because I think some of these medications can make the muscles very weak and they can sprain their wrists and legs very easily.   Also, Willow lived on baby food. . .sometimes it was all she wanted.  And, now when she's not feeling 100% I know it because it's all she'll eat.  I used to freeze it in ice cube trays for her.  You might want to try that this week in the heat you'll be having.  It makes a nice treat.  Lori

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• 09-19-2009 1:30 PM

  In reply to Norcalmom

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,864 Points 3,330

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Norcalmom: He is on flea meds and since her IMHA is active, I've completely stopped everything for her.  Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to keep a flea infestation under control, and especially NOT biting my girl, who is already low on blood?? Interestingly, it *may* be that since she's blood deficient, the fleas may not want much to do with her.  It was that way with Billy for a long while (altho THIS summer now that I have the meds pretty well out of his system and detoxed him, NOW he's "yummy" again).  You may want to try diatamaceous earth (the **food quality** one).  Most better pet specialty/grooming places carry it.  You dust your yard with it and can use it in the house and ON the dog (just dust it on their fur).  It's essentially a dessicant for the fleas - it literally dries them out and kills them).  But it's not nearly such a nasty chemical -- don't put it on her unless you SEE a flea on her.  But you should be able to put it in the yard, etc.   A big rain will wash it away tho. Fans rock tho -- truly can be a huge help.

  Post Points: 0

• 09-22-2009 10:01 AM

  In reply to Smokie's Mom

  GratefulDawg Joined on 12-24-2008 Posts 270 Points 40

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Smokie's Mom: What a relief the box of cyclo I got at Costco says modified, I asked the vet about it and he said that will be absorbed better.  The ones I got at Walgreens looked different, I'm not sure if they were modified or not but Smokie is still doing well so maybe it didn't matter.     The modified will all look like gelcaps with liquid inside.  They are big.  The unmodified will look like tiny capsules with powder inside. You want the modified.

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• 09-22-2009 11:34 AM

  In reply to GratefulDawg

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,864 Points 3,330

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Again, to add to Gratefuldawg's great input -- remember, that cyclosporine is "stored" in the body -- they want the cyclosporine to achieve a "level" in the body so the "wrong" medicine might not show up immediately because the levels could be decreasing without you seeing it immediately.  If you still have un-modified cyclosporine, I would ask the pharmacy to take it back (your vet should have specified the modified version to begin with -- it often seems to be a pharmacy error).

  Post Points: 0

• 09-23-2009 9:09 AM

  In reply to Al's Mom

  neesiesled Joined on 08-18-2009 Posts 22 Points 5

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact I just wanted to respond to you about the walking.  Mattie could barely walk 3-4 weeks ago and I was really scared.  She is around 6 too, we think (she is a little stray we adopted so the vet guessed at her age).  My vet put her on doxycycline in case there was an infection.  As we cut down the pred she slowly got better.  I built her a ramp to come in and out the house.  I could not pick her up because everywhere you touched her she would yelp.  Slowly over the last few weeks she has gotten better and now is walking great.  Still not jumping on the couch but everything else is wonderful.  I have learned with this disease that you must have patience which is so hard when you want them to get better now.  My vet told me you've gotta have faith, so keep up the faith, pray really hard, and love them.  Al I know you are going to get better everyday.  That's what I kept telling Mattie and she is.  Denise and Mattie

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• 09-23-2009 9:25 AM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  neesiesled Joined on 08-18-2009 Posts 22 Points 5

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Morning Callie and to all your babies!!!  Haven't been here in about a week maybe.  Mattie is doing so well the last few days that I've been getting some much needed things done.  I'm taking her back for a check up next Monday.  They will check her liver and of course do blood work. I've been trying to catch up on everyone.  I'm not sure who was asking about the meds but the pill caddy is a great idea.  I made a chart because it got so confusing what to give when.  The chart works great too.  I list what to give morning, noon, night, and late night and the date and check it off after I gave it to Mattie.  She's down to just morning and night meds now.  WHOOO-HOOOOO!!! Well to all you dealing with this, my prayers and hopes of wellness to all. Denise and Mattie

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• 09-23-2009 1:17 PM

  In reply to neesiesled

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,864 Points 3,330

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact neesiesled: My vet told me you've gotta have faith, so keep up the faith, pray really hard, and love them to death.  Al I know you are going to get better everyday.  That's what I kept telling Mattie and she is. You know that is **awesome** advice.  There is a huge component to this that is mental -- both on the dog's and human's sides.  Telling them they are GOING to get better.  Telling them "this is helping!!" (when you give meds) -- honestly I think it does a TON. Denise, I'm so glad to hear Mattie is doing well.  That's super news!!

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• 09-23-2009 1:20 PM

  In reply to neesiesled

  Smokie's Mom Joined on 08-11-2009 Posts 39 Points 5

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Okay the stuff I first got at Walgreens (it was Sunday and Costco pharmacy was closed) was the unmodified I didn't know the difference, this was the first I had bought and the vet didn't say anything. The cyclo I got at Costco for ~$220 less was the soft gel modified.  I don't have any of the old left and luckily Smokie has been thriving (in comparison to other IMHA dogs, not healthy ones) to spite the mix up.  Hopefully he won't have to be on it too much longer. Next PCV check is tomorrow.  I feel very fortunate that even though he was very sick, he has overcome and keeps getting better.  Coming here is constant reminder many are not so lucky. Thanks to everyone here, you support and knowledge is more than I knew was out there!  You guys ROCK!

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• 09-24-2009 3:35 AM

  In reply to willowchow

  Norcalmom Joined on 09-14-2009 Fremont, CA Posts 26 Points 10

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact  I wanted to give an update, Mopsy is doing better, a little each day, still on the full course of meds, 1 pill down, so 2 cyclo, 2 pred 2x a day, and the Imuran every other day.  She seems to be holding her own.  We have an appointment this week to check her PCV.  I finally bought myself a pill caddy today, with my sleeping all messed up, and school (which I am failing) and thats OK, I'd much rather have my girl here with me and getting better.  Life has been crazy, so the pill caddy can help me keep everything straight.  I got the one with the "am" and "pm" on it.  The stomach issues passed, I ended up giving her the cooked rice and chicken babyfood for a few days and now she seems to be back to her normal self again. She vomited the other day, but I think it was due to overeating.  The Pred really makes them so hungry, I hate seeing her on this medication.  She still isn't very strong and can't walk around as much as she did before, I try to take her out a little bit everyday to build her endurance and muscles. I just pray every night that she continues to improve, no matter how little.  Its a positive sign. My heart and prayers to all of you other IMHA mommies and your furbabies.   Nina and Mopsy xo Furbaby Mom and Lover

  Filed under: AIHA Post Points: 0