AIHA or IMHA

• 10-13-2009 9:54 PM

  In reply to Norcalmom

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,865 Points 3,330

  Re: IMHA & AIHA Reply Contact Norcalmom: She did lance the cyst (for free even), gave her some clavamox (which I know Mopsy tolerates well and has had before a bunch, once for a after surgery, etc.)  That rocks.  It is just so awesome when these vets really go "beyond the call of duty" to help these dogs -- particularly when it's a vet who knows them!! Clavamox is such a **good** drug -- it's a bit stronger than cephalexyn, but it's not a hugely strong drug, but usually really well tolerated.  But for IMHA dogs it's heaven-sent. You're probably very very right not to bathe her tonight with that open 'wound' -- even a tiny one.  "mellow" sounds like just the ticket.

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• 10-13-2009 10:36 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  amsten Joined on 08-06-2009 Posts 59 Points 5

  Re: IMHA & AIHA Reply Contact Hi Everyone! It's been a while, so I'm just checking in.  We have started our home school "school year" and have been busy for the past few weeks getting acclimated with a new year. Jazz remains pretty much the same.  She is now off the steroids and seems a bit better.  Some days she seems pretty good, and other days she has little energy.  She still has the lumps, but they are all much smaller and there are no new ones.  I think the antibiotics are working, but very slowly.  I'm trying to remain cautiously optimistic. I think of you all quite often and pray that you are all doing well. Hugs, Amsten

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• 10-13-2009 11:04 PM

  In reply to willowchow

  Norcalmom Joined on 09-14-2009 Fremont, CA Posts 26 Points 10	Re: IMHA & AIHA Reply Contact  I think that the combined will of all our furbabies catapults each one into wellness :) Furbaby Mom and Lover
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• 10-13-2009 11:16 PM

  In reply to amsten

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,865 Points 3,330

  Re: IMHA & AIHA Reply Contact Meaning she's off the pred, right??  Good for you.  And sometimes it seems like the antibiotics take their sweet time -- but then they can't give them hugely powerful antibiotics *because* this is IMHA-world (sigh). thanks for the update!!!  And good thots and prayers continue here for Jazz (and you, your daughter & husband!!! and ... *squinching eyes* dang, I can't remember your other dog's name!!! My bad!!)

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• 10-14-2009 2:20 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

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

  Re: IMHA & AIHA Reply Contact wow -- you're brave.  While Billy was on the immune-suppressors, because they do such weird stuff to the blood and because IMHA generally taxes the heart so hugely, my vets cautioned me that he could throw an embollism just walking across the floor and to restrict **any** exercise in a big big way until he was off the drugs.  They literally impressed on me that he should do nothing that really increases the heart rate until he was off the drugs.  Cyclo in particular causes the blood to almost "whirlpool" which is what causes all the heart attack/stroke risk  -- the blood just doesn't flow like it normally should.   Not sure how to do quotes on this forum so sorry if it looks funny.  If it isn't one thing with this disease it's another.  No one warned about the risk of heart attack!  The vet even had me stop giving him asprin.  He's still on cyclo, were down to 100mg 1x/day, we started at 150mg 2x/day when he first came home.  Soon we'll be going to 100mg every other day.  PCV was 50 yesterday, she said that was a little high but wasn't too concerned I think I mentioned the walk and she didn't say anything about it.  I wanted to go on a longer walk because everyday when we get back from our short walk he looks sad and doesn't want to come in the house.  He seemed to be wanting a longer walk.  In the morning I just don't have the time.  Sunday was my day off and the weather was PERFECT; sunny but with a chill in the air, so I desided to make it happen.  I brought along water and a snack (just dry dog food), in the end he seemed tired but happy.  I feel so bad for all the furbabies with skin problems, Smokie had 2 small spots but after we dropped the pred the started shrinking and now they are almost gone. His eye isn't scratched but she did give some medication gel to put in it 3x/day for 14 days sounds like it's often used to treat allergies.

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• 10-14-2009 3:15 PM

  In reply to Smokie's Mom

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,865 Points 3,330

  Re: IMHA & AIHA Reply Contact Smokie's Mom: Not sure how to do quotes on this forum so sorry if it looks funny.  You don't know if somebuddy doesn't tell ya!  Don't do the "quick reply" at the bottom but rather across from the name of the person you're replying to use THAT "reply" button and after it loads you'll see a grey box with the original post and the white one where YOU will type under neath. Just highlight with your mouse on the GREY box what you want to quote (after it's loaded) and THEN click "quote" and you'll get those words in the white box with the word "quote" in brackets at the end of it.  (I can't even type it out or it fouls up the software *grin*. Just type below that.  If you then want to quote something else --- go back up to that grey box, highlight AGAIN and press "quote" again and it will pull the further quote where your cursor was last. Smokie's Mom: No one warned about the risk of heart attack!  The vet even had me stop giving him asprin. Well then hot dang, I'm glad Willow brought it to my attention and I'm glad I'm blabbermouth enough to type it!!  it's a huge "side effect/risk" of cyclorporine.  I would NOT stop the aspirin and I'd discuss it with the vet.  You will find the PCV will continue to go HIGHER and the BLOOD GETS THICKER.  At one point it scared the liver out of me -- they did a blood draw to get a PCV and the blood clotted IN THE SYRINGE.    The aspirin that they're giving now (these wee tiny doses) is probably one of the best tools to promote survival of antying because it helps keep the blood thin.  Discuss it with the vet -- but man, I'd hope they keep you on the aspirin to thin the blood a bit. Glad the eye was an easy fix. and p.s. -- when they begin to feel better they'd like you to believe they can conquer the world -- don't buy it.  Do fun stuff, go for a walk but stop OFTEN OFTEN OFTEN.  Keep it light and happy, but you still gotta ride herd on them -- they WANT to feel better.

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• 10-14-2009 3:44 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

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

  Re: IMHA & AIHA Reply Contact calliecritturs: I would NOT stop the aspirin and I'd discuss it with the vet.  You will find the PCV will continue to go HIGHER and the BLOOD GETS THICKER.  At one point it scared the liver out of me -- they did a blood draw to get a PCV and the blood clotted IN THE SYRINGE.    Okay I still don't think I got it right but I'll try again next time.  I was very surprised they had us take him off asprin so soon.  I'll keep up the daily walks but hold off on anymore long ones till he's off the cyclo, hopefully once and for all. Callie I don't know what we'd do with out you.  Thank you for the wealth of information you provide.  I truely believe you know this disease better than most vets out there!

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• 10-14-2009 10:23 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  GraniasBard Joined on 07-24-2007 Posts 133 Points 0

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact So, um...anybody concerned about H3N8? Just heard about it on the news, but I may be behind the times with this. In any case, they're blithely talking about a vaccine...but our babies can't have it. :( I mean, I also read an article saying you should NOT vaccinate in any case because it was over-vaccination that led to this mutated (?) flu strain anyway...it's just hard knowing that it puts my baby at risk either way. :P

  Filed under: IMHA AIHA H3N8 Post Points: 0

• 10-14-2009 10:59 PM

  In reply to GraniasBard

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,865 Points 3,330

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact You know what?  I am SOOOO O**not** a vaccine person.  I was reared in a family where it was flu shots every year.  My mother STILL tries to guilt me into it.  But I learned long ago they didn't help and they tend to set me up to feel badly.  I won't take the swine flu vax and I'm likely considered "high risk" -  no way.    I have never vaccinated my dogs annually -- not EVER.  So honestly I wouldn't vax them for it if I could.

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• 10-15-2009 6:29 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 cute picture of Emma!  I agree that the flu isn't anymore of concern than anything else with IMHA dogs.  Fleas are the thing I feel most helpless about.  I'm afraid to use the frontline I used before he crashed and afraid of not using anything.  The vet suggest some peppermint based product.  I couldn't afford it last time I was there, dealing with the eye thing cleaned me out but tomorrow is payday so I'll stop by soon and pick some up.

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• 10-15-2009 8:54 PM

  In reply to Smokie's Mom

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,865 Points 3,330	Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Diatamaceous earth is a big help -- it is again one of those things that prevents the flea from fully developing so it dies.  FOOD GRADE is the big deal.  But you can both put it in your yard, on your carpet OR on the dog - it is *that* safe.
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• 10-15-2009 9:04 PM

  In reply to Smokie's Mom

  khoeks Joined on 10-16-2009 Posts 6 Points 5

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact I tried to get through this post to learn as much about IMHA as possible, but it's a bit overwhelming.  Our dog (2.5 year old cocker spaniel) was diagnosed on July 8, 2009.  She responded really well to steroids (prednisone) and we were in the process of weaning her off the steroids.  Unfortunately she relapsed this week and is currently undergoing a blood transfusion.  The vet is now saying that she will have to be on prednisone for the rest of her life.  This is extremely overwhelming and disturbing to me, since the prednisone changes her personality so much. I feel like I have lost hope of her ever leading a normal life.  We also don't have the money to keep this up for much longer, so if this transfusion doesn't work, we may have to make the impossible decision to put her down.  I am scared and sad.  Thanks for your stories.  They have been helpful today.

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• 10-15-2009 11:25 PM

  In reply to khoeks

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,865 Points 3,330

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact I am working on an index for this huge thread -- and I'd be glad to email it to you (or anyone -- but it's long so I need to send it in an email).  Just click on the contact button across from my name) The unfortunate thing is a lot of vets really just aren't equpt to treat it -- not that it takes a lot of equipment or gadgets -- but only that the extra knowledge is unbelievable. Most dogs don't have to be on steroids or immune-suppressors forever -- but they do have to be on them a long while **before** the real wean off happens.  Typically pred is used almost as a secondary immune-suppressor.  Often it's the first one they try -- and then they add another heavy immune supressor like cyclosporine or azathiaprene.  They wean the pred off *first* ... and then the other far more slowly because literally you have to 're-train' the immune system NOT to destroy the body. Many of the folks both on this thread and that I know who have experienced this disease with their dogs often find a vet school can be a great way to go -- usually far cheaper than you'd guess (often way cheaper than the vet), but their knowledge tends to be greater (because it's their business to know all the weird stuff).

  Post Points: 0

• 10-16-2009 12:06 AM

  In reply to khoeks

  willowchow Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 8,144 Points 445

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact khoeks: .  The vet is now saying that she will have to be on prednisone for the rest of her life. I can understand how overwhelmed you must feel.  I'm glad you found the site!! In regards to being on Prednisone for life.  I was also told that was a possibility.  But, that was only IF they couldn't get her sufficiently stabilized to not start relapsing.  I think that at this point they will probably go thru the whole process again and wean off again and then decide.  So, just cross that bridge when you get to it.  If he/she does need to be on it for life it won't be at large doses.  So, the personality won't be as effected and the side effects won't be so bad.  What's your dog's name?? Lori--my chow is Willow-she had a similar disease to IMHA and was treated much the same way.

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• 10-16-2009 8:25 AM

  In reply to willowchow

  khoeks Joined on 10-16-2009 Posts 6 Points 5

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Thank you for the quick responses.  We were able to pick up our dog (Pennie- named after Penfolds wine) last night after her transfusion and she was so much better than when we brought her in.  This morning she is back to being a little sluggish, but I suppose it is normal for her red blood cell levels to fall again.  Thankfully she ate her breakfast, although she is only interested in the special food the vet gave us to settle her stomach, not her regular food.  Hopefully she won't need another transfusion and the drugs can start to wage their battle.  We live in suburban Detroit and I don't know of any vet schools near us.  Michigan State (which is over an hour away) is probably the closest.  I will check that out.  Thank you for the idea.  As for the drugs, she is currently taking 40 mg of Prednisone and 25 mg of Azathioprine a day.  The vet said last night that based on her history (mostly this relapse) he believes that she will need to be on a small dose of each for the rest of her life.  He also said that if they were not able to keep her in remission at a level of prednisone that allows her to live a pretty normal life, that there wasn't much else they could do.  I agree that I do not want to make her live the next 8-10 years of her life panting, pacing, and dealing with extreme thirst and hunger.  She was miserable the month and a half she was on the 40 mg a day last time.  I just can't do that to her long term.   Okay, here come the tears again.  Thanks for all your thoughts.

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