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Original post by Marilyn
I just found this website and it appears to be a wonderful place for questions and advice.
I have a 4 yo small poodle 9lbs and was diagnosed with imha on 12/10/16. Cuppie is her name and she became listless, weak, and had zero appetite overnight so I took her to the ER. Her rbc’s were dropping and her gums were very pale. The ER Vet put her on low dose (5mg) pred and the following Mon morn I took her to our reg vet. Her RBC’s in just 28 hrs had fallen to 1.87 so she was given transfusion, depo injection and started on 20mg pred am and pm, along with atopica 10mg a day, orbax 1 cc q day, cimitidine and carafate. Cuppies blood count ofcourse began to rise a little bit over the next 3 weeks then she accidentally got into my granddaughters chicken wings and needed enemas and xrays…cuppie is now having reg non occult bms, her urine is yellow, and her appetite is good. 2 weeks ago the vet lowered her pred to 10mg am and pm and she continued to gradually climb in her numbers. Then last wed he dc’d the atopica, her rbc’s were 4.08, hct 29.5, hgb 10.0, ret 133.0, wbc 21.09, lym 2.19, plt 873…I realized he was concerned about a bleed however her stool did not indicate one. Last friday I called the vet asking if I could bring her in for a cbc and was denied. repeated this on sat. So Monday her rbc’s fell to 3.76, hct 26.7 hgb 9.6 wbc 20.46, ret 51.9. She received a depo and vit b injection, and he started her again on atopica 10mg per day. I am now taking her to a diff vet today. This is a horrifying rollercoaster, expensive isn’t the word for it, and I am an absolute mess emotionally. I just want to give her a chance to live since she is so young and I do completely love her so..we are so attached, and she can’t bear for me to be out of her sight for any amount of time. I will lovingly appreciate any advice…
Marilyn and Cuppie, I’m sorry you had to search for this website, but I’m glad you found it, the people on here are so supportive and helpful! I am still very new to this disease (my 8 year old dachshund Murphy was diagnosed in Nov. 2016) so I can mostly offer you some support and a little advice that helped me out.
I know exactly what you mean when you say this is a roller coaster, we still continue to experience ups and downs, but the best thing I learned from reading many different posts on here is 1. Don’t give up! Our little fur babies are tougher than we are, so try and keep some hope and 2. Make sure you have a vet that is either well informed on this disease OR very willing to collaborate and take advice. I was lucky that my vet was willing to consult with my cousin who is a vet (unfortunately 2000miles away from us) and has a lot of experience with this disease.
We are currently in the weaning process and have been VERY conservative, many of the other people on here cautioned us against aggressive weaning because of the risk of relapse.
There are many others on here with much more experience than I have, but I can tell you this is a rough road, but it is so worth it once I saw my Murphy return to his squirrel hunting, and ball chasing self, something I thought I would never see again! These little guys work their ways right into our hearts!
Best of luck!
Erin and Murphy
Oh Marilyn,
So sorry for Cuppie and you !
So many of us have and are walking in your shoes. I am mom to Flossie and English Springer Spaniel diagnosed with AIHA April 21st, 2016.
First off I would say you need to find a new vet. You need someone experienced to with this disease if you have an ER or can find a Vet that Specializes in Internal Medicine that would be great. Also I think Vally and Sheena and Patrice who all run this site would say to get in touch with Dr. Jean Dodds. For $150 she gives a phone consult and any future help and I believe will work with your vet .. they can clarify that better than I so do ask them.
Yes it’s a VERY expensive disease to treat .. I used part of my retirement money to save my girl if not for that I would either be in CC debt of she would not be with me ..
As for your vet decreasing meds already .. I think all here will tell you this is not a disease in which you can decrease meds quickly .. we are talking months on meds and sometimes they have to stay on a small maintenance dose for remainder of life. Each dog is different. I believe Vally’s Bingo has to stay on a small amount of Prednisone now for life or Bingo starts to relapse .. Right now my Flossie has just come off her last med 4 weeks ago and so far so good .. no relapse at this point.
Also my vet and many of the vets that the gals here work with do recommend natural supplements in addition to Meds given. I would be glad to share with you what we used . If it’s something you would like to pursue.
Dogs can live through and with this disease. First off it takes a good amount of time to get through it. My vet said if we can go through the 1st year without relapse the percentage of relapse decreases after that with each month and year that pass. So it’s getting them through the critical stage and with the right meds and supplements to help their very sick bodies.
The first 4 months with Flossie was terrible. She required 4 blood transfusions to start with and was non-regnerative at 4 weeks. Finally week 5 after an addition of a 4 medication she started making her own RBC’s and from there it was a very very slow climb upwards.
The can make it .. there is hope !
Please feel free to ask any questions and someone here in group will do their best to answer.
Kindest Regards
Sara and Flossie
Hi Marilyn–me and my Charlie are pretty new to this disease. I totally understand being an emotional mess over this. It’s very scary, and sometimes with all the meds and side effects, it feels like we might be doing more harm than good. But please hang in there. All of the advice above from Erin and Sara is excellent. While the meds do need to be reduced over time, it can’t be done too quickly–something I have learned from Vally and others on this site. Also from a Dr. Dodds (we did the online consult). We are currently reducing meds for my Charlie, and it makes me very anxious each time we go down in dosage. But so far, so good. My local vet and our internal medicine specialist have been very kind, accommodating, and patient with me. I’m so sorry your vet refused your request for a blood test. I agree with your decision to find a new vet. Very important to have someone who will work with you and not against you when treating this disease. Sending good vibes your way–Ramona and Charlie
Hi Marilyn. I am so very sorry you and Cuppie are dealing with this disease.
I am out of town, so I apologize If I sound short. Please read Sadie’s story under “Our Stories” and you will understand what Erin and Sara are Saying. Had it not been for Dr. Dodds and this forum, Sadie would not be here today. Five years after onset, and lots of input from Dr. Dodds and this forum, she is still around. A different pup, but loves life and hanging in. 😊
Please consult with Dr. Dodds. I will check in later.
Warmest regards,
Linda and Sadie
I totally agree too. It’s important to have a vet that will listen to your concerns. Dr Dodds is an amazing doctor and has an amazing ability to spot the things that can make a big difference.
Generally medications should not be reduced until a dog is stable for some time and then, as said, slow reductions are safer. There are times when the rules have to be broken, if a dog is suffering terribly from the side effects of, usually, prednisone.
Vally
![bingo-14-5_1200x775](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/bingo-14-5_1200x775.jpg "Vally\'s Bingo \\"Smile\\"")
![Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4](https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/wp-content/gallery/aiha-dogs_2/Brigitte_Cleo_Ripley_Enzo_4.jpg "Brigitte\'s Cleo, Ripley, Enzo and Guest \\"Rockin\\"")
