Recently found out my baby has AIHA. I’m lost in my fears and confusion.

[admin]

Hi Rica
It’s really good to hear from you & to know Vincent has made such a great improvement! Any chance of some photos of these bumpy lumpy skin lesions? It might help us to identify what they are. I have never experienced anything quite like this, but maybe someone else has. It is possible it’s a drug side effect, and as you say, it’s less important than getting Vincent on the road to recovery. Let’s have a look & try to save you $500 – wow – that’s too much money.
Love & hugs
Sheena x

[Patrice]

Rica
Theses are a common side effect from cyclosporine. Multilocular papilloma lesions on the footpads.

Dogs showed these types of dermal side effects during Atopica trials that were on the high end of dosage.

These will diminish once the dosage is decreased. This may be a sign this dose is too high for your dog. If this were me I would decrease closer to what is normally considered a maintenance dose for dogs for a trial period to see if they subside.

You may see that info here.
http://www.drugs.com/vet/atopica.html

My best patrice

[Vally]

Hi Rica, wonderful to hear Vincent is feeling good and that he’s been showing good improvement.

Bingo is also covered in what could be the same lumpy bumpy black monsters. Some quite large. He has a large one on his back and several all over and his specialist has said, as Patrice said, papilloma warts caused by the cyclosporine.

Bingo has just right now stopped taking cyclosporine completely, so I’m hoping my lumpy bumpy boy will smoothen out a bit.

They have never seemed to bother him except for a couple on his back feet, which he will often get stuck into. I use a bitterent spray called Wound-Gard (which is a tea tree oil based spray) to stop him.

Vally & lumpy too
xxx

[Joe]

Hi Rica,

I do not want to give you misinformation but my dog, Dunes, did end up with MRSA. That was due to her immune system being compromised by all the drugs. I was panicked but if cleared with topical spray. She could not tolerate oral antibiotics given all the other meds.

If it doesn’t clear soon, perhaps you should ask about staff infection.

Don’t panic, it IS r eversable.

Joe

[admin]

Hi Rica. Sorry – just seeing this – company over weekend……

I have to say, for you thinking you are not very educated with medicine and that you are feeling lost, you have already done an amazing job getting your precious Vincent the exact help he needed and there seems to have much improvement. Perciverience, it’s a must have with this stinking disease – and YOU have it. Vincent is a very lucky boy to have your love and diligence. You have already done a wonderful job.

I love his picture. He is so handsome!

As others have said – glad you found our forum, but so sorry for your ordeal. You feeling lost and confused is where we all have been and exactly why Patrice started this forum, in honor of her wonderful Chance, in hope of helping fur parents navigate through all the questions and concerns dealing with AIHA/IMHA.

You have already heard from the ones here that can help with the bloodwork AND have been reminded of the precautionary supplements (thank you pesty Auntie Sheena – keep pestering – never let up!). We have an awesome team here.

I am not sure where you live, but looking for a vet that will communicate with you sounds like a plan to me. The communication, especially dealing with this disease, is key.

Along with the three protective supplements and meds: tummy protection (Sucralfate) anti-clotting (my cocker spaniel, Sadie, is on the genetic form of Plavix, Clopidogrel) and liver protection (Denamarin)
I would also recommend PetTinic supplement. Sadie was put on this from day one (diagnosed March 2009) and continues on it today, everyday.

I will check in on computer. Please excuse typos – on phone. Keep up the AWESOME diligence and know you are not alone in this fight for Vincent’s resumed health.

Love and hang-in-there hugs,

Linda and Sadie

[Anna]

Hi Rica, I just read your story and am so happy Vincent is doing so well in such a short amount of time! My dog Jackie has been dealing with this since November and I cried probably every day for at least 6 weeks. She also had some severe side effects and Pancreatitis but is finally doing much better! Jackie also lost a significant amount of weight and was skin and bones. She wasn’t able to jump up on things and had trouble with stairs for a while but now she is gaining weight and much stronger. She has also gotten skin issues from the meds including losing fur (she is a poodle so that is very unusual). It sounds like you are doing everything right and hopefully as you decrease the meds he will start getting back to normal. It might just take some time to get all of his strength back.
Hugs from Anna and Jackie :)

[Linda]

Hi Rica. Just checking in on you and Vincent. I hope he is still doing well. Please continue to let us know.

Thinking of you both with live and hugs,

Linda and Sadie

[Linda]

Sorry, on phone – that would be: with love and hugs….. :)