AIHA or IMHA

• 10-18-2009 7:07 PM

  In reply to willowchow

  FrisbyPI Joined on 07-17-2009 Rhode Island Posts 122 Points 0	Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Pumpkin bread sounds wonderful--esp. with the crazy snow already up here! (though we've only had tons of wind wind and really cold rain here on the island). I hope Willow's appt. goes well tomorrow and you get only good news.  Frisby is woofing hello! Kate and Frisby
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• 10-18-2009 8:09 PM

  In reply to Kira0510

  Kira0510 Joined on 10-06-2009 Posts 7 Points 5

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Just wanted to update about Kira and ask a quick question.  Kira appears to be fighting this pretty well. due to the Pred she is starving all the time.  Kira refuses to play with any of her toys or really chew on anything, ie a hand, toy really anything that she is not eating.  Is that normal? She is only a five month old puppy and before this she woud chew on anything that was in front of her. Also when she opens her mouth is sounds funny almost like she has a lack of saliva and maybe that is why she does not want to chew?    Not really sure but i thought i would see if anyone had a similar thing happen. thanks

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• 10-18-2009 8:24 PM

  In reply to Kira0510

  FrisbyPI Joined on 07-17-2009 Rhode Island Posts 122 Points 0	Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Frisby completely stopped playing with her toys when she got sick and she's just starting to become interested in them again. Is Kira drinking a lot of water? She'll need a lot while taking the prednisone--tons of it. Does her mouth seem dry? Is she taking other meds with the prednisone? Kate and Frisby
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• 10-18-2009 9:55 PM

  In reply to FrisbyPI

  Kira0510 Joined on 10-06-2009 Posts 7 Points 5	Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact She is drinking a ton of water.... it seems like if food comes out she is all over us... and water tons of it.   Her mouth does seem dry. Then she hits the water, so i was not sure if that is ok? She is also taking cyclosporine, azathiaprine, and pepsid
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• 10-18-2009 11:29 PM

  In reply to willowchow

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,918 Points 3,345	Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Only someone with a dog who has had IMHA or cytopenia of some sort would understand why that might be worrisome.  But .. yeah -- we **get** it. Good luck, Willow (& Lori)
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• 10-18-2009 11:40 PM

  In reply to Kira0510

  willowchow Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 8,154 Points 445	Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Kira0510: Kira refuses to play with any of her toys or really chew on anything, ie a hand, toy really anything that she is not eating.  Is that normal? Yes, in fact everything you mentioned is very normal for a dog on the stuff she's on.  Thanks Callie!!  They are getting chocolate chunk cookie bars instead of pumpkin bread.  I hope they like them.  Lori
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• 10-19-2009 12:13 AM

  In reply to Kira0510

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,918 Points 3,345

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Kira0510: Kira refuses to play with any of her toys or really chew on anything, ie a hand, toy really anything that she is not eating.  Is that normal? She is only a five month old puppy and before this she woud chew on anything that was in front of her. Also when she opens her mouth is sounds funny almost like she has a lack of saliva and maybe that is why she does not want to chew?    Prednisone has SEVERE side effects -- it can make them moody as all get out, and it ***severely*** makes them drink and drink and drink -- her mouth probably **does** hurt -- and it's going to be harder on her because she's a puppy. Make sure she gets ALL she wants to drink ... please pleas please don't restrict her water at **any** time.  Don't deny her water when she's in her crate or before bed -- because pred is so incredibly hard on the kidneys you can actually make the potential damage worse.  These are all very typical -- and honestly this is why most vets odn't use *just* prednisone.  I honestly can't encrouage ou strongly enough to go to Gainesville.  It's incredibly reasonable - because she is a puppy it truly makes it all harder.  Prednisone actually messes with their muscles -- it can make them "hurt" in funny places. The other thing you could do *very* easily given where you are -- the Chi Institute is in Reddick.  Dr. Xie teaches at Gainesville and so do a whole bunch of the other faculty members at the Institute.  But IMHA responds very well using TCVM (traditional Chinese veterinary medicine) **as well as** regular vet medicine. If you go to http://www.tcvm.com -- on the left you will see the Institute's email address.  Email Barbara and ask her if they are going to be doing any workshops in the coming weeks.  If you can get her in as the test dog for a workshop, you'll get a free exam and free herbs to start you off.  Billy was helped a TON by TCVM.  If you want to email Slr2Meg -- she's had her dog Pirate up to the Institute (as a 'test' dog exactly that way) - and wow -- it really helped him.  Also -- if you want to go back to Page 105 (click here -- the red word is a link) I have put an index of various topics that may help you.  It includes things like what side effects you may see.  This is an incredibly difficult disease ... and the drugs all have really severe side effects.  Trying to prevent some of the damage that the pred and other drugs can cause is a huge consideration.

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• 10-19-2009 10:02 AM

  In reply to calliecritturs

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

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact I cannot tell you how helpful it is to read through these posts and know we are not alone.  I wish that this disease didn't affect so many dogs, but it is good to have a community to turn to. Pennie is doing better after her transfusion last week.  She is now beginning to show the signs of high prednisone dose, which is so hard to watch her go through again.  We spent the weekend cleaning up accidents.  It seems as though she is having trouble controlling her bladder, because we are watching her very close to make sure we get her outside in time.  Her hunger and thirst have increased so much.  She isn't as restless as she was last time, but I suspect that will come with time.  She also seems to have a little sneeze that keeps happening.  I am hoping that she isn't sick with something else, now that we have effectively taken away her immune system.   Good luck to all others currently going through this.

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• 10-19-2009 11:36 AM

  In reply to khoeks

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,918 Points 3,345

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact khoeks: We spent the weekend cleaning up accidents.  It seems as though she is having trouble controlling her bladder, because we are watching her very close to make sure we get her outside in time. Pred makes them drink (and eat) way more.  The thirst is unreal -- but LET HER have all the water she wants and just "accident proof" your house if possible.  Anywhere she may lie, put down plastic table cloths with white sheets over them **and** wee pads.  But it's more than *just* the drinking.  Prednisone can actually mess with the messages to the muscles -- I've experienced this *myself*.  You tell your brain "Hey, I want to go NOW" but the message doesn't get thru to the muscles to relax.  She may try and try to go *more* while she's out and not be able to.  But walk 10 feet away and suddenly that message from several minutes seems to 'get thru' and the muscles will relax when you don't want them to.  So she may get back inside and suddenly void -- it's not deliberate.   It's very likely that she tried to go 'more' while outside and couldn't make herself go and then simply lost control minutes later. Another thing that can help is a pair of "bitches britches" -- and then put human continence pads in them -- cut them in half and tape the cut end with nylon first aid tape (it's absorbent and won't scratch her)  DO LET HER OUT OFTEN -- because they can be super prone to UTIs on this stuff.  On the last page I posted an index that might be helpful -- everything from side effects to other drugs that help, and things like milk thistle to help protect the body (and where to get it cheap). khoeks: She also seems to have a little sneeze that keeps happening.  I am hoping that she isn't sick with something else, now that we have effectively taken away her immune system.   You're absolutely right -- you have to watch them constantly for other problems -- skin, uti, respiratory, and others.  Does the vet have her on another drug as well?  typically they will try to reduce the pred first because it is SO hard on them.  Feel free to holler at me -- I've obviously got a huge soft spot for cockers! *grin*

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• 10-20-2009 1:59 AM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  sandra_slayton Joined on 09-10-2007 Ingleside, Texas Posts 3,390 Points 0

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact I have not been here in a good while and I am sorry to find so many new dogs in this section.  I found this forum about this time 6 years ago after losing my 4 year old glden retriever, Hunter, to AIHA.  I had never heard of this horrible disease until he was diagnosed with it. He was diagnosed on Thursday Oct. 9, 2003 put in ICU and remained their til his death on Oct. 16.  We know his was brought on by ProHeart6, the 6 ont6h heartworm preventative injection.  He was young and healthy and 6 eeks after the injection dead not onloy of the AIHA, but according to histopath report, ""drug induced necrosis of the liver".  I do think he would have won the battle againt just the AIHA. Here is wishing each and every one of you the best with your beloved dogs. And to finding a prevention or easier, better true cure.

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• 10-20-2009 8:57 AM

  In reply to calliecritturs

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

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Thanks for telling me about how prednisone can change our dog's ability to communicate with her bladder muscles.  I knew it wasn't her fault that she was having accidents, but it's good to know that there is a medical reason that they are happening.  My parents stayed with us last night and I was so glad that she didn't have any accidents while they were there.  My parents worry that we are spending too much energy and money on Pennie right now.  My husband hasn't found a job since graduating from law school in 2008 and I know my parents worry about our finances.  It is hard for them to remember how the dog they got "before kids" was their baby and all the stuff they did for him.  I know they aren't trying to be heartless, but sometimes it hurts when they imply that we should just put her down.   She is currently taking 40 mg of Prednisone and 25 mg of Azathioprine a day.  We have a different house guest tonight (lots of folks just passing through).  Hopefully Pennie can relax today while she is just home with my husband.

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• 10-23-2009 6:57 PM

  In reply to khoeks

  Smokie's Mom Joined on 08-11-2009 Posts 39 Points 5	Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Is it true, no one has said anything since the 20th?  I hope that means everyone is doing well.  If we've hooped threads let me know. Hugs, doggie kisses and happy tails -Megan and Smokie!
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• 10-23-2009 8:28 PM

  In reply to Smokie's Mom

  willowchow Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 8,154 Points 445

  Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact All is well here.  Willow had a check up on Monday and they did bloodwork and all the organs are functioning fine.  We sent out for a thyroid test to Michigan state because I am somewhat concerned that she is loosing a fair amount of fur.  Also, she seems to be developing something right near her nose, a little red spot that she keeps licking.  The Dr thought it could be related so we are keeping an eye on it.  But, overall she's doing really well.

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• 10-25-2009 5:14 PM

  In reply to willowchow

  FrisbyPI Joined on 07-17-2009 Rhode Island Posts 122 Points 0	Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact I'm glad to hear Willow's blood work for organ functions came back OK. I hope you get her other results soon and that nothing is out-of-whack. Frisby gets her next blood tests on Wednesday. She's continuing to return to "Frisby normal"--she even tried to be picky about her breakfast this morning for about 30 seconds.  Kate and Frisby
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• 10-25-2009 9:14 PM

  In reply to FrisbyPI

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,918 Points 3,345	Re: AIHA or IMHA Reply Contact Frisby -- send it ta me -- *I* will eat it!!! Billy the Venturin english cocker spanYELL
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