Worried sick! Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

[MaryJ]

I'm hoping someone can help me. When I got up this morning my girl was extremely listless. She is 2 1/2 years old. She could get up if you called her, but would lay right back down. I worried all morning, then got super worried when she wouldn't eat the cheese my daughter offered her. Off to the vets, all the while I'm thinking she's just tired, etc. After a thorough exam and preliminary bloodwork my vet suspects Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Any info I can find on the internet is scaring me to death!! Vet did start her on an immune suppressant and Tagament. Anyone else have any info on this disease?? We lost our other Rott at age 5 to cancer and she went so quick, I am sick with worry!! Please help! Mary

[Black Tie Mom]

I haven't had any experience with this medical condition personally but I did find this link that might be of some help. http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ There seemed to be a lot of information from someone who had to deal with this condition for a number of years. I also recently read about a holistic treatment plan in a book called 'The Last Chance Dog'. Hope this helps.

[macho rottie]

Sorry your girl is sick. I hope the med's work and she is back to her old healthy self in no time.

My female rottie also has immune issues but they are different then your rotties. She had Immune-mediated Decreased Platelets (Thrombocytopenia) and was very sick. It's been 11 months now and she is doing well. Only thing left over from her sickness is IBS and she can never have any immunizations again. No rabies...no nothing.

[moondog]

You are right to be worried! Where is she now? When will the vet be SURE?

Here's another link on Meisha's page to AIHA studies:
http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/aihastudies.htm

Also, read this page:
http://www.geocities.com/aihadogs/

WHAT YOU NEED TO ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN

"You should ask your vet how many cases of AIHA he/she has treated and what was the out come. If he/she has little or no experience with AIHA you need to find another vet. AIHA is not a disease that allows the time needed to learn as you go! You will need a vet that not only knows about the disease and its complications, but also the current drug treatment. He/she needs to have experience with these drugs and know when a more aggressive approach is needed. This can be a very painful decision to make, most of us have a vet that has been taking care of our pet since birth, but making the decision to go to an internal medicine vet or a teaching hospital may be the difference between life and death. This is not to say that you must change vets, just make sure your vet has the latest information on this disease or is able and willing to consult with someone who does."

[KatMc]

Oh Mary,

I'm sorry to hear this. I lost my girl to this a couple of years ago. This was after she recieved transfusions. There were some great people from this board that brought their dogs in and donated and we also used some of the stuff at the hospital (sorry I'm not real clear on this right now).

I have heard that some dogs can recover. Although right after I lost my Delia, there were a number of other members that lost their dogs the same way.

I'll say a special prayer for you and your girl tonight,

Kathy

another link:

http://www.labbies.com/aiha.htm

[MaryJ]

Thanks so much to those who replied so far. I did read the links, and although a little discouraged, at least I'm better informed about what we might be facing. Blood was examined in the office today AND sent out to lab. The results will be back tomorrow a.m. In the meantime I did get her to eat about 1/2 cup of chicken. I'm trying to let her rest and not act like I'm "hovering". I know dogs pick up on emotions and I'm doing my best not to let on how much in turmoil I am. Thanks again and I will post tomorrow.
Mary

[MaryJ]

Just wanted to give an update on Asia's struggle with this disease. Her original PCV was 19 (should be close to the 40's). This was not good at all. Took herback to the vet on Sat. and her level had dropped to 15. We are continuing the meds, in fact they increased her prednisone. Tomorrow, Monday, we take her back in for another blood test. I am agonizing over this!! I am cooking chicken and hamburger for her several times a day and getting up in the middle of the night to give her meds. I am also being careful not to cry in front of her. Rather, I am hopeful that Monday's test will show improvement. Thank you to those who posted links, I've learned so much already about this disease. I've also learned what very important things to ask my vet regarding her treatment.
Keep Asia in your prayers!
Mary

[BostonRott]

Mary, so sorry to hear this, especially in such a young girl! You're right, keeping appearances up in front of her will definitely help. It's not at all easy, but keep up the hard work.

Did you find out if your vet has experience with AIHA or if they're willing to refer/consult?

[blackholearkansas]

Mary -

My boy Kidd has this same disorder - he's a rescue I adopted through an organization. We went on for months not knowing why he wasn't getting better, but he'd had erlichea and everything under the sun. He is on 60 mg prednisone per day and his counts have steadily come up. I've had him about 3 months now. He is a bit listless - there are two types of HA - one is compensated, one is not. The latter has a bad prognosis, but my vet seems to think Kidd has compensated HA, which means his blood counts will never be high but hopefully will come up somewhere close to normal and can be managed on intermittent prednisone. My vet had me start Kidd on concentrated iron, the prednisone, and loading him up with organ meat - raw chicken livers, fish, and raw chicken, as well as a big chunk of vitamins every day. My vet felt more iron was retained with raw than with cooked...His counts have steadily risen and I still have hope that he will be okay in the long run. Good luck to you. Please keep us posted. I posted on the same thing a month or so ago.

Sam