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Posted for Marian:
Hello! Our little 7 year old poodle mix (13 pounds) came down with this condition quite suddenly last month. She had 2 transfusions and was in the ICU for a week. She was on Prednisone 8mg., cyclosporine 50mg, mycophenolate 62 mg. These were every 12 hours. In addition, she is on Apixadan 1/2 tablet and clopidagel 1/4 tablet once per day. We are weaning off prednisone as it is causing her glucose numbers to increase too much. She is totally off of it tomorrow. The cyclosporine has been reduced to 35 mgs 2 times daily. She is more alert and is eating fairly well. Does anyone know when the critical period is over? Is it when her blood count stabilizes close to normal? Thank goodness we had pet insurance. It has reimbursed 90 percent of vet costs after $300 deductible. I would like to know if anyone has experience of a dog surviving this disease and living for many years after diagnosis?
Hi Marian, and welcome to the site.
Every dog is different, but most important is to treat quickly and aggressively, so the drugs are used at high doses to stop the immune system and then when a dog is better, then they can slowly be reduced.
I’m a bit concerned that the reductions are happening quickly. Does your girl have diabetes? It’s better not to do two reductions at once. Usually we would do a reduction of prednisone, as it has the most side effects, and then perhaps another drug, but only when a dog has been stable and in the normal range, or close to it, and have been there a while. The danger of too quick a reduction is the risk of relapsing. Bingo did relapse twice, when we were doing reductions, so I’m always paranoid about it.
Bingo started to recover when he was commenced on cyclosporine, that seemed to do the trick with us, but as I said, all dogs are different.
My best, Vally
Hi Vally. Mona was weaned off of prednisone because her glucose levels went very high. From being in the normal range, she went up to 212. As we have reduced the prednisone, it has dropped to 165. I feel fairly certain that it will be in the normal range next time we go in for a recheck. The cyclosporine was 50mg twice a day (100 mg total) and the vet decreased that to 35 mg twice a day (70mg) because she had lost almost 2 pounds, and 100mg. was a high dose for her weight. She still is on mycophenolate 65 mg twice a day as well. I am so relieved to know that she seems to be stable now. We will get the results of her recent blood work within the next few days. Thank you for answering my post. It really helps to know that other pets have survived this disease and are alive years later.
Hi, just want to see how Mona is doing???
I read your post and kind of wanted to give you my story/hope. My dog, Maci, was diagnosed with IMHA in June 2018. She had to get two blood transfusions during that time. It was a whole horrible traumatic nightmare, but I can proudly say she is doing amazing. She is still on cyclosporine every other day (vet recommended keeping her on that potentially for life). I still get worried of relapse and check her gums EVERYDAY (hence why I am here on this website haha) but the odds are slim (15%) after they hit remission. Plus we all get a little more observant and know what to look for. So I hope you have some relief and hope. Hang in there :)
Hello! I will know more on Friday after her re-check, but from all outward appearances, Mona is doing very well! The last check was a little more than 2 weeks ago and her red blood count was 28. I am quite certain it is higher now. She is gaining weight, (maybe will need to go on a diet now lol) she is active, jumping up and very much the dog she was before this happened. I will bet that the vet will start weaning her off of these drugs, or at least reducing the dosage. We had planned a weekend trip months ago and were stressing about what to do with Mona. She cannot be boarded, and her meds must be given every 12 hours. Our daughter was staying in our house, but did not feel comfortable giving Mona the pills. We were so fortunate that the vet tech who worked with her at the hospital was on a “staycation” and offered to come by twice daily to give her the meds. This was a perfect solution, and we were very happy to pay him to do that. We are also grateful to have the pet insurance (Pet Plan) that has been processing the claims within a week of receipt. Thank goodness, because this has been very expensive. Every day that goes by, Mona is more her former self. We are grateful. Thank you all for giving me hope.
![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\\"")
