My 7-8 year old pit bull mix has ben lethargic lately. We noticed that she had a orange colored diarreah and would not drink or eat. Our vet told us that she likely has an autoimmune disease called IMHD, but I can't find anything on this disease on the internet. Right now she is critically ill with a low red blood cell count. She is on Doxycycline,Prednisone, & Imuran. Has anyone else had any experience with this disease in dogs who can offer some advice?
2007-01-25 13:04:20 · 4 answers · asked by joe t 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes I have, and it's an extremely serious disease. Ask your vet about a low dose of aspirin in combination with the other drugs. From what I have read, it increases the survival rate considerably.
Here are the links I found helpful and related to this disease...
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=21&A=1390&S=1
http://www.vetcentric.com/magazine/magazineArticle.cfm?ArticleID=1899
http://www.peppypaws.com/Supportivecare.html
Some things to think about & discuss with your vet,
Zinc poisoning can cause this disease. (swallowing a penny, etc.)
This disease can be caused by another disease that is not yet diagnosed. (cancer, tumors, etc.)
You will want to go to the very best dog specialist you can find, and be prepared for weekly vet visits for blood work and possibly transfusions. She will need to be watched carefully for signs of severe anemia, and possibly will need emergency trips to the vet. (many of the dogs that die from this have a blood clot, that's why small doses of aspirin is a good idea)
The prednizone will cause thirst and excessive drinking. Be prepared for more frequent visits to the fireplug.
Good luck.
2007-01-25 14:19:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have not heard of this before, and I am familiar with most of the autoimmune disease in dogs. I looked for a reference an also didn't find anything. It sounds very similar to AIHA, Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Ask you veterinarian for more information. I am sure he/she would be happy to give you more info.and where you might find reference material. I even looked in Merck and there was no reference to IMHD. Merck, is considered the definitive veterinary medical text.
Sorry I wasn't much help.
2007-01-25 13:24:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ive known a lot of dogs on a lot of steroids from working at a vet clinic for over 10 years and not one has ever had their personality change because of the medication. Dogs do however, get snarky if they are painful..maybe there is something else going on with him that the vet didn't catch, or maybe he is frustrated about constantly taking pills/having injections, but there is no way that a steroid like prednisone or vanectyl p or something can make it aggressive
2016-05-24 00:16:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IMHD stands form immune mediated hemolytic disease, more commonly called IMHA-immune mediated hemolytic anemia. Here is a link that gives some information. This disease can be very difficult to treat and is serious. Also I do not know where you are located, but Purdue University in Indiana has doctor well know for her research on this disease (Dr. Scott-Moncrieff). Good luck with your dog.
http://www.scvim.com/Downloads/2005616202527.PDF
2007-01-25 13:35:36 · answer #4 · answered by ET 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you are talking about AIHA or IMHA. I lost a dog to it several years ago.
There is alot online about it. Search for auto-immune hemalytic anemia or immune mediated hemalytic anemia.
Here is a site to get you started.
www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson
Give your girl a big hug.
2007-01-25 16:35:56 · answer #5 · answered by whpptwmn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋