Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)?

Question

My jack russell terrier has just been diagnosed with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA). Our entire family is really grief stricken by the news. While normally he is bouncy, lively, and an overall character, ham and always playful. He rarely leaves his bed, only to drink or go to the bathroom. He is on medication (prednisone and metronidazole) and has been for two days so far, there hasn't been much improvement. I guess I'm just curious to know if there are others out there who have had a dog with the condition. What can we do to make him more comfortable? I read that there is a lack of red blood cells and therefore a lack of oxygen, is there anyway for us to get more oxygen to him?

Thank you in advance?

Answer 1

I just did a quick read on the drug (metronidazole) and the condition your dog has. I see nothing in the way of the drugs other than to help with the symptoms perhaps but nothing to help cure the condition or reverse it. It seems they don't know enough yet to cure the condition itself or treat it effectively just from what I've read so far.

Start reading more about this disease and educate yourself on it as much as you can.

Since it can be caused or "triggered" apparently by any number of things, I would suggest to start building your dogs immune system up to the best it can get. By that your going to have to get your dog off commercial foods and start homecooking for your dog. We've had ours on homecooked food 6 months now and believe me it is so superior to even the "best" of the commercial foods. Making the food is not difficult and a weeks worth can be made in an hour or so and frozen till you need it.

Since this disease can be "triggered" by something, that would give me some hope that if you could get it under control you might be able to disable that trigger effect the next time with an immune system working at optimum capacity.

An immune system that is in top condition stands a chance of fighting off anything that is has to deal with. Wether it would help your dogs condition I really don't know, I'm not that familiar with AIHA. Since your dogs condition is autoimmune I would at least give this a shot. To get your dogs immune system to optimum it will take three months on these diets, but we we're seeing obvious results in two weeks. Ask your vet also about a vitamin supplement they carry for amemia, we had our Maltese on one, and would it possibly be helpfull in your situation.

I've listed a link below to a book that has special diets for pets healthy and sick, this vet/author/ teacher ect... knows his stuff and has devoted his life to saving and curing animals, not just treating them with conventional meds. I hope it is of use to you and you check it out. I listed his nutrition page first on the link so you get an idea how important it is regarding your pets overall health. Good luck, I know how you feel, we've been in your situation twice now but with different diseases.

Amazon.com also carries his book, just search a Dr. Pitcairn on there.

EDIT: Don't get your dog anymore vaccinations, these could have been the triggers setting off your dogs condition. Over vaccination is dangerous anyway but you'll be hard pressed to find a vet to agree with that but it's very true. Avoid ALL shots from this point on.
Also you may want to stop giving tap water and go with a bottled purified water from this point on.
Avoid any pesticide use as well "if you can", (flea killers)

Answer 2

I second what Stark says - pick up the phone and direct these questions at your vet, they're the best people to ask. There's always a danger that even if you DO get people on here whose pets have had this problem, they may give you misinformation - they may not have understood their vets instructions or, what they were told may not be relevant in your dog's particular case. You can only rely on the information given by the vet treating the animal.

Chalice

Answer 3

This is a question for your veterinarian. And it has only been two days since he started his medication, so don't give up yet! You can talk to your veterinarian about the disease, and ask them to give you some literature, and you can also do your own research about it online. And your veterinarian should be able to give you some tips on how to keep him comfortable. Good Luck with your dog!!!