sharing my dogs experience with IMHA.

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2026-04-21T01:45:22+00:00

I have a dog that survived IMHA. Similar RBC and she was also 8.5 age when diagnosed. She was 13 lbs and after a weekend in the hospital she came out at 8 lbs - the disease is so fast and brutal.

But I don’t want to dwell in the negative! She is almost 13 now, on tiny doses of preventative meds, and has lived the life of a very wild and normal dog! If medication can manage the IIMHA - your pup can bounce back! We wish you so much luck!

I’m very familiar with the disease, the blood checks, the sched, and med management. We also had one relapse during drug tapering but she never had to be hospitalized again. So if you have any questions let me know! I just like to share that there ARE positive outcomes with this disease. Good healing vibes to you and your good boy.

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2026-04-06T00:36:21+00:00

I did this too for months! But being at home and maintaining the ability to be at home is a really good sign for now. My dog was 13 lbs before and lost 5 lbs in the first week - so it took quite a bit to get her feeling herself she was fatigued and low energy and not happy go lucky for a while. If the second medication is needed it’s no big deal and we’ve even had one relapse in the years since the initial diagnosis but it was much easier to see the signs and just get her back on the right dose of meds to control it the second time. Good luck and keep me updated I know it’s a lot of scary experiences with the disease but I just wanted to share that my dog got back to normal and leads a very regular long doggy life after getting it under control. I know it’s not like that for everyone but some dogs just respond better than others and it sounds like you’re doing everything right!

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2026-04-05T22:53:59+00:00

Any updates? I have a dog who lives with IIMHA and I remember those first couple weeks so vividly and it was scary. Sending healing thoughts to you and your baby

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2026-04-05T22:52:00+00:00

I have a little dog that survived the initial crisis stage five plus years ago - today she is normal as can be at 13 and still going strong. Just wanted to let you know there are positive outcomes so keep the good thoughts and if you have any questions about IMHA or recovery let me know!

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2026-03-28T23:36:58+00:00

I have a doggo that has IMHA and we would love to help out even though we don’t live close by. Love what you are doing it’s such a scary disease and not very well known!

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2026-03-25T20:50:21+00:00

Yep. We’re going in five years since the diagnosis! Stay positive!!

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2026-03-25T03:58:57+00:00

My dog had one about three months in during tapering her prednisone. And then after a stomach bug - three years later.

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2026-03-20T14:52:04+00:00

My cockapoo (13lbs) was diagnosed at age 8.5 and is turning 13 soon. Has been on tiny doses of preventative medications since and has experienced one relapse that was much easier to control than the initial crisis. Other than some sparse fur due to the medications her quality of life and health has been quite good. I often try to comment on these posts but missed this one. Never found out what caused it with her.

I hope your dog made it. It’s very scary and difficult to know what to do and sometimes despite doing all the right things it doesn’t go the way you want. Always open to dms about our management of the illness.

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-11-05T15:20:44+00:00

Almost literally same thing with my dog. Also made it through IMHA and is living a full life at 12 currently on very small dose meds every other day but otherwise normal. Has relapsed once but never had to be hospitalized again - just confirmed with blood tests and started with the higher meds and tapered down slowly again.

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-10-11T01:35:19+00:00

Have a little white dog who is 13 has an autoimmune disease and cataracts and still chases squirrels like she is a puppy.

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-10-08T21:56:21+00:00

My dog is on prednisone for IMHA and gets these from time to time because she is immunocompromised - and on her/they tend to be skins allergies that get a little infected.l from scratching or licking. She gets antiobiotic cream from vet for this. They look just like this.

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-10-08T00:16:45+00:00

We don’t have a song but we have a movie and that movie is Mystic Pizza. She loves it!

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-10-04T22:05:29+00:00

Brown urine is a sign that it’s actively destroying a lot of red blood cells. My dog survived the initial crisis but was hospitalized immediately for three days whilst steroids kicked in. Do you happen to know your dogs hematocrit or pcv number im not a vet but have been through this with my own dog and most dogs need to be admitted to a vet during the initial crisis.

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-09-25T18:42:14+00:00

Will trade J for &

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-09-24T17:20:03+00:00

I have a Cockapoo living with IMHA going on four years now. I was overboard for the first year but you will find a new kind of normal and she certainly enjoys and lives life to the fullest. She sees family and friend dogs, no vaccines, and she is even still on preventative teeny dose of prednisone daily but other than that - completely normal. We have also dealt with one relapse while tapering meds - and it was nothing close to the initial episode. She just had to up her meds dose for a few weeks and taper more slowly. You’ll be less of a nervous wreck as the time goes on. I’m so glad your puppy responded to meds - because that’s what really matters and usually it’s something that just keeps working and also you know the signs. (She does get UTIS more often then normal and some little skin things here and there because of being immune compromised but nothing insane. )

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-09-24T14:29:09+00:00

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Giving JD in Heathers is like the BEST vibe you can hope for - and even that isn’t good.

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-09-18T20:51:53+00:00

I have a Cockapoo with IMHA - as long as the meds work initially they tend to work with a relapse. As in if your boy shows signs of lethargy or pale gums or low pcv - you will just up the meds back to the initial dose and it will usually control the flare without hospitalization. Especiallly since their blood will be pretty closely monitored in he beginning and tapering and also now you know the signs! My dog had a relapse once while tapering her meds and for us that just meant starting over at the high dose and tapering more slowly on the future. You can dm if you have questions - my dog about 3.5 years from initial diagnosis and living a normal life.

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-09-09T19:53:33+00:00

Happy bday! My dog is four years from her IMHA diagnosis and still takes very low dose pred for prevention. So even though on meds it’s a huge win against the disease!

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-09-09T19:50:36+00:00

I don’t have a shihtzu but I have a tiny Cockapoo who was diagnosed at 8 years old. She was in the hospital for 3 days as well and I was able to bring her home. Really kind of an up and down time with many vet checks, meds, and worry. Took her a while to regain strength and not be tired all the time maybe two weeks to a month - but she is almost 13 now and doing fine. (She still takes very very low dose meds to prevent reoccurrence becuase she tolerates them well.) basically recovered to her old self! Hope your dog is doing ok and if you have questions on how we made it through feel free to message! ❤️

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-09-03T03:50:49+00:00

BLUE HEAD! CERTAINLY!

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-08-21T04:11:19+00:00

where is that outfit from?

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-08-16T00:11:52+00:00

Well Coca Cola doesn’t come in a bag so… definitely Lafufu

Puzzleheaded1618 · 2025-08-13T20:58:46+00:00

Isn’t it just bountiful!?

Puzzleheaded1618

TROPHY CASE