Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a serious, life threatening disease. This site was set up to help owners make informed decisions about the care of their pet. It is not intended to take the place of a veterinarian, only to provide information on treatment options available and basic information about the disease. It is important to realize that having an AIHA dog requires a TOTAL commitment. Not only will this disease require a lot of time, but the emotional and financial burden can be great. The medications can be quite expensive and added to the veterinarian bills, can become overwhelming. You will need to adjust your schedule around visits to the vet and administering medications. The financial burden and time limitation are insignificant compared to the emotional roller coaster you will be on. This is a disease that can be controlled, but there is no cure. 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. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT AIHA I’m sure most of you are thinking that there is nothing good about this disease, but you are wrong. Having an AIHA dog has taught me many things, not just about the disease, but about life and the things that are important. I have learned to slow down and enjoy the small, simple pleasures of life. Just the simple joy I get from watching my dog roll in the grass. There was a time I would have scolded her because I didn’t want her to track grass in the house, not now. That was the one thing I hoped for during the early days of her illness, just to see her roll in the grass one more time. I no longer take for granted my family or friends, we never know when we may lose them. It has taught me patience, which was never one of my strong points. I’ve learned that there are circumstances that are out of my control and when that is the case, I’ve learned to give them to God. I have met many wonderful people, that have been a blessing in my life, the vets that first saw my baby, the vets at NC State and the student that cared for her, and the wonderful internal medicine vet that has pulled her through many tough times. I have met other owners of AIHA dogs and forged new friendships that will last a lifetime and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t stop and THANK GOD for each and every one of these people and for the miracle of my little furry baby.