Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia

Casper's Fight 

Casper suffers from Evans Syndrome which is a combination of IMHA/AIHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia/Auto-Immune Hemolytic Anemia) and IMT/ITP (Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia/Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura). There are conditions wherein his red blood cells and platelets are being destroyed by his own immune system. In 2006, when he was first diagnosed, Casper underwent 3 blood transfusions and 1 oxyglobin transfusion to keep him alive and spent more than a week in the hospital. Through it all, he kept showing everyone his strong will to fight this disease even when multiple doctors had suggested he be put to sleep. Trooper that he is, he fought back.And after almost a year on a cocktail of medicines, he was able to become stable enough to return to most of his activities like playing and walking. He was weaned off the drugs because of their bad side effects, one of which was Cushings disease which he developed because of the extended steroid use.

But after only a few months off the medication, he collapsed and his gums turned white again. We took him to the emergency room and found he that had relapsed. He is now back on all his old medication and on some new ones as well.

He is such a wonderful soul and brings happiness to everyone who sees his pictures, reads his stories or meets him in person. We are all rooting for him so that hopefully he will be able to beat this disease again.

Casper's Blog

Check out how Casper is doing on his blog.

Favorite Links 

Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) Message Board

This message board serves as a great support group for families whose furry loved ones suffer from IMHA/AIHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia/Auto-Immune Hemolytic Anemia), IMTP (Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia) and Evans Syndrome. There is a wealth of information and support from those who have gone through and are going through this with their dogs.

IMHA/AIHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia/Auto-Immune Hemolytic Anemia) Information

A condition where the patient's immune system begins attacking its own red blood cells.

IMTP (Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia) Information

A condition where the patient's immune system begins attacking its own platelets.

Morris Animal Foundation

Research to protect, treat, and cure animals.

Meisha's Hope

A GUIDE to CANINE AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA

Meisha's Hope Fund

When Meisha was diagnosed with autoimmune hemolytic anemia in January 1992, we had only one hope and that was to have her recover and have a quality life. When that hope became a reality, our next hope was to help others whose dogs were ill with AIHA/IMHA. To do that we created the Meisha's Hope Web site. Now we have one more hope, to find new treatments for AIHA/IMHA and possibly even a cause for the disease. To that end we have become a member of the Morris Animal Foundation family and established the Meisha's Hope Canine Autoimmune/Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia Fund #338

When you contribute, please use the special Donation Form that has been designed especially for the Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338. Printing out this form and filling it in will assure that your gift goes directly into the Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338.

You can also donate online by Clicking Here. If you choose to donate online be sure to check the "Meisha's Hope" box on the online donation form.

Casper N Caboodle help fight AIHA/IMHA

As Casper battles this disease, we also fight for a cure for him and all dogs suffering from this terrible disease. All commissions earned from this design will go to the Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 at Morris Animal Foundation. You can also donate directly to this Fund using the links above.

For our complete line of products and designs please visit our main store at Casper N Caboodle. Money saving coupons are available in our store.

New Hope Partners 

Other Ways To Help

S. Thomas Sierak Fine Art

Tom lost his beloved Toy Poodle, Buttons, to autoimmune hemolytic anemia in June 1997. Because finding answers to the many questions which surround AIHA is very important to Tom, he will donate 50% of the sale price of the following seven Unlimited Edition Prints to the Meisha's Hope AIHA Fund #338 at Morris Animal Foundation, when you purchase these prints through the Meisha's Hope website.

Foot & Paw Studio's Pet Remembrance Jewelry

In 2003, we lost our dog Ellie to an autoimmune disease known as Evans Syndrome. Afterwards, we searched for a product we could wear in her memory but nothing we found properly reflected her happy spirit. As anyone who has a cat, dog or other pet already knows, their lives revolve around having fun. Living everyday to bring you joy and love, your pets should be remembered for the happiness they bring, not the sadness of their last days.

With this in mind, we created Foot & Paw Studio. Our goal is to provide beautiful, high quality, handmade pet remembrance jewelry that celebrates the happy lives of our customers' pets.

We hope our products will bring you a sense of connection and help you to always remember the good times shared with your pet. The Foot & Paw%u2122 symbol on all of our products has been designed to remind you that your pet continues to walk with you in your heart, your mind and your spirit.

The Truman Collar

At 4 1/2 years old, Truman brought joy to many people and was dearly loved. He passed away at home, suffering from the devastating effects of hemolytic anemia, an auto-immune disease. When you purchase from Dogwise through our site, the percentage we earn will be donated by the The Truman Collar web site to the Morris Animal Foundation to help fund research on Hemolytic Anemia! Hemolytic Anemia is the disease that started this endeavor.
Everyone should be informed about this awful plight and what is being done to cure it.

Kindred Spirits Gift Shop

Kindred Spirits Gift Shop specializes in pet-related gift merchandise and "soulful" gift baskets. 25% of the Angels Among Us gift basket is donated to the Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 at Morris Animal Foundation. In addition, 10% of any order totaling $25 or more at the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop is donated to the Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 at Morris Animal Foundation when you use the coupon code MAF4507 at check out.