Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - 11 year old just diagnosed today

I am starting a new thread for Cynthia, Cynthia, Texas, m_cfunderburk@yahoo.com My 11 year old was just diagnosed today with AIHA. I can see that many people have endured alot. At this moment, I feel that this could possibly be his last night, yet I see that he could pull through this. His platelets are low, of course. He has been through his second steroid injection tonight, has fluid in his lung etc. Is there really light at the end of the tunnel? Please give me any feedback you have. I want to be realistic by putting him first - i.e. not my needing him to be around but him feeling good to stick around!

Cynthia Texas

Hi Cynthia Sorry to hear about your 11 year old,you are right, you must think of him, not yourself. I lost my 10 year old cocker spainial to AIHA in January, I felt like a murderer having to have him put down, but the more I read up about this desease, I felt I was doing the kindest thing I could by letting him go, before he began to suffer. Jan

Jan UK

Cynthia, The journey with IMHA and your pet is so personal. It is a very difficult disease. My 11 year old cocker spaniel was diagnosed in Dec. 07, stabilized and then developed liver disease. I wanted him to survive. I was selfish in wanting him to live. On 3/25/08, I was able to see his suffering and inability to recover and put him down. I had the grace of the moment, but have had my moments since. Know of my thoughts and prayers as you make this journey with your furry companion. What kind of dog is he/she? Ann Marie

Ann Marie FL

please hang in there, this is a beatable disease... patience and faith are definately virtues with this,

josh california

My Calamity was diagnosed 17 Mar 08. At that time she had a PCV of 9%. She spent 5 days in the hospital, complete with IV, shots of prednezone (sp), antibiotics... the works. She was allowed to come home when her PCV reached 20%. We are still waiting for the lastest results, but I'm sure she has improved. She has lost 10lbs (she could afford to lose 10 more) and all she does is pee, but other than that she seems to be back to her old self. The Vet has told me she was lucky in that she had the type of AIHA where she still makes her own RBC's.

Allie Virginia

Hi Everyone, I have been in touch with Cynthia and it is with great sadness that I pass on the news that Oscar, an 11 year old dachshund, died the morning after Cynthia posted. His hematocrit was 22 at the vets, and she took him home, where he died suddenly but in her arms the following morning. She is devastated. Christine

Christine Florida

Christine, thanks for the update. Cynthia, I am so sorry to hear of Oscar's death. IMHA is a very difficult disease to understand. Know of my thoughts and prayers, Ann Marie

Ann Marie FL

Christine, thanks for the update- I am so sorry to hear your news abour Oscar Cynthia, it's so so heatbreaking. My thoughts are with you. Tricia

Tricia UK

Dear Cynthia -- I was so sorry to hear that you lost your dear Oscar to IMHA. This disease is so horrible: most of us have only heard of it when our dear dogs have been hit and many of us barely have time to recognize the enormity of what we're facing and we've lost our dear dogs. Please take care and know that you did all that you could for him. I hope you are comforted by your memories of your wonderful life together. I also hope you are comforted that you were with him at the end, that he died in the arms of the one who loved him. My husband and I were with our Wiley when she died, and it gave me a sense of peace to know that we were there at the end. Christine -- thanks for reaching out to Cynthia and advising us of Oscar's departure and her sadness.

Brenda VA

Cynthia, I am so sorry.

Jeanne Texas

Cynthia, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. We lost our dog Roxy last week to this awful disease.....I know how hard this is for you. Please know you will be in my thoughts. Chandra

Chandra Ohio

This thread was discussed between 22/03/2008 and 03/04/2008

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