Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - A long, hard few days

Hello All. I have been super down the last few days, because Lola has been down. Her gums are pink, her tongue is pink, no temperature, but she is just so weak, tired, lethargic, out of it etc. She got her blood taken today and we will get the results tomorrow, but I am just so afraid that something else is going on. Her weakness makes me refrain from leaving her whatsoever. She will get up, and plop back down again. The prednisone seems to really be taking the life out of her. She is only 2 years old, but she has aged so much in one month. My baby looks like an old tired pup and I am trying my hardest not to break down. The only other change that I have noticed (besides weight gain) is that her eyes are slightly bloodshot. She usually has very white and black eyes, but I am wondering if this could just be caused by stress or by being tired. All she does is sleep, and EAT, ALOT. I am hoping, praying, that her test results are okay. I have the worst feeling and I am trying so hard to stay strong. I am just really really scared. As if it isn't hard enough, although I am Lola's one person, she has become so much more reliant on me this past couple of weeks. My mom, who was her close #2, is no where on the scale anymore. Lola only wants me, all the time, even if I leave the room for a minute. I am rambling again but I haven't broke down like this in awhile, I guess you just start to get comfortable with the notion that your dog is going to get better. Or maybe just wishful thinking. Hope all of you are well. Hugs to you and your pups Christina and Lola

Christina New Jersey

Christina, Please look at the first three photos in this Flickr slideshow. They show Chance after a summer of being sick, in the late fall when he was feeling better and then the following year. I know of what you speak because Chance was falling apart after months of prednisone, he was a bag of bones with no muscle and unable to walk around the block. I wanted you to see what he looked like after he got well again, I think you will be amazed. It does happen. http://www.flickr.com/photos/patricel/2857651904/in/set-72157602714279765/ my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Christina I really am sorry that you and Lola are going through this. I have been going through the same thing. I totally understand. I can't even do my job without constantly worrying. Listen to Patrice, he seems to be really informed on this. There are going to be ups and downs. I really sympathize with you and Lola. You both are in my heart and will be thinking about you both. Please hang in there. Joann and Keeli

Joann Binger Oklahoma

I got bloodshot eyes when I had a bad cold. Since Lola's immune system is surpressed, it wouldn't be surprising if she had a virus. Also, Cookie was very weak too until she got into the 30's for her PCV. She's dropped back to lower 30's (34) and there is definitely a difference in her energy even though it's only a 4% decrease. Lola's still not there so you can't expect too much of her energy wise. One thing that I did, was go outside with Cookie and just bask in the sun for 10-15 minutes. She seemed to perk up from this and the sun is so good for everyone including our animals. Also, it's okay to break down. After Cookies initial diagnosis I cried almost every day for several days and lost 4 pounds because I didn't have an appetite. There's nothing wrong with being depressed from dealing with this and it would be something to worry about if you weren't sad. Just remember, that she's still here, and she's made it further than a lot of dogs with IMHA.

Monet Sammamish

Christina, Everybody on this forum understands how you feel. You can go on rambling, we understand. Lola has gone through a lot, but so have you! Please make sure you look after yourself. Make sure you get lots of rest. I sometimes compared it with having a new baby, sleep when the baby (dog) sleeps. If your mother is not on Lola's radar, maybe she could help with the food preparation and feed her? Maybe that would get Lola interested in her again. This is a full time job and it is great if you have help. It is all consuming and it is hard to think of anything else. Try and stay positive for Lola's sake. She knows when you are down and it might stress her out. Try and keep a sort of normal life for her. Don't baby her too much but praise her for the few things she can still do. I remember Patrice telling me once, one day you might only get down the driveway, tell your dog how wonderful he is turn back and the next day he will go further. Pink gums and having an appetite are excellent signs. Hopefully the numbers will be good tomorrow, I will cross my fingers for you! If you haven't already done so, go to the Meisha's Hope website and read some of the success stories: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/successstories.htm I am sorry, I have not been following the forum as much as I usually do, so I don't really know Lola's story. Have you considered putting her on a Thyroid supplement? If not, run it by your vet. I remember that adding this hormone made a huge difference in my dog. One thing that really helped me when I was in the dumps was I gave Kahlu gentle massages. I visualized him at his very best, running in the forest, healthy and energetic..... I talked to him, saying that I do everything in my power, but that he had to do his part and get healthy. It might be a bit goofy, but it always got me on my feet again. I guess it somehow took some of the responsibility off my shoulders. Take it one day at a time! Best wishes, thinking of you and Lola, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC

Christina, I noticed Lola is in doxy, that is usually administered right after diagnosis because tick diseases are a major cause if AIHA, and the dog is tested for it, and if it comes back negative, it is usually removed becuase it is very hard on the system, so does Lola have a tick disease? I had the full blown tick panel done for Wylie, that tests for more tick diseases, than the inhouse that came back negative, it was expensive about $250, took a week, and she did come back showing a mild form on rocky nmountain, which supposedly we don't have in this area. My 2 cents - So if she has had the full panel and it is negative I would ask why she is on doxy, if she has not had it, I would get the test done and ask to have the doxy removed if it comes back negative. Patrice what are your thoughts on this? Laurie

Laurie CA

Hi Christina. It is really hard no douubt to see their liveliness and abilities taken from them, but they can recover as long as you don't give up on them. They certainly will never give up on you. Like the others, I had to get Dylan through the weakness and paralysis of prednisone. For more than a month I slid her kennel outside rain or shine and carried her out for a pee, or poop every few hours. I did not sleep normally for almost 2 months. It was hard and heart breaking, but also like many, Dylan is recovering and so can Lola. This is a video of Dylan when she could not stand or walk. At one point she was eating and drinking everything on her side, without lifting her head she was so weak. http://youtu.be/tMzsG8x2IYw My photos of her on Facebook show her always on her side, unable to even lift her head and completely immobile. She was bouncing around my living room yesterday with a ball throwing it around the room for me to play with. She was playing with kids on my front yard. Twice near death's door 3 months ago (anemia then prednisone), but now she is happy. Please try to think of positive outcomes of your effort. You are doing so much, working so hard for her. Feel free to let all fears out here, better here than with Lola. We will always understand. We have all been there too. It IS a roller coaster and battling the side efects of drugs does become part of the battle. As for meds, try to get rid of anything you know for sure she does not need, like the Doxy... If there is no Tick disease, ask your vet to remove meds that are no longer helping. They are all toxic and if they are not helping, they are hurting. Continued Good Luck, and prayers, Richard & Dog Dylan.

Richard Burnaby

Laurie, Thanks for the input, good to point this out again. I did note this to Lola early on, that it was best to drop this drug if the tick tests were negative. But who knows what the first or second vet did for tests? They were not eager to share information with her. And by the way, fall is the time for the most active exposure to tick disease. Those ticks out there are loaded with disease from a summer of exposure and they will remain active until well into late fall early winter. Don't let your guard down now that it is changing seasons. Think of this as tick season rather than fall from now on. Doxy is a great drug for this specific purpose.. tick disease. But it is very hard on the system. It wouldn't be used for many other purposes in this dog. If there was a positive on tick disease then it would need to be used for a prolonged time (8-10 weeks) at a very high dose. But that would probably also resolve the anemia! (Treating the cause) Since there has been an excellent response to the cyclosporine, it's a good bet this is entirely autoimmune destruction. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Hey, Christina! Mr. B and Lola are best buds now, diagnosed at nearly the exact same time....please know that he has gone through days that are EXACTLY what you are describing. Then he perks up for a bit. I think its all part of the illness and the meds. It is very much a roller coaster, and an emotional one at that. But PLEASE KNOW too that you are doing EVERYTHING you can for that sweet baby girl!! You and I are both taking this one day at a time.....we go tomorrow for bloodwork and hope for results then too....so I know what you're feeling. So scared of outcomes, yet trying so hard to be positive. Let's say prayers for each other, K? Mr. B is sending Lola huge puppy kisses and hugs :) And I'm sending you a big HUG! Sally

Sally Louisiana

Thank you guys so much, seriously your kind and encouraging words are so helpful. we got amazing news today, and i credit a big part of lola's success to you guys and this forum. Joann and keeli- thanks for your thoughts, i know what ya mean when you can't work..i can't leave her for a minute let alone a day..it must be so so hard. i wish you guys the best of luck patrice- thank you for your continued support and informative advice- i really appreciate it. monet - thank you! yes lola's favorite past time was basking in the sun, unfortunately prolonged prednisone use makes her too hot even after a couple of minutes so we can't do that anymore...hopefully we can do this again one day in the near future :) brigitte and poodle boys!- yes lola has been on thyroxine since the first day! lol i had to argue with the vet for hours --they were so angry with me but i insisted! and giving lola massages is my favorite thing to do! she couldn't love them anymore if she tried! imagining your pup galloping through the woods is anything but goofy! you had me tearing up a little bit! its crazy how we would do anything to get these simple things that we took our dogs doing for granted back. laurie- i have recently taken lola off doxycycline- i actually tried to take her off of it earlier but i forget why the vet said to wait..her panels came back negative and it has been over 30 days so we are done with that..i have stopped the clavamox as well but i am looking into giving her some again because she seems to have a little cold. not quite sure though richard and dylan- thank you for your loving words as always, you guys are the best. sally and mr b- if only we could hop a few states and get these two cuties together, i know it would be love at first sight!! our thoughts are always with you guys xo thank you all. hugs to you and your babies :)

christina new jersey

How is Lola??

Monet Sammamish

Christina and Lola, I wish you the very best. Richard, I love your Comforting words about not giving up on Them because they certainly never give up on you. By watching your videos and reading those encouraging words, You have given us hope. I wish You and Dylan the Best as well.

Kathy Crestline

This thread was discussed between 24/08/2011 and 02/09/2011

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