Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - A Sad Day

Today was one of the hardest days of my life. We had our 14 year old dachshund, Colonel Mustard, put to sleep. A week and a half ago we came home to find that he had urinated on the floor and there was blood present. A trip to the emergency vet revealed he had IMHA. The vet provided us with several meds, but told us this could really be a 50/50 chance of recovery. At first we were hopeful, but Colonel declined quickly. He stopped eating and refused to take any medicine. A follow up trip to the vet revealed his blood cell count had dropped again. My husband battled with him each day to force the medicines down, but they didn't help and it was so tormenting for both my husband and my dog to go through this routine. We decided to stop giving him pills and just make him comfortable. Yesterday was his worst day; he was so weak, vomiting bile, etc. It was very sad. We spent last night looking at pictures and sharing our wonderful memories of Colonel. We spent a long time telling him goodbye and we took him to the vet today. It was very hard, but I know we made the right choice for him. We stayed with him until the very end. Until 2 weeks ago I had never even heard of this disease; I can't believe how quickly it brought our little dog to such a sad state.

Donnetta Colorado

Donnetta, I'm so terribly sorry to hear you lost your darling Colonel to this terrible disease. Like you I had no idea and had never heard of this disease until my Tessy was diagnosed with it. It really is a hard disease to deal with and fight. If you are feeling up to it I'd recommend you check out Joannes Meisha's Hope website...specifically the Loss & Grief section...here's a link for you.... http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/loss.htm My deepest sympathies and condolences on your loss. Run free at the bridge Colonel. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Donnetta, Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of Colonel Mustard. We have Holly, 5 year old dachshund and have had 2 previous ones. I know how very hard it is to say goodbye to them, in fact can seem unbearable at times. It took us a long time to get over the loss of our first dachshund, but trust me when I tell you in time it will get better. She was 14 also. Looking at pictures and remembering all the wonderful memories really does help. Just take one day at a time. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Dear Donnetta & Family Please accept my heartfelt condolences in the loss of your Colonel. I know how hard it is to say good-bye to someone who has been at your side for 14 years but I agree with Linda it will get easier over time. I am sure you gave Colonel a wonderful home for 14 years and he knew how very much he was loved. May your little Colonel run free on the other side of the bridge until you meet again. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Donetta, I am so sorry for your loss. It is a tough thing to go through but know that Colonel Mustard is always with you in spirit. This disease is just crazy the way it takes dogs so quickly. It sounds like you did everything you could for him; I hope you take peace in that.

Jennifer

Donetta and Family, I am so sorry for your loss of your dear boy. I hope in time the better memories help ease your pain. The Colonel is now at the bridge with a lot of grand friends where he will play pain free until you are reunited again. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Donetta, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My heartfelt condolences are with you and your family. You did everything you could to help your boy. I am certain he knew that. May the memories of your dear friend warm your heart during these days. Tears will be replaced with smiles soon enough. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jessi & Toqua

Jessi BC

Donetta, My heart is with you and your family. Hang in there. What a difficult time....I am sorry for your loss and wish you all the best in your healing. -Darren

Darren Long Beach

Donnetta, My sincere condolences on the loss of Colonel Mustard. Saying good-bye to a special dog is truly the downside of owning a pet They are never with us long enough. Fourteen is a wonderful long life though, and I'm sure once the grieving is over you will look back on all of those wonderful years you had with Colonel Mustard, and smile. It is true, that IMHA is a dreadful disease. Our Standard Poodle, Mercedes, has been battling with it for only a month, and like you, we had never heard of it before. There are many kind and truly caring people on this forum. Many have lost pets of their own, and yet they still continue to help and support people like you and I. I take comfort in the fact that they assure me that our dogs are not in any "pain" with this disease. I hope you, too, will find comfort in there well-wishes. Please take the time, when you feel up to it, to check out the Meisha's Hope website that Johnny recommended. It will help you and your hubby deal with your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers this evening. Warmest regards, Maureen and Mercedes

Maureen BC Canada

Dear Donnetta May I add my sincerest condolences to the others here? Im so sorry that after 14 happy years this is the way that you had to part with Colonel Mustard; many of us had not heard of this illness before and wondered why it affects our pets in such a way requiring extreme medication. I lost Riley earlier this year after a four month battle, but there are those strong survivors who battle through it - much like humans who suffer different ailments; we just dont expect our dogs to get something like this. It is a balancing act of medications, nutrition etc., you did the bravest and best thing possible for the Colonel (great name) under the circumstances and he is at peace now. Maureen is so true - we do not have them long enough - Riley was only 6 and I thought I had another 6 with him, but it wasnt to be. All the very best to you - to me, it sounded like the Colonel had made his own decision, not taking the medicines etc, which do have their own impacts, tough little doggy. Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

So sad to read the loss of your lovely Colonel (great name). I lost my puppy at just 9 months of age to this horrible disease. He just did not respond to meds and his bone marrow shut down. You always wonder why, I still do. But time does make it easier to accept. Sometimes, I think it is easier when you lose them quickly as you don't have to live with trying to treat it. Just focus on the good memories and try not to dwell on the IMHA. Julie.

Julie Australia

I am so sorry for the loss of your pup Colonel Mustard. This disease is awful and hits you like a ton of bricks. I'm thinking of you in your time of loss and sorrow.

Mardi Northern Calif

dear Donetta I am so very sorry to hear about your loss of Colonel Mustard. Most of us know nothing about this illness until our dogs are diagnosed. I am glad you could be with Colonel at the end to comfort him. you made a very brave decision for Colonel. He is now running free at the Rainbow Bridge with all the doggies taken to soon by this awful disease. We are thinking of you and your husband during this difficult time. Sam and Millie.

Samantha geelong australia

Dear Donnetta Please accept my sincere condolences along with the others here that have been impacted by this awful disease. I too never heard of this disease before last week. My 8 year old Pomeranian, Killian, who I though was happy and healthy just a week ago was taken away from me by this evil disease on Sunday. It struck so fast that our baby boy couldn't win battle. Our hearts are truely broken and understand what you are going through.

Maryann MI

Dear Donnetta, I'm so sorry you lost your much loved Colonel Mustard to this miserable disease. Every time I read about another loss it breaks my heart, and I feel the pain. You did the best you could with what happened, and I'm sure your dog felt your love and continues to feel your love, as it can never be destroyed by AIHA or anything. My Cody passed 3 weeks ago, just 2 1/2 yrs. old, and battled this for 2 years......I'm grateful both our babes are safe now with GOD,and suffer no more....With deep compassion, Tammy

Tammy/Cody N.J.

Dear Donnetta, I am so very sorry about your loss. I lost my beloved shipoo, Mickey, 2 months ago to IMHA. I know the pain you are going through. I was devastated. I came home from work on a Thursday and he couldn't move. He was fine on Wed. I took him to the vet and on Friday they told me their was nothing they could do for him. So I put him to sleep at 2:00 pm. He was 7 years old. I am still having a very difficult time with it. My deep sorrow, Kathy

Kathy Pittsburgh

This thread was discussed between 30/04/2010 and 14/05/2010

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