Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Anemic Doxie

Hi, In the past few days my Dachshund Hopper has not been eating and is very weak and no energy...sometimes he cant even stand or walk. Was at vet yesterday and they treated him for gastro issues. This morning he was worse and his gums were white. I rushed him back to vet and they told me he was anemic but the vet would not give me a diagnosis yet. They took blood to check his blood count and the vet told me that he would be surprised if his levels were above 30. He gave him a predisone shot and he said that will help him with his appetite but it hasn't. I cant get him to eat even his favorite foods. I am beside myself with worry and in tears that he is going to get worse because he is not eating. I find out in the morning what the blood tests show. I have been reading this forum because this had the most insight and information about anemia in dogs. I am so overwelmed and helpless right now and just dont know what his the best for him. I dont even know if I trust what the vet is telling me. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Amy, David, and Hopper

Amy Panama City FL

Ami, I am so sorry for what you have to go through right now with your boy Hopper. I am surprised that the Vet did not tell you Hoppers PCV, I am pretty sure they would have done a sample right there at the clinic and then also sent off a sample to a lab to confirm the diagnosis. The fact that they let you take him home tells me, that his PCV was probably not lower than 15. But that is just my gut feeling. My first advice is to make sure you have a vet that is experienced with AIHA/IMHA. At least he should be willing to work together with a specialist. Your average vet is not knowledgeable enough to treat this. Please ask for a printout of all tests that have been done so far. You will learn to understand them and you will be able to post them here for people to help you explain things. Next thing, take a deep breath! This is a serious condition, but many dogs have survived and there is no reason Hopper can't beat this. Please read as much as you can on Joanne Dicksons Meisha's Hope page: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/index.html Make sure to go to the success stories, they will give you lots of hope! Did Hopper have any immunizations lately? How old is he? Is there a chance he got into something? Don't expect Hopper to eat again right away. He probably feels pretty weak and nauseous. I hope you can report to us tomorrow on what type of medications he is on and where his blood values stand. If your vet is not willing to fight, you might want to seek a internal medicine specialist. Ask the vet if he has treated this successfully before, how many cases and if he would be willing to consult with Dr. Dodds in California. She has saved many dogs with her insight. Best wishes, Brigitte

Brigitte BC

How close to the University of Florida are you? They're likely one of the best places as far as specialty and advancement goes. I know quite a few people who have gone there. Usually teaching schools are much better AND cheaper. If this isn't an option then make sure to ask your vet lots of questions. If Hopper's getting worse then by all means take him in for further tests. He may be in need of a transfusion and possibly IV nutrients since he's not eating. Try making yummy human foods to try him with....steak, roast beef, eggs, chicken, liver, etc. It's important to get him eating! Are you giving drugs? They should have given you something...prednisone??? Youmay also want to pick up some pepcid or sucralfate. These may help with the appetite also. Please keep us posted when you get more info. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

I just got news from the vet that his pcv level is 18 and that his white blood cells are elevated and even though he still has not given me a clear diagnosis he is leaning towards AIHA. This morning Hopper is worse though as far as not eating and he cant stand or walk. We are taking him to back to the vet to get what we need to give him saline injections at home to keep him hydrated. He is also going to go over the medicines with us for giving him predisone orally. I have also been calling other vets in town to find one that has more experience in dealing with this illness. Unfortunately there is not a single vet in this town that has the ability to give blood transfusions. Some of them has already suggested Shands in Gainsville FL which I am familiar with and is only 4 hours away. I am looking at all options I have and I'm not giving up on my baby. Meisha's Hope was very uplifting....it was the first page I went to when I started my search for anemia in dogs. Thanks for the support!! Amy, David, and Hopper

Amy

I'm sad to report that Hopper didnt make it. He died in my arms on the way to the vet. He was the sweetest dog.

Amy

Amy: I am so very sorry to read this sad news. I lost my spaniel Crosby back in March. Please know that by the time there would have been any noticible symptoms the illness already had a strong hold on him. You did everything possible that you could have done. I hope that you can take some comfort in knowing that he would not have been in pain, and that you gave him compassion and comfort on his journey to Rainbow Bridge.

Elaine Ottawa

Dear Amy Please accept my heartfelt condolences in the loss of your Hopper. One thing is for sure… our pets leave their paw prints on our hearts forever! One day, you will be reunited with Hopper at the bridge. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile PA

Dear Amy, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that in time the great memories you have will replace the sorrow you are feeling now. Hopper new he was loved and he loved back unconditionally. Please accept my sincere condolences, Brigitte, Ripley & Enzo

Brigitte BC

Amy~ I have been away from this site and read your post as I was catching-up. I am so sorry your vet did not act more quickly and thoroughly. But even if he did, this anemia/autoimmune disease is wicked and sometimes our pets don't make it, as in the case with your beloved Hopper. My prayers are with and your family. Blessings, Cindi & Tori (Mini-poodle recovering/IMHA)

Cindi Panama City Beach

Thank you all for your words of inspiration. Its been less then 24 hours and the grief I'm feeling is almost unbearable at times. I am so angry with not just the vet that treated him but at myself. I feel like I didnt do enough. Yesterday morning when I talked to the vet on the phone I should of brought him in right then and not waited. I know its hindsight right now. The vet I was dealing with really didn't tell me anything. After we got Hopper there he said something about him being yellow which I am assuming that his liver stopped working and he turned jaundice. I just thought I had more time to get him better and can't believe that he went that quick! I was so mad when I was told that there was no vets in town that had the capability of transfusing him. I was also frustrated that when I called other vets yesterday I was told by a few of them that I needed to go to Shands in Gainsville. Then I could not get him in to see another vet because every single one that I called did not have an opening. I know my hands were tied and I know I did everything I could but I still cant seem to stop thinking I could of done more. Cindy...I see that you live in the same city that I do....What vet do you use? When I do get another dog I plan on finding the best vet in town and I will never again settle for the "cheap" clinic that cuts corners by not having the technology and resources to treat my dog. Thanks again for all your support and kind words. Amy, David and Hopper

Amy Panama City

Dear Amy, I know that in situations like that you always think, what if..... it is so painful. Please remember, you did all you could with the knowledge you had. I hope you will be brave enough to bring in an other puppy into your house soon. This is what helped me most. Although I had an other dog with me, we were all grieving and in the dumps. My AIHA dogs breeder promised me an other puppy right away and we got a real clown of a dog 3 months after loosing our special dog. Still after a year he lifts my spirits every day. Of course that does not mean that I have replaced or forgotten Kahlu who fought the disease for a year. He always has a special place in my heart. I made it a bit of my crusade to talk to everybody that wants to listen about over immunizing our dogs and about AIHA. I also did some fund raising for Meisha's Hope. All that helped to turn the inedible grief into happiness to have had this wonderful dog for even the short time of 3 1/2 years. But believe me, even after a year I still have my moments. It will take time to heal your heart. When you are ready, go to the Meisha's Hope page, there is a link to Loss & Grief. It might help a little bit. Also when you are ready, you will open your house and your heart to an other lucky pup. Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC

Amy, I am so very sorry for your loss. I think all of us who have faced this disease will always question things we did or did not do whether your dog survives or not. Like it was said you did the best for your boy with the knowledge you had at the time. Losing a dog to this awful disease seems to have its own special kind of pain. I hope the good memories of Hopper will help you through these awful times. He will always be with you in your heart. Take care penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Amy: Please know that you did nothing wrong. It is very unfortunate but this happens more frequently than the successful stories. This can be a complex and rapid disease. I know you feel robbed of so many things. I still feel the same as when Crosby passed. I miss him everyday, and I feel robbed of the time that we should have had together and for not being able to prepare for and say a better goodbye. Our family made a scrapbook in memory of him. This was a very healing process. Now when we feel ourselves missing him we have this fantastic scrapbook of his playing ball and doing the little quirky things that amused us. I will be getting another dog which will be born in early June. I agree that you should likely change your veterinarian as it sounds as though they didn't educate you or give you direction. I would also question the immunization schedule that your dog was receiving and ensure that any new pet in your household follows Dr Dodds new protocols. Pets are being subjected unnecessary toxins and many vets put the cha-chinge ahead or what is the best thing for the animal. Find a vet that cares about the animal first and the money is the afterthought.

Elaine Ottawa

(((AMY))) My heartfelt condolences and sympathies for your loss. It was one of the most difficult things i've ever had to deal with but in time it did get better. Run Free, Hopper. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Amy~ Please send me an email to FreeinChrist1@aol.com and I will gladly tell you the vet we use. Continued prayers.... Blessings, Cindi & Tori

Cindi PCB

Hi, Thanks to all of you so much for your kind words of support. It was very uplifting and kind of unexpected relief to receive such kind words. Reading through all of these posts on this forum I am amazed at the passion and determination to fight for our babies lives and finding a cure for this awful illness that has taken so many beloved dogs from our lives. It has touched my heart and I join this fight for a cure. It was one month ago today that I lost my little buddy Hopper. I miss him so much. I talk to his picture every day (I know that doesnt sound crazy). Today I got the call from the vet that Hopper's ashes are ready to be brought home. Also we are bringing home a new baby girl dachshund on Saturday. Its bittersweet. We are ready to spoil her rotten just like we did Hopper. He will never be replaced in our hearts but our hearts are big enough to open up to another furry friend. Thanks again and I pray for strength and good health ((Hugs)) Amy, David, & Hopper

Amy Panama City

Amy~ Blessings to you and your family as you bring your new little girl into your lives and home. Cindi & Tori

Cindi PCB

This thread was discussed between 12/05/2011 and 10/06/2011

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