Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Another Transfusion

I took Darcy to our regular vet today and her PCV has gone down to 12.6%. It was at 17% last Wednesday when the internal specialist recommended a blood sample be sent off to test the Cyclosporine level. We haven't received that test. I am devastated by this dramatic drop in PCV. This Wednesday, Darcy will have been on the Prednisone for 7 weeks; the Azathioprine for 6 weeks; the Soloxine for 2 weeks; and the Cyclosporine for 3 weeks. I feel that I have to give her one more chance with the transfusion, just to see if the meds will kick in. I take her in for a third transfusion first thing tomorrow morning. I am doing everything that I can to save my sweet little girl. I feed her the very best, nutrious food and I'm also giving her PetTinic. I shower her with love and pray over her several times a day. Her appetite is still good, she's going to the bathroom just fine, but I do notice some weakness. Also, she wants to be close to me and follows me from room to room. Except, that is, at night when she sleeps on the living room floor, moving from one spot to another. She always used to sleep in our bed, snuggled up next to me. Sorry to go on like this, but my heart is breaking over the thoughts of losing her.

Karen NC

Karen...hugs and more hugs to you and Darcy. You are doing the BEST for her and she knows it and feels your love. I think they have a difficult time with soft sleeping surfaces once on all the meds due to the bloated belly and liver.......seems to press on it and the hard surface is preferred. Makes no sense but Brandy did the same. Darcy would love to snuggle in bed if she could. I spent a lot of time on the floor with her as I am sure you do with Darcy. Keep up the good work, loving her as you have and we will pray for courage and strength in this awful fight to win. May God Bless you both and keep you safe in HIS arms. sharon

sharon pa

It did take four weeks for the cyclosporine to kick in for Ginger, so if Darcy is on the correct dosage it may be another week or two before you see some improvement. You are doing everything you possible can for her and Darcy knows how much you love her and that is what is important to Darcy. We continue to keep Darcy in our prayers. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Karen -- I am sorry to hear that the news from the vet wasn't that good. But if your sweet Darcy is still eating and other observables, such as the pottie issues, are still good, she is still fighting. I would have done the same as you with the same information. Sharon and Ginger are right -- you are doing all the right things and giving your girl the chance to fight this. When I wondered, early on, what we should do for our sweet beagle Wiley, our vet told us to fight for her, because she was worth it. She gave it a good fight for several more days, but after a stroke that left her paralyzed and a steep decline in her vitals, we decided to let her go. It seems like, right now, Darcy is still telling you that she's in the fight. That's a good sign to go along with the appetite etc. Have you checked with Dr. Dodds on this latest information? Please take care and know everyone here is praying for Darcy and you.

Brenda VA

Karen, I remember my research saying that the Cyclosporine could take 6 weeks to become effective...the longest six weeks of my life...and my vet telling me that the PCV was only part of the picture as long as their behavior was still reflecting life (eating, pottying, etc.). And Dr. Dodds should be back or at least available by email soon. She's still yours. Hug her, kiss her, cherish her every moment. And out here we'll hold you both in our hearts and collective arms. Cheryl (and always Barkley)

Cheryl Medford

Thinking of you and Darcy, hoping for the best, and sending out lots of positive thoughts for your dear girl. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Karen, Darn this disease! I'll be praying for your sweet girl and will send positive thoughts your way. Remember to take good care of yourself too......Jane

Jane MN

Hugs and prayers your way......hoping for the best.

Courtney SLO

Darcy is finally home after her transfusion. When they carried her out to me, she cried so pitifully as if to say "Mommy, why did you let them do this to me? Why did you leave me here?" It just broke my heart. Her leg was still bandaged and she was holding the other one up like it hurt. She laid there beside me in the car and seemed so uncomfortable. I couldn't wait to get her home -- it's a 30 minute drive and the traffic is horrible. I drove with one hand and kept the other on her. She was so weak that when I took her out of the car I had to hold her while she tried to squat and pee. Darcy's PCV is 38%, just like it was after the second transfusion. I had prayed for a higher reading, but I'm thankful that it wasn't any lower. I take her back next week for another recheck and also for a test of her thyroid level. Right now, she is lying on the living room floor. She drank lots of water, but doesn't want to eat. That's the way she was the other times, so I'm not forcing anything on her but will have to give her the meds. Hopefully, she will be feeling much better tomorrow but I know we'll have another rough night. It usually takes two days before she starts feeling better after a transfusion. Thanks so much to all of you for your kind words of encouragement and for your thoughts and prayers. It means so much to me to know that others who are in the same situation or who have been there and suffered a horrible loss would have so much compassion for me and Darcy. I was feeling today like I was in this alone, but you lifted me up and I can't thank you enough. Karen

Karen NC

Karen, That is the wonderful thing about this board. You are never alone in this fight. It is always comforting to know that people understand exactly what you are going through and sometimes can reassure you through comparing things that they saw with their dogs. I will keep both you and Darcy in my thoughts and prayers. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Karen -- you are never alone here. Boy, if kind hearts and constant compassion could cure IMHA, we'd have licked it a long time ago! I am glad that Darcy's PCV got such a lift from the transfusion -- my Wiley's only ever went up about 10-12 pts. I am sure that Darcy felt much better once she got home with her Mama. Both of you take care and know that all of us will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Brenda VA

Hi Karen Please let us know how Darcy is doing today. We are all praying for her and I hope today is a better day for her. Tell Darcy we are all pulling for her. You are such a great Mom to her and she could not have picked a better one. Ginger's PCV has not gone above 38 in the last 5 months and it may never get any higer, so I think 38 is a good number for Darcy and pray she continues to hold steady there. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

We had a rough night after Darcy's third transfusion. I was able to get her meds in her and she drank water. Later, she ate a little plain oatmeal. Then, she threw up all the water and oatmeal and probably the meds. I had to carry her out to potty and she strained, but couldn't do anything. At 5 o'clock this morning, she threw up again. I carried her outside a little after six and she passed urine. It was dark outside and hard to see very well, but her urine looked dark. She walked back inside on her on and laid down. I offered water and she drank some. An hour later she threw up again. I've put a call in to the internal specialist and left a message about all these things and am waiting to hear from her when she gets in at eight o'clock this morning. I'm very worried. Please pray for Darcy

Karen NC

Karen, I'm sorry to hear Darcy isn't feeling well. I know that after Tiggs' transfusion, he was very nauseous. He couldn't keep a thing down. The vet gave him a shot of Cerenia, and that allowed him to settle a little bit so he could hold some nutrients down, then later he got the Cerenia in pill form for the following five days. We will be thinking of you, please keep us updated and know that you are in everyone's thoughts. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Karen, I are praying for yoou as I read this. My heart hurts for you. Having gone through this 2 months ago, I can completely feel how you are feeling right now as you are walking through the storm. My Murf could not walk or get up after day 3, and the ICU staff wasn't compassionate or cared and we didn't find this forum nor know enough of what to expect. We too felt like we were all alone, fighting this unknown battle. So I really would like you to know you are NOT ALONE. Everyone here on this forum and God is with you. Take a deep breath and stay by Darcy's side. Be strong for her. We're all here closely by yourside as you keep posting. Chrissie

Chrissie Washington D.C.

Just keep on fighting as long as she is hanging in there. She will let you know when it is time to let go. Drago did. It sounds strange but you have a bond with your animal and are in tune you will know when she has had enough.

Sue K PA

Thanks so much to all of you. I just dropped Darcy off with the specialist. I was able to get her early morning meds in her and they stayed down, but she threw up two hours later. Before leaving for the vet, she drank more water. She did her potty before we got in the car to go and her urine was very dark yellow, almost orange. She hasn't been able to have a bm since early yesterday evening, but has tried very hard to do so. Just before we got to the vet's office, she threw up all of the water she'd drank. The specialist said that Darcy could be having a delayed reaction to the transfusion, but, at any rate, she needed to be checked out and probably put on fluids and maybe another med. I hated taking her back to that place, but hopefully they can get her stablized and feeling better so that she can come home. I'm praying that the transfusion will hold and that her PCV level of 38% hasn't dropped, also that there's no damage to her internal organs. I'll post later, when I have more news.

Karen NC

This thread was discussed between 06/10/2008 and 08/10/2008

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