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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Billy Bob
| Hi I've been plucking up courage to enter your forum, so here goes. Billy Bob is a 27 month old American Cocker Spaniel and he was diagnosed AIHA on 27 May. He had not shown any outward symptoms until 2 days earlier when his wee went a rusty colour. I took him to the vets with a sample, they took blood and started him on Pred and antibiotics. When his count came back it was 20 so the vet upped his dosage of pred to 40mg a day and also gave him Azathioprine once a day. Over the weeks his level has risen to 29 but stayed there. He is still eating and drinking normally (perhaps a little more than usual) but is losing weight, he has lost the muscle in his back legs and is very lethargic, occasionally having a quick scamper about. He's going for a full blood test next Monday for liver function etc. We are giving him all the help we can and look at each day we have together as a blessing - we lost Lily to the disease two years ago at the age of 22 months, she died within 3 days of diagnosis, so we know the possible outcome and when the vet gave us the diagnosis for BillyBob my heart sank. Since we lost Lily,I have been so watchful of any changes in my dogs and careful with their diet, but I have realised that this cannot be avoided no matter how careful you are. I know there is nothing really that we can do but wait, but it is good to know that there are others out there who are in the same situation for support. Thanks for listening to my ramblings. |
| Steph Gloucs |
| Steph, No need to have fear to enter this forum, we are all friends and family here since we are all have AIHA/IMHA in common. I am sorry to hear of Billy Bob's AIHA diagnosis on May 27. Also sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Lily to AIHA two years ago. It is rare to have two dogs in one household diganosed with AIHA but it does happen sometimes. If you have not read my Web site on AIHA/IMHA as yet; http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ you might want to do so when you can. Be sure to follow the links on the first page to many other sites on AIHA/IMHA that will be very helpful to you and do read the SUCCESS STORIES pages. They will show you what has worked for other dogs in terms of treatment options as well as give you a lot of HOPE. It is so important to remember that dogs CAN and DO sruvive AIHA/IMHA and go on to live happy healthy lives. This is indeed my hope and prayer for your dear Billy Bob. Please do keep us posted on your dear Billy Bob's progress. |
| Joanne MN |
| Steph, I am so sorry to hear of Billy Bob's diagnosis. I just cannot imagine having to deal with this awful disease with two different pets. Once is heartbreaking enough. You and Billy Bob will be in our thoughts and prayers. Jeanne & Matilda |
| Jeanne Texas |
| Hi Thanks for your comments - I have already saved your website to my favourites. I will keep you in the loop as to Billy's progress. Thanks again Steph |
| Steph Gloucs |
| Dear Steph -- Joanne, who created this forum, said it best. This is a place for you to speak frankly about your dear Billy Bob's fight against IMHA and to receive comfort from those of us who, like you, know this disease too well. I, too, cannot imagine having had to face this disease twice, because once is enough. We lost our dear beagle Wiley to IMHA three years ago. It sounds like your boy is fighting, so hang in there. It's good to see his PCV is holding at 29, so maybe, like some of the other dogs on this forum, his system just needs more time. Joanne has made this such a wonderful resource, and so many people here are really knowledgeable, so they can help you better than I. But I'll keep you and your dear Billy Bob in my prayers. Please take care and please keep us posted. |
| Brenda VA |
| Hi all It's good to know we are all in the same boat. I have always found that either people have never heard of it or they don't want to discuss it. I was very lucky when I was losing Lily that I was put in contact with a lovely lady through my breed club and she too had lost two of her dogs very rapidly to AIHA. She didn't beat around the bush and prepared me for what might happen, even though it was still devastating. I found that, after Lily died, I was questioning what I had done and what I should have done and all the "what if's". This time with Billybob, he showed signs earlier and we will be able to give it our best shot. In my eyes, as long as he is still eating and drinking and wants to play now and again, I'm satisfied he still has quality of life. Steph |
| Steph Gloucs |
This thread was discussed between 26/06/2008 and 27/06/2008
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