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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Billy update
| Hi Haven't posted since 15 Jan - thought it was about time. When I last posted, Billy was doing really well - his wound on his bottom was healing and his PCV was 41. He's been holding steady until this week when we have had a set back. I had to take him to the vets on Monday as he had gone lame on his front left leg. Vet diagnosed a torn ligament, possibly hair line fracture in his elbow as he had had a tumble down the front step due to snow/ice and his legs not being that strong yet. Also had his bloods done. The vet was unable to prescribed anything for the pain due to his current meds - he's still on 5mg pred every day and 25mg azi eod. Anyway, on Friday morning, his elbow swelling burst - gunk everywhere, so I rang our vet to ask what to do as I couldn't get to the surgery because of the snow and he couldn't get to Billy either. I cleaned it with salt water and clipped his fur off around the wound. He laid awake staring into space and shaking until lunchtime, when he started biting his back feet, which I thought was a sign that he was hurting. Looked at his feet and his pads and toes were swollen. He came to find me later and was leaving wet splodges on the floor which I thought were drips from his elbow, but that was nearly dry so I checked his feet again and one of his pads had burst. I got him down to the vets as soon as the roads were clear enough and saw a different vet (mines off for the weekend) who said it looked like SLE and asked if I wanted to cease treatment. I have to confess that this thought had been on my mind all day. I asked for enough AB's to get over the weekend and I will take him back on Monday. I need to give him the chance to fight again if he wants to. I think that he's too tired to fight anymore, he is "away with the fairies" most of the time at the moment and for the first time in his battle he really does seem to be in pain - but then he'll wag his tail for a few seconds and you think he's ok!! His PCV has dropped but only to 39, but today he's been very pale all day. Speak soon - healing thoughts to all Steph |
| Steph Gloucestershire |
| Steph, I was wondering what led your Vet to SLE? I thought that was mainly in the joints? I wonder if Billy has some sort of bacterial infection going on due to the suppresion from the drugs? Have they done any cultures on the oozy stuff? I do like your description of "away with the fairies" It doesn't make it sound as terrible as the things a lot of us have faced when fighting this awaful disease. I know how painful it is to try to decide what to do next. I am hoping that Billy will get past whatever this is and I will be thinking about and praying for you both. Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Hi Penny I don't know why he came out with SLE, he wasn't our usual vet and more or less his first comment was to put him to sleep. I thought it could just be bacterial - that's why I asked for AB's till Monday so I can get back to my regular vet. The gunk was exactly the same as we had with his bottom, like an abcess had burst. He has been a bit more mobile today, but he hasn't slept yet, he just lays and stares into space. We'll just wait and see. Thanks Steph P.S All the best to Sway and Josh, thinking of you. |
| Steph Gloucestershire |
| Oh Steph, how awful of him! I met a little 4 year old today whilst out walking with my dogs who said to me "dogs can't talk" and I said no, but if they could I wonder what they would say" to which he replied "but dogs can't talk" so I tried again but was met with the same response and at this point I gave up as he was just so right! I think you will know what to do and I think it's true to say everyone here is right behind you whatever your decision. Be thinking of you and hoping for good news! xx |
| Keri Lynn wales |
| Oh Steph! I read your first email and cried. It sounded very similar to our experience. Keri is right you will know what to do. Thinking of you. Steph |
| Steph Wales |
This thread was discussed between 07/02/2009 and 08/02/2009
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