Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Boy - tumours

I thought I might feel better if I share this, though it's not an IMHA issue really. Boy was diagnosed IMHA and has been on a reducing dosage of Pred since July, and despite awful side effects on the higher dosage, has been doing so well since we started the reductions. He refused breakfast Sunday & Monday despite the Pred appetite, was a bit more tired, but still beautifully pink. Something deep in my gut sensed a tumour - not scientific, I know! However it's always been a worry, and the original diagnosis in July said IMHA or the anaemia could be secondary to a tumour. But the vet thought not. On Tuesday I found 2 new egg-size lumps, one in the groin and one near the armpit (he's always had a few large fatty lumps I was told not to worry about). And he's not himself; the IMHA and Pred issues are almost old friends now, we've both adjusted to that. But now he seems different. I hsve agonised about whether to see the vet now or wait a week or two til the time comes that I know Boy has had enough. The outcome of this agonising is that I have taken the day off tomorrow and we are going to the vet to sedate him, take bloods to check the IMHA position, and let the vet have a good look at the new lumps (Boy won't let him do any of this without sedation). I am terrified that I'll have to decide not to bring him round. I know if the vet says it looks bad, I will do the right thing and euthanise then and there, what's the point of waking him to come home and be in pain? So scared. Hil

Hilary Hampshire

Hilary, my thoughts are with you and Boy. Please let us know how this plays out. A big hug to you both. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

hi hilary,how awful for you,try to think positively,you know you will do the right thing for boy however painful,my thoughts are with you,best wishes,dean.

dean andrew thomas taunton

Hilary wrote: "2 new egg-size lumps, one in the groin and one near the armpit (he's always had a few large fatty lumps I was told not to worry about)" Hilary, Chance has a number of these fatty tumors and, matter of factly, he does have two in the exact same location. They can get to be extraordinary big in some dogs, so big that they can interfer with walking. And that, my vet told me, is usually the only reason they would do surgery to remove them. Please take it easy on yourself today and just assume that they are just two more of these bizarre and BENIGN fatty tumors. If you "must" sedate him, wait for a full pathology report before you make any decisions. These things can usually be checked with a fine needle biopsy and it is so quick and simple. The vet then looks at the cells under a microscope to see if they are just fat cells. Even if these are not good lumps, if they are encapsulated, they may be able to remove enough margin so that they will be negligable in their effect. I know it's easy to expect the worst, but just for day, the day of thanksgiving, try to expect the best. Patrice

Patrice New York State

Hilary, I am hoping Patrice is right and they do turn out to be harmless. I know you will make the right decision for Boy no matter what. I am hoping that means he gets to go home and continue his recovery. My thoughts are with you. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hilary, My brother in law has a dog with many fatty lumps, he too was concerned, but the vet reassured him that they were just fatty lumps. I pray its the case with boy, we are all thinking of you. Jackie and Jasper

Jackie pembrokeshire; west wales; uk

Thank you all for your support and advice - the vet visit was inconclusive, but at least Boy accompanied us home from the vet. Great relief! The vet decided against sedating him in the end, fearing it might have a bad effect on the IMHA. He managed to feel the 2 new lumps, with Boy muzzled and held tight by us (he bites strangers, due to abuse in his past). He could not of course tell whether the lumps are malignant, benign or just fatty cysts, but he does not think they are causing any pain at this stage. He feels that we should just leave them as long as Boy is happy, and eating and exercising normally, given that even if the lumps were to be malignant, we would not consider surgery (because he's about 14 years old, and because he would be too traumatised by being handled by strangers, that's if he'd even let them near). He also advised that I don't reduce the Pred dosage any further (12.5mg every other day), and I'm happy with that, as I've read that Pred is used as a palliative measure for some tumours. My gut feel is these are not fatty lumps, they have appeared very suddenly, unlike his other two fatty cysts, which have been there for years and are slow growing. But I will try and listen to wise Patrice, and expect the best. Wishing all of you across the pond a happy Thanksgiving, Hilary

Hilary Hampshire

Hilary, I think this is good news! And it sounds like you have a very good vet. It takes a very experienced one to weigh all factors with something like this. My very good friend who uses Seeing Eye Dogs was very upset once. She had missed a potentially serious condition in her girl and was beating herself up because of it. I told her first that because she can't see, it would have been impossible to for her to have known. And secondly I told her that dogs experience pain in a very different way than humans do. They do not have emotions so they don't fear future pain. They don't fear death because they can't imagine the future. They don't remember past pain in a specific way and don't carry that baggage with them. The live in the here and now. Your 14 year old is living for each day. And you have given him a *lot* more days! If it is two more years, wouldn't that be wonderful? If it is 6 months, wouldn't that be great too? He might be refusing a few meals because the prednisone dosage is lower and he isn't as hungry as he used to be. I've had to reduce Chance's meal size now that he is on 5mg/2.5mg pred. Also, prednisone is well known for redistributing fat around the body and wasting muscle tissue. I have noticed Chance's fatty tumors change size, new ones appear, old ones disappear, all over the last 7 months. I note where they are and let it go at that. If he survives this we can deal with them in the future. My best to you, Patrice

Patrice New York State

So glad that Boy came home with you. We're hoping and praying that the tumors are fatty lumps, and that Boy gets to stay with the people he trusts for MANY more months and years. Sandy & Shadow

Sandy Utah

This thread was discussed between 22/11/2007 and 23/11/2007

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