Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Callie and the roller coaster ride

Callie had her check up this Friday and for the first time her blood count stayed the same.(20) It was a joyous day. Her foot infections seemed to be clearing up and she actually had spring in her step. She even went back to her old habit of pooping on top of my begonias! Two great days....and then today. She is listless, barely lifting her head, will not eat, has a bit of water and feels like a rag doll when we lift her up to take her outside. Can anyone tell me, since we are relatively new (just over a month since diagnosis), if this is common? And do they snap back a bit? If they won't eat, how do you get them to take their meds? Thanks so much.

Valerie Texas

Dear Valerie, Be prepared for a rollercoaster ride with IMHA. When my Millie was diagnosed, she was a very sick little girl. We had trouble with food in the first week and we had a lot of trouble with fluid retention. This made Millie listless and she would hardly move. Once we resolved this (following a 5 day stay in ICU) and the PCV stabilised and gradually started to rise, we had an eating machine on our hands! The Prednisone (I assume Callie is on Pred) makes them really hungry and thirsty. Prednisone also causes muscle wasting, so it could be that Callie is starting to feel the effects of that as it has now been a month from diagnosis. I would have thought she'd be eating a lot though, even if she was feeling weak in the legs. Maybe a visit to the vet might put your mind at ease. Good luck, Samantha & Millie.

Samantha Geelong

Valerie Did you get my email all about the biopreparation as if not let me know and I will resend it?Please email me at email address above, as I'm not sure I have the right email address for you. The bioprep is amazing and will stimulate Callie's appetite as well as aid natural healing. Cheers Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

Valerie, sorry to hear about the setback. This is a terrible disease with lots of ups and downs. My advise to you is to get her to the vet ASAP just in case she is slipping. Time is a key player in the fight against this disease and the longer you put something off the more harm can happen. If her numbers are falling then you'll know and if not then at least you just purchased "peace of mind" in knowing. What does Callie eat for food? Have you tried feeding her human food? The important thing is to keep her on the meds and not to miss a single dose. One missed dose could potentially spell disaster. I used to have luck giving Tessy her pills with icecream (low fat yogurt). She also loved to eat chicken and beens and rice...fish, turkey, liver, boiled hamburger etc. Almost anything these days! Remeber to try to keep her calm when in the early stages of this disease even if they want to run about and play. R&R is a powerfull medicine in itself. In the time being maybe you could rack your mind on a possible trigger. Maybe there's something she got into in those two days that's causing this to happen...something in the garden (fertilizers)? etc etc etc Please let us know what you find out. Prayers, positive vibes, and best wishes to you and Callie. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny Nova Scotia

Dear Everyone, We made an immediate appt with the vet today for 1 pm. I had to go out, but when I returned, my husband was outside with her so she could go. He carried her back in, put her on the sofa between us, she looked at me, then looked up at him, put her head on his leg, and died. We are just beside ourselves with sadness. She had two good days Friday and Saturday, then crashed. Although we are devastated, I am so happy she died at home, with us beside her. I HATE THIS DISEASE!

Valerie Texas

I am so very sorry for your loss. I am thinking of you. This has not been a good week for some of our pups.....Take care.

Mardi Northern Claif

I am so sorry!!!

Robin NYS

Just know she is at peace and she made the decision when it was time to go. She waited for you to return so that she could say her final goodbyes. It is hard but I was always told they would let you know when it was time, Drago did. She licked me and lay down on the cushion that the vet put down for her and it was like she said "I am ready". suek

Sue K PA

So sorry to hear of your loss - you did everything you could. Remember all the good happy times together. Thinking of you. Samantha

Samantha Perth

This thread was discussed between 14/09/2009 and 17/09/2009

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