Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - cochise needs help

hello, my dog cochise has recently been diagnosed with AIHA. it has been 5 days since he has been at the vets. We came from westchester county NY to Provence France in May. My contract at the Chateau i am working at expires at the end of Oct. unfortunatly like lightning this happened. The Vets are doing all they can and they seem well supported. I am feeling some what helpless over here though. Cochise's condition is worsining and the dr says to brace for the worst. His platlelets are very low and his Red blood count seems to be holding at around 14-15%. they call it hcl's. He appears to have some internal bleeding but i am not sure where. I want to know more so i dont seem so helpless. if anyone can give me advise what else i should do i would apppreciate it. I had never heard of AIHA befor monday and i am very scared.

daniel provence france

did an ultra sound confirm the internal bleeding? that could be the reason for his low red blood cell count right there, or are they sure its AIHA?

josh cali

yes the ultra sound confirmed a small amount of blood, but was not present at the first ultrasound. The vets are sure that it cochise's body is killing is own red blood cells.

daniel p

Daniel, What a terrible situation to be in a foreign country while dealing with this awful disease. Pretty much everyone on this board had never heard of it until diagnosis. If you haven't checked out Joanne's site now would be a good time. It can help you make decisions on what needs to be done. http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ Hang in there and know that everyone on this board has walked in your shoes and we are all here to offer any support that we can. Good luck to you and Cochise. What kind of dog is Cochise and what drugs do they have him on. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hang in there, check out Joanne's site as mentioned before, it was a great help to me. We have all been there, wishing you and Cochise the best.

Wendy Tampa FL

thanks for your quick response it means alot. Cochise is a 10 year old sheltie border collie. we have lived on all over the Country and now the world. it is a little confusing for me, one of my vet speaks perfect english the other so so. they tell me he is on cortizon, but they have not really told me excatlly what he is on. I have been on joanne's site many times. it has been a great help.

daniel provence france

Daniel, It sounds like this may be Evans Syndrome. (the body attacking both the red blood cells and the platelets) Hang in there, this is a roller coaster but there is HOPE. My baby was diagnosed with this in Dec. 2004 and she is better than ever now. Prednisone is the most common treatment as well as other immunosuppresive drugs. Putting Cochise in our prayers, Claudine

Claudine Milton

Daniel, Do you know if the vet you are working with did any kind of tick borne disease test? I don't know if they use the same kind of in-house automatic blood machines as in the US, but the most accurate test in the US is called a Snap4dx and tests for heartworm and 3 other tick diseases. I have no idea what tbd are prevalent in France but this sure sounds like the more virulent of them especially with the platelet losses. Browse around some of the web sites listed on this page: http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ticklinks.htm The best in my opinion is Gil's page: http://blackgsd.googlepages.com/home Her dog Thunder died from a virulent tick disease and it is truly a heartbreaking story. There is a lab in the US that can do some very specific tbd testing. But find out what is available where you are and ask the vet you are working with what they know about them. *Most* tick diseases can be successfully treated with high and lengthy doses of doxycycline. Good luck, Patrice

Patrice New York State

Daniel, After tooling around the net for a little bit, I find that indeed, babesiosis is a very serious tick borne disease in France, of almost epidemic proportions. You should have him tested asap for this to rule it out. I hope you are able to get this done over the weekend. Patrice I am sending you a link to an article: Canine and Feline Babesiosis from the 29th World Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2004&PID=8688&O=Generic snip>Babesiosis is an important tick-borne disease that occurs worldwide. It ranges from a relatively mild to a fatal disease. Although haemolytic anaemia is the hallmark of the disease, a number of variations and complications can occur. Also: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TD7-4JCCG77-1&_user=10&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F2006&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=acb6fec03851b79056dd3f4a29428361 snip>Canine babesiosis has a high prevalence in France and continues to constitute a diagnostic challenge. This paper presents essential data derived from epidemiological surveys in order to define the main features of this disease. Atypical forms are frequent, the diagnosis must be confirmed by blood smears and treatment is based on the use of imidocarb. Prophylaxis currently remains insufficient.

Patrice New York State

Sorry everyone for the lousy wrap around with the long url. I am doing this in a hurry and didn't think about the mess I would make. Daniel, Here is an excellent veterinary guide for babesiosis. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_babesia_infection_in_dogs.html

Patrice New York State

thanks guys, the information is very useful. i will be back to the vet in a few minutes now armed with some more knowledge. oh they are running a test for babeiosis, should hear something today.

daniel provence france

Thinking of you both. Fingers crossed for Cochise.

jackie pembrokeshire; west wales; uk

thank you all for your help, cochise passed on last night from excessive bleeding in the abdomine. he was loved and will be missed.

daniel provence france

Daniel, I am so grieved to hear this. My deepest sympathies to you and your family for the great loss of a beloved family member. Patrice

Patrice New York State

Daniel Please accept my deepest condolences in the loss of your beloved Cochise. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief. Don’t consume yourself with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me. God wanted me now; He set me free.

Cheryl Pineville PA

Daniel. I am so terribly sorry for your loss of Cochise. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Daniel, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time in the loss of Cochise. His love you will never forget, your love he will never forget. Take care, Linda

Linda Sapphire

Danielle, We are really sorry for your loss, God Bless,

jackie pembrokeshire; west wales; uk

Daniel, I'm so sorry to hear your news about Cochise. deb

Daniel Nelson BC

Daniel, I am so very sorry to hear of the death of your most beloved Cochise. Please accept my deepest sympathies on your loss. When you feel up to it, I hope you will visit the Loss & Grief page at the Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Web site http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/loss.htm This page was written with input from those who have lost their dogs to AIHA/IMHA and contains many resources that will be very helpful to you as you naviage through the loss & grief process. Once again, my deepest sympathies to you on your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during these most difficult days.

Joanne MN

I am so very sorry for your loss.. Jess

Jess BC

I am so sorry to hear you lost your Cochise. I lost my 4 year old golden retriever 4 years ago tomorrow to this diseae i had never heard of til he was diagnosed. I am also so happy to read of one's improvment here, and so sad to read of anothr loss.

Sandra Texas

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Layla Raleigh

My condolences on your loss, dog's are so special, cherish the memories.

Wendy Tampa FL

This thread was discussed between 12/10/2007 and 15/10/2007

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