Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Crosby

My 3 year old American Cocker became ill on Sunday. His symptoms were runny stool and seeming lethargic ... although he was still following me around. His initial symptoms started Saturday which I had thought that e had just slowed down because I recently injured my ankle and am in a cast and I am being mopy. I thought he just slowed down to my speed. ON Sunday morning his nose was wet and cold (I guess that is just an old wives tale. He ate his meal although was being picky until I put a scrambled egg in with it for him. Because he was being picky about the food something in me made e look at his gums and they were a white color. I immediately called emergency and they told me to bring hi in right away. They priortized him and there was no waiting period at emergency ... they immdiately bright hi back for blood work. His PCV levels Sunday evening were 10 and he had no platlets. They immediately arranged for a blood transfusion. After the trasnfusion they started him on a steroid, another medication and gave him Vincristin. Afetr transfusion his PCV level went up to 16. BY this morning his PCV level is down to 13 and he has some bleeding in his lungs, laboured breathing. His bowel movement this morning was balck and tarry which also indicate soe blood loss. He is having a whole blood transfusion this morning to give him some platlets whcih will hopefully stop the bleeding and buy some time for the treatments to start to be effective. His deterioration has been so rapid ...what could have caused this. His last vaccinations were abot 5 months ago. We are presently in winter months thus he has not needed any heartworm treatment also for the past 4 months. All the insects are hibernating here thus he couldn't have had a bee sting. I have not seen any spider or any indication of flea. My mother had shingles in December which is related to the chicken pox virus ... but the dog did not have contact with her ... only me??? I asked the breeder and she had not even heard of this disease. The breeder keeps in good contact with all of the adoptive families and the youngest death of a cocker from her bredding program was 11 years old and due to cancer. None of the other dogs from her breeding program have had any problems.

Elaine Canada

Elaine: I'm sorry to hear about your beloved dog. This is a terrible disease and can strike suddenly and without warning. Most of us whose dogs have IMHA had never heard of it before either. My first recommendation is to check out the following website: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/index.html. It's a great place to find information about this disease. Be sure to also check out the success stories - they gave me hope during some very dark times. There are many, many dogs with PCV levels as low as 10 (even lower) that survive and go on to live happy, full lives. Feel free to ask questions here, vent, whatever you need to do. This is a great group of people who understand your fear and anger and who can provide valuable experience and help. Hang in there - we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Rita, Mike and Sheba (3 year survivor)

Rita IA

Elaine, so sorry you are having to deal with not only AIHA/IMHA but ITP (low platelets). When these two happen together they call it Evans Syndrome.....when the body attacks both the red blood cells and the platelets. Where abouts in Canada are you located? Anywhere near a Veterinary hospital? Is Crosby still hospitalized? Is he on a atomach protectant? You should be using sucralfate/carafate to help coat the stomach especially when the platelets are so low and blood noticable in the stools. Other options to use with this would be prilocek (omeprazole) or pepcid. I prefer omeprazole over the pepcid. There's just so many things that can trigger this disease. I'm not sure if the shingles virus can affect dogs or not so can't really comment on it but it is possible but not very likely IMO. Onions, household cleaners, certain shampoos, any and all poisons and toxins, etc among some of the more prevalent causes. My Tessy's was considered idiopathic, meaning htere was no known cause BUT I strongly suspected febreeze as a culprit...although I just don't know for certain. I've even heard discussions on salt they put on roads and sidewalks being a trigger but I don't know about that. STRESS....a very well known trigger. Perhaps the injured ankle and change in routine was enough to trigger it??? Hypothyroidism or autoimmune thyroiditis. If I were you I'd have a FULL thyroid panel done as soon as possible!!! I'm surprised the breeder has never heard of this disease. Cockers are over represented with this disease especially if they are buffy coated. It is generic within the breed and likely the littermates are at risk if triggers are present! Nothing at all may happen to littermates but they're just more prone to it. Tessy's sister (Sadie) got the same disease and died from it! Keep Crosby calm and stress free. Make sure there's lots of clean fresh water available at all times and don't be afraid to seek the experience of a specialist if need be. I'll keep Crosby in my thoughts and prayers. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Dear Elaine, I am so sorry to hear about Crosby getting so sick. You got a lot of good advice from Johnny. Believe me, he knows this stuff! Most people never find out the trigger, which makes it very frustrating. My standard poodle Kahlu got ill in January 2009. We suspected a combination of things triggered his IMHA. Over immunization, flea treatment and then eating a piece of household paper with cleaner on it. He had a deadly relapse almost a year to the day. We never found out what caused it. Evans Syndrome is a serious disease, but dogs can recover and lead a happy healthy life! Crosby can too! Please believe in that and go to Joanne's website that Rita recommended. There is a link to success stories, please read as much as you can. These stories will give you hope! Johnny lives on the East Coast of Canada (Nova Scotia), I am on the West Coast (Vancouver Island). Where are you? Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Hi thank you for your information. Crosby is presently in ICU at Alta Vista animal hospital in Ottawa. They are supposed to be the best in the area. Hopefully they can get the blood loss under control from the transfusion today. They told me that plalets don't last long in a system and hopefully he can start producing them soon. Thank goodness that there are donor dogs. I will ask the vet when she contacts me after the transfusion if he is on something to protect his stomach, although I am not sure how relevant that would be as he is presently getting his treatment by IV.

elaine canada

Elaine, I looked up Alta Vista and I am sure Crosby is in good hands there. Maybe you could ask them if it would be possible to get a consultation with Dr. Dodds in California. This would give you all some very cost effective information. I am pretty sure your vet team knows Dr. Dodds. They either like her or they don't. I hope they do and would consider consulting with her. She is THE expert of blood disorders. If you want more info on Dr. Dodds go to "hemopet". Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Please ask your vet about Colby being on aspirin if he is not to help prevent clotting. Sending our prayers Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Crosby passed away during the second blood transfusion. The vets office tried everthing they could but in the end they could not manage to get his internal bleeding under control due to the low platlet count. He passed away within of couple of days of showing any symptoms. I am absolutely in shock at the loss of my very special friend. He was a dog that followed me like a shadow and was my solice. Just one look in his beautiful eyes and his jolly enthusiasm always made a bad day unimportant. He will be greatly missed.

elaine canada

So sudden, Elaine. We are saddened with each dog's passing. So many of us do not know the cause for this vicious disease, but it IS sudden with it's onset. Our prayers are with you and our family. Crosby's loss will be great, but the love of your friends and family and the LORD will help to comfort you during this time. Blessings, Cindi & Tori (IMHA)

Cindi PCB

Elaine: We are so sorry to see that Crosby passed away this evening. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Dear Elaine, I am so sorry to read this awful news. It is such a brutal disease who takes dogs quick and without warning. Crosby will always have a special place in your heart. Hopefully in time the great memories you have will be bigger that the grief today. With sincere condolences, Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

Dear Elaine and family I am so sorry to read of Crosby's passing, please accept my heartfelt condolences. I hope you find comfort in knowing that you did everything possible for him and sometimes they just can't be save no how hard we try. May your memories of Crosby be in your heart forever and his spirit be with you until you meet again. Sending our prayers for you and your family during this difficult time. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile PA

Elaine, I am so very sorry to hear of the death of your most beloved Crosby. When you feel up to it, I urge you to read 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 during these most very difficult days. Once again, my deepest sympathies to you on your loss.

Joanne MN

So sad for you. And thinking how easily this could have been us back in October when my cocker spaniel was first diagnosed, about two weeks after Frontline use. A disease I never heard of coming out of nowhere resulting in me being told what little chances Beau had of recovery. Still trying to get to that place of stability, but my heart truly goes out to you for what you are going through. You have our thoughts and prayers...

Sharon PA

Elaine, I am so sorry you have had to say goodbye to your dear boy. I know that Crosby will be with you everyday in your heart. I hope the memories of happier times will help you through these awful days. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

I am so sorry to read the threads and the tears got heavier as they went on. I realise you will still be in limbo at the speed of recent events and somehow hope you can get through the pain and in time remember the fun times with Crosby. Sue and Archie

Sue Cambs UK

((((ELAINE)))) I'm so sorry you lost Crosby. It's just so sad to read news like this!! Take comfort in knowing Crosby is pain free now and is surrounded by lots of new friends at the bridge where he awaits your arrival. HUGS Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

This thread was discussed between 08/03/2011 and 11/03/2011

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