Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Darcy/Hemopet Transfusion

The specialist has ordered the packed red blood cells from Hemopet and they are to be shipped overnight. So, I guess we are set to go in for a transfuson tomorrow. They insist on doing a cross match, even though Dr. Dodds says it isn't necessary. That is an extra expense, but I guess it is an added step to prevent a negative reaction. They also want me to drop Darcy off early so they'll be ready when the package arrives. I hate to leave her there, not knowing if and when the blood will come in. The specialist said it was okay to go ahead and give her meds and feed her. Does anyone know if that could cause problems? Please keep Darcy in your prayers as she goes through this procedure tomorrow. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and I wish the best for you and your dear ones. Karen

Karen NC

Praying for Darcy tomorrow. Please double check with Dr Dodds on not only meds, but I think you are her giving her supplements too that could pose a problem(just my rationale). And I say this in a little different context (surgery) but I was preparing Wylie for her splenectomy, I read up on the supplements I gave and many can cause side effects during surgery, ie internal bleeding, etc., so in my mind can they also cause problems with a transfusion? Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie, Thank you. I just emailed Dr. Dodds about the meds and food before the procedure. I'll feel more comfortable after I hear from her. Karen

Karen NC

Karen -- I am sending best wishes to you and Darcy for a good day tomorrow. Glad to know you've e-mailed Dr. Dodds to be sure on the meds and supplements. You have been such an outstanding beagle mother. I'll be checking the board tomorrow to see how it went. I'll keep you and Darcy in my prayers and I'll light a candle for you tonight.

Brenda VA

Karen, We will be praying hard to all the powers that be for a successful, pain free transfusion for dear Darcy. Please keep us posted as much as you can, we are all pulling for her! melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Karen and Darcy, hoping all went well with the transfusion. Sending good vibes and prayers your way. :) Amy

amy texas

Karen, My best wishes too! I'll be looking for an update. What is Darcy's pcv? Teresa

Teresa OK

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Right now, Darcy is undergoing the Hemopet transfusion. It will take four hours, then they will watch her for two hours. The day started off rough, when the specialist entered the examinging room and started ranting about Dr. Dodds. She is definitely not a fan of hers. Evidently, ordering the transfusion blood from Hemopet set her off and she still can't get over the fact that I sent blood to Dr. Dodds for the thyroid test. So, I'm sitting there with Darcy in my arms and this maniac is saying all sorts of negative things about Dr. Dodds. I was crying uncontrollably. Here I am, all concerned about Darcy's transfusion, and the specialist is telling me that she woke up at 3:00 this morning thinking about Dr. Dodds. She was so angry and I kept telling her that I was aware that she didn't go along with Dr. Dodds' protocol and wouldn't she please stop talking about her, but she wouldn't until she got it all out. At that point, I asked her if she would be able to do the transfusion since she was so emotional. She said she would be able to do the very best she could for Darcy, that she loved her. If the situation had been different, I would have taken Darcy and walked out of the place. But, she had me over a barrel because the blood was on the way from Hemopet. A couple of hours after I got home, the specialist called and said the blood had arrived but it appeared that there was something wrong with it. To make a very long story short, there was nothing wrong with the blood. A simple phone call from Dr. Dodds to the specialist cleared up the matter. The specialist wasn't familiar with the type of packaging. I'm praying that all goes well with Darcy and the transfusion and that she'll be back home with me tonight. I don't want to ever have to take her back to that place again.

Karen NC

OMG! How horrible to have to know you HAD to sit there and listen to that woman rant and rave. How unprofessional! UGH! I'm just speechless! Why can't everyone involved with our baby's care respect one another and understand WE are the ultimate decision maker and whether they agree or not does not matter. I can't imagine how stressed out you are right now. I'm so sorry and am very upset about this. Teresa

Teresa OK

My GOD, when are these people going to realize that THIS ISNT ABOUT THEM!!! the fact that she laid into an already fragile woman over something as trivial as a 1-sided personal grudge is a damned outrage. seriously, where do some of these vets get off??????????????? that 'specialist' should be downright ashamed of herself!!! ...but of course she wont be, because she is a selfish witch who apparently thinks the earth rotates around her skull. poor Darcy, i pray she comes thru this transfusion with an even stronger will to live. sorry you had to experience that Karen. i also hope that horrible woman doctor gets something back in the form of karma that makes her realize how big of a troll she is. its a scary thought that those kind of people have so much power over animals on a day to day basis.

Josh California

Josh, Thank you. You always make me feel better. My holistic vet and Dr. Dodds were quite gracious about the whole thing, telling me that perhaps there was something else going on with her. They both spoke with her on the phone after I left the office. Dr. Dodds commented "she doesn't even know me." I just called and Darcy is still being transfused. Poor baby. They are really going to sock the bill to me. I almost fell out in the floor when I was given the preliminary amount. My husband will kill me if/when he finds out how much this is costing. No doubt they'll charge double for the Hemopet and a series of cross matches, etc., etc. I'm sure there'll be some excuse such as 'we had more to deal with since you insisted on using Hemopet and we had to consult with Dr. Dodds'. It's such a money hungry establishment. I pray Darcy makes it through this strong and we can work only with the holistic vet from now on. Karen

Karen NC

Karen, I am so sorry that you had to be subjected to a very unprofessional rant by a caregiver that should know better. It didn't help Darcy to know that you were in such a state and I hope you are able to discuss this with her at a later date when the emotions have settled a bit. For now try to push the ego crap of this woman to the back of your mind and concentrate on your little girl. We are all praying for Darcy. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

karen, just thinking about you and darcy...we are really hoping things turn around physically and emotionally. you are so strong! and so is Darcy...you two are a formidable pair. hugs, melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

So sorry you have to go through all this stress with a wacked out vet. As if the stress of Darcy's illness isn't enough..(sigh). My prayers are with Darcy for a full recovery and total healing. Also praying for you and your family during this difficult time.

Susie Delaware

Dear Karen -- I was stunned to read the ordeal you went through with that vet. I cannot imagine your state of mind -- worried sick about your beloved girl fighting a life-threatening disease and having to endure a vet who was just unprofessional. The goal here is to help Darcy -- as Josh said, "it's not about her." I appreciate Penny's suggestion that, at a later date, you might discuss this with the vet, but I would not be that kind given this vet's total lack of consideration for you and your dear beagle. I think, instead, I'd be writing to the state veterinary board that allowed her to practice and perhaps check into this vet's professional associations and write them about her complete breakdown. I'd CC the Better Business Bureau also. You are only doing what a responsible pet owner would do in these circumstances -- use all the resources at your disposal to try and save the life of a dog who obviously is fighting this disease. Please take care and know how many of us are sending our warm wishes your way that Darcy will turn the corner with the combination of the steroid shots and this transfusion. You both are so inspirational in your love, devotion to each other, and commitment to fight together against this horrible disease. May the Lord bless you.

Brenda VA

Thanks to all of you for you support and prayers. Darcy did well with the Hemopet transfusion. I didn't pick her up until 9:30 last night. One of the reasons it took so long was that the specialist believed there was something wrong with the blood. She called me around noon to say that it had arrived, but one of the bags seemed to be pierced and there might not be enough blood to do a cross match. It turned out that she just wasn't familiar with the packaging (the two bags were piggy backed together or something) and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the blood. My holistic vet and Dr. Dodds were a calm in the storm. Such a difference in the professionalism of those two and that of the specialist! In the end, everything worked out and Darcy was acting like her old energetic self again. She was thirsty and starving when we got home, but I tried not to feed her too much. She went around licking the carpet and this morning she threw up three hours after eating breakfast. It looked like the carpet fibers caused the problem, as she upchucked a hairball like substance. Right now, she's acting fine, barking, running around, and wanting her lunchtime snack. I am just so thankful that she made it through this and that Dr. Dodds and the holistic vet are working together to pull Darcy through this. I pray that I'll never have to take her back to that specialist again. And, yes, I have thought about taking up the matter with her main office. For now, I'll be concentrating on keeping Darcy healthy so that she won't have to return to that place.

Karen NC

Karen, I am so sorry to hear about your difficulties yesterday. I hope that the transfusion went flawlessly and that Darcy is feeling much better today. Please keep us up to date. Here is a link to the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board complaint process. It does sound to be a lengthy and complicated process. However, it may be something that you may want to pursue in the future. For now, make sure you document as much of what happened on paper, emotionless if possible, and have some disinterested party read it and sign it stating they read it (not that they agreed it happened). http://www.ncvmb.org/assets/Complaint.htm I know that this kind of sentiment exists about Jean Dodds. I am not in the profession so I often view it as a bizarre and unexplainable behavior. I asked her about this at the workshop I attended in August and if it interfered with her ability to get her work done. She responded that she has so much to do that she doesn't let this kind of stuff bother her too much. She seems to have an infinite ability to forgive. For a view of the flip side: When Chance was very ill and I contacted Dr. Dodds she sent me a protocol to follow with him. I brought it to my vet's visit. I was very hesitant (but determined) to offer it to my vet. When I mentioned Dr. Dodds, my vet's eyebrows went up in surprise and she smiled. I wasn't sure what she was thinking, but she told me she was amazed that someone so famous would be willing to help me. From that point on, whenever we did anything she would ask me if I had run it by Dr. Dodds first. The protocol worked, much to everyone's amazement, and he is alive and well today. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Karen, I am so glad Darcy is home with you and running around! I think Dr. Dodds will eventually be recognized as being way ahead of the game on animal treatment. It is just unfortunate that there is such disdain shown for some of her ideas now. Fortunately she shows by her actions that she cares more about the animals than a lot of our Vets. It would be nice if everyone that has contacted her would also make a donation to her Rabies Challenge Fund. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

We are so glad Darcy is home with you and doing well. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, Darcy is your little Christmas miracle. Sending our very best wishes!!! Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Karen -- I am so happy to hear that Darcy came through the transfusion well and that all of her behavioral signs are so good. It is so wonderful that the holistic vet and Dr. Dodds are in your corner to help you and Darcy navigate through the complexities of fighting IMHA. Please take care and have a Merry Christmas with your sweet beagle Darcy and your family. May the Lord continue to bless you with Darcy's improvement and other good things.

Brenda VA

Karen she was probably licking the carpet because she was nauseaous. They do that like they eat grass outside. Willow would like everything, her bed, the carpet, anything.

Lori USA

karen, you both continue to amaze me with determination, compassion, and tenacity. merry christmas, i'm so glad your girl is here. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

This thread was discussed between 22/12/2008 and 25/12/2008

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