Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Eddie left us tonight

Hi all, I posted a thread yesterday about our dear Eddie, a Cairn terrier diagnosed with AIHA. Yesterday, Eddie was showing all signs of wanting to live, and wanting to be with us. However, during the night and this morning, he made it clear that he did not want to go on - severe diarrhea, faint, shallow breathing, and the white eyelids and gums that told us that the cortisone wasn't working. Every breath during the night sounded like his last. By afternoon he had stopped eating and couldn't walk, and was wheezing. He no longer wanted to be close to us (like yesterday), and couldn't look at us anymore. We could not stand the pain and suffering he was enduring, so we made an appointment with the vet hospital in Lund. Together we gathered his blanket and some treats (in case he should show some interest), and I sat outside in the fine weather with Eddie in the grass for a while. He calmed and then we went inside the flat and reviewed all of our pictures and funny memories of Eddie, looking at a picture gallery on our Playstation. We spoke quietly and kindly of his exploits and sweet nature, and he came and lay down at our feet, on his back, his classic posture of total relaxation. Nevertheless, his eyes were open and his breathing labored. When it was time, we down the street to the car, Eddie walking slowly with us. People were waiting to say goodbye to him. It felt awful and good at the same time. We drove to Lund, Eddie sitting in my lap and looking out the window, sometimes resting his head weakly against my shoulder. The vet had arranged a quiet room for us, with dim lighting and blankets on the floor. We sat beside him as the drugs took effect. He relaxed and looked at us, and we thanked him for the time and joy he gave us; then he was gone. This was a tough decision - as late as yesterday I thought Eddie had a fighting chance. However, we just felt we couldn't let him suffer more, and continue to plague his little body with drugs and transfusions in the slim hope that he would recover. I speak only for our own decision. Good luck to all AIHA dogs and their loving owners. Peace to all dog souls. Peggy O

Peggy Sweden

I am so very sorry

Rottlady NH USA

Dear Peggy, What a sad day for you. I am so sorry you had to say good bye to your sweet Eddy. There comes a point when all we can do is make the hard decision to let them go. Eddy clearly had enough and told you in his own way. How wonderful that you could be with him to his last breath. I am sure you have lots of great memories of Eddie's short and happy life. I wish that these memories will help lift your spirits in the coming days. Wit deepest sympathy and best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Dear Peggy, I am so very sorry that Eddie did not make it. What a kind and brave decision you made for him. He sounds like he was such a sweet little boy, and he let you know that it was time to let him go. Please accept our deepest condolences on your loss of Eddie. Our thoughts are with you and your family, Sam & Millie.

Samantha Geelong

Hi, I am so sorry to read of Eddies passing. Please keep popping into this site for support as there are so many that have been where you are and those of us who have been luckier know only too well that it was very close. Take care and hope you can hang onto the happy memories. Sue and Archie

Sue Cambs UK

Dear Peggy, Sometimes all the sadness on this site can be sooo overwhelming. I am very sorry for your loss, however, it sounds like you made the right decision for Eddie----always so very hard to do, and very brave on your part. My deepest condolensces. Maureen and Mercedes

Maureen BC Canada

Peggy, What a sweet goodbye for your boy. I know how difficult it was for you to do. I hope you can continue to look at all your memories of Eddie and remember all the joy he brought into your life. He will always remain in your heart. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

So sorry about your Eddie. You and your family are in our prayers. If we need to say good bye to ours, we would chose the loving way you spent your time with him, remembering the good times and loving on her. Blessings, Cindi

Cindi & Tori PCB

Dear Peggy, I am so sorry for your loss. My pup Toby and I are new to this illness and forum, but have already been so touched by all the outpouring of love and support. Please accept our heartfelt prayers. I can't imagine knowing what you're going through, but I'm sure your precious Eddie is running through the fields of puppy heaven!

Donna B Spring Branch

Dear Peggy, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Eddie.I just lost my beautiful Bebe on Thursday to IMHA and my heart breaks for anyone having to go through this ordeal. I've found a lot of comfort in the posts and and kindness of those on this forum. Take care of yourself, Michelle

MIchelle Midwest

Dear Peggy & Family Please accept my heartfelt condolences in the loss of your Eddy. I hope this poem will bring you some comfort. PUT ME TO REST Put Me To Rest Time to let me go my friend, Because my life no-one can mend, It's better to let me go this way, Than watch me suffer night and day. I'm happy to go, my time has come, My quality of life is no longer fun, I've been so ill, so it's not a bad thing, To let me go forever resting. Stay with me till I drift away, Fast asleep forever I pray, To relieve me from suffering and pain, What more can I ask from my best friend. Don't be sad, I'll be free from pain, Never to be ill ever again, I know you'll miss me being there, But all the memories you have to share. Thank you for being my best friend, And all my needs that you did tend, Try not to be sad, try not to cry, Now is the time to say goodbye Put me to rest.

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile Pa

Peggy and family, What a sweet way to honor the life of your friend, Eddy. May you all be blessed by the happy memories his wonderful presence in your lives brought you.

Lisa Texas

Peggy, reading this brought tears to my eyes. I'm so sorry to hear you lost Eddie. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and sympathies. Run Free Eddie...say hi to Sadie for me. (((PEGGY))) Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

I am so very sorry for your loss. I know how you feel. You will never forget Eddy and he will be with your forever. I am thinking of you.

Mardi Northern Calif

Hi everyone, Thanks you all so much for the lovely words, this is helping us so much with our loss of Eddie. I so hope Toby and the other dogs fighting AIHA win the battle. Eddie's illness brought on a rush of "what ifs" - what if he hadn't eaten that meatball that fell on the floor, what if we hadn't vaccinated him for rabies (not required in Sweden), what if we'd just kept going with the treatments. I also have suffered from a lot of "why Eddie" feelings. The two are related. There's just no way for us to isolate the cause of Eddie's AIHA. It was just very, very bad luck. I have dogs all around me who are regularly vaccinated, who get table scraps (I do not condone for my own dog but am not going to pick on others about that), and who get all sorts of flea and tick medicines etc. I know Cairns who regularly receive cheese and sausage as treats, and who are fit as fiddles, some 14 or 15 years old. I just want to say that if you are kicking yourself for doing something or not doing something for your dog, try to remember that you love your dog very much - or you wouldn't be reading on this site. You make the best decisions you can for your dog's health at the time, based on the information you have. I believe the most important thing right now is to get as much dialog with the vet as you can, support your pet as best you can - and to stay healthy and rested yourself, so you can give this support. I'm so sorry Eddie got sick. I'm so sorry it had to be him, and that it has to be your dog. But I'm also so glad for the time we had with Eddie, and I am trying to remember what he taught us - unconditional love, and above all, an unsinkable optimism, even to the last. If you haven't already done so, please consider giving to the Meisha's Hope Challenge. We are so close to winning... Kind regards and peace to all dog souls, Peggy O

Peggy Sweden

Peggy, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss of Sweet Eddie please know that we all have been here and it's never easy... I wrote this the night my precious babygirl Katie JoJo made her journey and I know in my heart she would want me to share it with our new family..It's a letter from her to me....God Bless Dear Mommie, I know how much you love & miss me. I love & miss you too, but God said it was time for me to be with my big sister Sassy, Uncle Cesear and him. He also said that you have a lot of love to give and I’m so happy Unkie Roy & Auntie Debbie brought my baby brother into your life. He’s a handsome little guy and I know he’s helping you heal from my sudden departure. Don’t worry Mommie I’m doing great, running and playing with everyone here at the bridge and I’m no longer in pain. Uncle Cesear & Sassy told me something and I believe them. They said that you will never stop loving and missing me and that you will tell and show Harley about his big sister Katie JoJo. Mommie I will always be with you and will always love & miss you, I’ll be here watching over you & Harley. Well mommie I have to go it’s snack time and we are having one of my favorite snacks FROSTY PAWS.. Oh and mommie please stop blaming yourself for letting me eat all the onions I wanted. It’s not your fault…God wanted me home with him. I love & miss you and Harley. Tell my baby brother that he looks great in my red harness… Love Always Your Precious Baby Girl Katie JoJo

Maria & Harley Mt View Missouri

My condolences on your loss Peggy. I'm sure Eddie was a special boy. We all know what you're going through.

Helen m

Dear Peggy, I am so sorry to read about the loss of your beloved Eddie. My heart goes out to you. Rest easy now Eddie. Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

This thread was discussed between 12/09/2010 and 10/10/2010

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