Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Goodbye, Bronwyn

I'm sitting here writing this on the six week anniversary of Bronwyn's death. The diagnosis of IMHA came about 7.30PM on Thursday December 27th, and she died about 3.30AM on Saturday the 29th. We arrived home about 9.30PM Wednesday after Christmas visiting to find that she was acting rather "off" - not wanting to eat and somewhat lethargic. I had her to the vet at 9 the next morning, and the initial suspicion was pancreatitis. But that evening the vet called to tell us that we were dealing with IMHA, which, like so many others, I'd never heard of before. Her PCV was 27%, and he was concerned that it was still dropping, so we transferred her to the Pet ER for constant monitoring overnight. When I dropped her off, her levels were at 17%; by the next morning they'd dropped to 14% and they'd had to give her a transfusion. The first transfusion didn't take, so they did another that afternoon, and by the time we went to visit her around 5PM, her PCV was up to 25%. We were ecstatic, and we were even talking about taking her home the next night, when the vet came in and said they'd just gotten her liver levels and her bilirubin count was elevated - up to 34. They took her to try and keep flushing out her system, and we headed home. Around 10, I called to check on her, and the vet said things weren't looking good. He said her PCV was holding, but her bilirubin levels were at 8, and he didn't believe that number because she was so yellow. And he said that she was starting to show signs of neurological distress in the form of a head tremor - whether from a clot or the hyperbilirubinemia, he wasn't sure. I went out to visit her, and she perked up when I came in, but she was having trouble and her head kept shaking. The vet said she wasn't in pain, which was a relief, but when I asked him what normal bilirubin levels are in a dog, I was floored to hear him say anything over 1 is considered high. I cuddled with her for about 45 minutes, when they had to take her back and keep trying to flush out her system. THe vet said he'd call with any news, good or bad. When the phone rang at 2.30 in the morning, I knew it wasn't good. The vet said he'd finally gotten an accurate read on her bilirubin levels, and they were at 70! He'd never seen anything like it. The condition is called kernicterus, and it causes massive brain damage. None of the vets we've talked to since have ever seen anything like it, either. He said that even if they were miraculously able to reverse the levels, she'd suffered irreparable brain damage - that basically, her brain had just fried itself. A neighbor came to stay with the kids, and we went out to be with her. I can't even put into words the shock I felt when I saw her. Everything was yellow - even her pupils and irises; her eyes were glassy and almost transparent. It was immediately obvious that she really wasn't in there anymore. She couldn't hold her head up anymore and had a seizure not long after we got there. My husband and I decided that we had to let her go and, held in our arms, the vet put her to sleep. She had just turned 19 months old the day she died. I miss her so much. She was so vivacious, so full of life, and it seems so unfair that this had to happen to her. She'd survived a car accident in March; in fact, came through with flying colors. We called her our miracle dog and, when the diagnosis came down, hoped she had one more left in her. But it was a fight she couldn't win. I wish I'd found this board during the 36 hours we were dealing with this awful disease, but it's been helpful and somewhat comforting to have found it now, after the fact. From everything I've been reading, it sounds like the road ahead would have been long and hard, and I'm not sure she'd have ever really been truly healthy again. Sorry this post is so long. But I'm glad to have found a community of people who are dealing with this disease and understand how I feel. My heart goes out to everyone else who's lost a dog to IMHA, and to all of you who are still fighting.

Elizabeth Baltimore

I am so very sorry! 19 months old...just a baby. There are no words I can say except that you are not alone. I got only 48 hours from diagnosis to losing Stormie. It's a cruel disease and we just couldn't save her...she is my angel girl! Basically she is my little girl in a fur suit! (I speak of her in the present b/c I know she is at the Bridge.) I am sure Stormie has met your baby by now. Again, I am so very sorry for your loss. Take care of yourself and know you did all you could. Mrs. Gates

Mrs. Gates Michigan

Elizabeth, I am so sorry for your loss. What kind of dog was Bronwyn? It is so hard to lose a pet but to lose one to this awful disease seems to make it more traumatic. Hopefully in the days ahead you will be able to remember her as she was when she was healthy. I am able to keep pictures of my Salome on my desk now without tearing up when I look at them. I know she is waiting for me and is healthy and happy playing with her new friends until then. Take care. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Elizabeth, thank you for sharing your story. Even though six weeks has passed since you lost your beautiful doggy Bronwyn, it must so hard to talk about. It sounds like everything that could be done for her was done and I hope you can take comfort in that. One day when your sadness has faded a bit, I hope you will be able to look back and smile when you remember Bronwyn and how she touched your life. Take care of yourself. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

I so so sorry for your tragic loss of Bronwyn. This is such a cruel disease. I took the liberty of lighting a candle for her..... I hope you can find some support and solace in the people here who share your grief. Betty http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=AIHA

Betty Dallas

Elizabeth, I am so sorry to hear about your loss and my heart goes out to you and your family. This disease is so tragic! Tricia

Tricia UK

Elizabeth, Our prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time. We all feel your pain and hurt with you. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Thank you all for your support and understanding. It's always hard to lose your pet; I know - I've been there more times than I really care to count. But I think it's so much harder when it happens so young. I know that generally the grief you feel is for yourself, because you miss them, but I'm grieving for Bronwyn, too, because I feel like she didn't get a chance to live her life. It just seems so unfair. And this isn't the first time we've lost a dog young - our other yellow, Abby, died at 6 from cancer. I hate it. Penny, in answer to your question, Bronwyn was a yellow Lab - my loony, loopy Labrador. Betty, thank you for Bronnie's candle. I've been lighting one for her every other day since I found that site about 10 days ago. It helps. Elizabeth

Ellizabeth Baltimore

So sorry to hear about Bronwyn. It is so sad every time I check the site and find another doggie has lost the battle. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

leslie ca

This thread was discussed between 09/02/2008 and 10/02/2008

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