Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Hannah has passed to summerland

Hannah our 7 yr. Airedale passed away on April 29, 2010. This time the disease came on too quickly. I got her to the vet first thing in the morning but she could hardly walk and was breathing heavily. Her gums were pure white. She didn't eat breakfast the day before but I fixed her some turkey, rice and green beans for supper and she ate that so I thought she was doing ok. The vet gave her a huge shot of prednisone and antibiotics and told me to take her home. Two assistants from the vets office carried her out to the car. She should have been put down as she suffered for two hours before she died at home. Her red cell blood count did not even register so I don't know why they did not suggest putting her to sleep. I feel so guilty because I knew deep down she was not going to make it. I will never allow any of my other dogs to ever suffer like she did at the end. She was the most gentle and kind hearted, funny girl. I miss her every day. If your dog is in distress and you have done everything you can, give him or her the last gift and let them go peacefully. I wish I would have.

Theresa Iowa

Dear Theresa, I am so sorry you lost your Hannah. Please do not blame yourself for what happened. I am sure it was good for her to be at home with you for her last moments. You are the one she trusted the most so to be with you was sure a blessing. I am pretty sure to die of this disease is more painful for us then the dog. They are just tired and exhausted. They are not in pain and don't suffer. Please accept my sincere condolences. Run free Hannah! Best wishes, Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

Thank you, Brigitte, for your kind words. My sister spoke to a dog whisperer and she said that when a dog knows he/she is going to die, that their souls leave their bodies a half hour before they stop breathing. I hope this is so. I do know that Hannah will be the first one to run to me on the other side! Theresa

Theresa Iowa

Theresa, I am sorry to hear of your dear Hannah passing away, and the rough last couple hours she had. Please don't be too rough on yourself. In the end, you were with her, and I am sure she was more comfortable at home with you. You did all you could for her until the final hours, and she knows that. The tears will soon be replaced with smiles as you remember your dear friend. You will see her again. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now. Jessi & Toqua

Jessi BC

Dear Theresa I am so sorry to hear about Hannah. Please do not blame yourself for what has happened - please know that as Brigitte said, Hannah was not suffering, and you did the right thing with what you knew at the time. Rest in peace Hannah, running free with the other doggies taken to soon by this disease. Sam & Millie.

Samantha Geelong

Dear Theresa I am so very sorry for your loss. I am quite new to this discussion group so don't know Hannah's IMHA history, however, I am sure you did everything humanly possible for your dog. It is very unfortunate that the vet didn't give you any options and sent Hannah home. I really believe everything happens for a reason though, and I too, am sure that Hannah was sent home with you because that is where she "needed" to be when she finally passed. She was with the person she loved the most, surrounded by the familiar, sounds, and smells of her "home". I'm sure it was a much more peaceful place for her, than the vet clinic----please try to take solice in that!!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Maureen and Mercedes

Maureen BC Canada

Please accept my condolences in the loss of your beloved Hannah. Do not feel guilty as you did the best you could for Hannah and I think that Maureen is right Hannah died surrounded by loved ones and in her own home, I don't believe she was in any pain just very tired and week. Again I am so sorry for your loss. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville pa

So sorry to read of the loss of your lovely Hannah. Please don't get consumed by "what if's and maybe's". She is far better to have been with you than in a cage at the vet. They just get tired and sleep. It is far worse for us. You have done everything reasonable and it is understandable not to question what your vet tells you to do. Please just remember the good times. Julie.

Julie Australia

Theresa, I am so sorry for your loss. I am sure your girl would have wanted to be with you until the end. The disease and the loss is tough enough. Please don't think about the what if's as much as possible. They will eat you up. Believe me, I know from first hand experience. I am sure Hannah had a wonderful life. Try to focus on that if you can. Best wishes and my heartfelt condolenscences. -Darren

Darren Long Beach

I, too, am very sorry for the loss of your pup Hannah. You did nothing wrong. Your pup is at peace. Take care.

Mardi Northern Calif

Dear Theresa I am so sad for your loss - Hannah was only 7, much like my Riley - my heart goes out to you, as its so hard, all those unanswered questions. I agree with what everyone else said, that Hannah was best with you - she is at peace now and lives on in your heart. I hope you will be at peace soon and remember the happy times. Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

Theresa, I am so very sorry to hear of the death of your most beloved Hannah. 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 during these most very difficult days. Please know that your are in my thoughts and prayers as well as the thoughts and prayers of many others from this forum.

Joanne MN

Theresa, It's hard to deal with the loss of a loved one. My heart breaks everytime I hear of a dog that was taken by this terrible disease! Please know that you did all you could for Hannah and now she's running and playing painfree at the bridge with lots of new friends waiting for the day to greet you again. My sympathies and condolences to you and your family. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Theresa, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Hannah was a lucky dog to have had you to take care of her. I'm sure you will see her again someday. Barb and Tootsie

Barb Ohio

I'm glad to hear you mention the gift of letting them go peacefully. I had to put my dachshund, Colonel Mustard, to sleep today. He was only diagnosed with IMHA a week and a half ago, but he declined quickly and hadn't eaten anything for the past 6 days. We tried to force him to take his medicines, but he wanted nothing to do with them and we started to feel cruel. We stopped giving the meds and couple of days ago and he continued to get worse until we took him in today and had him put to sleep. This was one of the hardest things I've ever done; I hope we made the right choice. I am so sorry about your loss. This is such a horrible disease, but I had never even heard of it until Colonel was diagnosed.

Donnetta Colorado

I am so sorry for your loss and that you feel sad about Hannah's final hours. You did what you thought was best and Hannah knows this. I'm sure she is running at the bridge will all the other pups who have passed. My Riley went there on April 13.

Jennifer

Teresa, I am sorry that you have lost your dear girl. Like the others have said do not beat yourself up for not doing things differently. Hannah was with you in a place where she had only known love and caring. I had to let my girl go at the Vets and I would have given everything I own to have had her at home. I hope in time you can look back on better days and enjoy the memories of Hannah healthy and happy. Take care penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Theresa, I too feel very sad for you and your family and wish to send my sincere condolences. But I especially feel your sorrow because I too have a 3 year old airedale that contracted IMHA 14 months ago. He has pulled through thus far and is now drug free. However, as we all know a relapse can happen at any time and take them from us. Rest assured that Hannah knew how much she was loved and cared for and that she is now at peace and free from pain. 7 years is way to short a time to be able to spend with our black & tan furkids. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Ron & Cooper

Ron Florida

Hi Theresa, awe... my heart soooo goes out to you on the loss of your beloved Airedale. Aren't they just a magnificent breed... so gentle, affectionate, stately and goofy all in one dog. I can truly say: "I feel your loss and heartsick pain." I lost my 8 yr old Airedale Daisy, Sept 27, 2009 after a 6 year battle with Addisons disease. You know, I chose to have Daisy put-down at the Vet clinic and (the memory of that) just breaks my heart still. Always remember, you made the best decision you could for that situation, and how lovely that Hannah was in the comfort of her familiar surroundings when she passed.

Maureen W British Columbia

This thread was discussed between 29/04/2010 and 07/05/2010

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