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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Heart Rate
| Darcy's heart is beating extremely fast. The specialist did tell me that it was working extra hard to pump blood. Now that I've added the thyroid medication back in, I'm wondering if that might make it worse. My poor baby. Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing to her. She's taking the high dose of Neoral, low dose of Prednisone, and now back on the Soloxine. I've emailed Dr. Dodds about the heart rate and am waiting for her reply. My husband just told me that I've got to accept the fact that she's not going to make it. I refuse to give up on her, but, at the same time, I don't want her to suffer. If she could only talk and tell me how she feels and what I should do. Her clinical signs are still good. I did not have her PCV tested this week because I am not going to put her through another transfusion. A holistic vet who makes house calls is coming out to examine Darcy next Tuesday. I pray Darcy can hold strong until then. Please keep us in your prayers. Karen |
| Karen NC |
| Karen, Believe me when I tell you if Darcy is ready to quit she will let you know. A number of us on this board have experienced that. So as long as you haven't received that message from Darcy and her clinical signs are good try to hold on to the hope things will turn around. It is hard but we are all here to help you along. Prayers and hugs Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Karen, please forgive me but I'm not up on where Darcy is at with this illness. In the early stages my dog's heart was beating very quickly as well. I was told that it was due to the high doses of prednisone that he was on and also because his blood oxygen levels were low because of his low PCV. Hope this helps. Please don't give up. deb and Ducky (my dog) |
| Debbie BC Canada |
| All of our thoughts are with you Karen. Darcy has shown amazing tenacity, even when her numbers belied her. I have even thought about having an animal communicator come to our home...I know it's totally out there, but it might provide some comfort...I'm glad you have a holistic vet on board, it's really good to get the bigger picture, and maybe he or she will be able to 'tune it' to some of the other signs besides the physical. We'll be thinking of you, melissa and tiggs |
| melissa slc |
| Karen, When we give prednisone it is exactly like the adrenal glands are sending the body higher levels of cortisol. You know this as the "flight or fight" behavior. It's not good for the body to be constantly on alert. It means that the body is prepared by increasing the heart and breathing rate etc. It's like going into battle all day long. That's why there are so many side effects with prednisone. You know the feeling when you are suddenly startled or you almost have an accident. I know it's hard to watch, but it will go away when the prednisone reaches a sub clinical dose. This is one important reason why decreasing the prednisone is done very carefully. This slow, gradual decrease tells the adrenal glands that they need to start working again and produce their own cortisol. Eventually going to an every other day dosage helps the adrenal glands to jump start. my best, patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Ginger's chest would go up and down at a very rapid rate, I would keep feeling her chest and then go over to my other dogs who were breathing much more slowly and I was also very worried about this. The rapid breathing seemed worse on the days she got her prednisone, even though she was on a very small dosage EOD it did have an effect on her breathing. She just recently was wean off the pred and her breathing is now back to normal. Hang in there as long as Darcy is still eating and acting okay she is defiantly not ready to quit, she will let you know when it is time. Let us know what the holistic vet has to say, maybe she can read over the Bio Prep information and give you her opinion on it. Hugs and prayers to you and your little fighter Darcy. Cheryl & Ginger |
| Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA |
| Do not give up! She will let you know when it is time to stop trying. I know that you say "how will I know" but she will tell you. But until then never give up hope. |
| Sue K PA |
This thread was discussed on 12/12/2008
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