Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Heineken

My good buddy of 8 years, Heineken, was diagnosed with AIHA Wednesday. He was not eating the day before and when I came home from work Wednesday he was lethargic and losing balance. We took him to the Emergency vet right then and the Vet diagnosed him w/ AIHA within a few minutes. They gave him a blood transfusion that night, which seemed to make a world of difference. His energy was up and he was walking around and eating. Unfortunately, his PCV count went down but seemed steady around 11-13 and we took him home Friday. Sat morning he was losing energy and was pale again, so back to the Emergency Vet we went where his PCV was around 10. The Vet tried Oxyglobin this time to see if that could buy Heineken some more time for the immun-suppression drugs to kick in. He responded well and we took him home yesterday. He died this morning in my arms as we were on the way to the emergency vet. His breathing got very laboured in the early morning and his heart gave out before we could reach the Vet. I am stunned and devastated that he is gone despite the Vets prognosis of 50%. I still keep looking for him on my bed or the couch, but he's gone. Less that a week ago he was in perfect health and full of energy as a Manchester Terrier should be. MY heart goes out to all who have been affected by AIHA and Thank You to all the survivors who gave me hope when I found this website Thursday.

Steve Dunn Nashville

Steve, I am so very sorry to hear of the death of your most beloved Heineken. Please accept my deepest sympathies on your loss. 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 difficult days. Once again, my sympathies to you on your loss. Be assured you are in my thoughts and prayers as you travel down the loss & grief pathway.

Joanne MN

Steve, I am so very sorry for the loss of Heineken. Be assured that he felt your love as you held him in your arms. May God give you comfort and strength. Karen

Karen NC

I am so very sorry for the loss of your dog Heineken. Feel comfort in knowing that he did not suffer long and was in your arms when he took his last breath. I hope and pray that a better treatment will be available soon so this does not have to happen to so many of our beloved dogs. Again please accept my condolences and my heart aches for you and all the families that lost their pets of this disease. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

So very, very sorry for your loss. I truly know what you are going through. Thoughts to you and yours.

Courtney SLO

I am so sad for you Steve, at this terrible time. Heineken is grateful for all the love you gave him and you were blessed to be there for him in his final moments. I am sorry you have joined this family in our shared painful experience with this disease. I too pray for someday when we will see more success than failures. But for now, may God Bless you and bring you good memories of the deep love you shared with Heineken. Please do visit Joanne's page, it will begin you on your healing journey.

sharon pa

Steve, I am so sorry for your loss. This disease is so swift that sometimes you don't even have time to digest what is happening before you are hit with the loss of your beloved furchild. Know that you did everything within your power to save your dear Heineken and hopefully in the days that come you can remember the 8 good years you had with your buddy instead of this awful week. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Steve, Our thoughts and prayers with you in the loss of Heineken . I as others also pray someday for a cure for this disease as it shows no mercy! Please take care. Linda

Linda Sapphire

I am so sorry for your loss! You did all you could do for your kid. He knows it too! I lost my angel girl to AIHA as well..quickly and with no warning. Left me reeling so I know how you feel. It does get beter but takes a long, long time. Again, so sorry. Mrs. Gates

Mrs. Gates Michigan

I am so sorry to hear about Heineken. My baby Miracle went quickly too after being diagnosed on August 13, 2008 when she was at 10%. She received a blood transfusion that day and had her spleen removed that night. Her count was at 20% the following day then I had to take her to a specialist for a bone marrow biopsy. She spent two nights in a referral center then came home on the Saturday. She was doing well, had a good checkup the following Monday, but started going down hill during the early morning hours of August 19th. She crossed the bridge around 12:30 p.m. at the vets office and I feel horrible because I wasn't there with her. I just couldn't believe it; it happened so fast and the week was just a whirlwind of vet visits. I'm heartbroken over this. I still cry every single night. You have my deepest sympathy. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Ramona Lafayette

Steve, Please allow us to support you now even though the quickness of Heineken's illness did not permit you to receive much of our support while she was ill. This is truly a caring family of those who know and can share your grief...and when your are ready, your memories of joy. With hopes for gentle healing, Cheryl (and always Barkley)

Cheryl Medford

This thread was discussed between 15/09/2008 and 21/09/2008

Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) forum index

This thread is from the Vetnet archive. The live Vetnet forum is active now.