Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - iggy Bella 1 month with aiha

I have a 7year old italian greyhound. Just found out 4 weeks ago today she has IMHA.Her rbc was at 24 when we found out . Went down to 10. We were refered to SF veterinary specialists. She recieverd 2 blood transfusions. She is regenerating. But she dosent seem to be getting any better. She seems weaker if anything.It is so hard to be positive,about this horriable disease. So many ups and downs. I know it takes a long time to get this under control. Its just so difficult Kathy

Kathy Pacifica

Kathy, I am so sorry you have had to find your way to this board. It is a long journey we all hope will come with a happy ending. Just try to take things a day at a time and know that we are all listening and will try to help any way we can. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hang in there Kathy. It is a long road to recovery but it is possible. We hope and pray that your baby will show signs of improvement soon. What is her name?

leslie ca

Oops! I just saw her name on the title.

leslie ca

Hi Cathy, and igga bella, welcome, you've found a great community to support you with this terrible roller coaster disease. If you have not yet been in touch with Dr. Dodds of Hemopet, I urge you to get in touch with her. Many of us have consulted with her and she is very very knowledgable and kind, and well, words dont actually begin to describe her - she is an angel. Please read about the survivors on Joannes Meisha's Hope website and bookmark it and the site - i cant tell you how often i look at it in a week. My Kent has been fighting for One Year now this February. Its been a long and rough road but I am glad he has made it so far and is on the upswing after a relapse and a bout of pancreatitis. The dogs will seem weak after transfusions. As long as their hematocrit is down, they are weak, they are lacking blood cells and thus oxygen. Expect her to have less energy, and make sure that if she is taking prednisone to get her on a good liver support diet - there is a thread here all about that. Have they discovered a cause for her AIHA? They get very thirsty and hungry and have to pee and poop alot on pred - its amazing. Carrots, apples, rice cakes, all good snacks. Watch her gums and her tongue, and keep reading all about the disease - the more you know, the better. I have new questions every single day after a year. Hang in there and come back to the board and let us know how you are doing, Christine and Kent 10.5 year old mini-schnauzer 1 year AIHA this february. In recovery!!!

Christine Florida

I am sorry to say that we had to let Bella go tonight. Iwish Id have learned of your site the last month that we have been dealing with this.I know you have to be patient and we tried to be but after her last transfusion with all the meds she never regained any energy.as long as she was peeing pooping and eating i felt good about her recovery but the last 2 days she crashed we couldnt do another transfusion because she wasnt regenerating enough to sustain herself. It was very hard to make the choice to let her go. She had no quality of life.during the car ride to the vets her breathing was so labored it just broke my heart.She was so skinny she started out at 18lbs and tonight she weighed only 11 lbs I dont know if you know Italian Greyhounds but they look pretty skinny normaley.she was just bones and not eating, This morming when i gave all her meds and she wouldnt eat i force fed her Gerber baby food. IT was awful. Ijust couldnt continue this.Ill so miss my baby girl.I dont really think its true that she gone. Kathy

kathy pacifica calif

I am so very sorry for your loss of Bella. On Feb. 18 it will be 6 years since I lost my beautiful Stormie to AIHA...heart breaking! You did all you could for Bella and she knew that. Please take care of yourself and know that we are here to talk. Mrs. Gates

Mrs. Gates Michigan

Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you. Tricia

Tricia UK

Dear Kathy, My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Many of us who still post on the list understand the many emotions you are going through. It isn't fair, why my dog, should I have noticed earlier, could I have done more? These thoughts are torture. You know you did all you could and you made the best decisions you could for Bella. Your grief will take time to deal with and the best place for understanding is here. Take care of yourself. Steph

Steph Wales

Dear Kathy, I am so very sorry to hear that you had to let Iggy Bella go. This disease is just a tragedy. Take care. Gail

Gail SD

Kathy, I am so very sorry that Bella did not make it. I know how hard it is to let them go. You were a good doggie Mom to try to give her the chance to beat this but more so because you recognized that she just couldn't. I hope in the days that come you can remember all the loving good times with her instead of these awful times. Take care Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Kethy, I'm so sorry to hear about Bella. It sounds like you did everything you could to give her a chance, but, as hard as it is, it sounds like you made the right decision for her. I know how hard it is; I lost my 19 month old Lab Bronwyn to IMHA 4 days after Christmas - it's such a roller coaster, and there are days for me when it still doesn't feel real. Hang in there; know that I'm thinking of you and of Bella, and know that where she is now she's healthy again. Feel free to email me if you need to talk. Hugs.

Elizabeth Baltimore

Kathy, My deepest and most heartfelt condolences. You did everything you could. Bella is in a better place where she won't feel the pain of this horrible illness. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Evelyn So Jersey

So sorry to hear that Bella did not make it. Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time:(

leslie ca

I am so very sorry for your loss of your beloved Bella. Jess

Jess BC

Kathy -- I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your dear Bella to this horrible disease. Please know that you did the best you could for her. The grief of losing a dog to IMHA is terrible -- the disease strikes so quickly that oftentimes you're still in shock over something you've never heard of hitting your dog and before you know it, your dog is gone -- so many people here know and understand what you're going through. Your memories of your life together will be a great comfort to you. Please take care.

Brenda VA

I'm sorry for your loss of dear Bella.

Shirley GA

im still just realing from the loss of my baby girl.....how can this thing happen so quickly out of no where ...ive never even heard of it ,and then they are just gone.Its so cruel.I feel like im being punished for something .....because it make no sence!!!!!your dog is just fine one day then so sick the next.I didnt know what was wrong with her then it was too late.People need to be aware of this ive told everyone i can so this wont happen to them. Its just so heartbreaking.This is the most devastating thing that ive ever been through.And my heart goes out to all those that will have to ever deal with this.I hope your outcome is better than mine.My prayers Bellas mama .

kathy pacifica calif

This thread was discussed between 13/02/2008 and 22/02/2008

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