VetNet®
VetNet® AIHA discussion forum
VetNet® Forum
Lifelong Learning Network
www.vetnetlln.ac.uk
Veterinary Recruitment
Premier Partner Program
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Jack is not responding to the treatment
| Just got back from visiting Jack and talking to the vet. Jack is worse today than ever before. He's lost 5 lbs since Wed, still won't eat, no energy. His gums are a pale yellow and the inside of his ears are pale yellow. Even the whites of his eyes look yellow. The vet is going to start him on steriod IV's today (guess they have been using pills up to now) and I'll meet with her tomorrow morning to see how he is responding to the IV. He just isn't responding to anything they are doing for him. I am crying while I write this, I'm just so sick about this. I think it was Penny who said you could see it in their eyes, he wouldn't look me in the eye. I held his face up to mine and he averted his eyes, like he didn't want me to see him feeling so bad. Like he was embarrased for me to see him this way, or ashamed. He was standing for just a few minutes but I could see it was taking a toll on him so I told him to lay down and he just dropped at my feet. The vet also thinks there is more going on with him than the ES. She thinks he might have a mass in his liver but without ultrasound can't say for sure. I guess she said that because of the yellow gums. She hasn't done another blood test since they just did one on Wed, said they usually do it once a week. If tomorrow he hasn't gotten any better, I will put him down. The vet agreed because she's done all she can and he isn't responding to anything they are doing. But she wanted to wait one more day to see if the IV helps. It's not about the money now, it's about him. He's just so pitiful and it's like he is too tired to fight. Like he wants me to let him go. It's like he is trying to tell me he is sorry and apologetic for the shape he is in. Mary |
| Mary Wright Gainesville |
| Mary, so sorry to hear he isn't responding how you'd hope. I've got a feeling the vet isn't too experienced with this disease. If a dog is vommiting and having trouble keeping food down AND is staying at the vet then they SHOULD have him on IV steroids from day one while he's there. Do you know the drug they are using?? Dexamethasone or prednisone injections? I really wish I knew the numbers and the drugs they had him on as well as the amounts. This would answer lots! The yellow you are seeing is jaundice and this will stay like this until the body deals with and absorbs the damaged blood cells. The thing that really bothers me the most is the fact that they only want to do blood tests once a week. Are they insane??? They were checking Tessy's blood twice daily when she was hospitalized. It's really important to follow the numbers...if at all even just do a PCV which is actually a cheap test to run! It's also really important thought to be keeping a close eye on the platelet numbers. If I were you I'd call TODAY and insist them run a CBC. That way you can compare the results to Wednesdays test. Do you have a copy of Wednesdays tests or at least know the numbers (hct & plt)? The doctor *thinks* he may have a mass in his liver??? Again, this is totally uncalled for to worry an owner with this information WITHOUT knowing for certain. It's almost imposible for them to determine this without running proper diagnostic tests. Let me make something clear for you....the likelyness of him being in pain is low. You are right though that he probably does feel "too tired". That's exactly what this disease does! There's a lack of circulating oxygen in the body and htis makes them incredibly weak and tired ALL THE TIME!!! This is normal and just about everyone here can say that their dogs were the same. It would be incredibly sad if you went ahead and put him down tomorrow without exploring all options...within your price range of course. AND there ARE options! I've seen far too many dogs put down due to incompetant vets. Sorry...not calling your vet incompetant but from what I'm reading above it sure sounds htis way. Please do feel free to contact me if it's easier for you. Don't give up hope and PLEASE do reach out to us for suggestions and help. You'd be surprised what some of us here know and can do to help. I'll be keeping him (& you) in my thoughts and prayers today. Johnny Tessy & Sadie |
| Johnny blue_majestic@hotmail.com |
| Mary~ You and Jack are in my prayers. I so understand the tears and the waiting... Blessings, Cindi |
| Cindi & Tori PCB |
| Oh my I am so very sorry and I have to tell you I am in shock with your vet too. Johnny Tessy & Sadie are so very right what they are saying my little one was jaundice too and was spilling billirubin through her urine and stool. There is hope but You need to see a specialist, Internist medicine right away for your little one. Is there no teaching hospital near you. Take Jack there as fast as you can if there is one. My prayers are so with you. This makes me so sad. Debbie |
| debbie N.B. Canada |
| Sending lots of prayer for Jack. We hope and pray he is feeling a little better tomorrow. Please keep in mind it does take time for the meds to work. Cheryl & Ginger |
| Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA |
| dear Mary, I strongly second what Johnny said.... I cannot emphasise enough the importance of a knowledgeable vet. I had a similar experience with my local vet, and if it wasn't for the people on this board and the specialist I went to, my Millie would not be here with me now. She is an 18 month survivor. Please post Jack's results here so we get a better picture of what is going on. Please do this before you make the decision to let him go. We may be able to help, and give you some guidance in what to ask your vet. This disease can be beaten, but you need a good vet on side. Please seek a consult with a specialist if you can. I do understand how you feel, I was given a similar prognosis by my local vet, but thank goodness I found this board and a specialist vet hospital. Don't give up just yet.... Sam and Millie. |
| Samantha Geelong australia |
| Dear Mary -- I am sorry to hear that Jack is not responding. One very important resource you can consult -- dozens of pet owners on this site have done so -- is Dr. Jean Dodds, an expert in the veterinary world on blood diseases and on animal vaccination issues. Dr. Dodds can talk to you and your vet and advise of some medication regimens that might not be known to your vet, if your vet hasn't seen many Evans Syndrome cases. Oftentimes, it's just getting the right mix of drugs that can make a difference in a dog. Dr. Dodds has made a difference for so many dogs who have been hit by IMHA, Evans Syndrome and other complications related to blood diseases. Her contact info is hemopet@hotmail.com. Her telephone number is 310-828-4804. That is for her home office. Her business is Hemopet, and it has separate contact info. I will keep you and Jack in my prayers. |
| Brenda VA |
This thread was discussed between 14/08/2010 and 15/08/2010
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) forum index
This thread is from the Vetnet archive. The live Vetnet forum is active now.
