Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - lola breathing

Hello again- 50th thread i think? Watching Lola breathe, been halfway out the door a few times already--now back watching her--i don't know if i should take her in or not--her eyes aren't as focused as usual---she is very very sleepy and breathing through her nose--she has the same quick breathing as shes had on and off but now it sounds like theres a little snort with it..i have been using the stethoscope to listen to her lungs and i can't tell if its something bad or if its the snorting sound that i'm picking up-- i am not scheduled to see dr klag until tuesday and another doctor until monday--im afraid of bringing her an hour away to a 24 hour place because they only will have emergency vets there and no internal medicine specialists-- has anyone's dogs had her symptoms ?? she had a couple of drops of blood come from her left nostril last night and one single drop this morning--but they aren't even dropping--i only notice them because i'm crazy and stare at her---they almost are just released from the crease of her left nostril---no major bleeding else where--normal stool- could she have fluid in her lungs? Christina and lola

christina new jersey

It's probably just the prednisone. Can't sleep with them - can't sleep without them - and they will keep you up ALL night with the breathing changes. Labored breathing, snorting, chortling, sometimes sounding like gasping -- believe it or not you will get used to it. And then the moaning and groaning starts. I never saw blood, but then again we didn't have the issue with platelets like Lola is going through. Hang in there Christina!

Sharon PA

thanks for your kind words sharon--i told lola i think her snort is cute. also, has anyone's pups had any symptoms of cloudy/unfocused eyes--her whites are still brights though my parents just picked up SAM-e and milk thistle--but they only have sam-e in 200mg pills---should i cute it in 1/4 and give her 50 mg? and how much milk thistle? thank you as always christina and lola

christina new jersey

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/milk_thistle.htm I found this for you in regards to the Milk Thistle dosage. Is Lola eating and drinking? Sending our prayers Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile PA

yup. lola's appetite is still here- drinking a lot- etcetc--her eyes just aren't the same as usual...the looks she gives me aren't the same..can't seem to get a comfortable spot--so sleepy

christina new jersey

Christina: I recall that you mentioned a few days ago that Lola was not having bowel movements. How is this going. It is really important that you keep an eye on the colour and texture of the moements and this will give you some indication if there is internal bleeding from the lack of platlets. If you see the stool looking dark loose and tarry like, immediate brong Lola in ... don't wait. She seems to be a real trooper and I the fact that she had made it this far along is very positive. As far as the breathing it is likley a combination of everything and it is a shock that she is having some laboured breathing. Also I am confident the heatwave is not a help.

elaine ottawa

Christina: Sorry for my crappy typing ... I meant to say that it is NOT a shock about the laboured breathing. I get really bad at typing on my laptop in the evening as I spend alot of time daily doing charting notes in regards to my profession and by the time I get home at night I don't bother to use spell check or reread a note. SORRY

elaine ottawa

Christina, Mr. B has times when he can't seem to get comfy either...not sure why that is, but he lies down, then gets up and moves, then does it all again, over and over. He also has had the fast, shallow breathing out of his nose....pretty sure that is the prednisone. We haven't had any blood....can you maybe call a clinic and ask about that this weekend? Mr. Bentley and I are saying prayers for Lola and you, and he sends her big puppy kisses!! Sally

Sally Louisiana

I was told that the inability to get comfortable is due to swelling in the liver - medication side effect! It was months before Beau would sleep in the bed - it was too soft and made him uncomfortable - he preferred the wood floors.

Sharon PA

thank you guys! we're becoming crazy people watching her every breath! elaine, no worries about the typing! everyone could probably tell you how bad my first week of posts were because i was sending them from my phone! the spelling and everything was terrible! but she had a bowel movement last night (thursday) for the first time since monday!! and it was normal color and texture, no blood--and not to get graphic..but i didn't know her little body could EVER produce that much! anyway, it made us very happy to see her not constipated. we're not too worried about the breathing/snorting anymore !! :) mommy is still nervous about the eyes looking weird...but that could just be me over-analyzing everything again--something about them is just very different... christina & lola

christina new jersey

Christina, It is hard not to see or imagine the worst when dealing with this disease. You are so focused on every little thing. You might want to check out this page that Leslie has for her dog Casper who was the May 2008 Meisha's Hope success story. He has had a few relapses but is still going strong. http://tinyurl.com/3tlkxvh

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hi Christina, How's Lola? I found an interesting note regarding Cyclosporine and diet. "Cyclosporine -- Taking omega-3 fatty acids during cyclosporine therapy may reduce toxic side effects, such as high blood pressure and kidney damage, associated with this medication in transplant patients." This would be true of all uses of the drug i would think. Since heart rate and other things you were seeing in Lola might be related to Cyclosporine use, I thought I would post this on your thread in particular, but it does apply to any dog taking this drug. Omega-3 fatty acids are best from fish when it comes to dogs (plant sources are not easily absorbed by them). There are supplements from sardine and salmon oil, specifically for dogs, or for people which is what I use as they tend to be cheaper. Consult the vet tomorrow about this maybe, but I don't know if it is well known. Hope all is well, Richard and Dylan

Richard Burnaby

This thread was discussed between 22/07/2011 and 25/07/2011

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