Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Lost my beloved Cocoa

Last Wednesday, I noticed my mini-dachshund, Cocoa was just not herself. I tried to take her for a walk, etc. and she was totally uninterested. She recently had a bladder infection and vomiting (6 months before) so I thought maybe she was sick again with that. The next day, she was worse. I called my vet and booked an appt. My husband came home and both of us and our daughters headed to the vet. I really believed we would be home in an hour after the exam. Our vet looked at her gums and stated she was very anemic. Her heart was beating rapidly too. He drew blood and her PCV was 5%. He told us she was very sick and that most likely it was AIHA. He did an ultrasound and examined her blood. She didn't have any internal bleeding and he was concerned with the blood he viewed. He referred us to the local emergency clinic which would be opening in 15 minutes. We quickly drove there. In my heart, I was so hoping that our vet had no idea what he was talking about. The emergency vet stated the same thing. Sadly, they didn't have blood on hand and referred us to the next town where there was a 24hr. clinic. We quickly drove there. They rushed her in. Cocoa was having severe difficulty breathing. The vet examined her and discussed treatment. He did not think she would make it through the night even with a transfusion. Six hours after we went to our first vet appt that night, we made the terrible decision to put her down. We spent close to 2 hours simply loving her. She had oxygen on and we held her and loved her. Then it was over. I am so devastated. In a blink of an eye, she was gone. Two days before she was fine. It hurts so much. Missing my girl, Kristie

Kristie California

Dear Kristie & Family Please accept my heartfelt condolences the loss of your Cocoa. The suddenness of this disease is sometime what effects us most, often there are no warning signs and by the time treatment begins it is too late for some. You gave Cocoa the best gift you could by spending her final moments with her and saying good-bye to her. Cocoa will have so many of the best dogs in the world waiting to greet her at the rainbow bridge, all who have succumbed to this disease before her. You and your family provided a great home for her and showed her how it felt to be loved and that is all our dogs really want. In time your sadness will be replaced with the joy of knowing Cocoa and how much better your life has been with her. I pray for strength for you and your family to get through this difficult time. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Kristie, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It is scary how suddenly these terrible diseases hit our dear pets. I too lost my 10 yr old Border collie Toqua yesterday. I had to make the decision to put her down. She was sick as a result of cancer, but it presented like IMHA and hit her just as suddenly, back in March. We left her out in the yard in the morning, she was fine. By 7pm that night she couldn't even lift her head off the ground. I thought she wouldn't make it through the night. I feel your pain. I miss my girl terribly. Remember all the good times you had with her. I suppose this will get easier as the days go by. At least we know our girls weren't alone when they arrived at the Bridge. You, your family, and in your dear Cocoa are in my thoughts and prayers. Jessi

Jessi BC

Kristie & Family, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss of your beloved Cocoa. You are all in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. I went through the same thing 11 months ago (well as of tomorrow) with my beloved Katie JoJo and she was only 6 yrs old.Right now you may think the pain will never go away and to be honest it never really does go completely away but as the days, weeks and months go by you all remember the good times you had with Cocoa. It's only been 11 months and it still painful for me but I know deep in my heart that I did whatever I could for Katie JoJo but she was ready to let me go and love her baby brother. The people here are very caring, loving supportive people and we will help you any way we can...Again you are all in my thoughts & prayers...Katie JoJo and the rest of our beloved furbabies were at the gates of Rainbow Bridge waiting to welcome Cocoa....God Bless you all....Lotta Love, Licks & Nibbles Maria & Harley RIP Katie JoJo 7/21/03-7/24/09

Maria Lafayette

Dear Kristie & Family, Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your little girl Cocoa. you showed your love by being there for her to the end. You made her feel loved and safe not just in life, but also at the end of her journey. Joanne Dickson, who started this great board has a very informative website, Meisha's Hope. There is a link, Loss and Grief: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/loss.htm Have a look when you feel ready. There is some very valuable tips on grieving after a loss from AIHA. Thinking of you and hoping your heart will heal in time, Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

I am so very sorry for your loss of your beloved Cocoa. It has been 8 years for me, since I lost Stormie very quickly...fine one day, sick the next...and I too had to make that dreadful decision. Stormie along with many other much loved babies is waiting and now so is your beautiful Cocoa. I am so sorry you had to join the parents of AIHA kids but it does get easier with time...even after 8 years I still have Stormie's pictures up...and I tell Miss Tillie (our border collie mix) all the time about Stormie...and she *rolls her eyes* like yeah Mom, I've heard that before. Take care of yourself and know you did all you could...Cocoa knows that. Mrs. Gates

Mrs. Gates Michigan

Kristie, I am so sorry for your loss. I think it is extra difficult when it all happens so fast. I am not a big Garth Brooks fan but I often think of his song "The Dance" I could have missed the pain but I would have missed the dance. I look back and think of every minute of every one of the good days and they so outnumber the mere hours of the worst times. I hope in the days that come you can remember all the times Cocoa made you and your family smile or laugh and that these memories help you through this terrible time. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

The truly terrible part of this disease is that you really don't have time to think. One day your world is normal and the next day it is upside down. Every time I read about someone losing the battle, my heart breaks a little. You lost family, you lost your baby. Just know that we all feel your pain and share it with you.

Ronda

Thank you everyone for your support and love. Upon losing Cocoa, I began searching for information. That's when I stumbled upon this board. Most people don't understand my loss and pain. But you all hit it on the head, I lost a family member..my child. Just because she was a canine had no bearing on her importance in my life and our home. I just received a call from a breeder (who we bought Cocoa from 7 years ago). She said she just felt that she needed to call me and tell me she had puppies. Wow, much to think about. A new puppy will never replace my Cocoa but it sure would be a good distraction and keep our life busy at home. I'll let you all know. Today is one week since it all happened. My girls and I had a little memorial service today for Cocoa. Thanks again, Kristie

Kristie California

Kristie, A good distraction in deed. Everyone needs a different amount of time before they are ready. You will know when it is the right time. I have a 1.5 y/o flat-coated retriever, Finley. I am thankful he is here. This house would be so quiet. And he keeps my mind occupied. Hope you are taking care, Jessi

Jessi BC

Kristie, I know some people but not on this board thought my recieving Harley Lowrider (red shaded longhaired doxie and Katie JoJo's baby brother) just 2 days after losing my baby girl Katie JoJo was totally wrong. Harley is my baby boy and I love him just like I love Katie JoJo. I dont care what people thought about it because Harley was not a replacement no one could replace my Katie JoJo but I have enough love to share with her baby brother besides Harley has helped me deal with the loss of Katie JoJo everytime I shed a tear he's there the lick it dry. It's been 11 months since Katie JoJo made that journey (June 24th)...New beloved furbaby will help you heal....

Maria Lafayette

Katie, As soon as my poodle boy Kahlu got diagnosed with AIHA his breeder promised me an other dog for free, when ever I felt ready. She said she was hoping to have to honor that promise in about 10 years. Unfortunately Kahlu died a year after the diagnosis. The breeder had a litter with 4 pups 3 weeks after Kahlu died and gave me a beautiful boy. In a way it was hard, because he is Kahlu's nephew and looks a bit similar. But like Maria said, my heart is also big enough to love an other dog again. We all know they can't be replaced, but every dog is special and deserves our love. Getting Enzo has made the grieving easier, he brought us so much joy and laughter. Good luck and best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

I would encourage you to pursue getting a puppy if it feels right to you! Immediately after Riley's death we began looking for another canine to love. It took a few weeks to find the right one and finally bring him home but he has been a blessing to us in our time of grief.

Jennifer

Kristie, I'm so sorry to hear of Cocoa. This is such an awful disease and can strike so quickly. It sure sounds like you did everything you could for her. I agree that a new puppy is not a replacement and it would sure help to heal the family. They are gone but never forgotten. Best wishes to you and your family. Chris & Alex

Chris Pa

Dear Kristie, Im so sorry to hear about the loss of Cocoa, too sad for words. I too lost my little one in January this year. I believe you do what you need to do to ease the pain and if it means giving another pet a loving home, then that should be ok. Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

Kristie, I am very sorry for your loss. I too found that the only people who understood my pain were complete strangers on this board who have become familiar names to help get me through my pain. I'd say anything you need to do to get you through the pain, do it. If that means a new puppy, go for it. I personally wanted to give myself a little bit to make sure I was ready. But, I am almost ready for another one and I believe Macy will send her to me. I am very sorry.... -Darren

Darren Long Beach

Kristie, you've got my heartfelt condolences and sympathies for your loss. It's never an easy thing to say goodbye to a furkid. Just remember that she's in a place now with LOTS of new (great) friends running and playing. (((HUGS))) Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Thank you everyone for your sympathy. I miss her so much. It's that deep heart ache that just hurts. It's the little things that bring tears to my eyes. I just want to cry out and have her back at home. It was so crazy and sudden. We did buy puppies. We have two young daughters and it just seemed right for them. Our daughters were with us at the er vet and I feel that the puppies will help to ease their pain over the loss of Cocoa. The puppies are sweeet. Thankfully, they look nothing like Cocoa. They are helping our family adjust and grieve. The puppies are even helping our other dog, Willy with his loss. The first week without Cocoa, he wimpered pretty much all day. He now has assumed a motherly role with the puppies. The puppies in no way replace my Cocoa Butter but they are helping me learn to grieve in a bit of a healther way. They keep me so busy that I can't really fall into depression, which is what I fear would of happened. I also am not so angry now. The first week without Cocoa, I was so angry and mad. Loving the puppies has helped me. We talk to the puppies about Cocoa all the time and tell them how awesome she was and that they have a difficult role to grow into. I know God opened this door for puppies in my time of need. I am blessed to have this distraction. Yet, my heart lies broken and I fear the pain will take forever to ease. Blessings, Kristie

Kristie California

Sending hugs to you. This disease is so quick and devastating.

leslie ca

Kristie, We all know the puppies are not a replacement for your beloved cocoa. I know from experience that this disease can take our beloved furbabies life real fast. Some of our furbabies were not ready to leave their families and have survived but like my Katie JoJo, Cocoa and many others they were ready for us to share our love with another furbaby. I lost Katie JoJo on July 24th 2009 and Katie JoJo's baby brother came into my life on Sunday July 26th 2009. Harley was never a replacement of Katie JoJo I promised Katie JoJo I would get her a baby brother before my 39th birthday and I honestly believe Katie JoJo wanted his baby brother to have full attention from Mommie so she made her journey. I tell Harley everyday about his big sister and he has helped me in my healing process by licking away every tear I shed. Congrats on your new babies and let them know about their big sister Cocoa....Take Care, God Bless and from Harley Lotta Love, Licks & Nibbles

Maria Lafayette

This thread was discussed between 24/06/2010 and 01/07/2010

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