Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Macy at home

Well, I think your well wishes and prayers really helped. Macy is home now. Her PCV is up to 39. Her bilirubin continues to drop but the vet said that will take quite some time to come back to normal levels (still 9.5). Her appetite is ok. I just have to keep giving her different things to eat. The vet is a little concerned about pancreatitis (her numbers were 1500 and normal is 1100) and her liver ALT numbers are 320 when normal is 120. These are not huge concerns to our vet and she said they are to be expected given the amount of steroids/medicine she is taking and suggested milk thistle as other's on this board have suggested. Her energy comes and goes. I feel so fortunate to be in this position. Her sister, Sugar Bear has been reaping the benefits though with too much human food. I hope to get Macy back to normal and as each day passes, I hope to see her have a full recovery. To those new to this site, try to take it one day at a time. This disease will test your emotions, your patience, your faith, and your financial well being but know that you are not alone, you have found other's that care for their pets as much as you do, and we are here to help with all questions. What a terrible disease but I hope that Macy becomes her old self and that one day we find a cure for this. Thank you again...no matter what the long term outlook is, being comforted by many of you will always give me hope that there are good people in this world.

Darren Long Beach

Wow Darren - 39 is Fantastic! If you want to stay away from the people food, I recently ordered "Force" from Only Natural... It's dehydrated - organic - all natural - no glutens/wheat/flour - I never saw Winston eat up dog food like this before - even when he was wobbly - he Wanted That Force. You rehydrate with warm water. It's as soft as you want it to be. And It smells really good. I'm excited for you that Macy is on the road to better. Keep posting as she improves. You give the rest of us hope that we'll be there soon.

Lisa TX

We are very happy to hear that Macy is home. 39 is an awesome number and we hope she continues to improve. Sometimes you think you are never going to have the same dog back personality and energy wise, but the old Macy will come around soon, it will just take some time. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Darren...that is great news to hear. 39 is a SOLID number! Now you want to focus on the pancreas as well. If you don't mind cooking for Macy I'ld suggest a liver cleansing diet. This will be good for the liver plus it's got very little fat in it. Here's a link to Dr. Dodds liver cleansing diet... http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/liver_diet.htm I've modified this a little for Tessy and add to it Spinach, scrambled eggs and brocolli. May want to hold on the eggs though in your case. At the bottom of this link you will see some milk thistle info. You should really get Macy on this herb. It works wonders! I know your vet said not to be concerned with the above numbers but it's best to control this before it becomes a bigger problem. Hugs to Macy as well as prayers and get well vibes. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Darren: Wonderful news about Macy. We hope she continues to improve! Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Hi Darren Good for Macy and you - as far as I can see she is now in the "normal reference range" where I hope to see Riley one of these days. Congratulations, it does take its toll in every respect. Good advice you give as well, thank you. Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

Darren, That is such great news for you and Macy..I couldn't be happier for you both..Kelly & Coco

Kelly Redding

Darren So good to hear some good news, in what has been a sad few weeks on the board for some owners and their precious pooches,long may it continue... Take care Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen kathleenmacadee@btinternet.com

Darren - So glad to hear Macy is home now and seems to be doing well. 39 is great! And I'm so happy to hear her bilirubin levels are dropping; phenomenally elevated bilirubin levels (we're talking in the vicinity of 70!) were ultimately what took Bronwyn from us, so I'm so glad Macy's beaten that part of this. Go, Macy!! Elizabeth :-)

Elizabeth Baltimore

Darren, that is fabulous news. As for the ALT once meds are reduced you should see eht ALT drop, when Wylie was on meds her ALT shot up to 1000. Ask your vet about Marin, its the pharmaceutacal milk thistle. I suggest this instead of over teh counter. Wylies Alt only dropped on this not over the counter milk thistle and recently Patrice gave a good explanation of why it works better. Also ask about supplementing with Pet Tinic, its an iron/vitamin B supplement Here is a good liver diet. http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/liver/ Its double edge sword when trying to feed for pancreatic and liver problems, because they are kind of opposite. I just went thru this with Wylie as she was recenlty showing boderline pancreatitis. here is a good article/diet for pancreatitis. http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/pancreatitis/ Laurie

Laurie CA

Darren, Congrats to you and Macy on her progress. It is often a winding road to recovery measured by each step taken. Be very mindful of her diet. I lost my dog in part to Pancreatitis and I wish that I had known then what I know now. Which ER did you have Macy at?

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

I had her at All Care in Fountain Valley, CA. They were great. Dr. Page, although a young resident, was extremely familiar with the disease. Thank you for the liver and pancreas diet tips as well. So much to "worry" about. Reading about Kahlu and Coco has really broken me down again but I know I need to concentrate and give Macy the best chance possible. Kelly and Briggite are such inspirations to me.

Darren Long Beach

Darren, please don't worry so much, I have been advised this so many times from others here and it really helps to take a deep breath and relax. When I first found this site 2 years in April when Wylie was diagnosed, I freaked, at that time there were many deaths reported. The good news is since being here for 2 years, I have observed what I believe in much progress in vets identifying AIHA and making swift and accurate treatment along with this site now being at the forfront of helping people communicate to their vets that are not up to speed on how to treat. And I think many people will agree with this. When I first found this site, I forgot to bookmark it and lost it and it took me a week of deep searching to find it again and like I said now its the first thing that pops up when one searches for AIHA. Take care Darrnen and Macy Laurie and Wylie

Laurie CA

Darren, We had our Aussie's back surgery done at All Care back in 1994. It bought him 5 extra years. I am glad that you found a place that can give Macy the care she needs. It does make a world of difference having a Vet that is familiar with AIHA.

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Wonderful news for you and Macy. She is a survivor and a fighter. Good luck.

Mardi Northern Calif

Hello Darren, I am trying to keep up to date on how everyone is doing and I want to make sure you know that you and Macy will do great! I fully believe that if Coco was only battling the AIHA she would have pulled through just like Macy will. We let Coco go after her breathing became to labored. I can't remember if I posted this or not but in addition to all the cancer in her lungs,liver and kidney the morning she left us we found she had masses in her heart as well causing an irregular heartbeat. While we are heart broke to be without her we couldn't see her struggle anymore and knowing she is at peace is making us more at peace. Remember that so many dogs beat AIHA and I will continue to follow you guys as you continue to beat it. Give Macy big hugs...Kelly

Kelly Redding

Thank you Kelly. I needed those words. I have spent the past week in complete confusion and riding a rollar coaster of emotions. Last Friday I was so happy that I was able to bring her home. Then Sunday her PCV count was 39. I was excited again. Then the news of Kahlu, Riley, and your Coco literally broke me down. I felt so bad for you and I don't think a grown man should have tears running down his eyes while sitting at his work desk but that has happened WAY too much this past week. I feel a little guilty that Macy has made it this far while others have lost their companions. I feel scared that something else will eventually come up here so I don't get too excited. I feel anxious because once in awhile Macy won't eat and she can't jump on our bed in the morning anymore to cuddle up next to us. I know it is early and everyone said it is a LONG road. I feel blessed to have her home but I do hope for a full recovery at the same time. It breaks my heart to take her sister on a walk while Macy sits at the front door and cries for me to take her too. She never cried before this disease but she did cry last Friday for me to take her home. She would not stop! That's how I knew she was ready. Anyways, I am babbling but thank you so much Kelly. I needed your words and you are an inspiration to me. Patience, diligence, and a little luck I guess...right?

Darren Long Beach

Darren, just like Kelly, i don't want the deaths of our dogs get you down. We know just all too well how it is to be on that roller coaster. You have to take it one day at a time, celebrate the small improvements and don't let the set backs get you down. For everybody on the forum it was heart breaking over the last few days to say goodbye to Azi, Riley, Coco and Kahlu. But don't forget the success stories! there are a lot of dogs beating this! Do the best you can, give her the best chance and then it is up to Macy. thinking of you, best wishes, Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

Thank you Brigitte. Yes, Azi too. Liver failure. What a shame. As I am typing this my girls (Macy and her sister) are in the backyard barking like crazy with the dog next door. It brings a smile to my face when the barking used to annoy me so much. Know that all of your dogs are with us now. Their spirit is alive and will always be. I will do my best to honor Kahlu, Azi, Riley, and Coco by doing all that I can for Macy. She carries the torch for them.

Darren Long Beach

Darren, Is Macy on Azzathiaprine? Ruger is but they are taking him off it today cause his liver enzymes have doubled in the last week. I am nervous to switch medicines as his PCV is only 32. They also think he might have a mild case of pancreaitis. I am so nervous. Especially with all the loss this week. I cried myself to sleep last night but I am with you - Macy and hopefully Ruger can carry the torch for those lost.

jaime Parker

Darren, Try never to feel bad because your dog is doing well. It really helps people in the fight to hear the positives. We all mourn each loss as if it was our own but we also celebrate each victory the same way. Perhaps you could get a wagon or a cart and take Macy on your walks with her sister?

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hi Darren I second everything above. Do not ever feel guilty that Macy is doing well-that is what everybody wants for you here on this forum. As I sit here typing this, I have little Millie on my lap, and I cannot be more thankful to everyone on this forum for their part in her survival. Macy will beat this in honour of those who couldn't make it. Samantha and Millie

Samantha Geelong Australia

A cart or wagon is a great idea! I took her halfway down the block after I did my last post. Still lethargic but smelling every tree and bush on the block with tail wagging. Hard to beat that feeling inside. Yes, Jaime, Macy is on Azzathiaprine (Imuran) every other day. She is also on cyclosporin every day and leflunomide as well as 50mg's of pred (she weighs 50 pds). The vet mentioned that she strongly recommends the leflunomide even though it has received a lot of bad reviews on this board I am taking her recommendation as one of the dr's she works with is considered an expert on the disease and he recommends it. She is also on Melatonin, Pepcid, aspirin, and milk thistle as well. I have to inject her every 8 hours with heparin to prevent blood clotting. The goal is to get her off the leflunomide first, then the aziathiprine, then reduce the pred, and keep the cyclosporin as long as needed because this has the least side effects. The heparin should only be needed for a little while longer. Today I can say by far has been her best day. She has been barking, eating, and even trotted to come see me. The vet is mildly concerned (not because of Macy's numbers but because of the disease in general) of her liver and pancreas. There are some great links above for diets that will help this. She goes back in on Monday for a full CBC. I even got her to last 2 1/2 hours every night before needing to be let out so I am getting a little more sleep!

Darren Long Beach

Hi Darren Im so glad Macy is going ok, and I do not want for you or for anyone to feel bad. Just as Penny said, we all mourn the losses and celebrate the victories as if they were our own - I know I have cried heaps over some of the posts and it was hard for me to read about Kahlu - and then Azi and Coco. I guess I could have continued on the same road and experimented with medications, but I just felt enough was enough. Riley was a fighter, and adapted, and Im sure he would have kept going, but I did not want him to suffer any longer. As far as pancreatitis is concerned, Riley did get that, and I started home cooking - boiled chicken breasts, steamed vegies, overcooked rice - with some probiotic yoghurt to stir it up, and both my dogs loved it - Bonnie, my border collie looks great after losing the excess baggage she was carrying - and I had not noticed it. Small meals often. I had the same problem as you, leaving Riley behind when I took Bonnie for a walk - and the other way around as well, Bonnie cried when I took Riley out, and it was just short along the front nature strip, but they were so used to doing everything together. I often thought I needed something to drag him along in. The toilet thing will settle as Macy adjusts to what is going on and you will notice you dont have to go out during the night. The PCV is fantastic, you guys are well on the way, and I couldnt be happier for you - keep posting the results, so we can celebrate with you. Take care Darren, you are a caring soul :) Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

Silka, You did the right thing. As hard as it may be one day (no matter how this disease goes we all have to put our dogs down at one point) the last thing I would want is Macy or her sister to suffer. You did the admirable thing. Riley knows you did. It is our responsibility solely as owners which I think makes it so tough. I mean, some people on the board have said losing their pup is tougher than a parent. I think that they are just different losses but I do get what they are saying. With a parent, you know you are not the only one who has a decision to make. Our dogs look at us like we are the greatest people on the earth and as such, we have to act like it whether we are emotionally prepared to do so or not. That is why it hurts so much. I cannot begin to tell you how much I have grown up in the past three weeks. Thank you for the well wishes. I don't know what I would have done without this message board. I have learned so much about the disease, received support, and gained hope from Joanne's site. I will keep you posted. Like I said earlier, today was an awesome day for Macy. She went with her sister and I to the school accross the street and I chased her sister (Sugar Bear loves being chased) while Macy trotted along and couldn't be happier. Those 10 minutes were worth every penny I've spent on Macy.....but you'd have to be a special kind of dog owner like the people on this site to understand that.

Darren Long Beach

This thread was discussed between 13/01/2010 and 16/01/2010

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