Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Macy update

Well, I took Macy to a 24 hr care facility on Saturday night. I really do believe she was dying here at my home. She was vomiting everything and did not look good. The vet at the care facility has been awesome. She is very familiar with the disease. She first stabilized her for the vomiting and did another blood transfusion. I drove in the middle of the night to another vet hospital to pick up some human gamma globulin (sp?). This wasn't cheap and took me 3 hrs to get but I would highly recommmend it if your dog is in as bad a shape as mine was. The transfusion was Saturday night and as of this morning, her PAC count grew from 30 to 33. This means that she is holding this on her own/through the drugs and not due to the transfusion at this point. I believe the human gamma globulin was instrumental in stopping the destruction of the red blood cells and "buying" some time for the drugs to kick in. She is still at the facility and is by no means "out of the woods" yet of course. She is still not eating but is being fed through a tube. The vet says this is likely due to the stomach irritation caused by the constant vomiting prior to her being checked in. She is not too worried at this point. Macy did eat a couple pieces of homemade bacon from her Daddy last night and I am going to go see her again tonight to see if she will eat some more. Please keep your fingers crossed for this special dog and I'll keep you updated.

Darren Long Beach

Darren, thanks for the update on Macy, great news on her HCT I would highly suggest you contact Dr Dodds, she is at the forefront of this disease and one of the best resources and I believe is only about 10 miles from you, Her main business is a Blood blank for dogs. So I am surprised you had to go so far. here is her site http://www.hemopet.org/products.html and email address hemopet@hotmail.com She also does email consult, If I remember its about $30. She has been a fantastic resource for many of us. She usually responds in 24 hours. Laurie

Laurie CA

Thank you so much Laurie. I will get in touch with Dr. Dodds. I think I had to go so far because it was a Saturday night and everything was closed/ out of the human gg. Awesome to know an expert is so close though! Thank you.

Darren Long Beach

Glad to hear Macy is doing better, she is lucky to have such an awesome dog Dad. I will continue to keep Macy in my thoughts and prayers and we hope she can come home soon. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Wonderful news for Macy. You must be relieved. Hang in there and keep us informed. We are thinking of you both.

Mardi Northern Calif

Darren..I am so glad to hear about Macy, it sounds like you made the right decision..Could you tell me about the human gamma globulin? Coco crashed this morning and is at the vets right now getting a transfusion of packed red cells (does this sound right? I was a little upset when they were explaining things to me). Once again it is great to hear such good news about Macy....Kelly

Kelly Redding

I am remembering Macy in my prayers tonight that she will continue to improve and start eating well again and you get her home very soon. Stay stong and take care. Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

Darren, glad to hear the transfusion was a success. Quite the ordeal by the sounds of it. Prayers and best wishes for Macy. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hi Darren Wishing you and Macy all the best over the next while - I sincerely hope Macy continues to improve. Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

Silka, Our prayers and hugs are with you and Macy Linda

Linda Sapphire

It's great to hear Macy is stable and her numbers have jumped up so fast. It was really great that you were able to find the gamma globulin - It's amazing stuff. My Winston has been through 4 transfusions and during 3 of them he received gamma globulin as well. It's not just a bandaid. I understand it stimulates the bome marrow to produce red blood cells. Each time Winston has received it there's been a major bounce back. As you said, it buys time for the other drugs to stop Macy's body from killing off the red blood cells. I'm sending out good thoughts so that Macy can go home soon.

Lisa TX

Darren, Im sure Linda meant to say your name not mine - probably happened as she saw my name just above. :) More good wishes for Macy.

Silka Melbourne Australia

This thread was discussed between 05/01/2010 and 07/01/2010

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