Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - More bad news for lola :(

So my mom lola and I are on the way home from u penn..no good news to be found. I thought maybe things were looking up since her pettechai seemed to be clearing up on her gums & injection sites and her bruise seemed to be receeding. They took lolas blood to check her cbc and her platelets are down to 11,000... Her reds are up from thursdays transfusion (but still low)..and her white are still low but havent really changed. They said they dont see her getting better and that its likely she could die from internal bleeding ..the only okay news was that her pcv is not too low at 28 %.. They said in case of emergency vincristine wont work because her bone marrow isnt there for platelets to work..they also had some reasoning for why danazol wont either but I cant remember..theyre watching her liver enzymes incase they get too high and leak..lola hasnt had a bowel movement since monday night.. They said their hemotologist specialist beth calhan (spelling) said to stop thoroxine but I dont want to. i trust dodds over them we're taking lola home now to re-assess but I dont even know where to go from here. All of these people with success stories speak of these amazing vets from their area that miraculously save their dogs..where is ours? I cant give up on her yet but my heart is broken. theyre calling us tomorrow with her blood smear results..and to call them if shes pale or if shes showing signs of neurological problems..basically hopeless in their minds. but they were very kind. im considering scheduling an appt for that chinese therapy stuff..maybe go elsewhere. I cant give up yet. As always, thank you. Christina &lola

Christina New jersey

Christina, I am so sorry to hear of Lolas downturn. I have not read thru all of your posts, but have they tested for tick diseases? One of the more common causes of AIHA and low plateletss are from ticks and a certain antibiotic doxycyclene is usede to treat it, Wylie had a bout of low platelets twice and we did not do the testing but her blood count went up soon after starting doxy. So it is something to ask your vet about. And she is on a stomach protectant? TakeCare Laurie

Laurie CA

Christina, You know I'm a newbie too, so I have no advice......but I am sending you the biggest of HUGS, and to Lola as well. I know you are doing the best things for her, and that she feels your love!! Bentley and I are saying prayers for you both! Sally

Sally Louisiana

Dear Christina, I am so sad about Lola. You are right to trust Dr.Dodds as she is wonderful and has a heart. I truly feel she saved Chloe's life and Chloe was non-regenerative for many weeks. Have you spoken to Dr. Dodds since you got back from UPenn? This is the most horrible disease and I think it has been good luck and Dr. Dodds that has kept Chloe alive now for 15 months but it has been an awful roller coaster ride. Can Lola get platelets transfused? Thinking of you in your fight for Lola. Cheri and Chloe

Cheri Maryland

I am sorry that you did not hear more positive news:( Maybe you could make an appointment with Dr Klagg the one Sharon speaks very highly of. Might not hurt to get another opinion. Stay strong as your little girl needs you now, and don't give up. Sending a big hug Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile PA

Hi Cristina: This is such sad news that they won't try the vincristine. Keep positive thoughts ... miracles do happen everyday as displayed on this web site. I would keep Lola on the medication that Dr. Dodds had recommended. It likely isn't doing any harm and you just never know. Lola's made it through several days of treatment and maybe there is a turning point just around the corner. The medication takes some time to start to work and it seems to me (after reading on this website) that no 2 cases are ever the exact same. This illness is an emotional roller-coaster. I'll keep you and Lola in my thoughts and prayers.

Elaine Ottawa

Hi Christina, Sorry to hear your news, but that is how I remember it too, unfortunately. Until the meds took hold, Dylan kept sinking. I too suggest you stay on the meds. Unless the vets elsewhere have a better alternative they know might work, but it did not sound like they were offering one. Dylan actually cycled over the course of a day each day where her anemic condition got worse late afternoon and evening and then a bit better over night and in the morning. The last 2 days were as low as they get and Dylan and I talked about her letting go both days if she needed to. I told her we would be together always either way. I had to be able to let her go if she could not hold out. I thought for sure that Wednesday morning after our worst night that if a miracle did not occur right then, I would lose her that morning. I could not ask more of her, but although she has soome minor brain damage, she did turn the corner. Then it happened; my miracle when I'd all but given up hope. Good signs started and they did not go bad again and then finally after 2 days of severe anemia, I knew it had happened, she had turned the corner. That was the lowest point for both of us fortunately, but I am already aware of the fact that it can be a harder journey for many. I continue to hope and pray your miracle is soon enough for Lola, and sometimes that is all we can do. I hope someone with more experience has more to offer for help, as I know this is not what you want to hear. Hugs again, Richard and Dylan

Richard Burnaby

thank you guys so much. i feel a lot better now. i have decided i am done going to doctors that dont want to support the regimen lola is on as well as support our positive outlook that she will get better. i am sick of them looking at us like we are crazy and trying to take her off of medicines that i tell them i want her on. i emailed dr dodds pretty much word for word what i have said in this thread (i have been keeping her up to date with everything going on with lola) and i do realize if lola won't make it then i cannot make her suffer..but its the first week! why is everyone giving up?? i was wondering if there was something i didn't know that all of these doctors did. but when the woman that saw lola today didn't know was evans syndrome was and called it amha...i couldn't help but want to ask her if she meant aiha or was referring to the american miniature horse association. anyway, dr dodds lifted my spirits. "You NEVER give up!"  she said to continue the thyroxine and that lola having 11,000 platelets is better than it was; She also said to go see Dr. Voynick tomorrow at American Animal Hospital in Randolph, NJ.  So if he isn't on board with lolas medicine regimen, i am fleeing the state with her! she also said she would consult on the phone with him. also, i was just looking at lolas gum coloring, and she has a LOOSE TOOTH! WHAT THE HECK?!?! shes over 2 years old!! how did the vets today miss this, as well as my vet yesterday...as well as the garden state vets this past weekend. what is going on?!?! could this be the cause of the infection?? she doesn't have much blood and barely any platelets if for some reason she lost this tooth or had to get it extracted..i don't see anything online about it being related to evans syndrome. oh my goodness. thank you for continuing to keep us in your thoughts, it means more to myself, lola, and my family than you all will ever know! please let me know if anyone has any advice about her little wiggly tooth! its not causing her any pain either and its next to her incisor towards the front center. christina & lo bear

christina new jersey

Happy to hear you are still fighting for her and so is Dr. Dodds. She does amazing things for dogs on a regular basis. I suggest you be careful with the tooth for now. It certainly could be a source of the trigger, but it may not be infected either. For now I just think you don't want to risk any bleeding. Deciding to say goodbye is very different than giving up. I think if you have compassion (and it is obvious you do), you just want to feel you did everything you could for them. I don't know why so many vets think it is best to give up. It is not easier on us to do so. I don't think they realize the guilt we will suffer with if we give up. Anyways, very happy to hear your strength in this note. You are a real warrior for her. Praying for your miracle always, Richard and Dylan, my Warrior

Richard Burnaby

Hi, Christina and Lola!! Mr. Bentley and I were just popping in, and wanted to say hello, and hope things are going better today! We're keeping you in our thoughts and prayers! Sally

Sally Louisiana

Hey everyone! Me and lola here! well she's sleeping, but SHARON!! We made an appointment with Dr. Klag Unfortunately it is not until tuesday so I'm not sure how she will be by then but I am going to keep calling and see if he has any cancellations for tomorrow. My mom liked your story and his website/info so that is our next move. Anyway, I'm waiting on Lola's vet to call me back about this tooth thing, it's still not bothering her but I need to know whats going on with it. We've added country music and a customized song just for lola to her at home therapy. She is probably hating me right now for the country but if she's really her mommys girl it will make her happy lol! HOPE EVERYONES HAVING A WONDERFUL DAY! Lola says hi to Mr. Bentley !! -Christina and Lo bear

christina new jersey

Just an FYI about seeing Dr Klag, the animal hosp. is on route 413 and it is closed for a few miles north bond. I have no idea as to which way you are going but I wanted to give you a heads up to allow for additional time if you are going to be on route 413 North bond as you will have to take a detour and it is not marked to well, have your gps handy or call for directions. Glad Lola is resting comfortably.

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville pa

Christina, I am so glad to hear you are going to see Dr. Klag. I really do believe he can help Lola as he has made such a complete difference in Beau. Please Christina -- keep an open mind when you are there. At the risk of sounding like I'm being harsh -- which believe me I am not because I know what you are going through -- please don't go into VSEC and dictate to Dr. Klag or any other doctors what you want the treatment protocol to be, or not to be. Go in with the understanding that they WANT to HELP you and Lola, and that they have the education and background to do it, as well as the track record. If they tell you to stop the thyroid medicine -- listen to them. Dr. Klag allowed Beau to remain on soloxine because he has documented hypothroidism that was re-confirmed. If that's not the case with Lola and she is taking the thoroxine, he may want to stop that -- and you should listen to him. Many times, less is more when it comes to drugs. Like I said before, I know Dr. Dodds is world-renowned. And she is an incredible vet that has undertaken groundbreaking research. But she is in California and you and Lola are not. I can only imagine the money you have spent on Lola's treatment so far (you could probably have travelled to California and back may times by now!) -- please allow this additional VSEC expense to be the difference. If you are uncomfortable with the treatment at any point, you can respectfully decline further consultation. But I hope that you will allow Dr. Klag the chance to work the miracles he has in his pockets! Relax! Enjoy your time with Lola! And I know that you will have the definitive answers you need after your visit next Tuesday. Sharon

Sharon PA

Christina, Keeping you and Lola in my thoughts and prayers. I am sorry you had to deal with people that don't seem to be up to speed on this disease. Hopefully Dr. Klag will be able to reassure you that there are people that totally get it. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

This thread was discussed between 20/07/2011 and 22/07/2011

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