Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Need advice (not AIHA)

My 7(?) year old female (spayed) American Bulldog had a gran mal seizure on August 7, 2010. We took her see our vet on the 9th and they drew blood (with normal results) and advised us to monitor her for any other activity. She was due for her yearly vaccinations so they gave those as well. She had no more seizures but had days where she was just "depressed." Then last week she showed weakness in her hind quarters. I took her back to our vet and he took x-rays of her abdomen and hind quarters. He found she has a bit of hip displasia in one hip. He agreed that she looked depressed and gave her a shot of steroids and some pain meds. This week, she showed pain in her front legs so he gave us Previcox for pain on Thursday and recommended we take her to Auburn University. He is thinking she may have some neuro disorders.. Friday night, WHAM! 10 gran mal seizures back to back. 3 at home and 7 in the car ride to the ER. She is resting this weekend at the ER thanks to Valium. They did blood work, everything normal, urine normal. They sent off for a tick titer and the results should be back Tuesday. She started to have 2 seizures yesterday morning that were stopped with Valium. She is now heavily dosed with Phenobarbital. No more seizures until this morning (legs went stiff but that was the extent), but they said she is unable to get up on her own. Physical appearance: Large abdomen Hair thinning along sides and belly Skin thin Weight 82 pounds (lost 13 pounds since 2007 but looks much heavier) She has not eaten well this week (normally she eats hers and attempts to eat everyone else's left over after mealtime) I inquired about Cushing's Disease and they said she does not show the signs of this disease... Any ideas what we should do??? Nobody can tell me ANY possible diagnosis and we are $2000.00 in thus far... : (

Shannon Florida

Hi Shannon I read here ... generally don't post but am currently a Mum of a SRMA, IMHA pup ... and formerly owned a cushings dog. The symptoms you do describe can be cushings ... but generally there is weight gain not weight loss. There are other diseases that mimic cushings - diabetes and hypothyroidism. Have a search online for symptoms of hypothyroidism and see if any of these fit your pup. All the best Angela and Flynn NZ

Angela New Zealand

Just got back from the ER. Bela never regained consciousness after being "loaded" with Pheno yesterday (after administered Valium the night before. She looks HEAVILY sedated. Eyes partially open, snoring even. The doctor recommended we euthanize her. I have her blood work: 12:50 am 8/28/10 ALB 4.5 PHOS 2.8 ALP 26 CRE 0.9 ALT 132 GLU 87 AMY 827 NA+ 143 TBIL HEM K+ HEM BUN 10 TP 7.6 CA 13.9 GLOB 3.0 12:51AM 8/28/10 WBC 9.41 LYM 1.96 MON 0.50 NEU 5.89 EOS 0.91 BAS 0.14 ----------------- LY% 20.8 RBC 8.57+ PLT 476 MO% 5.3+ HGB 20.7+ PCT 0.47 NE% 62.6 HCT 55.31 MPV 9.9 EO% 9.7+ MCV 65 PDWc 38.3 BA% 1.5 MCH 24.1 MCHC 37.4+ RDWc 16.5 _____________________________________________ 1:50pm 8/29/10 ALT 90 NA+ 140 GLU 123 K+ 4.3 BUN 6 CL- 109 CRE 0.7 TCO2 23

Shannon Florida

Shannon - I'm so sorry to read your posts and I'm sure others who know much more about what you are facing will chime in soon to help you on the medical front. Do you feel comfortable the vet you are working with now has a handle on what is going on with Bela? If you are unsure and you are able, I would get a second opinion before making any final decisions for her. Why is your vet recommeding euthansia? You know her better than anyone and that should be your guide. I'm so sorry for what you are going through - I have been there - it is the most difficult of situations. My dog has intermittent seizure episodes but has not needed the level of medications you have described - it seems very heavy to me, based on what I've read. I hope we hear better news from you in the morning. Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Dear Shannon, I am so sorry to hear what is happening to Bela. I do not have any experience in what you are dealing with, I'm sorry I can't offer any advice. I do agree with Bonnie that you should get a second opinion before deciding to euthanise Bela. I'm sure you'll do this anyway. Hopefully Patrice is online at some stage soon, as she should be able to offer some advice. I hope things turn around for Bela, Sam & Millie.

Samantha Geelong

I firmly believe all these ailments stem from the vaccinations! My wonderful Golden, Jack, was vaccinated July 16, 2010 and died August 15th. I believe there is a VERY strong correlation between vaccinations and onsets of various maladies. Best wishes, and it ain't an easy road. My wonderful Jack passed away on his own so I didn't have to make the decision to put him down, but the expenses were mounting. I think it is a horrible thing to have to make a decision between finances and the animal you love more than anyone could ever know........I still cry over his loss.

mary wright Gainesville

I DO NOT know this vet very well, nor do I trust ANYTHING she advised today. She is only on call at the ER during the day. The night shift doctor came on at 8:00pm tonight. She agreed that Bela was not ready to be euthanized at this point. She said she is stable. I have talked to 3 vets tonight, all recommended Auburn in the morning. We also have a Presa Canario that was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia last year that is being treated via Auburn. He is fighting his battle and winning so far!! I just hope Bela will survive through the night so we can get her to Auburn... At least the numb-nut is off duty now so I believe Bela is in good hands at this point... Thank you for your kind words everyone. ~Shannon & Bela P.S. "This vet" also recommended I euthanize my kitten, "Queenie", that I brought in to the ER about 4 years ago because she had become paralyzed from the neck down over a 2 day period of time. She took x-rays and found no broken bones. Queenie was not in any distress and was perfectly fine riding around in her basket! I told her I wanted to wait and talk to my vet before making any rash decisions. My vet agreed Queenie was happy and not a candidate for euthanasia and gave her some anti-bacterial medication. One month later, her strange paralysis vanished and she was left with minor neuropathy in her back feet. Four years later, she runs up and down our stairs, jumps on our bed and couch, and harasses all of our dogs!! I ALWAYS QUESTION A FIRST OPINION!

Shannon Florida

Shannon, A brief look at the history, symptoms and location of this dog lead me to suspect a case of the serious tick disease Babesiosis. A quick search of the tick group I belong to: Tick-L, came up quickly with the first post, from 1997, being from an woman involved in rescue of Racing Greyhound dogs from FL. She was describing active seizures in a Racing Greyhound that was turned into rescue because the owner could not deal with the frequent seizures. This dog tested positive to Babesiosis at 1:160. Of the 80 dogs she had tested so far in this posting from 1997, 59% of these Greyhounds were positive. She was relating how she felt that it might be this disease that was causing so many of these Greyhounds to under-perform because of physical stress and seizures and be retired prematurely. I suggest that you read and print everything on this website pertaining to Babesiosis: http://sites.google.com/site/blackgsd/babesiosis Gil Ash is a consummate researcher and has a very personal reason why she maintains this website that contains everything you need to know about tick diseases. I trust everything she has posted here as accurate. This is one list that contains the possible symptoms of Babesiosis: intermittent fever intermittent loss of appetite lethargy loss of interest in food gradual loss of body condition (esp. around the eyes and along the spine) depression upper respiratory problems (coughing or labored breathing) vomiting constipation diarrhea sores in the mouth edema bleeding under the skin or a rash low white blood cell count clotting problems joint swelling back pain seizures weakness increased liver enzymes low platelet count hyper-reflective eyes enlarged lymph nodes enlarged spleen septic shock Since a tick panel has been done (and let's hope that Babesiosis was tested for...) you will know soon enough. Gil indicates this reference for the kinds of tests that are best at identifying this disease: "Polymerase chain reaction tests (PCRs) are a good choice for detecting the disease since they are able to find it even when there are a low number of parasites in the blood. IFAs are also supposed to be reliable tests for the B. canis organisms." This is the information she has about treatment: "Imizol (Imidocarb dipropionate) is used in the treatment of Babesiosis canis and off-label to treat E. canis. It is usually administered in a series of two shots given two weeks apart. Cautions on the label about its use for dogs with impaired lungs, liver or kidneys should be noted and taken into account. There is no body of evidence so far to indicate that Imizol is effective against any strain of ehrlichiosis other than E. canis but it's certainly worth a try if time is of the essence or the dog cannot take doxycycline. Imizol is given either sub-Q (under the skin) or intramuscularly. Note, however, it burns. Vets who have not used it should be aware that the dog will have an easier time of it if the needle is changed after the Imizol is drawn up into the syringe so that there is no Imizol on the needle to touch and burn the skin. Most dogs have no problem with it beyond a little drooling and an initial yelp of outrage as the shot is given. One advantage to the use of Imizol, either with or instead of doxycycline, is that it may take care of a cross infection with babesiosis. Cross infections of one TBD with another are unfortunately common." Imizol has been found to be successful in treating this disease, but Gil points out that these dogs may be carriers the rest of their lives. **I am not a vet, so this is not a diagnosis.** You must work closely with your vet to make sure that they do follow up on testing for this. You are in an area of high incidence so it is a strong possibility. If you cannot get your vet to agree to testing for this tick disease, please find a vet nearby that will do this for you immediately. The best lab in the US is Protatek Labs. Dr. Holland will conference by phone with any vet involved in a diagnosis. "Protatek Reference Laboratory: Cynthia J. Holland, PhD, Director 574 East Alamo St. Suite #90 Chandler, AZ. 85225 (480)545-8499 Fax: 480.545.8409 This takes you to a page where you can download a Submission Form or Dr. Holland's technical brief on "Canine Ehrlichiosis and Diagnostic Importance of End-Point Titers". The drop-down menu under Reference Lab takes you to information about Dr. Holland, the services ProtaTek offers and testimonials from vets who use their laboratory. IFA tests for E. equi (A. phagocytophilum) and E. risticii (N. risticii) can be requested as add-ons to the basic tick panel. Protatek is the laboratory we recommend most on Tick List. They are accurate, turnaround time is fast if the sample is gotten to them at the beginning of the week, and Dr. Holland is very helpful and willing to discuss test results if you have any questions." good luck patrice

Patrice NYS

Shannon Please know that Bela is in my prayers. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Thank you for your help and words of comfort. My Bela did not survive. Monday, her lungs could not work alone (she aspirated sometime Saturday). The doctor had to put her on a ventilator. We arrived at the ER, spoke with the doctors about our options. I called my vet and discovered not much could be done for my Bela at this point. I had to make the decision to euthanize her. Bela was the momma of our home. We all relied or her in different ways. Our pack strongly misses her. I hope I did everything I could for her. She did not deserve her life cut so short so fast. RIP Bela.

Shannon Florida

Dear Shannon and Family Please accept my heartfelt condolences in the loss of your darling Bela. Put Me To Rest Time to let me go my friend, Because my life no-one can mend, It's better to let me go this way, Than watch me suffer night and day. I'm happy to go, my time has come, My quality of life is no longer fun, I've been so ill, so it's not a bad thing, To let me go forever resting. Stay with me till I drift away, Fast asleep forever I pray, To relieve me from suffering and pain, What more can I ask from my best friend. Don't be sad, I'll be free from pain, Never to be ill ever again, I know you'll miss me being there, But all the memories you have to share. Thank you for being my best friend, And all my needs that you did tend, Try not to be sad, try not to cry, Now is the time to say goodbye Put me to rest. With Sadness, Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Dear Shannon, I am so sorry you had to post these sad news about your beloved Bella. It is never easy to loose our companions, but when they are young and healthy one day and only a short time after they are gone, it is even harder. I am sure you have fantastic memories of happy times with your momma. Hopefully those memories will heal your broken heart. Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Shannon - I am so sorry to hear that Bela did not make it. With sympathy, Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Shannon, I am so terribly sorry for your loss. I hope in the coming days the better memories and the joy you felt having Bela in your life help ease the terrible pain you are feeling now. It is always so hard to have to make the decision to let them go and you will question your decision. Remember though you did everything that you knew to do and cared enough to let her go even though it would break your heart. Sharing in your sorrow. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Oh no...I'm so sorry Shannon. Just remember that you did everything you could for her and she knew how much you loved her! You've got my heartfelt condolences and sympathies. Run Free Bela. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

So sorry, Shannon to hear about your girl Bela. You and your family are in my prayers. Blessings, Cindi

Cindi & Tori PCB

So terribly sorry for your loss. Know that you did all you could do with what was handed you. Somethings are just out of our control. Don't feel bad, like I do. I wish I had been more informed, not that it would have changed the outcome. Mary (and Jack RIP)

mary wright Gainesville

Dear Shannon, I am so sorry to hear of Bela's passing. No more pain for your darling girl. Please know that we are thinking of you at this very sad time. With deepest sympathies, Sam and Millie.

Samantha Geelong Australia

This thread was discussed between 29/08/2010 and 04/09/2010

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