Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Need HELP fast - Betty? in Dallas

Hi- I took my German Shep in for his blood check yesterday. It was 26 - the same as when he left hospital. My vet said he is still making red blood cells but is very concerned about the protein levels...thinks he may have cancer. This vet has been my vet and friend for many years. I trust him. He said we he could send me to get numerous tests, spend lots of money and the end result would be the same. Not good. I trust his opinion but I do not want to insult his knowledge. I want to get a second opinion - I'm not sure my vet has treated this very much and I have a feeling there may be many vets out there in a similar state. (I saw a post from a Betty in the Dallas area - perhaps i could get her vets name) IF ANYONE KNOWS OF A VET IN THE DFW METRO AREA - PLEASE GET ME THE NAME ASAP... I need to take him some where fast. I found a Dr. Bob Rogers in Houston and I am waiting for him to call me back. He has declined rapidly since last night. I fixed him cooked top sirloin and he won't even touch it. His belly is even more swollen and he will not get up. I am in a panic. I don't know if he would make it to Houston, as that is 4-5 hours from here. If I take him to my vet i know what he will reccommend. I don't think I am ready to give up on him yet.

Allison Dallas

Allison, Good for you for wanting to get a second opinion. Indeed many vets do not have all the knowledge and experience necessary to treat a disease as serious as AIHA/IMHA so many times a second opinion by a specialist really is advisable. You might want to click on this URL http://www.acvim.org/Specialist/Search.aspx which will take you to a page that may be useful to you in finding a specialist. Good luck and be assured both you and German Shepherd are in my thoughts and prayers.

Joanne MN

Allison, If you have not done so already, have your local vet do a general xray of the abdomen. I read in an earlier post that your GSD has a swollen abdomen. I think, from what your vet has indicated to you, that he thinks that your dog may have a hemangiosarcoma. We had a similar scenerio in March of this year with our vet when first seen for a general "swelling" in the abdomen. It indicated a mass on the spleen... and they warned me for the worst... this serious form of cancer. We had an ultrasound several days later and the specialist confirmed the mass.. but also recommended removal as he couldn't really determine what was in there. Hemangiosarcomas are more common in older male dogs and are very agressive. I was prepared for the worst. We had the surgery a few days later and our local vet removed a 7.1 lb mass plus the spleen. Pathology showed it to be a benign hematoma. No cancer. After lots of research I find these encapsulated hematomas are far more common than you would believe. And most dogs that have them die from them rupturing because the owner didn't know what was happening and surgery wasn't performed in a timely manner. Keep your GSD *very quiet* right now just in case. Chance did go on to develop non regenerative anemia, but he had 2 months of relatively good health before that. Fast forward to today, Chance is recovering well from his anemia and is a very active guy. Hemangiosarcomas are often diagnosed by referencing blood work. The blood can contain odd cell types that are "indicative" of cancer. And that may be what your vet sees when he looks at the slides. But Chance also had those signs too. There is much more to this complex story, but I just wanted to give you a little hope that maybe this isn't what your vet thinks it is. The xray would be a very good start. Patrice

Patrice New York State

You need to have him seen by a internal medicine vet. A specialist. Are ther any vet. specialty places near you???

keefer Downingtown

Allison, I'm so glad I checked this site tonight...haven't been doing it reguarly. The vet that treated Cody was the vet rescue uses and I've found him to be very knowledgeable and kind. His name is Dr. Paul Carroll at Midway Hollow Pet Clinic (214)902-0797 They're on Northwest Highway and Midway (3780 W Northwest Highway) I would encourage you to get your baby to the Emergency Vet Clinic tonight if you feel he is in danger.... there is one on Greenville just south of LBJ.....I'll go look it up and repost. Good luck... I'll be saying my prayers.

Betty Dallas

Emergency Animal Clinc 12101 Greenville Ave ( S of LBJ) (972)994-9110 It is open only when the vets are closed so if you run into trouble during the night, call here or go in. Please keep us posted.

Betty Dallas

Allison, Just to clarify, Dr. Carroll is not a specialist, but has had several autoimmune anemia cases and I felt in COdy's case that he was very "up" on all I read re: treatment options,etc. He is very compassionate and his rates are really reasonable.

Betty Dallas

Betty -- I'm so glad you checked in and saw Allison's note. Good luck, Allison. I hope you can get some help quickly.

Brenda VA

Allison, I am in the Dallas area. My vet, who I have used for 20 years, referred me to Veterinary Specialists of North Texas. The vet I saw is Richard Scroggin. 12101 Greenville Ave, Suite 114. Phone is 972-437-9499. The specialize in cancer and blood disorders. I felt if anyone was going to save Acadia it would have been Dr. Scroggin. Janet

Janet Dallas

Allison, Please feel free to contact me via email and I will give you my phone number. I can tell you more then. Janet

Janet Dallas

This thread was discussed between 01/11/2007 and 11/11/2007

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