Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Our Little tammie diagnosed

Our Litle tammie age 5 toy poodle suddenly was very lethargic and showed blood in her human. Brought her to the local vet who immediately took some blood tests x rays and advised she looked as if she had AIHA. Had no idea what it was but since he did not do blood transfusions we transfered her to Norwalk Emergency Vet Hospital who took over quickly. They ran various tests and reconfirmed her diagnose. Started her blood transfusion. Did Ultra sound and more x rays to confirm no internal bleeding or tumors etc. Was doing well last night and eat a little. this morning received an emergency call from Dr.s Office that her breathing was labored and she started coughing up a bloody fluid. Her pak count was up to 19 from 14 last night. She is on Oxygen and they are afriad she has clots in her lungs. She is on heparin and aspirin for right now. Prognonsis not too good. We are devistated. Waiting for the next update. Any hope for her. Can her meds kick in and help so they can continue their plans with the addition of the other drugs.

Barbara Tibbatts Trumbull Connecticut

Barbara, I am so very sorry to hear that your most beloved Tammie has recently been diagnosed with AIHA. While AIHA is a very difficult disease, dogs who have been diganosed with it CAN and DO recover and go on to live happy healthy lives. If you have not read my web site on AIHA http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson as yet, you might want to do so when you can. Be sure to follow the links on the first page to many other sites on AIHA/IMHA that will be very helpful to you and do read the Success Stories pages. They will show you what has worked for other dogs in terms of treatment options as well as give you a lot of HOPE. The meds can kick in but they do take a little time to do so. It takes at least 5-7 days for prednsione to start to work and even longer for azathioprine (Imuran) to kick in. The Veterinary Drug Handbook says that it can take up to six weeks to see a clinical response with Azathioprine. We do see that drug start to work sooner in some dogs, but in some dogs it does take the full six weeks to start to work. Until the medications used to treat AIHA/IMHA start to work, it is quite normal to see the PCV continue to drop. If it drops too far, (usually low to mid teens) vets can give blood transfusions to buy time until the medications do start to work. I know this is so hard so be assured that both you and your dear Tammie are in my thoughts and prayers during these most difficult days.

Joanne MN

Barbara, it sounds like Tammie is in good hands and that the vets are doing everything they can. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Tammie. Please keep us posted. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Barbara, I am keeping you and Tammy in my thoughts and prayers as well. I hope you have positive results soon. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Barbara, so sorry to hear about Tammie, my thoughts are with you. Tricia

Tricia UK

I can not believe we lost our tammie. She didn't even last 48 hours. She got in one blood transfusion and then started coughing up blood. We went to see her and she was on oxygen and could not breath. It was horrible and she passed away. We are all devistated including her vet. He had never had a case.

Barbara Connecticut

OH, Barbara, I am so so sorry. My dog only lasted 48 hours also My vet also said he had never seen anything like it. I can't believe this disease--how in god's name and why in god's name aren't we warned about it more. I am not blaming anyone--I just thought I was taking pretty good care of my dog. I am so, very sorry--I just can't believe this disese.

Becky illinois

Dear Barbara, I am sorry to hear of your loss. It is devastating and extremely painful. I had to put my Molson down on Tuesday, March 25 '08 as a result of liver disease - a complication of his IMHA diagnosed in Dec. '07. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Go to the following web-site - introduced by Miranda and see a candle lit for Tammie. You will see Tammie's name as Tammi - the e wouldn't fit. AM

AM FL

Barbara, Sorry, I forgot to attach the link for the candle. Here it is.. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=AIHA%3E Peace, AM

AM FL

Barbara, I'll get this right yet. Not sure why it didn't work right the first time. Either of these links should show a candle for Tammie. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=AIHA%3E or http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=aiha Peace, AM

AM FL

Barbara, The candle shows up of two AIHA sites. <http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=AIHA> or http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=aiha AM

AM FL

Barbara, Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your beloved Tammie. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Evelyn and Daisy

Evelyn So Jersey

Barbara, I'm so so sorry. It's very shocking isn't it? Our girl lasted one month. I haven't caught up on my sleep yet as now I lay awake and think about what went wrong. Please accept my sincere sympathy. Gail

Gail SD

Barbara, I'm so sorry Tammie lost her fight with IMHA. Our Bronwyn also lasted less than 48 hours - about 36 from diagnosis to our having to put her to sleep. In her case it was excessively high bilribin leles that did it - the vet had never seen anything like it, and he was well versed in IMHA. I know how completely shellshocked you feel right now. Hang in there. Elizabeth

Elizabeth Baltimore

This thread was discussed between 26/03/2008 and 29/03/2008

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