Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Our nikki passed away

We started a thread back in aug when our little girl was diagnosed with IMHA. The treatment she was receiving from the first vet seemed quite extreme, huge doses steroids and a gam met of unnecessary very expensive tests and we found another vet who slashed the dosage by more than half. She was checked regularly and over the months she improved immensely until only 4 weeks ago and she was taken off all medication.2weeks later her blood count had risen to 45 and she seemed fine and the vet said she was very healthy. She returned to her old self, playing with the cats and her toys. Enjoying long walks etc.2 night ago she was doing her normal loving things and all of all a sudden she started to froth at the mouth, my wife picked her and she died in her arms.almost instantly. We rushed her to the emergency clinic and the vet there said that she probably suffered a massive heart attack. I have done a bit more research on this and found it is quite common with dogs who have suffered through IMHA are prone to develop blood clots that can and do regularly kill them. This disease that in my opinion is brought on by vets overdosing our loved ones with unnecessary vaccines, thousands of dollars in treatment costs and knowing that the probable outcome will be death due to a massive heart attack. If you google this nightmare called IMHA you come up with thousands of pages of information most all with the same theme, over vaccination of our beloved pets from the very people we trust our pets life with, the veterinarian. This is so unethical and wrong. We must do something to get this investigated. I for one will be making a lot of noise on this issue as well as getting my local politicians to start an investigation. This has to stop!

Jon & linda Nova scotia

Jon & Linda, I am so very sorry for your loss. That must be so extra difficult when you have gone so far in treating your sweet Nikki and think that you have beaten it only to lose her. You are preaching to the choir here on the dangers of vaccines and canine products. If you want to make a difference you might check out Joanne's site and donate to Meisha's Hope. We need to all help find treatments that aren't so devastating to our dogs. I hope that in the days ahead the memories of your good times with Nikki will help your hearts heal. It has been 4 years since I lost my sweet Salome and there is still a wistfulness that I feel every day when i think of her. Take care Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

So sorry to hear about your Nikki. Our Tori has zinc induced IMHA. We all can feel your hurt and anger to some degree as we are on the roller coaster, too...God bless you, Jon & Linda. Blessings, Cindi & Tori

Cindi PCB

I'm so soryr for your loss Jon & Linda. I was just thinking of Nikki the other week wondering how she was doing! This is just so difficult to have to deal with! You have me deepest sympathies and condolences on your loss. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Dear Jon and Linda Please accept my heartfelt condolences in the loss of your Nikki. Know that I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. When you feel up to it please visit the loss and grief page and the Meisha's Hope website. http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/loss.htm Again please accept my deepest sympathy. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile PA

Hi everyone Thank you all so very much for your kind words and thoughts. Yes, we are extremely upset by the events of the last 6 months.as is the same for all of you I 'm sure, we had no idea what was lurking out there in regards to the potential deadly consequences of getting our little girl vaccinated year after year. Once a person starts looking into this ghastly preventable disease, it is astounding that this goes on every day with little or no action from the very people who could do something immediately about this. Upon reflection,Although we can do nothing for our little girl now,the entire nightmare started by trusting our vet to do the right thing. IF there was any danger, let along the devastating consequences of contracting IMHA we would not have had her vaccinated. All they needed to do was disclose to us the potential harm this could do and let us make an informed decision. Why is it that vets are not disclosing the harm that over vaccinating can do? Granted not all doge are affected by this, but it does seem that a very substantial amount of dogs are from the forums and information I have researched so far.I don't want to jump to conclusions, but some very informed people on the Internet, some vets included suggest that it is all about money. We cannot believe that it is what it is all about, but what else could be the reason for not disclosing the potential harm this practice can do?it appears to be a global problem. We some how need to make the awareness of this go viral so that pet owners everywhere can ask questions of their vets and make informed decisions about their beloved pets. It is heartwarming & comforting to know that there are forums like this one available to communicate with other people whose loved ones have been affected by this. Thank you all for your kind support & we wish you all peace and happiness for the holidays and a healthy new year to your beloved pets.All we can do it seems is to spread the word to everyone we know who has a pet to question the need for vaccinations year after year. Please e-mail us at any time if you like at lindaandjon@eastlink.ca we need to start the end of this somewhere. Jon & Linda

Jon & Linda ns

Linda and Jon I haven't been on this sight for a while and was very sorry to read you had lost Nikki! Our heartfelt condolensces on your loss. It is devastating to lose one of our precious pets, and especially painful at this time of year. Hopefully in time your heart will heal, and you will remember only the good times you spent with Nikki. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs to You both, from Maureen and Mercedes

Maureen BC

Dear Jon and Linda, I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Nikki. She sounds like such a wonderfully loved companion. Thank-you for sharing your thoughts on the problem of over vaccinating our beloved pets. I for one will not allow any more vaccinations for Gracie who was diagnosed with IMHA and Pure Red Cell Aplasia. We are far from out of the woods. Luckily my vet has told me that there will be no more vaccinations for Gracie. What I don't understand is that if they can stop vaccinations with dogs with IMHA why give them to healthy dogs and cats at all. It doesn't make sense. Again, my heart goes out to you both. It is just so sad. Sometimes I am afraid to go on this website and read about all the losses. I know that we can learn from them. You are in my thoughts and prayers, Gwen and Gracie

Gwen Rhinebeck

Dear Jon and Linda, I am so very sorry to hear that Nikki has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. I understand your frustration and anger at over-vaccination. Like Nikki, we believe my Millie's IMHA was bought on by her annual vaccination. It truly is a hard one - we don't want our dogs exposed to potentially fatal viruses, so we do the right thing and vaccinate them. May your happy memories of Nikki comfort you during this very difficult time. Please accept our deepest sympathies and condolences. Sam & Millie.

Samantha Geelong

How horrible to lose your baby girl after thinking you were in the clear...my heart goes out to you. She will be in your heart forever and while you will never forget her the remembering gets easier. My prayers are with you. Kelly

kely Redding

This thread was discussed between 18/12/2010 and 23/12/2010

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