Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Phoebe's progress

Hi everyone many many apologies for not updating you all on Phoebe's progress - but to be quite honest have been terrified to tempt fate by writing that she is progressing well and then - whallop - back down again. Also, my husband has been on vacation (some holiday - trip to edinburgh hospital and then worrying about Phoebe every day and night), anyway we have been trying to have days out to try to blot out the emptiness in our lives without Phoebe. So what's happened since my last update - Phoebe has been in Intensive Care Unit in an oxygen tent since 18 August. Things really did not look good for her last week and I thought it would be the last time I saw her as she drove away with my husband and my mum to Royal Dick. She was met by Alasdair at the door waiting for her. She was put on aspirin and heparin and each and every day Alasdair rang me to tell me that she was improving little by little. Then yesterday she was taken out of the oxygen tent and put into a normal 'cage'. At home she has her beds, her toys, is pampered at every whim, but here she is in a cage!! However hard this sounds I know she is in the best of care and I have to trust in Alasdair and his team. She has been eating well and toileting well. She even went for a walk down the long corridor yesterday (she doesn't even walk that far at home!!). Today Alasdair has been moved onto another case (hope this is Mitch!!!!), and as Phoebe is improving so much Adam - her vet who reported on her today says she may even be home for the weekend - something I never never envisaged happening this time last week. The morale of my story Kath and Kathleen and everyone else on their rollercoaster ride is -DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOUR FURBABY! they are stronger than you think, miracles can and do happen - when your in the depths of despair as we were last week (even Alasdair admitted that he did not think she was going to make it) she bounces back! although were not out of the woods yet - and won't be for some time - I get another chance to look after my baby, to hug and to cuddle her. If this is a taste of life without Phoebe - I don't ever want to reach this state - so I can sympathize with all of you whose beloved furbabies have gone to the rainbow bridge, whilst rejoicing with those of you who have success stories - what a weird disease this is!! Kath - WHEN Mitch comes home the next time try to have the canned pumpkin in (www.partridges.co.uk) so that you can give it to him to help with the loose poo! it really does work miracles. Dont despair, if the vets at Royal Dick can help him they will. Keep positive, keep a photograph like I do and speak to him constantly. I shall light a special candle for him and Nollaig at Mass this week and will keep them in my special prayers. Kathleen, I hope that Nollaig's results are good this week and as mentioned above will be lighting special candles for her and Mitch. the only help I can give is that I keep a little book every day and start about 7.00 a.m. listing all the drugs and food (and toilet trips) and anything unusual so that I can tell the vets anything they need to know. It goes something like this 7.00 a.m Antepsin 8.00 p.m. Prednisolone Pepcid and food 10.15 goats milk yoghurt 11.00 a.m. Pumpkin 12.15 antepsin 1.00. food (2 hours before) 3.00 Cyclosporine (atopica) 5.00 p.m. (2 hours after) - this seems to help with the absorption of atopica - 6.00 p.m. Pumpkin 6.30.p.m. Antepsin 7.30 p.m Prednisolne (sometimes if she is really hungry at this point I give her a little food). On a tuesday/wednesday she also has green tripe included in her diet. During all the time she has been poorly with the blood clot her PCV has not dropped below 34 and she is beginning to regenerate in her bone marrow. This has taken months and months to happen, so although we have had the setback with the thromboembolism her immune system seems to still be recovering!! hope this helps. I will also light a candle for all the other furbabies on this forum, for all the success stories and for all those that need a special mention at the moment. Thank you all for praying for Phoebe, for believing in your furbabies, for being the most wonderful support anyone could wish for. And, finally a special mention to Patrice - what would we all do without you!!!!!!!!!! You are an inspiration and deserve a medal!!! Joanne, thank you for your message and for caring so much about Phoebe, as soon as she is home (can't believe I am saying that) I shall take her photograph with a proper camera and post it to you so that everyone can see my beautiful girl. Trying to stay positive!! Kindest regards Gill & Phoebe xx

gill uk

Wonderful news. Thanks for letting us know.

Mardi Northern Cali

So so pleased that things are looking better for Phoebe and that she's coming home.I take great inspiration from Phoebe coming back from the brink like that,well done Phoebe you little star! Thanks so much Gill for keeping Nollaig in your thoughts and I really would appreciate you lighting a candle for her at Mass,I've been praying like mad also. Keep us updated on Phoebe's progress. Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

Gill, That is great news. It sounds like Phoebe is doing quite well. That will be wonderful if she gets home this weekend. Keep up the positives. I think it probably helps you as much as it does Phoebe. I think a lot of us get so caught up in our dogs trials that we neglect ourselves. Have to take care of both. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hi Gill That's wonderful news and you must be so happy at the thought of having Pheobe home for the weekend. You have really been through the mill recently with this condition and to receive such positive news is a huge boost. Pheobe is certainly one strong and resilient little pooch. Best wishes, Claire

Claire Cumbria UK

Hi everyone Thanks for all the kind messages - its good to know Phoebe has so many 'guardian angels' looking out for her and wishing her well. Whilst on the forum, just literally spoke to Adam, Phoebe's new vet (but who is always in contact with Alasdair!), and he said she has moved into the normal 'ward' this morning, she is off the oxygen and if she continues to improve, and following another blood test this morning (which they will have the results for this evening), Phoebe definitely be home at the weekend!!!!!!! Can't wait to see that pretty little cheeky face. I never thought I was going to see her again!!! Thank you so much for all your support during this 'blip'. I have no doubt that there will be more in store, but I guess I will just have to celebrate the highs and go with the flow during the lows. thanks again Most kindest regards A very happy Gill and an improving Phoebe!

gill uk

Gill, I am so happy for you and Phoebe! We love these fantastic news. you are probably counting the hours until you have her home again. Try and get some rest while you can. Sharing your joy, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Terrific news about Phoebe. Alasdair sounds like a really good doctor. Also good to hear about the heparin and aspirin. Both good ideas. I'll be keeping her in my thoughts and prayers. Can't wait to hear when she gets home. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hi, What good news! Have just started on month eleven with Joey so fingers crossed he's the second baby I've had thats got this terrible disease. Good luck,best wishes,our thoughts are with you, Corrie & Joey.

corrie marney Dagenham Essex

Gill, This is wonderful news indeed! You and Phoebe have been through so much. Praise the Lord, things are looking up. Sue & Ren

Susie delaware

Hi everyone Just heard Phoebe won't be coming home for friday - vets want to reduce her heparin slowly and so they think either saturday or sunday - fingers crossed. She gets another full blood test tomorrow so that will let us know how she is. Phoebe has been moved to the ward and Adam has reported she is fine, but I know she won't really be 'fine' until she's home with mum and dad. Thank you again for all your support Kind regards Gill & Phoebe

gill uk

This thread was discussed between 24/08/2009 and 26/08/2009

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