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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - 'Pop' and I thank you guys for quick response!
| JoAnne, Patrice, Betty, Keefer, and Brenda, Thank you guys and anyone else for your constructive advice and concern. I was an TOTAL MESS yesterday. On Wednesday the vet had said he thought he had cancer. Thursday am he wouldn't eat anything - then I was gone all day at a school function. Upon return yesterday afternoon, I found him out in the grass, gums pale, labored breathing, unable to lift his head to acknowledge me. Of course, it was after hours. I found one vet to see me at 7 pm. By the time we got there we'd all but decided it was "his time". This vet wanted to keep him in ER overnight and run scans and multiple tests in am. It would be at least $800-900 to start and no guarantee. We are not in a financial position to spend much more than that anyway, and he did not look like he could make it through the night. We decided we'd use the emergency pager # and call our vet that is a personal friend. We had gone to this other vet above to get a "second opinion" and but afterwards ended up making our own decision to have him put down by a fimilar friend to all of us. We stressed as we tried calling 2 of his after hour numbers for several hours and got no response. This was very unusual for our friend. He always calls no matter what time. He's met us at all hours of the night for various emergencies over the last 15 plus years.....But not this time..........(don't worry- story gets better) We sat with him for hours, he wanted to lay by his water bowl so he could constantly drink, then he'd have to vomit it all up. We took the water away and put him in his crate for the night-what was left of it. We just knew we'd probably wake up to a loss. The new plan was to have him put down first thing this am (if he made it). Morning came and when the crate opened a pretty lively dog sprang up and out. He trotted across the yard, ears perked forward, urinated (and it was clear this time), then came begging for food and attention. He ate some sirloin in his kibble-not a bunch - but he ATE! We headed to our vet friend with yet a NEW plan. AND SOME HOPE! I am so glad he did not answer his pager from us last night. Strangely, he didn't even recieve any pages from us...and I had double-checked the numbers several times. Somebody was looking out for Popeye last night! His PCV is still 26 and the liver/protein # went up one point to 5. I am still not sure what that means but I am thinking that probably is a step away from this "cancer" theory he had on Wednesday... He is not sure, but is currently treating it as a vaccination-induced AIHA case. I asked about some additional types of testing and being conservative and thoughtful of out pocketbook he suggested not to. I know that for some folks, not testing for everything IS NOT an option. I would insist on it if we had extra money but... anyway I am pleased with today and optimistic for tommorrow. Today was actually his best day since original diagnosis, ten days ago. Strange that it immediately follows his worst day...Maybe that is not strange...is that just the way this thing is? Thanks again! |
| Allison TX |
| This is really good news. I certainly hope things continue going up for you and your boy. |
| Sandra ingleside |
| Try milk thistle for the liver issues.. its supportive GNC carries it Check out Jean Dodds liver diet and web site |
| keefer Downingtown |
| Allison, I was heartened to read your update about Popeye. It is the most frightening thing to see your "baby" in serious distress and not be able to help. I seriously studied Joanne's site when we first got Cody and learned more there than anywhere.... at times it can seem too much to get your head around and I think that's understandable. We were lucky in that Cody was able to go into remission only on the prednisone....if I remember right, the usual initial dose is about 1 mg per pound/ daily. Cody was getting 60 mg/ day in two doses for a 58 pound springer. Also remember it takes time for the pred to kick in and start working. When the hct gets high enough, a very gradual reduction starts.... make sure this step is not rushed or you could be back at square one. Cody was diagnosed in Aug. and was finally off the pred in April. FREQUENT CBC's are a must...... we're still getting them every few months and I'm checking his gums at least once a day ( ok, honestly, probably 5-6 times.... I'm really OC with him). Please keep us posted on his status....this is a great place to find support and knowledge. |
| betty dallas |
| Allison, I was cringing as I was reading your story and was so glad when you said "don't worry story gets better". So good to hear that Popeye is doing better. During the initial crisis, we went through a night with our boy Duck where we thought we would lose him. It was a sleepless teary night for us and a couple of times Duck stopped breathing for about 30 seconds. Oddly enough the next morning he perked up. That was five months ago and now he has maintained a normal red cell count for the last three months and we are in the last stages of weaning him off the prednisone. His quality of life has returned and even though we still don't have any guarantees that he is going to be okay, we try our best to make each day a good one for him. Please keep us all posted and good luck to you and Popeye! deb and Duck |
| Debbie BC Canada |
| Popeye did indeed have someone looking out for him It sounds like the drugs are starting to kick in. In your other post you asked who moderates this forum. It is Joanne Dickson. I am hoping you have read up at her site Meisha's Hope. Without her unflagging determimination and dedication to find out everything about this awful disease there would not be this board to come to. We all owe her so much. Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Is there anyone out there who has had any success with homeopathic meds in addition to allopathic meds for treatment of IMHA??? My eight year old Shih Tzu had been in a 5 year remission from her original diagnosis of IMHA in November 2002 until last week.... she became lethargic, and colorless again and when we brought her to the vet her PCV was 8. A transfusion was done immediately bring her RBC to 20, but throughout a week of IV therapy to flush the bilirubin her PCV dropped again to 14. So another transfusion last night and she is back up to 30, but still looking awful.... lost a lot of weight as she has eaten only a few bites in nearly two weeks. Any suggestions out there are certainly welcome. Thank you |
| Lisa Florio Florida |
| Allison...so glad to hear the ending to your story. It sounds like he has turned the corner, and hopefully will continue to improve. In addition to the Prednisone you will probably be giving Popeye another anti rejection drug. The cyclosporin is very expensive (even buying it at Costco) as compared to Immuran. So if you have a choice, the Azathioprine is about 1/5 the price. If they want to give him the cyclosporin, I have some left from Daisy that I will mail to you....Good luck Ron |
| Ron B San Mateo |
This thread was discussed between 03/11/2007 and 22/11/2007
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