Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Problems for Ren

Ren was doing so well until this evening. I noticed over the past few days that her bark sounded a little different. Today she started coughing and then collapsed. I quickly picked her up and she was totally limp. I though I had lost her. She came around after about a minute and after about an hour she seemed normal again. This is how the disease started manifesting itself this past relapse. I have to tell you all that I am really beside myself. I have been crying ever since this happened today. I will take her to the vet first thing AM tomorrow. I pray that her PCV has not dropped. After all, there are no more medications that she can take. We have tried everything. Please, please say a special prayer for Ren tonight. Pray that this was an isolated incident and that it has nothing to do with the disease. Also please pray for my family. We have been through so much with this horrible disease. Sometimes I think my head will explode with constant worry and fear. I will post again tomorrow when I get more results from the Vet. SUE

Susie Delaware

Sue, We are thinking of you and Ren and praying for you tonight. Try to rest, if you can. Give your little girl extra sweet hugs tonight, I am hoping for good news tomorrow and that this is just an isolated incident. Maybe it is allergies, all the dogs seem particularly sneezy, wheezy, and itchy lately. We are thinking of you! melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Sue, I am sorry to read this about Ren. Please tell me a little about her age, weight etc. I am suspicious that this might be something with the heart. Dog's heart symptoms usually include coughing, voice changes and collapse (syncope or exercise intolerance). Until you can see your vet, keep her very quiet, avoiding any exercise. I can assure you that once diagnosed and treated, many "heart dogs" can survive quite well on special heart drugs and modified diet and exercise, just as humans. I am not trying to alarm you but I feel you should see your vet tomorrow. You will want to have a blood test, a chem screen, chest xrays of the heart and they will probably want to schedule you with a specialist for an ECG (the lines on a chart of the heart rate) and possibly an echocardiogram (a moving ultrasound of the heart). None of these things will require any pain and hopefully, no anesthesia, if Ren can remain quiet on the tables. Usually the x-ray is quite telling immediately, usually showing a very round and slightly enlarged heart (and this is what generally causes the coughing). They may even start Ren on a few medications immediately to help. One is Lasix and that would reduce any fluid on the heart. Another is benzapril to improve the heart's work. One new drug is Vetmedin which has been shown to extend the life of heart dogs up to 2-3 years. Once you describe these symptoms to your vet, they will most likely want to see you tomorrow. please keep us up to date, patrice

Patrice NYS

Sue, we will think of you and send special prayers for you, your family and Ren, Best wishes, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Dear Sue, I am so sorry to hear about Ren. However, I hope I can offer you some comfort. As PAtrice suggested, this could be to do with Ren's heart. Our dog Millie was diagnosed with congestive heart disease (at the time she was in the Teaching hospital with her IMHA). What we had noticed was that Millie would cough a lot (especially after she wakes up), and her bark sounded different. Our regular vet diagnosed her with a heart murmur when we first took Millie in about it but said it was nothing to worry about, then the teaching hospital found on the x-ray that her heart was enlarged and Millie should be medicated. She is currently taking Vetmedin (as Patrice also suggested in her email). An expensive drug on top of everything !! but Millie doesn't cough anymore and her bark is normal. I hope you have some good news with Ren. Thinking of you both, Samantha.

Samantha Geelong

Susie -- sending my best wishes to you and Ren. I hope the vet can reassure you or advise what is causing this. Please take care.

Brenda VA

You got it from me. This is such a cruel disease.

Sandra Texas

We are sending our prayers for your Ren. We are are hoping today will bring some better news once she has been seen by the vet and has test done. Try to be strong for Ren. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Susie, I am so sorry to read that Ren is having new problems. Hopefully it will be something that is easily addressed. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Ren is doing pretty good today. The Vet visit showed that her PCV was actually UP form last visit. Up to 42.1, that was good news. However her glucose was high and so was her white count. The Doctor said that sometimes long term usage of steroids can precipitate diabetes. Great, another complication.... (sigh.) X-rays showed that her heart was good with the exception of slight enlargement. We were already aware of that condition. The Vet was kind of left scratching her head when it came to the collapse that Ren had yesterday. She considered all the possibilities and could come up with no definite diagnosis. She wants to see Ren again in two days to run another PCV count. In the meantime she was placed on an antibiotic and I have to get a urine sample so her glucose level can be checked. Thank you all so much for your prayers. I felt a peace last night after posting so I know that The Lord heard all of your prayer requests. Please continue to keep little Ren in your prayers as I do for all who post on here. SUE

Susie Delaware

I took Ren for a quick PCV check today. Her PCV was at 41. A good number. The Vet and I were discussing what happened the other day when Ren collapsed. I had some ideas and the Doctor agreed with me. I suspected that Ren was having mini-strokes. The vet called them TIA's. This would explain the sudden collapse and the eventual recovery. As you all know, blood clots are a huge factor in AIHA. The Vet said that Ren's blood samples always have agglutination. She even did the saline rinse on the slide and still Ren's blood cells "stick together". Ren has been on aspirin for about two weeks now. I hope and pray that keeps these TIA's from happening. However, I know this vicious disease can be deadly. I realized today how angry I am with this disease. It has robbed me of time and joy with my little, precious dog. I miss the days of my sweet Chihuahua chasing a frisbee. And I miss the beautiful satiny coat that she once had. My Hubby says that Ren is still that sweet little dog on the inside. He always has such wisdom about things. Ren has a blood work scheduled for next week. Since her PCV is holding steady, I’m going to skip that blood work. She has been through so much in the past few weeks. The stress of going to the Vet alone is too much for her. I just want to cherish these days I have with her. Thanks for your continued prayers. SUE

Susie Delaware

Sue, I'm glad little Ren's numbers went up. We all understand how frustrating this disease is and how it causes so many emotions- anger, sadness, fear, anxiety, joy when things do look up. Your husband did have some wise words. Little Ren loves her family, and all of the wonderful care she has gotten. Our babies are so strong. I often think if the tables were turned, I'd be feeling sorry for myself, and thinking 'why me.' But these beautiful animals are always so strong, and so positive. They seem to know one thing for sure: love. Give little Ren a hug from Tiggs and I. Hang in there! melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Susie, I am so with you with the anger and the frustration. Sometimes it really gets to me and venting on this board sure helps. But since the anger does not get me anywhere, I try not go there (if I can help it). It is not good for me, my health and certainly does not help my dogs health. I made an interesting observation 2 weeks ago when i got the first result of a HTC in the normal range. All of a sudden Kahlu was much more lively. I am sure that was no coincidence and he could sense my relief. So try and stay positive, celebrate the little successes and put a smile on your face for your sweet little Ren. Best wishes, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

I don't know what I'ld do if this happened to Tessy. I'm glad that she is doing good. She has a strong solid PCV which is a plus. Also good to hear she is on aspirin. Did they say that it was helping to thin her blood any? I'm not too sure how it works but maybe it was the aspirin that caused this to happen? Maybe by thinning the blood with the aspirin clots were reduced and allowed to flow through the body where maybe they clotted somewhere else? Maybe someone else could answer this better than me....just a thought really. Hopefully the agglutination subsides to a point where it'll no longer be a problem. Have you considered Heparin? Could be an option if the aspirin isn't working. As far as the anger and frustration goes....I find some days are better than others. I almost went fists with a neighbor the other day who said I was stupid for spending the money I did on Tessy. If it wasn't for me being in a rush I probably would have had assault charges on me ... lol. Let's just say there were some choice words said to him before I departed. I'm usually not like this at all but with all the stress and frustration building up I guess he was in the wrong spot at the wrong time.Some people just add to the anger and frustration by not understanding. I have very little patience for these people. In the meantime....I'll continue to be a good boy for the sake of Tessy. We'll have our fingers and paws crossed for Ren. I'll send a special prayer out to him as well. Hope he gets better. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Sorry again for the confusion again Susie. I don't know what it is but I always refer to Ren as a HIM instead of a HER. Sorry again for the misunderstanding. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Thanks for all of your prayers! I discussed the use of heparin with the Vet. She said that aspirin was the most effective choice in Ren's case. I think you are right Johnny, I believe that a clot broke lose. Sorry you had that encounter with your neighbor....people just do not understand how much we love and care for these special dogs. Sue

Susie Delaware

This thread was discussed between 11/05/2009 and 15/05/2009

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