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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Shadow 1.5 years later
| The last time I posted, it was to tell you all that Shadow (my terrible terrier mix) had been drug/AIHA/IMHA free for a year. It's almost a year and a half now. In the meantime, my brother-in-law (a truly great man) was killed while riding his bicycle (yes: he was wearing a helmet; it did him no good. He was pronounced brain dead at the scene, but was kept alive long enough for him to donate several organs to desperate people) on a quiet Sunday afternoon in his quiet suburban Houston neighborhood. The 18-year-old who hit Larry "just didn't see him", although he was in a crosswalk; the light had just turned green; and he had the right-of-way (the girl, bless her heart, was turning left and struck Larry in just the wrong spot at just the wrong angle). So fragile life is. I was asleep until moments ago, when I suddenly awakened. Shadow (my recovered AIHA/IMHA mutt) was curled beside me, sleeping peacefully. I was reminded of how blessed she and I are. We spent so many nights with her sleeping fitfully; we spend so many nights with my waking up to feel her heart, to make sure she was still breathing. She didn't suffer from AIHA/IMHA for near as long as many of the dogs on this forum have - nor did I, as her guardian- but the days and nights that we suffered are indelibly embedded in her and my memory. Before AIHA/IMHA (actually, the day before Shadow was diagnosed), she was a six-foot fence-jumping 17-pound bundle of pure terrier spring legs. What alerted me that she was sick was the day after she'd hopped over our six-foot vinyl fence: she couldn't raise her head off of her dog bed - and, that she was sleeping on a dog bed, at all. ('Doe sleeps with me, as all my other three dogs are invited to do. Three regularly take me up on the offer. Daisy sleeps hot, so prefers a dog bed, except in the deepest throes of winter.) When 'Doe was first diagnosed, she had a CPV of 9. The vet didn't know if Shad would make it to the specialty vet in Salt Lake City - three and a half hours away - alive. 'Doe did. Over a course of six weeks, she had one artificial blood transfusion, one universal greyhound-donor transfusion, and two crossed-matched and typed blood transfusions from "Maximus", a Great Dane who owns one of the vet techs at the clinic. (How lucky was it, given the number of dog blood types, that Shadow went to a clinic where one of their employees had a relationship with a dog who was a perfect match for Shadow and was willing to donate his dog's blood to her - TWICE). Shadow's treatment was not inexpensive. She was with a "mom" who could afford whatever treatment her mutt dog needed. I justified the expense by saying, "I didn't pay a dime for this dog. Now is the time when I 'pony up' for the joy she's given me." I'm lucky. Shadow recovered. She's been a year free from AIHA/IMHA drugs. I think cyclosporine would have killed her. I looked at her reactiont to the drug and had a "mom's instinct" that it was doing more harm than good. Against 'Doe's doctors advice, I took her (immediately, no weaning required) off of cyclosporine. She immediately began to improve (regain her stamina and energy). I don't recommend that anyone treating a dog with AIHA/IMHA take their dog off of cyclosporine. What I do recommend is that you KNOW and LISTEN to your dog. IF your dog is having a "problem" with one of the standard medications prescribed for AIHA/IMHA (and, let's 'fess up; when we took our dogs in with AIHA/IMHA symptoms, it was the first time that our vets had been presented with our dogs' AIHA/IMHA symptoms, so they all prescribe the standard drugs for treatment), pay attention to how your dog responds to each medication. That takes time and commitment. You can't, as I didn't give Shadow, your dog all of her drugs at once. You have to give them to him one at a time, and hang around for 30 minutes to an hour to see how she responds to them. 'Doe and I were lucky. I had that time to spend with her, and recognized cyclosporine as the culprit that was keeping her from getting "better". By the Grace of God, 'Doe has gotten "better". She still has AIHA/IMHA breath. But that smell doesn't emanate from every pore in her body. She doesn't even try to jump over the six-foot vinyl fence anymore - but that might just as well be a consequence of her having entered her 'teen years (she's 13) as her having had AIHA/IMHA when she was 11. I KNOW that I am blessed. Shadow is still here, asleep beside me ('til I got up to post this note). I KNOW that I am blessed: Shadow will go back to bed with me, curl into my body, and go back to sleep, I KNOW that I am blessed because, when I awaken in the middle of the night (as all we AIHA/IMHA parents do), I won't have to "freak out" about whether my dog is still alive and breathing. . . although, a year after Shadow got to stop all of her AIHA/IMHA medications, that's the first thought - is 'Doe still breathing - that comes to my mind when I wake up suddenly in the middle of the night. I reach over and feel her chest. When it pumps up and down, I normally roll over and go back to sleep. Other times, like tonight, I write my friends and tell them that my hope for them and their dogs is an outcome like Shadow and I had. For those of you who haven't had the outcome that 'Doe and I did, I am so very, very sorry. I'm not a special person, 'Doe's not a special dog (to anyone other than me). She and I just got lucky. We wish you and your AIHA/IMHA dogs all the best of luck. Sandy and Shadow (aka 'Doe). |
| Sandy Hansen Utah |
| Sandy, Sorry to hear of your brother in law's tragic death but as you point out we all know how fragile life can be. I am glad you also mentioned about keeping an eye on your dog's reaction to all meds. I am so happy for you that Shadow is doing so well. Every day must be such a bonus for you both. Congrats! Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Sandy, Thanks you for telling Doe's story, it's always nice to hear the successes, and the updates. I too, am very sorry to hear about the tragedy your family suffered. I'm glad that Shadow was there to comfort you, as my dogs always do during difficult times. We live in Utah too. In Salt Lake. I'm curious, where where you treated when she was ill? Thanks again for sharing, melissa and tiggs |
| melissa slc |
| First off, I'm very sorry to hear the tragic news of your brother-in-law. My deepest sympathies goes to you and your family. Thanks for sharing your story with us Sandy. Great to hear Shadow has good nights sleep with you and that she is fully med free. I can't wait for Tessy to get up and sleep with me again. I know exactly what you mean about waking up in the night to check on them. I don't think I slept a full night yet since Tessy's been diagnosed. She snores quite a bit so when I wake up and don't hear it I get worried. Shadow truly is lucky to have you...and you her. Cherish each day with her and give her hugs from Tessy & I. Johnny & Tessy |
| Johnny |
| Sandy, thank you so much for your beautifully written post! I had tears in my eyes and believe me I am not one to cry easy. Your post gives hope that AIHA can be beaten, but also makes us look at the brutal reality of life. You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your brother-in-law. Bless your heart for not being bitter towards the girl who struck him. I hope you have many more years with Doe and the rest of your great pack! Best wishes to you and your family, Brigitte & Kahlu |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
| Sandy, I am so sorry to hear about your BIL tragic death. Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt story. You bring hope to not just young dogs with AIHA but especially hope that senior dogs can kick AIHA's butt. Wylie is my 12 year old dog diagnosed 4/08 and is doing great, luckily hers wasn't even close to Shadow As for drug reactions, we are stuck until we research to death, and sometimes its too late. I think you were right on with your gut. I have been reading for this board for over a year now and I truly feel in my gut many dogs here I believe are suffering/passing from drug reactions and not the AIHA itself. I big High Paws from Wylie to Shadow Laurie |
| Laurie CA |
| Sandy, How nice to hear from you again. I remember well when you came on here right after Shadow was diagnosed with AIHA. I am thrilled to hear that she is doing so well. Blessings to you and your family for the organ donations after your BIL's death. What a wonderful way to turn your loss into HOPE and life for others. Big hugs to dear Shadow from me and my little canine red-headed gal, Maddie. |
| Joanne MN |
| I loved reading your story! I'm glad I'm not the only one who had tears while reading it. I think we can all relate to waking up and checking to make sure our dogs are still breathing. Also, I couldnt agree with you more when you said to pay attention to how your dog is acting and reacting! I admire you for knowing your dog and doing what it right and what is best! Carol |
| Carol |
This thread was discussed between 04/06/2009 and 05/06/2009
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