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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Shadow Update
| This is a long post: I don't post often, but when I do, count on it being long. I hesitate to post this, because Shadow's numbers are so good, "just" three months after she was diagnosed (seems like three years) . . . and, in the meantime, we have lost so many friends. Shadow continues to maintain a "low-normal" pcv. The really good news is that her WBC has gone down from an astonishing 48,000 to a straight-down-the-middle of the "normal" range to 11,500. The trade-off is well worth it, according to Shad's drs. I heard from her "specialist" vet in SLC. Since treating Shad, he's had two other cases of AIHA. One of his patients didn't make it; the other is still struggling. Oftentimes, we forget that our vets are vets because they share, and exceed, our love for critters. (It's harder to get into and graduate from vet school than medical school in the U.S.; vets earn an average of $65 K (USD)/year. Drs. earn $300K their first year out of med school. Their education debt is paid off in a year; vets spend their whole lives paying off their education debt.) So, let us all remember that our dogs' successes in battling this disease are, in large part, attributable to their/our vets. Let's send up a prayer for the vets who, seemingly dispassionately, care for our critters who, the whole time (that's why they became vets) that they are caring for our dogs and cats,they bleed and cry silently for our "lost" beloveds. When we lose a dog or a cat, so do our vets. God bless them for carrying on their "calling". Thank you, God, for veterinarians! Especially veterinarians who are willing to do the homework required to effectively treat an AIHA/IMHA dog! |
| Sandy Utah |
| Sandy, Great news on Shadow! And I agree with you about the vets. Not only do they make way less than an MD, I heard they have to pay a much higher cost for the common medications that can be used in both humans and animals. That is probably why so many must fall into the habit of OVER-vaccinating our pets, in order to make a living. They've been fed the wrong info for such a long time (about the frequency of vaccs). I think they are just as brainwashed as many consumers, such as myself (myself prior to loosing my Popeye from his booster shots, that is). Most veterinarians have skills that go beyond what a regular MD could do. A good veterinarian is like a trama-room surgeon, country doctor and good friend all in one. But unfortunately they are very busy and can fall victim to marketing tactics, misinformation, hype and routine. And I am sure that what they are taught in school is touched by big-pharma as well. They probably don't have much time for "continuing education", especially with the "cost" of that education having the potential for them to make less money from the shots and such. And then the potential for confusion with consumers, not wanting to get any shots at all. The whole thing is messed up! Sorry, this turned out to be kind of gripe - I didn't start out that way...please forgive me. I just miss him and I am mad at the senseless way he went. |
| Allison TX |
This thread was discussed between 15/01/2008 and 17/01/2008
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