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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Shadow's First Progress
| Shadow showed her first sign of progress today! She has had a distended belly since going on cyclosporine 10 days ago. Her ultrasound revealed that she had a lot of fluid in her abdomen, but not visible cause for it, which concerned her primary and secondary vets. Today (the second day after her second blood transfusion), the fluid disappeared. She has her svelte, girlish (at 10) figure back and celebrated by trotting to the kitchen a thousand times, begging for food. (Another good sign, since she's had a depressed appetite for 20 days.) Thanks to all who have provided support, advice and referrals! Shadow & Sandy |
| Sandy Utah |
| Every positive is a big +. Have the doctors decided where the fluid went? |
| Penny LytleCreek Calif |
| Sandy, That is great for Shadow! We had a little similiar experience with Holly, but in her case the fluid was in Jan and she was not diagnosed with AIHA until March 26. But on her Jan bloodwork, her PCV was down to 27, which at that time our vet did not say anything. Her stomach was hard like a drum and x-rays showed lots of fluid on stomach and lungs and heart. Our vet consulted with a specialist and we gave Holly lasix for 1 week and in 1 week it was all gone like overnight. It went on overnight and left as fast as it came on. So it was a mystery for her also. They had no explaination for it and said the lasix could not have worked that fast. So glad Shadow is eating again also! Linda |
| Linda Sapphire |
| AIHA is Such a nysterious disease (Duh!) There's no exlanation for its onset; there's no explanation for each dogs' different reaction to the treatment protocol. Shdow and I are extremely grateful for the suport she and I get from everyone. I know, from this site, that her struggle has only just begun. But she's a fighting terrier (a "condition" that her primary vet has recognized, and that gives him hope, even 'tho he didn't meet Shadow 'til after the onset of her aiha). Thanks to everyone, and best wishes for your dogs and y9oul |
| Sandy Utah |
| Sandy, This is such good news! I am so happy to hear that she is feeling better. My own personal guess is that her electrolytes were a bit screwed up and thus the fluid retention. All bodies like to be in "homeostasis." When all systems are working well the body easily regulates things like blood volume and water in tissues. It's a complex system and when something goes awry, things like fluid levels can be negatively impacted. The kidney plays a large role in this. Check out this Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeostasis snip> "Negative Feedback Mechanisms Negative feedback mechanisms reduce or suppress the original stimulus, given the effector’s output. Most homeostatic control mechanisms require a negative feedback loop to keep conditions from exceeding tolerable limits. The purpose is to prevent sudden severe changes within a complex organism. There are hundreds of negative feedback mechanisms in the human body. Among the most important regulatory functions are: thermoregulation, osmoregulation, and glucoregulation. The kidneys contribute to homeostasis in four important ways: regulation of blood water levels, reabsorption of substances into the blood, maintenance of salt and ion levels in the blood, and excretion of urea and other wastes." The body will, when given the slightest chance, attempt to regulate itself with finesse. Patrice |
| Patrice New York State |
| good to hear! |
| josh cal |
| Sandy, That is great news! Congrats to you & Shadow. |
| Wendy Tampa FL |
This thread was discussed on 09/11/2007
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