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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Sheepdog Tam recently diagnosed
| I am starting a new Thread for Sarah's post so others can see it. Joanne I've never written on anything like this before, but I'm so desperate. I can't string two sentences together without crying. My sheepdog, Tam was diagnosed with AIHA a week ago (Wednesday). His PCV was 12. He was given pred., and the next day went to 20, then the jaundice and pure red urine started. The next day his PCV was 11. The vet then gave him atopica because the pred. was making him so sick, then his PCV was 12. The vets then decided to give him Antepsin and Zantac for the vomiting, pred. and atopica, and Serenia to stop him feeling sick. By Saturday we lost all hope, and the vet used my other collie to give Tam a blood transfusion. His jaundice is more of a creamy yellow, his urine is a much better colour, but his PCV was 15, then 14, then 15 and 14 today. I don't know how long to prolong this, he is managing to go out and pee, but only a few steps and wag his tail. I've always thought where there is life there is hope, and I don't want to give up on him. He is very sleepy, but isn't in pain or distress, and he is loving all of the attention from the vet nurses. I feel so lonely without him, yet I have another four boys at home, all giving me cuddles and licking away the tears. Sarah |
| Sarah Rathbone |
| Sarah, I am so very sorry to hear that your most beloved Tam has recently been diagnosed with AIHA. While AIHA is a very difficult disease dogs who have been diagnosed with it CAN and DO recover and go on to live happy healthy lives. If you have not read my Web site on Canine AIHA/IMHA as yet, you might want to do so when you can. The URL is: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/ Be sure to follow the links on the first page to many other sites on AIHA/IMHA that will be very helpful to you and do read the SUCCESS STORIES pages. They will show you what has worked for other dogs in terms of treatment options as well as give you a lot of HOPE. One dog on these success stories pages had a PCV as low as 3 ....yes 3 and went on to recover and is now doing very well so please do have HOPE. Many times it can take a long time for a dog to turn the corner and get into remission. This can mean trying several medications and sometimes having several blood transfusions. I know how hard this is so please be assured you and your dear Tam are in my thoughts and prayers during these most very difficult days. |
| Joanne MN |
| Sarah, I am so sorry your Tam was diagnosed with AIHA. Everybody on this board has a similar story to tell and we understand what you are going through. If you go to Joannes site "Meisha's Hope" you will see that there IS Hope for Tam. Read as much as you can. It makes it easier to go through this, when you understand a bit what is happening. As you said, Tam is not in pain, just feeling very tired from the low red blood cells and also the medications. At this point my advice is, make sure he has a very knowledgeable vet looking after him. Ask them loss of questions, get Tam's lab results printed out. They might not make much sense to you now, but in a few weeks you will be an expert. Please come back here and keep us posted on what is happening with Tam. Thinking of you and your four legged friends, best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
| I too am sorry to read that your furbaby has been diagnosed with AIHA. Please try to give the meds time work and it can take a few weeks. It sounds to me like your vet is on the right track and the transfusion will buy him some time until the med's kick in. It often takes weeks or even months of treatment before Tam's PCV will be in the normal range, just take on day at a time. Sending prayers for you and Tam. Cheryl & Ginger |
| Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA |
| Sarah, I am so sorry that Tam has been diagnosed with this awful disease. It is a very emotional fight as you already know. Hopefully the drugs will kick in soon and you will see improvement. Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Sarah, So sorry to hear Tam's diagnosis. I completely understand not being able to put a sentence together without bursting into tears. The folks here are great, both with passing on info, and being there to talk and get you through the rougher times. You are in good hands here. Although my girl was finally diagnosed with cancer and not AIHA, they have continued to be there for us during our fight. I can't say enough about them all! Please know that you and Tam are in my thoughts and prayers. |
| Jessi BC |
| Hi Sarah, It seemed a long time before Archie turned the corner yet it is only five weeks since diagnosis! I can clearly remember the despair when I first posted on this site as like you I had never done so before. I think most people on this site have been where you are at the moment. Thinking of you and your Tam and hope when I look in things begin to improve. Ten days ago Archie's blood was 14%, now it is 30% so keep positive. When Johnny mentioned milk thistle I expected to order from the states but they stock it in Boots so worth speaking to him. Sue |
| Sue Cambridgeshire UK |
This thread was discussed on 07/04/2010
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