Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Sway 4/27

sways latest PCV was at 19% she has yet to gain a single pound since changing diets and adding a flurry of new supplements to 'help w/ the liver shunts' im getting her to eat 5 times a day and still cant get a single pound on her. unbelievably frustrating... wishing you all the best with your pets-

Josh California

I hope things turn around for the two of you. I'll keep praying for Sway. He's lucky to have you. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Josh, I can just imagine your frustration. You have been doing and still are doing all the right things for Sway. Spend all the money that is needed and look for the best doctors for her. And still no improvement..... I hope from the bottom of my heart that your and Sway's lucky break is just around the corner. Thinking of you and sending best wishes, Brigitte and Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Josh, I am so sorry that the new things you are doing don't seem to be helping. I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers and waiting for that miracle that you deserve. Hugs to you both Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hi Josh, I just have a feeling with all your hard work that Sway will turn the cornner any time now. you both deserve a good break Sam & Madison

Samantha Perth - Australia

We are keeping you and your Sway in our thoughts and prayers. I am assuming she has not lost any more weight and her pcv has gone up from what I remember and I guess at this point they are both positive things, I know not what you wanted but each day you get to spend with her is such a gift. Take Care, Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Josh, I'm so frustrated with you, I know how hard you are both working, and like everyone has said, you both deserve a huge break. Is surgery not even an option? Would anyone consider it? I think you said that for multiples they wouldn't, but what about a teaching hospital? In addition to Davis, there's also Colorado State? Just thinking out loud...I just know the two of you aren't giving up. Thinking of you and sending big hugs. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Josh: Maybe it will take a little while. Look on the bright side, she is eating and her blood count is holding steady, and she is happy. Take it one day at a time. (easier said then done) Best wishes. Sue

Sue K PA

Josh, I am so sorry to hear this. This schedule must be very demanding on you. Do you have anyone to help you? If you are giving her any kibble in her diet, you might be able to get an automatic timed feeder to portion out one or two of these meals during the day when you are at work? Have you seen any positive neurological changes? If you are using the lactulose and feeding her these smaller meals, she should be behaving more normally. This may precede any actual weight gain. Even if she isn't gaining any weight, she may be feeling a lot better. Perhaps once she is more stable you can begin adding more calories to her diet. I found a cheaper source for the lactulose. Walmart, 12 oz for about $4. and Costco, 16 oz around $12. Ask for generic *Enulose* (amber colored) because the actual Lactulose has food coloring in it (it's green and smells like apples). This might save you a lot of money depending on how much the vet has been charging. Has your vet prescribed antibiotics? I have read this may help in the early stages of treatment as well. I am always an email away. patrice

Patrice NYS

Hello Josh and Sway, I have not been on the board lately but wanted to check in on Sway's status. I am not up to speed on all that has been going on and don't know Sway's nutritional restrictions at this time but wanted to offer some ideas from my past experiences with Barkley and some of my previous pets when severe illness and need for weight gain became an issue. Barkley, up until the day before he crossed the bridge, continued to be interested in and willing to eat (or try to eat on that day) Whole Meals nutritional dog bone food (hard to describe). You can find info on the internet and I was able to purchase them at Petsmart. I have also used Science Diet A/D (canned; not certain if there is a dry version), which is specifically for animals who have been seriously ill or had surgery and are needing to be re-nourished. Sometimes pate canned cat foods seemed to work (possibly due to the psychology of getting away with "stealing" the "forbidden" cat food!). I also have tried human liver pate, cottage cheese, peanut butter (if it is now FDA ok)and NutriCal supplement(as long as diarrhea is not an issue)as well as feeding the formula used when bottle feeding baby animals (Enfamil) (again with attention to any diarrhea). I believe that there are also supplements you can get that get put on the pet's regular food but enhance the aroma and make the food more desirable to the pet. If these suggestions aren't appropriate for Sway I apologize but I thought I would rather offer them and let you do what works for Sway than to not offer something that might have been useful. Sway and you are always close in my thoughts and in my heart, Josh. If support could be a cure Sway is sure to come around because you are both at the center of a world of caring. Warmly, Cheryl (and always Barkley)

Cheryl Medford

Hi Josh, I have not been on the board in a very good long while, but was thinking of Sway today. Wishing you and Sway all the best as always. And praying for all the AIHA/IMHA pups. -Ronda & Sierra

Ronda So Cal

Hi Josh and Sway, Just a check-in with continued support and to find out if there is any new news on Sway's status...and yours. Thinking of you always, Cheryl (and always Barkley)

Cheryl Medford

This thread was discussed between 27/04/2009 and 13/05/2009

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