Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Sway Blood Results 4/8

here is a full blood panel that was taken on saturday... in an effort to battle back against this liver disease/shunts im about to restructure what she eats and how many times she eats and hopefully in a few months we will have some clarification as to what diet is helping and which isnt http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3424559277_4ce800f55f_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3425368108_c56f60de1f_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/3425368132_7e52ea00a6_o.jpg thanks for the prayers from the board..wishing well to all,

Josh California

Josh, we are always thinking of you and your sweet girl! Your strength and dedication are inspiring. Don't forget to look after yourself! Best wishes, You are in our prayers, Brigitte and Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

So in laymens terms what does all this tell you? You and Sway are so great and a great inspiration to all of us. May all the good luck and Angels watch over you and her and come your way.

Sue PA

Thanks Brigitte, i'm luckily pretty healthy for the most part (as far as i know atleast) Sue- My main goals are to somehow lower the ALT & AMYLASE, and raise the ALBUMIN...as those levels give me a decent gauge into how the liver is deteriorating over an amount of time. Feeding her smaller, more frequent meals to take the stress off the other organs that are pulling the livers weight. And hoping that what i put in her body are things that culture the least amount of toxins, since the liver is unable to clean the blood. And as i make these dietary and supplement changes, to hope that her blood levels get no worse and actually go up. She is at a 16% right now which is not an ideal place for her, i'd atleast like her to be in the low 20's so we can have some more wiggle room but we will see how that progresses as a few more weeks go by. She definitely has regeneration going on, although they are clearly micro cells, as majority of them are not sticking around long enough to bound together a higher PCV count. Thanks for your thoughts Sue, i appreciate

Josh California

thought id give yall a peep into what sway likes to do... so u can actually see her haha lounging around last night, thanks for prayers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCKo7FEzok4

Josh California

Josh, If anyone can do this, it's you two. Miraculous things can always happen, as you guys have continued to show us all. Huge hugs,! melissa and tiggs (lounging as well....)

melissa slc

Josh, Cute video. Glad to hear she has regeneration going on even if it is not sticking yet. Hopefully with the diet change her body can catch up on other things. In my thoughts and prayers. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Creek Calif

Josh, We pray for you and Sway daily. SUE

Susie Delaware

Thanks for explaining all that to me. The regeration is a good sign even if it is a little. With her blood count so low are you goint to give her another transfusion or put her back on the steriods? Would a supplement like Ensure or something on those lines be beneficial in putting some weight on her. They use it for old people who need nutrients so wouldn't also work for a dog. I admire both of you soooo much. You both deserve the best. Sue

Sue K PA

Hi Josh & Sway We hope brighter days are ahead of you soon and we continue to keep Sway in our prayers. Sway does look very comfortable resting on that bed, kinda makes you want to jump right in there with her. Give Sway an Easter hug from Ginger.

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

had this happen to me today... i was at the gas station with sway and i went in to buy a chocolate milk and left her in the car. as im in there, i see people begin to surround my car so when i go out there is this woman on her cell phone standing directly behind my trunk and reading my license plate to someone on the other end of the phone.. there is also a group of about 7 people that were out of there vehicles and 1 girl yells out to me 'do you feed your dog????' im like YES and she very sarcastically yells back 'well it sure doesnt look like it' so at this point i immediately get defensive, and i understand where their question stems from but at the same time...ive prolly spent more on sway in 1 year than all 8 or 10 of them combined spent on their kids during last christmas. so i calmly mention that she has a liver disease and jump in my car pissed and drove away... woman stayed on the phone and God knows who she was talking to... so i guess i should look out for a visit from the humane society within the next couple days or something. this is our life.

Josh California

Oh my God, Josh, I'm so sorry! People really suck, but they mean well, it's just outside of their scope of understanding. And, sometimes it's just not worth the wasted breath to try and help them understand. Sway loves you, you love Sway, and that's all that matters. Let the HS come if they want to, they'll quickly realize they have other important things to worry about. Hang in there, melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Figures......as if you don't have enough on your plate! Like Melissa said, they mean well and I am sure you know that. It must still hurt. Maybe it would be a good thing if the HS would come over, and talk to you, then they know where they are at if somebody else reports you for abusing your dog. It really is crazy.... after all you have done. We get lots of encouragement from you and think of you daily, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Josh Sway is one lucky doggie to have such a devoted caretaker! She looks spoiled! I am sorry you were hurt by those people I understand how you feel. I had an OLD nag horse that I rescued from slaughter, brought her to my house and could NOT get weight on her. My neighbors started questioning me and it pist me off cuz they knew NOTHING about my situation and hers(the horse). BUT I knew their hearts were in trying to help the animal and I could not fault them for that love and compassion. Most people have never had to deal with a devastating illness of a loved one so they do not see past what thier first impression was. :( It is hard though when you are fighting SO hard this battle and they can not see that. Prayers to you. Thanks for the video it was nice to see Sway. Amy

amy texas

I can only admire you Josh with everything you have done to save Sway. Don't let what happened affect you. I was reported to the RSPCA (similar to your Humane Society) some years ago with my 20 year old much loved Apaloosa horse who was very old but had the very best of care. He was extremely thin due to an illness but not suffering. They were fine as soon as I explained his circumstances as to why he was so thin. They had a duty of care to which they have to follow up complaints.

Julie Australia

Just keep your medical records with you at all times. What you dont need right now is to have someone take her away and her not get the proper medical attention. People are such busy bodies. I keep you in my thoughts each day and hope you soon catch a break. Keep us posted. Sue K

Sue K PA

For about a year while his pcv remained low Choe's ribs showed through much like Sway's. He would also move very slowly. Since I live in the city, we would pass people all the time who would look at me with distain and comment, why does he look starved?' Do you feed him enough?' Like you I became seethingly angry. I think, however I shut them up by (frequently) uttering these two sentences. 'I love and take good care of my pet. He has a serious medical condition that he is fighting that effects his weight.' People apparently want to be rescue heros without having the sense to ask the right questions first. Jan

jan pa.

Josh, I am so sorry that you and Sway had to go through something like that but if I did not know you I may have responded the same way. It would probably be in your best interest to indeed keep Sway's medical records on you at all times you have her out or at least get Dr. Dodds or your other Vet to write a letter. I can't think of anything more scary then you having Sway taken away for any length of time through misguided efforts to help her. Try to remember these people do not know or understand what you have been through and be glad that there are still people that do care about an animals well being. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Josh, When I looked at Sway in the bed, He actually looked a bit better, his head was not so bone looking. and while we look at her she licks her chops! People on the whole are good at heart and really want the best for others and their pets. They just do not understand all you have been through. I think too that it would be a good idea to take with you the papers on her illness and all the bills you have for her well being. Hugs to both you and Sway and prayers always. Dolores

Dolores

Dolores- Na, its just a good angle then because sway is still VERY VERY anorexic im sick with how terribly skinny she is. its awful that nothing is helping

Josh California

Josh, I am so sorry that you have to endure these ignorant people. I know that it must really wear on you. You're just out there, trying to live as normal a life as you can while fighting with every fiber of your being to save Sway and give her the best life a dog could possibly have. Many children are not treated as well by their parents as Sway is treated and cared for by you. I'm just so mad, I'd like to tell them a thing or two. You deserve an apology. I'm all for looking out for and reporting animal abuse, but those people could have handled things a little differently. It's hurtful, I'm sure, to be accused of something like that. My heart goes out to you and Sway and I can only pray that things improve soon. Have you ever thought about contacting your local television station and have them interview you with Sway by your side? Perhaps you could get Dr. Dodds involved. You could raise awareness of this disease and educate the ignorant at the same time. Hugs and kisses to you and your darling girl. Karen

Karen NC

Hi Josh I know how you feel - when I used to take Billy to the vets, people used to edge away from him because he was covered in scabs and bald bits. Towards the end I used to dress him in a tshirt and socks or wrap him in a blanket and carry him in. I honestly thought people would report me for abuse or maltreatment. They don't realise or consider that your pet is seriously ill and that we would rather tend to them than to ourselves. They just look at the outward signs. Keep on fighting Josh - There are a lot of ignorant people out there that need to be educated. Hugs to you and Sway Steph

Steph Gloucestershire UK

Josh, you handled the situation the right way. It'ld be in Sways best interest to avoid these ingnorant ar*es. Did you find anything out in regards to diet changes for Sway? I'm going to go ahead and ask what's probably a stupid question but is there an option of getting liver transplants for dogs? I mean, they do it in humans so why not dogs? I haven't done much research on this topic so I'm not too sure where you are with this. Also...just out of curiosity...is it possible to do surgery to fix a couple of the worse shunts instead of all of them? I'm sure you have already considered all this...I was just wondering. I'ld love to see a positive turn around for you and Sway. You are both a HUGE inspiration to all of us on here....more than you know. Keep fighting the good fight and keep us informed. Sway will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

People can be so stupid! You just continue to be Sways champion, no one could do a better job!! I am continuing to pray for Sway and for your infinite patience. Hang in there Josh! Smoochies to Sway from Keiko ((HUGS)) Jess

Jess BC

Josh -- I'm sorry you had to go through this with people who have no idea how much love and care you give to Sway every day. I agree with Penny, though, that if we were in these people's shoes and didn't know the whole story, we might jump to the same "neglect" or "abuse" judgment that they did. It's always better to ask questions first before jumping to conclusions, but that's easier said than done. I don't think you need to carry Sway's medical records with you at all times. If anyone asks, you can tell them she suffers from a liver disease, as you did with these people. If authorities question you, you can provide copious documentation. As upsetting as this incident was, we need people to step forward and identify situations where they think neglect and abuse occur otherwise, horrible situations can continue. Josh, you and Sway take care.

Brenda VA

This thread was discussed between 09/04/2009 and 17/04/2009

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