Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - sway is starting to relapse

she is dropping again, last weekend she was down a few points to 20% today she was down further, to 16% i've been concerned for months. thing is, her body is dwindling again, only this time...slower. i don't know how to explain it but once you've been through it, you then develop an eye for even the slightest of change. it's different this time than it was during our outset. she was on such high doses of meds last year, and it broke her body into pieces... it was a drastic dive into the ground; and with it came setback after setback. for months she was a skeleton of a dog and it was just a nightmare that held her on the edge of death, literally. then we got an answered prayer. and here we are 9 months later... yet what happens now? at this moment the meds are reduced so much, and the changes in body are so slight that it's hard to know when to panic. but those numbers can sure make your heart sink. it's been a year now since she was diagnosed, and this is the first time since mid-september (and since the use of durabolin) that she has been below 19% yet if you look at her weight, it's close to normal. if you watch her interaction, it reflects an interested and capable dog. from september of 2007 to june of 2008 sway has been holding a RBC count between 19-29% this had become our 'new normal' and for the time being i was okay with accepting that. but with each passing week i wondered to myself and aloud, why won't her count go any higher? why has her skull not filled back out? why is she so damn dependent on drinking as much water as she can get her hands on? i know the steroids create a greater desire for water, but this is above and beyond being obsessed. if sway had it her way she would never take her mouth out of the water bowl. patrice...like u tell me, there has got to be something else we are missing. i brought it up to jean this week and she agreed of course. i can't help but keep having the same thoughts. on wednesday i actually had setup another in person with dr. dodds for july 9th in irvine, she is in australia right now. but now her blood spin from a few hours ago has made everything so much more urgent... if infact her holding period is over. i have no clue what our next week is going to be like, i have no clue what to expect. please think of sway and send some good vibes her way. my heart goes out to everyone who has a pet dealing with this disease, may they all be given the strength to battle through it.

josh california

Hang in there Josh...You and Sway have gone thru alot. I wasn't so fortunate with Daisy , so I am hoping you and Sway can pull it off and get him back on track. Our dogs were diagnosed about the same time and I think if Daisy had not be forced to have her surgery she might have made it. The uncertainty of this disease is probably the worst part. My thought are with you two...Ron

Ron B San Mateo

sorry to read this Josh. My thoughts & prayers are with you and Sway. ps. I'm sure you've probably already considered checking Sway for diabetes ??? (the excessive thirst makes me think of this)

Ronda So Cal

Dear Josh -- I am so sorry to hear the Sway appears to be relapsing, and I do so wish that Dr. Dodds were here right now to do an examination. You and Sway have been through so much together. I don't have a medical background, but I checked a book called Hound Health by Dr. Betsy Brevitz(Workman Publishing House, 2004)to see what it says about excessive thirst. I keep it close at hand at my computer, and I wish I had it before my Wiley became ill with all of her health problems in 2003-2005. It says the "Big Three" for excessive drinking are Cushings Disease, kidnesy disease, and diabetes mellitus. But she adds that there's "the dog in a million who instead has a disease called diabetes insipidus (DI). Despite the confusing similarity in their names and one symptom -- drinking and urinating a lot -- DI has nothing to do with diabetes mellitus, the insulin deficiency. Rather, DI is caused by a deficiency in antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which is produced by the hypothalamus and regulates urine concentration, or by the failure of the kidneys to respond to the hormone." (pp 293-294) Apparently sometimes puppies are born with this, but it also happens in adult dogs. Apparently the test for this disease involves depriving the dog of water in a hospital to test the urine. It is risky, because the the dog could die from dehydration, so the urine, blood and weight must be measured constantly during the test so that the test can be stopped before reaching a life threatening situation. Dogs can be given synthetic ADH to help correct the situation. But if this is the case, then Sway's hypothalamus isn't working properly, and that could have implications for her IMHA also. I don't know how much this helps, but it offers a possible explanation for Sway's obsession with water. Please take care and know that everyone here is pulling for you and Sway. I'll keep both of you in my thoughts and prayers.

Brenda VA

Josh, you and Sway will be in our thoughts and prayers. jeanne and matilda

jeanne texas

Josh, I hope you can find out what is going on. You both have fought so hard. I will be praying for you and Sway. Hugs and good thoughts Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Josh, I am so sorry to hear this latest set back for you and Sway. Prayers and good thoughts coming your way. Give her a gentle hug from Cody and me.

Betty Dallas

Josh, I'll be hoping for the best for you and Sway. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Josh, I am so sorry to hear Sway is relapsing. Brenda brought up Cushings. I recently read a lot on it as thought mine may have it. And I thought it was cushings that said the telltale sign is the this the skeletal look in the head and now I can't find so its somothing like Cushings, involving the endocrine system. Maybe you can send Dr Dodds an email. I did on Friday and she responded. Good luck Laurie

Laurie CA

thanks everybody, laurie ... luckily i live about 15 minutes away from where dr. dodds hemopet is based so she is actually going to see sway in 10 days when she gets back in the country. im hoping from that meeting comes some more clarity with what else could be going on, on top of her AIHA. cuz it really seems that there is something else at work here in the background that is an obstacle we have yet to pin point.

josh california

Dear Josh, Hang in there with Sway! I dont know, maybe it is kidney related - would have vto know the bun and creatinine and phosphorus levels for that. I've been following you two and you've come a long way - no time to give up hope now, and i feel and know your frustration. Have you recently reduced any meds? Any chance of upping them til Jean gets back? Please hang in there and give sway lots of love, I know how you feel. You are in our thoughts and prayers, Christine and Kent

Christine Fl

We will be sending prayers your way. You and Sway have been through so much and we are all behind you 100%.

leslie ca

I sorry to hear your news Josh. Hopefully it is something that will be found and can be easily corrected. We're thinking of Sway and yourself. Steve

Steve Va

Josh, I'm sorry to hear about Sway and your fear that she has relapsed after coming so far from the initial diagnosis. I am sending my thoughts and prayers your way. Please keep us posted. p.s. You must be close to Santa Monica? I grew up in Torrance!

Janice Newnan

Is there another homeopath close to you who you can see before ten days? Have you tried immune support supplements (Canine Immune System Support by Standard Process). Seems especially critical now. Also anti-toxins by FuturePlex (i.e. Revitalization, Spleen Blood Activator, Liver Drain). They are liquid drops. Used these and other remedies for Choe. Rxed by homepath vet. You case is so unique it defies description or comparison. Everyone feels an attachment to Sway. She is fighting to stay with you and I know you with her. All the best, Jan

jan PA

Courage need not roar. It can be the quiet voice at the end of the day that says "I will try again tomorrow." p

Patrice NYS

I am so sorry Sway is having thee problems now. I agree that it sounds like she ha another problme going on. Good luck wth yur visit withDr. Dodds, and i hope yu get to the bottm of it and get her back on track soon.

Sandra TExas

Josh, I will be keeping you and Sway in my prayers.. Jess

Jess BC

hey guys, thanks. sway is still acting pretty good, not very different from the last 8 months or so. so im hoping her #'s have already rebounded back into the low 20's atleast?? she gets a full blood and chem panel tomorrow and those results will be back on monday, then she sees jean on wednesday

josh california

Good luck Josh. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Josh, that is good news - We will continue praying for you guys. Please give us an update after you see Dr. Dodds. jeanne and matilda

Jeanne Texas

just wanted to report that i got word from the vet office today that sway's hematocrit jumped 10% points up to 26% power of prayer reveals itself to me yet again. thanks for everyone's

josh cal

Phew!!!! Such good news for you Josh. Give Sway a big hug from us. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Josh, That is great news! Your girl is such a fighter. Now hopefully Dr. Dodds can find out what else is going on. Hugs to you both. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Josh, that is GREAT news. I'm so happy for you both and will be eager to hear what Dr Dodds has to say. Hugs to you both.

Betty Dallas

Woo Hoo! 26! terrific news.

Ronda So Cal

yea, super news. i just talked to dr. woods for a more indepth review of the latest results. so she is at 26%, her reticulyte count is regeneratively high, he did mention she has another urinary tract infection. she seems to continue to get these, even after having cranberry extract added to her med schedule for months now. but that 26 is just great. i think the highest she has ever been (since diagnosis a year ago) is 28% ...and that was earlier this year. would love to get into the 30's. will let you guys know what dr. dodds says

josh california

Josh -- thank you for sharing the wonderful news about Sway. I am so happy for you both, and am looking forward to what Dr. Dodds has to say. You and Sway are sure a fighting team. Please take care and give your girl a big hug and kiss from me. Perhaps maybe a little extra treat?!

Brenda VA

Yea, you go Sway!!!! I am soooo glad to hear that Sway is recovering! Fantastic news, and I'll bet she hits that magic 30 soon! You are doing a fantastic job for her, and all of your love and energy is showing in her numbers and her will to be with you. What a team! Way to go team Sway!!!!! Big lick from kent and a hug from me, Keep posting the good news, Christine and Kent

Christine FL

Hi Josh, I've been following Sway's journey and have her in my prayers. Congratulations on the PCV rise! When Lindy first went to CSU, Dr. Woods was the specialist who treated her. Then he left for private practice in California. It may be a small world indeed if you are talking about the same doctor. He was outstanding, as was Dr. Bayliss who took over Lindy's care. We reached the three year mark in May, so there is hope for these dogs. Nancy and Lindy

Nancy CO

Josh, Hang in there-glad Sway is improving. I'm a diabetic so thirst is an issue-but pred causes thirst and, in humans, it can cause diabetes.

Joe Ohio

after meeting with dr dodds she confirmed that there was no need to worry of diabetes. sway's results showed no ketones or glucose in urine. also, we had her cortisol tested for kushings disease, and that came back perfect as well... so no cushings either. she does still have a UTI that is getting cultured and we are just keepin on-keepin on. hopefully we do hit that magic 30 soon, that would be amazing. Nancy- Sways main vet is Dr. Robert Woods and he is based in Tustin, CA. I believe he is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. I know that cuz i am from Ohio too and he mentioned it when I first met him. I'm not sure if he's ever been through Colorado but he is rather young, definately below 40. That would be pretty wild if it's the same fella. thanks for everyone's good vibes

josh california

Josh, The vet at CSU was Dr. James Woods. They typically do a two or three year internship (?) and move on to private practice. Many of the students come from outside of Colorado, so I thought it might be possible it was the same Dr. Woods. I was just curious to see if the world was indeed small. I'm glad the glucose test came back negative for diabetes and the cushings was negative too! YAY! Hang in there, as each hurdle you make it over it a definite milestone. Keep us posted on the UTI and her PCV. Nancy and Lindy

Nancy CO

Josh, I am so happy that Sway's test showed no new worries. Hopefully 30 is just around the corner. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Josh, Congratulations on the increase on Sway's count! It is really wonderful news!! She is a fighter and will keep her and you in our continued prayers to keep on fighting! Linda

Linda Sapphire

This thread was discussed between 29/06/2008 and 16/07/2008

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