Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Sway Scintigraphy Results

unfortunately the scan showed multiple shunts in her liver, and it has been determined that this would be in-operable... i wanna thank everyone for their prayers, the support sway has gotten from this board is rather humbling and going forward i just hope there is something we can do to manage this. there is a laundry list of reasons why this news was not the news we wanted to hear, but i cant do anything about how it turned out. its just very disheartening to know what is going to result from this, not to mention our attempts at fixing her AIHA have really been and will continue to be unsuccessful due to the fact that her liver is now an un-used organ. its a tough pill to swallow for sure. my best to everyones dogs, keep doing the best you can do

Josh California

I am so sorry to hear this news, Josh...a special prayer will go up for you and Sway tonight...stay strong and enjoy every moment! Lee, Lucy and family

Lee Florida

Josh -- there are no words to convey how sorry I am that Sway's condition is inoperable. You two deserved a big break. This is one of those times when it is so hard to understand the will of the Lord. Please take care and know that you and Sway are in my prayers.

Brenda VA

Dear Josh, I am so sorry to hear this news. You definitely will never have to blame yourself you did EVERYTHING in your power for your girl. You and Sway are in our thoughts and prayers. Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Josh, I am brokenhearted to hear this and along with you I find it difficult to accept that this wasn't investigated much earlier. I wish you would join the yahoo liver dog group. There are very positive dietary modifications that can be made that will significantly improve Sway's general health. These folks know how to do that because many of them are faced with the same situation. Their experience is invaluable. They may have more ideas about what to do that I am not even aware of. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Dear Josh I am so sorry to read this news, my heart goes out to you - you have done so much and fought so hard for Sway and she knows how much you love her. Take each day at a time and enjoy each other. Steph

Steph Gloucestershire UK

Josh, I am so very saddened to hear this news. Please be assured you and your most beloved Sway remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Joanne MN

Oh, Josh, I'm so sorry. You two have been through so much together and this just seems to be adding insult to injury. Sway is one lucky little dog to have found you. Please know you're both in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there. Elizabeth

Elizabeth Baltimore

Josh I am so sorry to hear of Sways multiple shunts and perhaps with a proper diet and medication her condition will improve somewhat. Keep your chin up and remember that miracles can and do happen. We are praying for that miracle. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

I am very upset for you and Sway, it is just beyond words. Just know that all my thoughts and wishes for you and Sway are coming your way. Sue & Tofka

Sue K PA

Dear Josh and Sway, I am very sorry to for this news. After all you two have been through, this is heartbreaking. I understand how hard it is, and you are both in my prayers. Hopefully there is something to learn from the liver folks that will keep you two together longer and help Sway feel better. I am very sorry they did not discover this earlier, its disappointing. You have turned over every rock to get to the bottom of Sways condition, and she is no doubt very grateful. Thinking of you both, Christine

Christine Fl

Josh - Sway knows how much you love her and that is the most important bond you both have. Some of our pet companions are fortunate in living long, healthy lives, and others, unfairly are not provided the time they deserve and we want them to have with us. Love her madly while she still has a good quality of life. That is the best gift you can give. Jan

Jan PA.

Josh, My heart breaks for you and Sway. I hope that enough can be done to give her a quality of life she deserves for as long as possible. I feel that Sway was sent to you because she would know what true love and caring was all about. Please know you both will stay in my thoughts and prayers. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

I'm so sorry to hear that Sway is inoperable. I would take Joanne's advise and join the liver support group. They may know of something noone else has thought of. Sway is a lucky girl to have you. She is a fighter and she's been fighting this long so miracles do and DID happen already. Take each day one at a time and give her the love she needs. Keep us posted if you find anything new out. I'll send a special prayer out to Sway today. She'll be in our hearts and thoughts. Johnny and Tessy

Jonathan

Josh: We are very sorry to hear that Sway's condition is inoperable. You two have been and continue to be an inspiration to many. Hopefully someone in the Yahoo support group can offer you some help. Stay strong - we are all praying for the two of you. Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Josh, I don't even know what to say...it feels like someone has sucked out the air from around me. I agree with Penny, that Sway and you were sent to each other, a gift and an angel to each other. You have made each others time here better for one another. I know that whatever time you two have left together, there will be no love on earth greater. I am truly sorry to hear of this prognosis, you have our total love, prayers, and thoughts with you. I am honored to have known the two of you, and the limitless boundaries of your love for Sway. I hope that Sway has many good days left with you until you are both ready to say goodbye. All our love, melissa, tiggs, and family

melissa slc

Aww Josh, What can I say, what can I possibly say? I am so very sorry for this devasting news. You have been an absolute rock for Sway and a more positive outcome would have been prayers answered, but it is not meant to be. My heart cries with you. Take Care Josh I am still praying for you and Sway both. You are the best thing Sway can have in her corner. May you have many peaceful days left.. ((Hugs)) Jess and Keiko

Jess BC

Josh, this is so sad. Revel in the time you have left with your sweet girl. Will be thinking of you daily. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Josh, Love Sway every moment. (I know you do). You are one incredible pet owner. Total dedication. Sue & Ren

Susie Delaware

Josh, I will continue to pray for a miracle. Just so sorry that this has happened. You've fought so hard for your little girl and both of you deserve a victory. I'm glad that she has you, for you have surely made a difference in her life and showered her with love and given her so much happiness. Praying that things will turn around for the good for your precious Sway. Karen

Karen NC

Josh - I'm so sorry you didn't get the news you, and many of us, were praying you would hear. Now that you have a clear picture of what you are fighting, I'm hopeful you will find someone who will offer advice or an alternate opinion of what can be done for Sway. If it exists, I'm sure you will find it. And, in the meantime, know that many people will be keeping both of you in their prayers, along with everyone else who is fighting. Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Dear Josh, I am so terribly sorry to hear this news. Am sending a good thought to you that you can find a way to manage this for Sway. And that you will be able to keep her comfortable for as long as possible. Even though this is not the news that we all hoped for, we are still with you and Sway. Prayers for you both, Aden

Aden Jerusalem

Josh & Sway, Day by day, minute by minute, our prayers and thoughts are with you both. The love you have given Sway and that love returned by her to you is something that you will ALWAYS have and I know you will not stop as long as there is anything humanly possible to do to help your sweet girl. Sway is so lucky to have you for a Dad. LInda

Linda Sapphire

thanks everyone for your heartfelt words and prayers and thoughts- i greatly appreciate the energy that comes from this board... we are doing okay, im working to try and adjust her diet properly and figure out the right things to do to put her in a better place for going forward. ive got her eating 3-4 small meals a day right now, which is a small miracle because she is a highly picky dog... hopefully this will decrease the stress on her organs. and just trying to familiarize myself with the liver disease facet of all this, as it really complicates everything to the highest degree. unfortunately all her AIHA treatment and efforts were/are not being taken in and absorbed properly so i really dont know where that leaves us going into the future luckily for us her anemia is not dropping below 18% but long term it is creating environments for other conditions to rear heads and now she is taking on that and SIBO and liver shunting/disease and continuous urinary tract infections all at the same time. i look at her in amazement but am just incredibly sad for her.. dr. dodds keeps reminding me that 'luckily she didnt see the test results' so basically that she has no idea what is wrong with her, and i keep that at the forefront of my mind. the doctor that actually did the scintigraphy test commented on how alert and lively and aware of her surroundings she was..as this would be considered a stage 3 liver disease and he expected to see her in a much worse condition... 'extremely skinny and cachexic' was the negative that came from him. one thing i will say is im not just going to try and manage this, if there is any way to naturally decrease this condition i am going to try and find it- i know great diets have been factually proven to reverse numerous cancers in different people and i take inspiration from that, hopefully we can find something that works in a similar fashion because she is up against an enormous climb

Josh California

Josh, I am so sorry to hear the outcome and pray for you and Sway to find the right balance. In my research for Wylie I found a lot on diet and of shunts, you probably already know that they neeed low protein diet. You were in contact with Dr Cameron is there some Standard Process that may help now that you have a definative diagnosis? What medical management is needed for an animal with a shunt? Dogs with shunts are usually stabilized with special diets and medications to reduce the amount of toxins that are produced and absorbed in the large intestines. Dogs that are severely ill may require intravenous fluids to restore blood sugar, an enema to remove intestinal toxins before they are absorbed, and medications such as valium to stop seizures. Diet: Because many of the toxins produced in the intestines come from protein, it is important to reduce the amount of protein in the diet. Dog food for adults and puppies usually contains 25% and 29% protein, respectively, and may have meat byproducts. Dogs with shunts need high quality proteins made from milk or vegetable, and are restricted to a protein content of 18% or less (on a dry matter basis). The diets should be easily digestible, rich in antioxidants and vitamins, and low in copper and iron. Lactulose: Much of the toxins absorbed from the intestines are produced by normal intestinal bacterial. Lactulose changes the pH in the large intestines, which decreases absorption of ammonia and other toxins and makes the environment unfavorable for the toxin-producing bacteria. It also encourages the intestinal contents to leave the area more quickly, so that toxins have less time to be absorbed. Lactulose is basically a sugar solution; its primary side effect is diarrhea. Because of this, veterinarians will instruct owners to adjust the dose so that the dog's feces is soft but formed. Antibiotics: If clinical signs are not controlled with a protein-restricted diet and lactulose, veterinarians will often prescribe antibiotics to reduce the number of toxin-producing bacteria in the intestines. Antibiotics will also be needed if the animal has a urinary tract infection. here is another site http://www.askariel.com/pages.asp?pid=liver

Laurie CA

Josh, I know Dr dodds said for you not to sue UC Davis dont know why, but they do have nutrional support and may be able to help here is their website http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/cvma/fservices.html Laurie

Laurie CA

Laurie, I imagine you meant "use" not "sue." We all know here that is what you meant but just to make sure that visitors here wouldn't read something into that word. I just took a day long seminar a few weeks ago on Nutritional Needs of Dogs With Disease Conditions from the vet in charge of the Nutritional Services at Cornell University. I certainly learned a lot! Much of what you posted is applicable to this treatment. Monitoring the patient's blood levels of toxins is an important element in caring for them. A visit with a nutritionist could help with this. Dr. W at Cornell actually will accept a sample of a home made diet and analyze it for owners for about $80 as a service at the college. Patrice

Patrice NYS

This thread was discussed between 27/03/2009 and 30/03/2009

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