Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Tasha & Awareness Updates

I just wanted to take some time to give everyone some updates on how things are going. Joanne has told me that alot of you have been asking about Tasha and the awareness program. First, my loving dog, Tasha has been fighting hard for the past 2 weeks as she has been in the hospital receiving 24/7 care. She was diagnosed on 3/16 and we have just past the 1 month mark. It will be 2 weeks on Sunday that she really looked to be slipping. She had very little interest in food and on that morning she even threw up her meds. Off we went to the vet for a quick check. 30 minutes later we were on our way to the hospital. Well we have gone through some major ups and downs. Even last Monday D. Daugherty had to ask me some very serious questions about what to do if she looked to be in a worsening condition. It completely broke my wife down. I told her to not let Tasha suffer under any circumstances. I cried all the way home. I even leaned on Joanne for support earlier that day and she gave me some hope. Oh, I did have a good fortune in my Chines fortune cookie. It said that I would receive a great gift that day. I did, my girl actually pulled through that night and has even improved as of late. I had told Dr. Daugherty that I would like to try Imunoglobin (spelling, sorry) next to see if that would help. With great difficulty we were able to obtain some from a local hospital. The VEC where Tasha is has even offered to supply it to us at no markup. They have been terrific to say the least. And guess what happened Friday, Tasha's blood test showed that she is starting to regenerate!!. Today her PCV was still a little low so another transfusion was performed. She looks very good and has regained some energy. She has lost about 7 pounds of the fluid that she had gained in her abdomen and she has also improved on clearing her lungs from the pneumonia that she has been fighting. She is not a big fan of the oxygen tube in her nose but it sure does help her breathe easier. Her appetite is good as she has eaten lately, fresh cod, salmon and orange ruffy. Also some grilled chicken and even cat food that the cat in the kennel above her throws out of his bowl. All of the doctors, assistants, techs and dog walkers love her so much. They never pass her by without a pat or a treat. I even came in early one morning for my daily am visit and the lead doctor was filling out her reports in the kennel with Tasha's head resting in her lap. Well I know that I have carried on long enough so just to sum it up quickly, we went into the woods, struggled, and I now think that we are starting to work our way out. One day at a time! Okay, about the awareness programs: 1. Morris Animal Foundation page updated 2. Meisha's Hope BMW Race Car debut Memorial Day 3. Shirts available now on our race site and all proceeds to go to Meisha's Hope. 4. Race trailer decaled with information (moving billboard) 5. Lime Rock events arranged to generate awareness and funds. 6. Direct links on our race web site about the program 7. The firest press releases getting ready to get out within the next few days. 8. Weekly conference calls with MAF/Joanne and myself about upcoming events. We have alot of really great things that are coming up, hopefully Joanne will chime in and give everyone some more upodates. I gotta go and visit my girl now. Have a good evening Steve

Steve Virginia

Dear Steve -- Thank you so much for the update. You are so busy dealing with Tasha, handling your racing business, and trying to help raise money for the Meisha's Hope Fund that we understand there are few minutes remaining in the day. I am glad to hear that Tasha is responding and regenerating following the administration of the Immunoglobulin. I think that is that human substance that is considered a last resort in treating IMHA. It is interesting that a few dog parents have had vets who have used this, and it has had promising results. The vets who treated our Wiley "threw the book at her" in terms of medicines to fight her IMHA, but they never pushed trying this. We kept hearing how expensive it was. We would have done it -- we already had spent several thousand dollars and we would have done anything if we thought she would have made it and had a good quality of life -- but her systems began failing and they said they couldn't get any in time. We let her go after a week. Thank you for your efforts in joining Joanne to get the word out about this disease and let people know that we've got to do something. And we have to ante up our own funds to fight this, because that's just the way it is with canine illnesses. Few big corporations or foundations step in to help. Please let all of us on this board know whatever we can do to help -- beyond doing regular contributions to the Meisha's Hope Fund in whatever amounts we can afford. I will keep Tasha and your family in my prayers. You all seem pretty determined to beat IMHA, and that kind of will is needed to work with the medicines.

Brenda VA

Steve, Glad to hear Tasha is finding her way back. It is an emotional roller coaster ride fighting this awful disease but it souds like she is getting great care. Keeping you all in my thoughts. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

That is really great news! I will never forget the first fout months of Choe's diagnosis watching for slipping health after the two week period that the blood transfusion held and the taking him back for another transfusion and another transfusion until after the fourth he finally also began to regenerate. I am very happy for you that Tasha is responding after a relatively short period of time. I know you wil be watching her closely. Regarding the 'Awareness' campaign you are spearheading in your area...I hope there is thought given to the actual linkages and copy being provided to interested parties. It seems there are not as many 'causes of AIHA' info. that go into detail other than 'bullet points' reflecting heatworm, flea control and vaccination protcol. During this time of flea and tick season I think it would be most helpful to provide folks alternate choices from commercial products as well as letting them know vaccination protocols have changed. So few know of this important information....and I notice lately there are more and more TV advertizing by big-pharma during the spring touting the absolute 'necessity' of their flea treatment product use. Joanne, you may want to reach out in this area by including several additional 'success stories' on your board to coincide with the awareness campaign reflecting a pet owner's experience with their AIHA pet due to flea/heartguard/vaccination. I will be happy to contribute Choe's story. Jan

jan philly

Since Steve asked me to “chime in” I thought I would add just a few comments. First of all I want to truly thank Steve for all he is doing. He has a lot of wonderful ideas and is working so very hard on them. Many of the things that Steve mentioned in his post are still “works in progress.” When these works in progress are brought to completion either Steve or myself will be posting URL’s so everyone can read about what is happening and learn how they can help. As we “Race For Hope”, during this race season, Morris Animal Foundation will have news alerts on their site from time to time. I will also have info updates on the Meisha’s Hope Web site and will post updates here when Steve is out on the racing circuit. Hugs to all the canine kids from my little canine red-headed gal, Maddie and me.

Joanne MN

Oh, I'm so glad I saw this post for an update, having just been at the "ProMeris" sort-of forum. I know I'm new here, but Steve, I look forward to receiving positive updates about Tasha and what you and Joanne and Meisha's Hope are working towards. How I found Joanne and Meisha's Hope over five years ago was after MY Tasha had been diagnosed with IMHA. I had to write down what that acronym means, went home and found Joanne's site. Her site meant so much to me at a time when I was all alone and out of my mind with sadness and worry. Unfortunately, my Tasha died six days after diagnosis -- I don't think she or my other dog could have possibly survived anything due to being exposed to a poisonous drug -- but Meisha's Hope is one of only two charities that proceeds of my shop go to. One day I hope a cure is found. I'm so excited about your new venture and raising awareness of this disease.

Jean B. Colorado

What a surprise I got when I went to visit Tasha in the hospital yesterday evening. She got to go home! Dr. Daugherty had told me on Sunday that if everything continued to improve that she would probably be release this week. Well I didn't expect it to be so soon. I did have to promise to return her this morning though, and will pick her back up this evening. She is going to spend the day instead of in a kennel just hanging around the doctors office. I sure was scared though that something might happen while in my care, but she was fine. She had a ton of meds for me to give her but they were easily hidden in some treats. She slept well, I'm sure she was tuckered out. We're thinking of you and your fur children, Steve

Steve Va

What a great surprise that must have been. It is scary when you first take them home kind of like your first experience as a parent. I am sure just being home will do wonders for her. Good luck. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Steve -- that's wonderful news that Tasha is improving and that she got to come home today. I'm sure she's soak ing up all that extra love and care at home. Hang in there!

Brenda VA

This thread was discussed between 19/04/2008 and 23/04/2008

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