Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Tessy's Six Month Anniversary

Just wanted to let everybody know that Tessy reached her 6 month mark yesterday. I'm so happy she's here with me still and I cherish everyday and every hour we spend together. To celebrate I first took her out for an icecream.....which well, only lated maybe 30 seconds. She really loves her icecream. She also got to go to the Doggy Store and pick out some bones. Of coarse a ball caught her eye so she had to have that. All in all she had a good day. The day before she had a series of tests done. These included a full CBC, an xray, ultrasound and urinalysis. The CBC results were not quite as I had hoped. Her HCT dropped almost 4 points to 30.8%. Seems like everytime we start to turn the corner we hit a ditch. I'm hoping it was just the draw because clinically she is still acting pretty good. I'll take her in on Monday for a recheck just to make sure. The x-ray and ultrasound results only showed a large belly (probably cause she's an eating machine), and slightly enlarged liver and spleen. Everything else looked good they said. Her urinalysis showed there was STILL a small trace of blood present (1+ on the stick). Is it possible for there to be blood present in a urine sample due to this disease and the meds? It also showed that her protein in her urine was slightly high. I'm hoping as always for the best. Monday will tell us where we stand I guess. The med reductions are at a standstill until we see the results on Monday. Will keep you all posted. Oh yeah....Also a BIGGGG THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY who has helped us over the past 6 months and kept us in your thoughts and prayers. You kind words and advise has made it possible for me to be here writing this today. Thanks again from Johnny & Tessy

Johnny Nova Scotia

Johnny: Congrats! It's good to hear that Tessy is doing well. An HCT of 30.8% is not bad at all and the slight drop could be due to a bad draw, time of day, Tessy's state (resting vs. active) or just where it happened to be that day. Remember - she is more than just that one number and if she's active, eating healthy and loving life - that's what matters. I can't remember if Tessy is on cyclo but if she is - this could account for the slightly higher protein in her urine. Sheba had this problem and being an older dog the vet was afraid she might be exhibiting signs of kidney disease. After some hunting on my part I found that elevated levels of protein can be a result of extended high doses of Atopica. After Sheba had stopped taking it her levels returned to normal. Just a thought. Enjoy your day and again - Way to go Tessy! Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Johnny, wow, ice cream and treats, now thats a nice celebration! Can't believe its been 6 months. And I can't believe Wylie is approaching her year and half since diagnosis next month. Do you normally do the spin blood test? I really need to write this down what its called vs the blood one. If so and they just relied on the blood draw test because she had a full cbc will show a decrease as that number is always lower than the spin test. When Wylie has a full CBC, they also do the spin test since that is the most accurate and we don't rely on the CBC # Laurie

Laurie CA

I can remember back when you first posted about Tessy. I can not believe it has been six months already! You and Tessy have done a wonderful job at beating AIHA. You educated yourself and were determined to beat the odds with this horrible disease. Darn right Tessy deserves some ice cream! Congrats from Ren and myself. Sue & Ren

Susie Delaware

Johnny, Oh the miles you and Tessy have traveled (literly) I am so pleased for you both. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Hi Johnny Congratulations on 6 months post diagnosis. Sounds like she is doing very good and 30 is not a bad number considering what it was. One thing about this disease it teaches us to never ever take our dogs for granted and I hardly ever walk bye any of my dogs anymore without stopping to pet them or say something to them. I better not let Ginger read your post as she will want to come live at your house:) Thanks for sharing, Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Hello Johnny, Congratulations! it is great to hear positive news from Tessy and you. It sure has been a rocky road. The UTIs are sure a nuisance. But I figure in the whole picture it is not the worst thing. Kahlu has had them more than not. After the second one the vet recommended to take the urine directly from the bladder with a syringe. This way they get a more accurate sample with no contaminants. Kahlu was standing for this, it was very low stress and pretty easy. He needed a very full bladder for this. The urine was then sent off to an outside lab to do a culture over a few days. This shows much clearer what infection is going on and it can then be attacked with the correct antibiotics. In Kahlu's case it was e-coli, which seems to be fairly common.The second time it did not work with him standing. He had to lay on his back and was held down while the vet was poking his belly. I was totally amazed that he did not struggle at all. The vet told him he is a hero. I in return called the vet and her helpers heroes. Kahlu clearly trusts them completely. The results were again e-coli. I am glad Tessy had an ultrasound, because I think they would have seen bladder stones. They could cause blood in the urine. Maybe that is something that needs further investigation. I have started to give Kahlu Probiotics/digestive enzymes again. I get them under the brand name Forti Flora at the vets. I have also given him cranberry concentrate for a while, I get them at the health food store and just open a capsule and put the powder on his food. Keep up the good work, you are clearly doing a great job! Best wishes to you and Tessy, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

I'm also giving Tessy Forti Flora as well as dried cranberries. No stones were found so that was a sigh of relief. She does get burping gas often and I had to call the emergency number last weekend because I thought she was getting bloat. I was outside working and when I came in her stomach was HUGE...not sure if she overdrank too much water or what it was but it seemed like everytime she burped the size went down just a tad. I've always read that bloating can be a very serious problem so of coarse I was freaking out. Luckily within a few hours the size subsided and she was back to normal. When Tessy had her ultrasound done the other day I requested that they take a sample directly from her bladder....since they already had the ultrasound out it would make it easier. The bladder was not full enough and after numerous tries at poking for it I told them enough was enough. Didn't want them to be poking her over and over again. Maybe next time we go in I'll check my options. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Woohoo Tessy, way to go! Sounds like you had a great party. Keep up the good work! Wendi and Calypso

Wendi Ohio

YAY!! Tessy, way to go! doodle hugs Carol and Charlie

Carol

Johnny, I'm so happy to hear that both you and Tessy are weathering the IMHA storm! You both are a great team and you have armed yourself with so much knowledge and have been a great support to many other new members of our little family. It's been so nice to see Tessy progress and do well, we know that she'll be around for a long time to come. hugs, melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

This thread was discussed between 15/08/2009 and 16/08/2009

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