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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - toby
| Ive been meaning to post a thread about losing my beloved toby to AIHA on the 22nd of march this year but its only now that i could face such a task. Toby was first admitted to my local vets on the 12th march where he was diagnosed with AIHA,he had been lethargic the day before but it was only on the 12th that he seemed in need of veterniary attention when he lost some blood directly from his bladder,i rushed him to the vets who later in that day performed an emergency blood transfusion on him as his pcv had dropped to five,the transfusion brought his count up to 19.The next day his count had dropped to 16 upon which my local vets referred Toby to a more specialist vets in northumberland,England,who i was told were more specialised in the treatment of AIHA. Toby was hospitalised at the said vets where he was treated chiefly with prednisone to stop his immune system from kiliing his red blood cells,tobys pcv kept falling steadily until sunday the 16th march when his pcv again dropped to 5,i was told then that the prognosis was poor and i was distraught only for the transfusion to succeed and bring his count up to 24,the next day his count was up to 26 and i was a lot more hopeful and he seemed almost himself when i visited him later that day. The next day i was allowed to take him home with predisinone and zantac as his pcv had only dropped to 24 and the vets seemed to think that his system was now creating his own red blood cells again.Tobys pcv was taken on the following two days at my local vets where he had readings of 22 and 20 respectivley which they said wasnt too much of a concern,while he was back home he was very lethargic but on the thursday the 20th of march he seemed to be improving in himself only for him to suddenly seem to lose the ability to stand up come late afternoon,panic stricken i rushed him to my local vets who gave him oxygen but also told me that there wasnt much they could do for him and said my only hope would be to take him back to the vets in northumberland,although they wrent sure he would survive the hour plus journey he did so and the said vets suggested he had suffered a blood clot but they thought he could be treated so he was readmitted and hospitalised again.Come the friday morning,march 21,i was told Toby was stable but had made no progress and a subsequent call later in the day told me much the same but that they werent giving up hope,however the next day i received a call telling me that toby was getting no better and that i had to start thinking about his welfare,which came as a big shock,and was asked to come to the surgery,upon arrival with my family i was told that Tobys breathing was very laboured and they had taken him off oxygen so we could see for ourselves how his condition was,upon seeing him i immediately realised that he was very near death as all he could do was breathe with difficulty,his eyesight had seemingly gone and he couldnt move at all,the vet in attendance told me that toby had probably suffered a further blood clot and that he strongly reccomended immediate euthanasia which i knew i had to agree to,this was without doubt the worst day of my life,i dont have children and Toby was like a son to me,he was only seven and a half years old and had been mainly a very healthy dog throughout his life,i just wanted to share my experience on here as i have read many moving stories,as i have also on meishas hope,on this board,to this day i have no idea how Toby could have caught this horrible illness and i realise ill never know but i thought it would be the right thing to do to tell Tobys story,he really was a lovely dog who i dont think ill ever get over losing to such an awful disease,RIP Toby. |
| mark lincoln darlington |
| Hello Mark. I am so sorry to hear about your beloved Toby. Many of us here on this forum know exactly what you have and are going through. We lost Trixie, she was 6 1/2 years of age, it will be 2 weeks this Thursday, she came down with AIHA last October. About one month ago she seemed to be doing so much better, but sadly a couple weeks ago she went down hill, she had developed Lymphoma, it hit her hard and fast and we also had to make the decision of putting her to sleep. It hasn't been easy for us, she was also a big part of our lives but we know in our hearts that during her time with us, she had a wonderful life and our memories will never fade and this is what we hold on to. I'm sure Toby filled your life with so much joy. You did everything you possibly could for him, he was well loved and cared for. It's pretty amazing the bond that forms between our four-legged babies and us, a bond that will always remain. Thinking of you and your family. Tricia |
| Tricia UK |
| Mark, thank you for sharing Toby's story with us. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to sit down and type it out. Somehow, to me, telling the story, would be like reliving the nightmare. I don't think there is a person on this site who can't relate to the heartbreak of seeing their best friend in such distress. I always wish there was something I could "say" to those who have lost their dogs that would take the sadness and pain away. But, having lost a dog in the past who was my soul mate, I know that there are no words that can console. Only time will soften your pain and I hope that eventually your sadness will fade and all the good and happy memories you have of Toby will emerge. For it's those memories that will keep Toby with you in your heart for as long as you live. It sounds to me like you did everything in your power to help Toby fight this horrible illness and that you shouldn't have any regrets there. Please take good care of yourself. And thanks again for having the courage to share your story with us. deb and Duck |
| Debbie BC Canada |
| Dear Mark -- I am sorry you lost your dear Toby to IMHA. My husband and I lost our beloved beagle, Wiley, to IMHA in May 2005. We know how you feel, because we didn't have children, and so Wiley was our child. And she was so special. Your Toby's case sounds a lot like my Wiley's. She seemed to be doing better, but on the third day of treatment, she suffered some kind of "event" (vet's words) and never walked again. She also had a head tilt. She seemed to be getting better though, and we hoped that she would recover and maybe walk again. But after a great day on the 7th day, she declined rapidly on the 8th. She was breathing harder, although not on oxygen, and all of her vitals were failing. Plus, she seemed to have no interest in anything, whereas before she did. We had to make a hard decision, and we did. It was the hardest decision we ever made, but we knew it was best for her. We took comfort knowing we did our best to get her treatment, and we were there with her until the end. Still, the grief is terrible. Please take care. Please be comforted knowing that you gave Toby a chance to fight this disease, but it was not meant to be. Please also be comforted by the memories of your wonderful life together. As sad as you are, you have to find a way to rejoice that you had the time with Toby that you did have. Those memories are priceless, and they will be a comfort to you the rest of your life. I hope you'll keep in touch and let us know how you're doing. Toby is up there with many other dear dogs who have succumbed to this disease. They are happy and healthy again. |
| Brenda VA |
| Mark, I am so saddened to read of your loss. I too know what it is like to lose a dog to this dreadful disease. It takes time to get over that feeling that someone has just ripped out your heart but as time goes on the memories of the good times start to fill that very empty space and while I don't think we ever quite get over the loss the pain does lessen. Toby is at the bridge with a lot of our dogs making new friends and is waiting for the day that he will see you again. Take care Penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
| Tricia,Debbie,Brenda and Penny,thank you so much for your kind words and unerstanding,you are right i should remember all the great times i had with toby as i am sure yourselves do when you remember Trixie and Wiley.Id never actually heard of this awful illness until Toby became ill with it but i think as many people as possible whos dogs have had AIHA should contribute to this site so that as much information and stories are available to people whos dogs may become ill with AIHA. My overriding thoughts when i think of Toby are ones of how much i loved him,i always said he was my son,but also on all the years that me and Toby missed out on because he was taken away from me by such a horrible disease,i know it wouldnt actually do me any good but i have no idea how Toby might have caught AIHA,a he was always well supervised and the only time he was left alone would be in the house,but even now im constantly wracking my brain as to how he may have contracted AIHA.To all who have took the time to reply to my message,thanks again and take care. mark. |
| mark lincoln darlington |
| Mark Sorry you lost Toby. It's difficult to think of our beloved pets as dogs, they are family with their own contribution to family life. You may never find out how Toby developed this condition as there seems to be so many triggers as I have recently found out. My 7 year old Springer Holly is at present fighting for her life in Bristol University Hospital. Not good news today and I'm not able to visit her as it is too far away. Since finding this site a few days ago and can't believe how widespread it is. Looking on a site for human version of this condition, not sure if I've got correct info. but it seems easier to manage than in dogs. Take care Janette |
| Janette Abergavenny |
| Hi Janette,trhanks for the kind words,just wanted to say that i really hope Holly beats this awful disease,uit must be awful being so far away that you cant visit,my thoughts are with you and Holly,take care. mark |
| mark lincoln darlington |
This thread was discussed between 05/05/2008 and 07/05/2008
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