Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Toby's gums are white....

Last night when I gave Toby his last dose of meds. I realized his gums were completely white. We added azathioprine and decreased his prednisolone two weeks ago because he was getting so weak and also his skin infection wouldn't heal. My regular vet was not on call last night so I had to talk to someone else. She suggested that I could try increasing the prednisolone to his regular dosage but couldn't give me much hope. She thought I would probably need to take him to an emergency clinic for a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, we can't afford another huge vet bill like that. We've already spent so much in the last four months. It makes me sick that I can't afford to help him. Please say a prayer for Toby. In true labrador spirit, he's still wagging his tail. Karen

Karen H Missouri

Karen, Please keep us posted on Toby, I'm hoping for the best for you both, and hopefully it's just bump in the road. It's always extra stressful when these things seem to happen after hours when or regular vets aren't accessible, and the emergency clinics seem to charge twice the price. All of our dogs going through this are so strong, and have amazing spirits. I hope that Toby will recover soon. melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Karen, As long as Toby is still wagging his tail, don't panic. I have seen Aiyanas gums turn white, only to turn nice bright pink a few hours later. As all other moms of AIHA dogs, I obsessivly check her gums, she in turn runs the other way LOL. Hugs to both of you... Julie and Aiyana

Julie IL

Our prayes are with you and Toby and hope he can make it though this set back. It may take a few days for the new dose of predisone to begin to take effect and in most cases it takes a few weeks for the azathioprine to being working. If he is eating and acting okay I would not be too worried about the color of his gums. At one time Gingers gums were bright pink and yet her PCV was in the 20's, her vet was very surprised at the low number. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Thank you for the encouragement. Toby has a check-up scheduled for tomorrow so I'll know more then. He still has a very good appetite and is drinking. He's just so weak and tired. Then, when I saw the white gums, I fell apart. This is going to be a long day. Karen

Karen H. Missouri

Karen, I will be keeping both you and Toby in my thoughts and prayers. Tail wagging is always good. Please don't beat yourself up about the finances, this disease doesn't seem to count dollars and I believe Toby knows you are doing everything that you can do for him. Hopefully the increase of the Pred will do the trick. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Creek

Karen, Don't panic too much. I'm glad you have an appointment with the vet tomorrow. Maybe the meds can be changed/adjusted to correct the problem. It sounds like Toby's clinical signs are good. It's great that he's wagging his tail, eating, and drinking. Darcy's gums have been and still are very pale. Is there any way you can work out a payment plan with your vet if Toby requires a transfusion? At the specialist where we go, they have an interest free or interest loan application form that can be accepted on the spot. Hopefully, Toby won't need that transfusion. I am praying for you and Toby. Karen

Karen NC

Karen, Now that we all obsess about checking bums I can understand your panic. But try to relax, I think I have an idea of what you are seeing. I have done plenty of research on the spleen, since Chance had to have his removed, and I have some interesting information that might help you relax a little. One of the jobs of the spleen is a kind of housekeeping thing. When dogs are at rest, a great deal of the circulating blood is sequestered in the spleen. This allows the spleen to break apart old blood cells for recycling. This happens at about 120 days for each cell give or take. Other jobs are an immune system check for things like tick disease inside blood cells etc. This sequestering of blood during sleep can be quite extensive, so much so that the levels of blood in circulation can be quite low. This creates something called nocturnal anemia. Or anemia occurring during rest. The spleen is designed with very strong muscles around it and in response to a stimulus, it squeezes the spleen and suddenly puts this blood back into circulation. This is generally in response to an adrenal rush. I suspect if you begin checking gums and refill time at specific times of the day you will notice a wide range of colors depending on the excitement level. That's not to say that the pcv is normal, but that the circulating levels will fluctuate during the day. I've gotten to the point where I can just look at Chance's ears and tell what's going on. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Lesson to self. Always proof read your posts. We all do not check "BUMS" everyday. We check gums.....

Patrice NYS

ah Patrice, I know it's a serious business but that did raise a smile, I for one don't think i'd like to get too close to that end of my little springer as she is a right windbag at times!!

Keri Lynn Wales UK

Karen, labs are fighters -- and the fact that the appetite is still in check is a great sign! Please let us know how the checkup goes. Sending good waves your way... Sharon

Sharon CT

Thanks again to all of you for your encouragement. I hope Patrice is correct in her thinking. Unfortunately, Toby's gums are still quite pale when they had been a nice pink color for weeks. At least this day is almost over, and I can get him to the vet in the morning. Karen

Karen H. Missouri

Hoping the very best for Toby in the morning. Patrice's comments were very informative, as usual. I've often said to my vet that it feels on some days like Tiggs' PCV changes hour to hour based on gum color, and though she didn't put in quite in the understandable terms that Patrice did, she did say that PCV's don't fluctuate hour to hour. That nocturnal anemia seems to fit that at least in our case, Tiggs' gums do seem pretty pale in the mornings, and then a bit pinker as the day goes on, then sometimes a little more pale in the evenings. Thanks for the enlightenment on that Patrice, and again, all of our love and good wishes for Toby.

melissa slc

This thread was discussed between 27/11/2008 and 28/11/2008

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