Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Update on Clifford

Clifford, golden retriever, age 8, 75 pounds, beloved twin & playmate of Curtis. Well, we are one week into Clifford's journey with AIHA. His PCV was 12 a week ago and he had transfusions that brought his level to 23 in less than 24 hours. Yesterday his level was 19. Our vet wanted to wait until next Monday to take it again, but said I could bring him in tomorrow if I felt uncomfortable with the wait. Curt is keeping his spirits up and stays by his side. I'm glad I found this site that has helped me cope with a earth-shaking diagnosis for Cliff. He was also diagnosed with heartworms but our vet cannot start treatment for that until his PCV is up, quite possibly for another 2 months. In the meantime she gave him a HeartGuard yesterday in hopes that it will kill off the baby worms. His prednisone level is 30mg in the morning and 30mg at night. She will consider raising it on Monday if the numbers do not start coming up, or if they go further down. I know the odds of his making it are poor according to the stats. But I have to believe that he knows how much our family and Curt love him and he will battle with everything he's got. We lost Norman, our other golden at age 8, exactly 8 years ago. He was cremated and is sitting on our mantle in a beautiful urn. I know that if Cliff joins Norman he will have an instant buddy, but the affect on Curt would be devastating.

Janice Newnan

I hope all is well with Clifford. Did yo diecide to take him in? when Wylie was first diagnosed I always had her PCV checked on A saturday in case it went down, and not wait if something happened over the week-end. Laurie

Laurie CA

Yes I did...it went up to 23!! I also handed our vet a stack of research that I have done about AIHA, thanks to the emails and links I have received from the wonderful people on this list. She may or may not be offended by my zealousness...I am not in her face, but I am there a lot. I love Clifford, as we all love our beloved pets, and if nothing comes from this other than losing my dog, I will feel that I have gained knowledge to pass along to others and the feeling that I did everything I could once I found out what Clifford is dealing with. Thanks again, everyone. Janice

Janice Newnan

Janice, It's funny how some Vets react to your input. My regular Vet I think was a bit put off but my ER vet actually noted on my dogs chart how well informed I was and seemed to welcome my input. I think the important thing is we are our dogs voice so it is something we have to do. I am keeping both you and Clifford in my thoughts and prayers. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Glad to read that Clifford's PCV is moving up. I ditto what Penny says, one must be your pet's advocate. jmo. but a confident vet shouldn't be offended or off-putting by your research or questions. It's in the best interest of their patient, your pet, to address your concerns, doubts or objections to treatment. If they recommend something you are strongly opposed to or uncomfortable with, how likely is it that you will follow the recommendation? I've more than once challenged a vet on their recommendations (in a nice way of course), though I always try to come prepared with documentation to back up my concern. In all the vets we've been to for a variety of reasons, I've only had 2 who seemed to be offended or dismissive of what I had to say or ask (I don't see them anymore). I also understand that most vets operate on an extremely tight schedule and spending a half-hour or more explaining things to a client is highly unlikely.

Ronda So Cal

I AM SO SRRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR CLIFFORD. ON OCT. 16, 2003 I LOST MY JUST TURNED 4 YEAR OLD GOLDEN RETRIEVER, HUNTER, TO AIHA AND LIVER DAMAGE BROUGHT ON BY PROHEART6, THE 6 MONTH INJECTABLE HEART WORM PREVENTATIVE. HE HAD NEVER BEEN SICK A DAY IN HIS LIFE TIL THE PROHEART6 STRUCK HIM DOWN. HE SPENT 8 DAYS IN ICU AND EEN WITH TRANSFUSIONS WE COULDN'T GET HIS COUNT OUT OF THE TEENS. GOD BLESS HIM, WITH BOTH THE AIHA NAD LIVER DAMAGE MY WONDERFUL BOY DID STAND MUCH OF A CHANCE. HE ALSO LEFT A LITTERMATE SISTER, KAYCEE.THEY RE 8 WEEKS OLD WHEN WE GOT THEM, AND THEY WERE BEST FRIEDS AND SHE DID GRIEVE FOR HIM. IT WAS SAD. SHE WOULD STAY UNDER THE TABLE INSTEAD OF GETTING ON THE SOFA WITH ME, SHE HARDLY AE. IT TOOK OUR ALMOST 2 YEAR OLD ADOPTED GOLDEN MIX, HONEY TO PULL HER OUT OF THE DEPRESSION. AND SO VERY SADLY, JUST 5 WEEKS AGO TOMORROW I LOST MY PRECIOUS KAYCEE AT AGE 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS, 1 WEEK TO CANCER AND IT WAS HONEY'S TURN TO GRIEVE. SHE AND KAYCEE WOULD SPEND TIME TOGETHER LAYING ON THE PATIO IN LATE AFTERNOON SHADED BY THE SYCAMORE TREES. THEY ALSO LOVED TO TO TO THE BACK FENCE AND "CONVERSE" WITH THE DOGS BEHIND US. FOR A FULL WEEK AFTER KAYCEE'S DEATH HONEY ONLY WENT OUTSIDE TO GO POTTY AND THEN RIGHT BACK IN. SHE ATE OKAY, BUT SHE DIDN'T DO HER TWIRLING AND JUMPING AS SHE WATCHED ME PREPARE HER FOOD DISH. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT HER. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOUR GOLDEN BOY WILL OVER COME AND IT SEEMS LIKE HE IS DOING PRETTY WELL. BUT JUST IN CASE, WITH HIM AND CURTIS BEING SUCH GOOD BUDS AS WELL AS BROTHERS, I JUST WANTED TO SHARE WHAT WENT ON WITH MY KAYCEE WHEN SHE LOST HER BROTHER, AND THEN WITH HONEY WHEN SHE LOST KAYCEE. NEVER GIVE UP HOPE. TRUE MANY DOGS DO DIE, BUT THEN OTHERS GO INTO REMISSION AD LIVE A LONG LIFE. THERE ARE TWO FROM HERE THAT BELONG TO A GOLDEN RETRIEVER FORUM I BELONG TO WHO HAVE SURVIVING AIHA DOGS--ONE AN ELDERLY, REGAL GOLDEN, THE OTHER A BRIT SPANIEL. THEY SPELL HOPE.

SANDRA TEXAS

As a fellow golden lover ( and a member of the golden retriever forum Sandra mentioned above), I am praying for your Clifford. It's a good sign that his PCV went up to 23. Our story with AIHA began when we adopted Cody, a black and white bench bred springer. He had been taken in by SPringer Rescue on death's door with what was later diagnosed as AIHA. Something told me he needeed someone to fight for him and that someone was ME. I kept him with the ESRA vet and slowly but surely he improved, and 9 months later he was holding his own.... with hematocrits holding in the low 40's and a normal CBC, and off all meds. That is what I will be hoping and praying for Clifford. Keep fighting for him ( remember you are his voice)and believing. You are off to a great start in trying to learn everything you possibly can about this horrid disease. Joanne's site is invaluable in providing not only information, but hope. If you would like the fellowship of other golden owners, come join us at the goldenretrieverforum.com

Betty Dallas

Wow..once again my socks are knocked off by the wonderful responses to Clifford's plight. And the stories that you all tell me touch my heart, having lost Norman, our other retriever. I am concerned about the injectable heartworm medicine, as the vet told me that once Clifford is stable with the AIHA he will be getting those regularly until the heartworms are gone. Now I am worried about the risk. Thanks for the information and link to the golden retriever site...I will definitely check it out. I love all breeds of dogs, in fact I could sit all day at the vet just visiting with other people's dogs and watching the interactions. The golden has been our family breed of choice, since when my kids were young the dogs were so playful and gentle. Anyway, thanks again, and I will give another update on Wednesday when Cliff gets his blood taken again. Cliff & Curt's Mom, Janice

Janice Newnan

Just a quick note... Clifford is holding his own and his PCV stayed nearly stable at 22. We are very optimistic and discussed weaning him off the prednisone in a couple of months, then beginning the heartworm treatment. Have a great day, everyone! ps..an added funny note, Cliff refused to get out of the car and had to be "wrangled" and carried in. Not an easy task for a 75 pound dog! :-) Janice

Janice Newnan

Janice, Glad to hear Clifford is holding steady. Don't be surprised at how spoiled he will get as we all know we give in so readily to any demands because we are so happy they are still with us. I wish you both the best. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

This thread was discussed between 27/06/2008 and 03/07/2008

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