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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Update on Dexter
| Dexter had been doing well until we took him today for a check up and his PCV has gone down from 30 to 27. The main problem appears to me the fact that he is retaining alot of fluid, due to the Pred's. This has got so bad that his poor tummy is distended and full of fluid. Having a scan at vets to see what is happening. Don't want him to suffer and at the moment with his fat tummy, breathlessness and generally not himself, I am wondering who I am doing this for, me or him !!! Would be grateful on comments of how others have been fairing on the drugs. Bev |
| Bev England |
| Hi Bev. When Duck was on high doses of prednisone he developed a pot belly and put on a lot of extra weight. Oddly enough the fat seemed to accumulate around his neck and chest. He also breathed very rapidly. I was assured that it was a result of the high doses of prednisone and that once we could reduce the pred, these symptoms would likely disappear and they have. Hang in there. I know it must be hard to watch Dexter like this. I also wondered if we were doing the right thing for Duck in those early days because he didn't have any quality of life. But now you wouldn't know he was sick - playful, energetic, alert and happy. It just takes time. deb and Duck |
| Debbie BC Canada |
| Hi Bev, I am sorry to hear Dexter's PCV has dropped a little. I agree with Deb that what you are going through is very common and in the beginning, it is rough on them AND you. I remember Lindy being so weak, I carried her outside to "chase" squirrels. There was a spark in here eyes that told me she hadn't given up. Her belly was very distended, but it is all back to normal. She had a difficult time breathing and with all of the meds she was on, she certainly did not act like the pre-AIHA Lindy. It does get better and I hope and pray you get good results from you scan. Hugs, Nancy and Lindy |
| Nancy CO |
| Bev,my heart feels for you and your Dexter.Let me just tell you my story and my pain im feeling now.I let my Bella go after one month .I found this site too late and i really didnt know everything i was dealing with.I was only on Iggy Planet and not many people knew about this disease.we had 2 transfusions and were doing all the meds predisone and atopica and imuram 15 differnt pills a day.MY bella never seemed to get better I gave up! I so wish that i didnt now from everthing ive read and heard.Ill never know if she would have gotten better.when i went to work the day I though i should put her to sleep she seemed the worst she had ever been.And i gave up on her I wasnt going to give her her meds then at the last minute i decided I would,because if i went to work i know i would have regreated it. My neighibor call me at work and said Bella passed out when she was trying to get up to potty .I came home right away and she went into her sleeping bag that she slept in every day.I came home and gave her water and tried to get her to eat she wouldnt.So i call my husband and said we need to take her in to the Dr.While we were driving her there her breathing was labored now i know thats normal from the pred when we got her there they put us in the room for euthination.We waited and waited there was a dog moaning in the next room....i wanted to go back to the waiting room so we could have quite.Bellas was so aware of her surroundings.then the DR came in and said she is very near death so i thought its for the best. But he gave here a relaxing shot actually 2 in her but then left and came back 10 min later.But when he gave the sodiambenathal shot i was kissing her on the side of her face and my husband was petting her otherside and you could tell when the medzs went in she knew and didnt like it and she freaked out and tried to bite him she wasnt ready to go.And ill never forget it i think about it 10 times a day i wake up during the nite and see it.I so wish i just let her go naturally because they say they arnt suffering they are just tired.I just wanted you to know all the emotinons im going through now that ifeel like i might have jumped the gun about this. I just dont want you to have the regerts im haveing now.Kathy Bellas mama |
| kathy pacifica |
| Bev...the distended belly is partly due to the muscle wasting that also affects the dog's hind legs. The abdomen is usually contained by strong abdominal muscles, and when they weaken from the prednisone, the stomach et. al. starts to distend. It will get better when the prednisone dose is lowered. |
| Ron B San Mateo |
| bev,just keep plugging away i want to give you all the hope you just need to do everything you can now for you dear sweet dexter i know its hard ive been there just try to keep him going dont give up i did and i so regreat it i dont want you to be where i am now just try to keeep uP WHET EVER YOU ARE DOING i so hope your dog recovers.my heart crys for you now and i so hope yor dexter gets well my prayers are with you i so feel your pain love Bellas mama |
| kathy pacific |
This thread was discussed between 07/03/2008 and 08/03/2008
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