Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Zeke, the best dog in the world

I want to post a new thread. Zeke, our beloved 10 year old Lab passed away, in peace, at our vets today. He had been fighting AIHA for only 2 weeks but was so weak that he "just gave up". He struggled to get up, he struggled to walk and he did not want to be with us! His tail was always wagging, but today was too much for him. We took him to our vet and his PCV was 16.3, the same as when he was diagnosed! He was fighting but unfortunately the disease won in the end. He passed away peacefully with the vets help. We will always wonder if we did the right thing but we could not see him suffer. He has gone to a better place free of pain and suffering. We will really miss him and the house is empty without him. He will always be in our thoughts. We are considering visting the local pet rescue centre to give another dog a loving home. We do not want to replace Zeke but I think it may help with the grief if we have have a dog to look after and care for. ZEKE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. Thank you all for your support and kind messages. We think we did the right thing but there will always be a doubt. We loved Zeke and would do anything to have him laying here next to us. It is not to be! Thank you all again. Terry and Carol

TERRY SPAIN

Terry & Carol {{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I am so sorry to hear you lost Zeke - please don't second guess yourselves - you gave him the best you could. We too are dealing with the empty house - as you know we lost our beloved Sadie this weekend - Unlike you, we cannot bring ourselves to think about another dog right now - but I am so glad that you can. Shelter puppies need our love and protection - even more so than some others. None of our precious ones will ever be forgotten - this is the worst time for us - but as you said our little ones are at peace. Take care and know our thoughts and prayers are with you - remember the good times with Zeke - as we try to do with Sadie Sherie

Sherie Saranac

I lost my wonderful Stormie to AIHA within 48 hours of diagnosis. We only had the weekend to fight but I think she was holding on for me b/c I could not bear to lose her! It was awful but I know she is happy and free now. I will always ask myself questions...but I can't bring her back. I won't do annual vaccinations with any dog again...I'm convinced that's what took Stormie's immune system down. Please take care of yourself. I am sure Zeke has met my shaggy angel girl, Stormie. Mrs. Gates

Mrs. Gates Michigan

Dear Terry -- I am so sorry you lost your dear Zeke to IMHA. You guys put up a good fight, but it was not meant to be. I also cannot imagine how difficult it was dealing with veterinarians and having language differences to handle as you're trying to understand a killer disease you'd never heard of. You have had a horrible time, and my heart goes out to you and your family. Please take comfort knowing you did all that you could for your dear boy. Your grief will be hard in the weeks to come, but you tried. And also think about the wonderful life you had together. It's never long enough for us, but we have to be grateful for the love and joy that these dogs bring to our lives. You and Zeke had a great time together, and you'll always be together, even though it will be different now. You cannot touch him or sense him in other ways, but in your heart you're always together. Please take care and let us know how you are doing.

Brenda VA

Terry and Carol - So sorry for your loss - your love for Zeke was so clear and will be, as you know, never ending. You fought so hard and I'm sorry you did not get the outcome you were praying for - I hope, in time, it brings some comfort to know you did all you could and the happy memories soften the pain you are feeling now. Take care of yourselves.

Bonnie Chicago

I ajm so sorry you lost yurZweke to this most horrid disease. Our golden retriever had jsut turned 4 when we lost hime after an 8 day fight. But we did have 3 oher goldens to help us fight our grief. You NEVER repalce a dog, yu only let your heart grow bigger and make room to allow a new dog in. I hvae owned and lsot dogs for 50 yes and my heart can still grow to allow another in. Some people can't accept a new dog for months, maybe yeas but some of us just have to hvae a dog in our life. I am one of them. To me, a home with a dog, without dog hair everywhere, without a jar of treats, with grooming tools used dailyl--well, it isn't a home.

Sandra TExas

Terry and Carol, Know of my thoughts and prayers for you at this time of great loss. I too, had to make the same decision you did regarding your beloved pet. It was so difficult, but like Zeke, I couldn't watch Molson suffer any more. He now runs with Zeke through endless fields of daisies and forever sunshine. Peace, Ann Marie

Ann Marie FL

Terry and Carol. Many of us have been in the same position, myself included. It's not easy having to let your beloved pet go, my daughter and I cried our eyes out when Trixie was sent on her journey. But we knew she was going to a place where there would be no more pain or suffering, she is now free of all that, free run and play with all those who have crossed over. We have all done our very best for our pets,and we loved them enough to set them free. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Tricia

Tricia UK

I would just like to add to all those worrying at the moment. Zeke had not had any vacinations for some time and not had any drastic flea treatment. I do not know how he contracted this disease, and believe me we think about it every day, but it definitely WAS NOT the usual ones mentioned on this forum. I still cry every day and at the moment I am looking through all my photos of Zeke, the way he was before he was struck down! I am thinking of all the good times we had and the love he gave to everyone who touched him. Zeke we love you so much and I am soooooooo Sorry.

TERRY SPAIN

zeke terry and carol , your beloved zeke had 10 great years with you and you with him ,i am so sorry for your lost .i may have to rethink about bonnie we had bad news last night from vet , we are trying another drug today ,if that does not work ,we can,t bear to see her like this when she.s been so active my heart goes out to you both polly

polly scot;and

This thread was discussed between 12/05/2008 and 14/05/2008

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