AIHA or IMHA

Dr called, all good news!  She's doing really well.  She's going to keep rechecking her every three months unless I feel she needs to go in sooner. 

Yeah, Willow and Lori! That is great news.

Who hoooooooooooooooooooooooooo PAR-Teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Willow -- you rock, girl.  And your Momma TOO!!!! *hugs*

Goodmorning all!  Don't you love the good news.  Yeah Willow!!!  I felt bad at first posting how well Mattie was doing, but then I thought it gives hope to those who are still struggling.  So for all of you facing this horrible disease there is hope, there's always hope.

Now I have a question.  I know you cook for your babies, but you know I am not the cook.  So I would like to know the dog food others are feeding.  I believe I have read about some on Wellness Core.  Would love to know what ya'll are feeding your babies, (and yes I am from the south).  Do you have the pages that others have written about food? 

Thanks all!!!

Prayers and love to all,

Denise and Mattie

Most of the suggestions, if I recall -- are foods specifically to help IMHA, not diet generally.  There is a good nutrition section here on Dog.com's forum you might want to check out -- they'll tell you what's good and what's not so good.  Wellness, if I remember correctly, isn't a favorite and can be tough on the kidneys.

 Food suggestion helps specifically for IMHA -- Page 14/Post 1, Page 42

Now, yes, I homecook as do some of the others.  But not most folks in this thread.

Willow says THANK YOU everyone for the well wishes!!!  

Lori

I heard from Al's Mom this morning -- folks please lift her up if you will.  She lost Al last night.  It got very confusing at the end, but his cells just weren't getting enough oxygen.  She's devastated - tried so hard. 

Lordy, I hate this disease. 

We are so sorry to read about poor Al!!

I'm so sorry about Al.  Tell his Mom we are thinking of her, Callie.

Lori, I'm so happy that Willow had a good check up the other day.  Give her some scritches for me.

Jackie, Willow says thank you!!

Dear Meredith,

I'm so sorry for your loss.  It is my sincere hope that you have peace and joyful memories of when he was well to fill your heart.  You were doing so much for him, and he was so lucky to be loved by you.  Please know that we are praying for you.

Sincerely,

Amsten

Thanks everyone for your well wishes.  Yes - I am devastated.  I miss him so much that I don't know what to do with myself, particularly since the last 6 weeks has largely been about fighting this disease.

Al had a blood panel done on Saturday.  Although his PCV levels had been stable for almost three weeks, the test results we got back on Monday were unsettling.  His liver, kidney and gall bladder values all indicated infection.  I had a plan to take him to an internist the following morning but we ended up going in the middle of the night.  His PCV levels had dropped and he needed a transfusion.  A few hours later, I received a call that there was fluid around his heart, which could have indicated cancer or an infection.  The fluid was removed.  He was stable at this point but I received another call about 5 hours later that he was having difficulty breathing and I should come to the hospital right away.  When I got there, it was clear to me that he was soooo uncomfortable and we couldn't go on any more.  Most likely, there was clotting in his lungs and his whole body was struggling to breathe even though he was on oxygen.  The only option was poor - to have him placed on a respirator but the likelihood of him ever coming off of it due to infection and airborne disease was extremely low.  So, he finally met with peace.  Our Doctor told me afterwards that there were only three other cases of this kind of infection around the heart reported and that none of them met a positive end.  Sadly, his reticulocyte count was 1697.  The steroids were working against the IMHA but also destroyed his body in the end.

I can't help but say "what if?" about many things.  I will eventually let it go and find peace in my love for him but if anyone can benefit from lessons learned, then it's worth discussing.  I wish that I had consulted with a vet that knew more about IMHA dogs.  As we all know, this is a day to day and hour to hour disease and I never felt like my vet was very proactive.  I am actually the one who said that he should have another blood panel done on Saturday.  As Callie always says, this disease is about so much more than the PCV.  And vets do feel like they're doing you a favor to not do a full blood panel or examination because you've spent so much money already.  But guess what, you've spent so much money already and after a hospital stay, drugs and transfusions, this is a drop in the bucket.  Also, I never knew how sick Al was because he was already so beat up - was having a hard time walking and was so tired.  It wasn't just about being anemic anymore.  His body was put through the ringer.  And this was all the more reason for him to have solid tests so we knew exactly where he was. 

I will miss him so much.  He was the love of my life and I cherished him.  I wish you all the very best in fighting this disease and I will still come visit and support you in your battles.

xoxo

Al's Mom - Meredith

Meredith,

I am so sorry to read your sad news. you must miss Al so much-we know how much you loved him. You did everything you could to help him and you made the bravest decision of all. And, we thank you for sharing Al's story and the hard decisions you had to make because it helps us all learn more about what we have to pay attention to. My heart and prayers go out to you.

I haven't been to the thread for a few days, I am sooo sorry.  My heart just sank when I read about Al.  Merideth remember the happy times and know that you fought this disease with Al, he was never alone!  I'm crying and I've never even met him, I just know he was as important to you as Smokie is to me and I know that I could just as easily end up where you are.

So much of this disease is luck.  I'm lucky he responded, I'm lucky that right now my biggest problem is getting him to take his cyclo that he insists on spitting out.

We've started going on walks in the morning, I'm amazed I swear he's back and better than ever, it makes me wonder how long he was sick before he crashed and I caught on.  Hopefully now I'll notice sooner if he starts sliding.  I have to admit I have focused almost solely on the PCV level but he's been doing so well, that I take it for granted he could be sick and I wouldn't necessarily know.  We will think of you and Al walking with us in the morning.

I know words can't take away the pain of loosing your best friend but Smokie and I are so sorry for your lose.  You are an amazing fur-mom, never forget that!

-Megan