My dog has an unknown illness-thought it was IMHA

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My dog has an unknown illness-thought it was IMHA

Posted : 2/2/2015 10:54:25 AM

Hi all, It's been a long time since I've been on here but I recognize so many names. I was a member on the old idog forum and lost a newfoundland named Jamie to hemangiosarcoma. So many of you helped me through it. That was right around the time Sandra lost Hunter. Anyway, It's been a long month. Jan 5th I almost lost my 14yr old border collie x to severe anemia. He was misdiagnosed with arthritis when he developed weakness and inability to get up. She saw his age and just assumed. 5 days later, he was carried in on a stretcher unable to lift his head. She brought him out of it after a 3 day hospital stay and he walked out of there. His HCT was 20 going in.

His white cells are high (30s) and his HCT at last check was 28. It was thought he had IMHA but he wasn't treated very aggressively. 10mg pred BID.
After three CBCs of no improvement, my vet gave up on him. Said due to his age (I hate when people do that) he probably has cancer. He has muscle wasting (from the pred) and she tried to convince me it was a sign of cancer. I really need a new vet.

Anyway, I wanted a specialist. He went on Friday and had an ultrasound. No tumors or cancer seen and organs look ok, so it's still a mystery. he's still anemic and weak. The specialist has a full chem screen, coombs and leptospirosis tests sent out.
I'm supposed to find something out today. I just don't know what to think. I know he is old but was romping and playing on Christmas day.

He is on denamarin and Slippery elm cocktail. He hadn't eaten for 5 days prior to hospitalization (I called in but they just put him on metronidazole. It was Saturday and she didn't have time to see him. :( and didn't eat 4 days after. He's down 9 lbs.
He has a good appetite now. Just weak, knuckles over, slow to lift his hind end. Pale.

Has anyone ever experienced these symptoms?
Thanks,
Simpleton

calliecritturs

Posted : 2/2/2015 3:30:51 PM

I knew Sandra very well when she lost Hunter but at that time we were both on AllPets (man is THAT a blast from the past). My email is callieatcritturs@yahoo.com -- if you want to email me I've got other stuff I can send you.

Beyond "specialist" I'm going to suggest you go to a vet school. I have not a clue where you live nor am I saying anything bad about "specialist" altho I will be totally honest -- I would always rather see someone go to a vet school (even if they have to drive many hours) than see a specialist who is just going to put the dog on whatever protocol they "usually have good success with".

Many times a vet school is cheaper, better and ultimately the best move you can make. You can go in via ICU anytime -- even during the night or weekend.. Don't bother with an apt -- call and say you're on your way, the dog has been dx with IMHA but is NOT stable and may not even have been completely diagnosed.

This can be so frustrating and such a roller coaster. You can't let the dog not eat -- with an IMHA dog you **have** to syringe feed them if they won't eat. The vet really ought to give you an anti-nausea med like Cerenia or Reglan. But the slippery elm cocktail (be really really fussy about the aloe -- it *must* be inner fillet!) is actually nutritious on it's own. You can give as much of that as you want (you can get a feeding tube from a farm supply place or you can use a baby medicine syringe (lots of them). If you will email me I will send you instructions on how you can force feed like this and NOT have them aspirate it.

I know he's eating *now* but they can go off food just because the meds hurt the stomach ... yes, it's a roller coaster.

My prayers and good thots are also with you -- I know how hard this is.

the hind end weakness is typical from pred. The extreme lethargy is typical -- when the PCV is down at 20 or so the heart literally has to beat more than twice it's normal speed JUST to get enough oxygen to cells to sustain life. So just laying there doing nothing his body is working HARD. That doesn't mean give up -- that means be patient if you can.

While they are getting stable this is so hard. And the med side effects are fierce as well. BUT they can get thru this. My Billy had to have six transfusions the first month -- it took me 18 months to get him fully off all the meds but he then had the BEST 3 years of his life with us after IMHA (and this dog had a horrible life before he came to us when he was 8-9).

Take care -- please email me. I'll help you call I can.

Simpleton

Posted : 2/2/2015 4:27:54 PM

It has been such a worrisome few weeks. I will look into the vet school. I'm still waiting on the results. So nerve wracking. In the beginning, She gave me sucralfate but doesn't think I need it anymore so I took matters into my own hands, I got the inner leaf aloe and made up som SEC....He is on Denamarin right now, but I have the MK powder on order per your suggestion and will switching once I run out. I ordered it on Amazon and read your review. :)

I'll shoot you an email after I get home from work...thanks for your support.